CROATIA
I visited Croatia in the summer of 2023, extending a business trip to Zagreb. This also allowed me to visit the capital, an uncommon destination for many tourists who prefer the Croatian coast and the islands. We decided to go to Croatia by car, as Zagreb is about 6 hours from Milan, where I live, and this would have allowed us to go around independently and see more places. We drove down from Zagreb to Dubrovnik, stopping for 3 days on the island of Brac, and then drove the whole way back, which allowed us to see the panorama of the Croatian coast, dotted with a thousand islands and full of greenery, nature and hills in the hinterland. I wish I had more time to visit it, while unfortunately we only had 7 days to go all the way around. We visited the lovely Plitvice lakes park, and there are many others in Croatia (there are 8 nature parks in Croatia, all of which are not to be missed!).
In short, Croatia is an incredible destination for those who want to combine nature, sea and beach, good climate, cuisine and historic marvels!
10 things to do in CROATIA
1. IMMERSE YOURSELF INTO NATURE AT PLITVICE LAKES
Do you love nature, peace and beautiful landscapes? All of Croatia is for you then, but the Plitvice Lakes are a unique spectacle with their emerald waters that will remain etched in your memory.
Plitvice Lakes is the oldest and largest park in Croatia. The Park consists of 16 lakes fed by the Bijela Rijeka and Crna Rijeka rivers (White River and Black River) and by underground springs, connected to each other by a series of waterfalls, which flow into the Korana River.
In 1979 they were proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and can be visited thanks to a well-marked network of paths and 18 km of wooden walkways that give the waterfront journey a unique charm.
The best time to visit the lakes is definitely May/June, when the lakes are full of water and trees and flowers are in full bloom. Plitvice Park is divided into two parts: the upper part whose lakes are located in a Dolomite valley surrounded by forests and connected by spectacular waterfalls, and the lower part where you can see smaller lakes and lower vegetation. At the entrance there are various types of routes that cover different areas and are different in travel time and kilometres. And after a long walk surrounded by greenery, where to stay? We decided to stay two nights in a hotel located inside the park, and this was fantastic because after a day spent in the park, we were able to relax in the hotel’s outdoor area and still enjoy a fantastic sunset in the middle of nature and an incredible silence and peace.
2. CLIMB ALL THE STEPS TO SEE THE CITY FROM MARJAN HILL, SPLIT
This famous hill deserves a special place in the life of this city. It’s a symbol of Split. Every time you want to take a break from the hectic lifestyle of the city is enough to take a little walk and head towards Marjan.
The first thing we did as soon as we arrived in Split was to ask for advice on the most beautiful and panoramic views and this hill was one of the first advice we received. This hill and its forests are the lungs of the city, the most popular place to escape from the city bustling and chaotic pace of life during the high season in July and August. You will be able to climb the steps and start and see the incredible panorama that presents itself in front of you little by little, until you get to the balcony where you can see the whole city from above. Sunset is an ideal time to enjoy this view, also very romantic! Once you get to the top there is also a restaurant bar that offers both drinks and dinner, it’s ideal to stop and have a drink while admiring the suggestive atmosphere of the city at sunset.
3. STROLL ALONG THE RIVA PROMENADE IN SPLIT
Riva promenade is the most popular and most important public place in Split. In has been widened and reconstructed several times, but it was always blessed with the most spectacular set.
Riva today is a pedestrian heaven, thrusting with Cafés and restaurants, an ideal place for having your morning or afternoon coffee, or for an evening out with friends over drinks. You will be enchanted by a walk on the promenade, between the historic buildings on one side and the sea on the other, all dotted with lots of colorful flowers. Riva is the stage of the city life of Split, a venue for numerous cultural and entertainment events, boisterous Split carnival, as well as the stage for meeting Split sportsmen after countless successes. Naturally, Riva is always at its best in time of Sudamja, a celebration dedicated to St. Domnius, the patron saint of Split. The Riva Promenade is also where you’ll find most tour stands to book boat excursions to nearby islands. For example, Hvar or the famous Blue Cave (one of the top things to do in Split!).
