Croatia is a very popular destination for tourists from Central Europe. Millions of travellers visit every year, and in summer the Croatian beaches are full of tourists. For good reason, Croatia is a country with a lot to offer despite its size. Croatia has Mediterranean-style coastal towns, breathtaking rocky beaches, magnificent mountains and enchanting national parks with numerous lakes and waterfalls. Croatia is not only a country of clear blue seas, but is also famous for its beautiful and numerous islands and bays, as well as other natural beauty spots.
Croatia has a fascinating history. You will find ancient Roman monuments, medieval castles and traces of the last main historical event, the Yugoslav war.
In this article we will show you the main must-see attractions when visiting Croatia.
1. Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital and largest city of Croatia. The city is located at the southern end of the Medvednica Mountains, on the left bank of the Sava, along important transport routes, between the Dinaric Mountains and the Alps.
In Zagreb, you can see highlights such as the colourful tiled Church of St Mark, the Zagreb Cathedral and the spectacular Croatian National Theatre. Zagreb’s Old Town offers a pleasant walk through the medieval and baroque buildings, or through the pedestrian streets and green areas of the Lower Town, with its many pleasant cafés and restaurants.
2. Plitvice Lakes National Park
Croatia’s most famous attraction is undoubtedly the Plitvice Lakes, known for their waterfalls. The park (Plitvička jezera in Croatian) is visited by thousands of tourists every day of the year. The national park connects several lakes and waterfalls, creating a seemingly endless network of waterfalls. The Plitvice Lakes National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The beautiful Plitvice Lakes are famous for their unique color, ranging from azure, green and blue to grey. The area around the lake is home to a particularly rich variety of animal and bird species. Among many other species, rare animals such as the European brown bear, wolf, eagle, owl and lynx can be found here.
The Plitvice Lakes can be visited almost all year round, but only partially in winter. In our personal opinion, spring is at its most beautiful around May, when the water flow is at its highest and the plants are already in colour.
For more information, read our special article about Plitvice Lakes by clicking here.
3. Pula
Pula is the 7th largest city in Croatia, but one of the most popular among tourists. Pula, in the south-west of the Istrian peninsula, was under Roman rule in antiquity, and flourished under the Emperor Augustus, when the most important Roman buildings were built: the amphitheatre, two theatres, churches and palaces. Some of them can still be seen today, such as the Temple of Rome, the Arch of Sergius, the Gate of Hercules, the double-arched Porta Geminia, but the most famous of all is the amphitheatre. This huge structure is one of the five largest Roman amphitheatres, which could seat 23,000 people, and it is a good illustration of Pula’s importance in the Roman period. It is now used for concerts and festivals.
If you want to read more about Pula, you can find a complete Pula travel guide by clicking on the link.
4. Zadar
Zadar is the second-largest city of the region of Dalmatia and the fifth-largest city in Croatia. Zadar is