4. EXPLORE SPLIT OLD TOWN AND ITS HISTORICAL DIOCLETIAN PALACE
The UNESCO Diocletian’s Palace is the gem of Split, widely known as the city’s most important landmark. The complex of impressive buildings sits at the heart of the oldest part of the city, reminding people of a long-forgotten Roman past.
It was built as a sumptuous imperial villa and Roman military camp (castrum), divided into four parts by two main roads. The southern half of the palace was intended for the emperor, while the northern part was intended for the imperial guard, soldiers, servants, warehouses, etc. The palace is a rectangular construction with four large corner towers and four smaller towers and a gate on each wall. Over the centuries the inhabitants of the palace, and later also the citizens of Split, have adapted these spaces to their needs, so that the buildings inside and the outer walls with towers have changed considerably from their original appearance, but the contours of the palace are still clearly visible today. Unsurprisingly, this mammoth structure was used as the setting for the filming of Game of Thrones.
5. ADMIRE THE “BLUE EYE” CETINA SPRING
On our road trip by car from Plitvice lakes to Split, we stopped to admire this beautiful spring, with an extraordinary shape and color, which is one of the sources of the Cetina, the longest river in Dalmatia which travels about 105 km before flowing into the Adriatic sea. Its waters flow at the foot of Dinara, the mountain massif of the highest peaks in Croatia.
“The eye of the earth”, so called due to the strong resemblance to an eye with numerous blue and turquoise shades, seen from above is undoubtedly one of the most particular and fascinating beauties of the region. This small body of water, formed by a hole that enters the bowels of the earth at a still unknown depth, is made up of tunnels and caves that divers have only managed to explore in the first 115 metres. A natural splendor capable of leaving anyone who reaches it speechless.
6. SWIM IN THE FABULOUS SEA OF ZLATNI RAT BEACH IN BRAC
The captivating island of Brac is where turquoise waters meet stunning golden beaches and cute historic harbors. Located on the island of Brac, Zlatni Rat beach has the characteristics of a truly heavenly place and is considered one of the symbolic beaches of Croatia. Zlatni Rat extends for just under half a kilometer and is characterized by fine gravel and a truly wonderful sea. The peculiarity of this beach, which is located on a narrow “tongue” of sand and gravel, lies in its particular shape which changes over time according to the tides, currents and wind. The extreme tip of this strip of land faces slightly east, but moves west under certain weather conditions. Due to this peculiarity and the naturalistic environment in which it is located, the Zlatni Rat beach has become one of the most popular in Croatia. Zlatni Rat beach is made up of pebbles mixed with sand and is washed by sea waters that are clear and fresh thanks to the presence of currents from the Hvar Channel. In addition to being very popular with families with children, the beach attracts many surf enthusiasts who, in this stretch of coast, can take advantage of the wind, especially in the afternoon.
7. ENJOY THE VIEW OF DUBROVNIK FROM MOUNT SRD
Dubrovnik is undoubtedly a truly magical city. It is called “the Pearl of the Adriatic,” and its iconic Old Town is adorned with Baroque buildings, colorful markets, and mighty limestone walls. Walking the cobblestone streets is a great way to admire this historic city, but why not head up into the surrounding hills to take in the view from above? The summit of Mount Srd is Dubrovnik’s most scenic viewpoint.
You can get up to the Mount Srd viewpoint by car, by hiking, or by taking the cable car.
The choice is yours but surely from my point of view the price of the Cable Car is too high for such a short journey that can be done both by car and on foot. I would choose the Cable Car only if there is no other choice.
Instead the trailhead to the summit is just a 20-minute walk from the Old Town.
We chose to go by car at sunset and it was a wonderful sight: the city at sunset with its iconic red roofs illuminated by the sun, the last boats returning to the port, while the Adriatic Sea glitters into the horizon.
8. STROLL ALONG THE NARROW STREETS IN DUBROVNIK OLD TOWN
One morning, in Dubrovnik, I decided to take my camera and wander without a precise destination through the cobbled streets of the old town of Dubrovnik, getting inspired by the city and exploring it in its most remote streets and away from the tourist crowds.
I discovered fantastic corners, where the white of the sunlit limestone meets the lush vegetation overlooking the street, with the magnificent backdrop of the Old Port.
To get the best view of the city and the Adriatic Sea, you must not miss a walk around the city walls of Dubrovnik. In the small medieval space bisected by the 300m long Stradun you can glide between the two main gates of Ploce and Pile, guided by the list of places on the brown flags.
Inside the city walls is the central square and intersection of Luza, where you will find Orlando’s Column and Onofrio’s Small Fountain. Luza Square is surrounded by the main historical attractions: Sponza Palace, Rector’s Palace, Dubrovnik Cathedral and Church of St. Blaise.
9. TASTE A PLATE OF LOCAL FISH
With over 3,500 miles of coastline, it’s no surprise that Croatians love their seafood! The Adriatic Sea lines the entire western side of Croatia and has influenced the cuisine of the whole country. From the familiar mussels and oysters to the perhaps more exotic black risotto, there is no shortage of seafood to try while enjoying your vacation in Croatia! Some of the most popular and delicious dishes of Croatian cuisine are Oysters with Lemon Juice, Octopus Peka, one of the most popular Croatian seafood dishes, composed of octopus, potatoes, and spices and Black risotto. Black risotto may not be exclusively Croatian, as it is widespread along the entire Adriatic and Mediterranean coast. However, the quality of Dalmatian seafood specifically makes this dish one of the best meals you will try in Croatia! Typical types of seafood used for black risotto are cuttlefish, squid, mussels, and shrimp.
This is a photo of one of the dishes from the Konoba Laganini restaurant in Split, a stone’s throw from Diocletian’s palace.
We dined on their outside tables, positioned in a narrow side street, very private and romantic. They have many fish specialties, we chose tuna and Carnaroli rice dishes, obviously all accompanied by a good still white wine served cold!
10. EXPLORE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN SOME OF THE MANY CROATIAN ISLANDS
If you visit Croatia it is essential to also explore its islands, enchanting and with an unforgettable blue sea.
In Croatia, not far from the coast, there are 79 islands and 525 islets. Each of them is suitable for every type of traveller: some are more suitable for entertainment, others for a holiday in unspoiled nature.
One of the most famous and mentioned in the guides, besides the island of Brac famous for its Zlatni Rat beach, is the island of Hvar. It is considered the island of chic and trendy nightlife, but Hvar is not only this: it is also nature and lavender fields. The most beautiful sandy beach is Palmizana bay on the nearby islet of Sveti Klement.
Another decidedly fascinating island with its red-roofed houses reminiscent of those of Dubrovnik is Korcula. Korcula is very close to the mainland and is located between the islands of Hvar and Lastovo. The coast is indented and is a paradise to discover by canoe with many bays, inlets and ravines.
There are really many others and the official Croatian ferry site offers daily ferries to the main islands even with the possibility of embarking the car if necessary. So my advice is: explore this incredible and wild land as much as you can, it’s worth it!
When to go?
Winter
Spring
Summer
Autumn
The Adriatic coastal strip is best to be visited in the summer, especially in July and August. The rest of Croatia (inland areas, including the capital) can be visited from May to September.
three unmissable stops
Best photos spots
I’m a photographer, so I’m always looking for the best corner in the world to make the perfect picture. Often, with great pleasure of my traveling companions, I also spend hours staring at the landscape, waiting for the perfect moment with perfect light. Therefore, when I decided to create my blog, I could not avoid to include a dedicated section to photography enthusiasts like me, always looking for the landscape that leaves you breathless. Hope you will enjoy these places where, in my opinion, you can enjoy wonderful landscapes and take the best pictures.
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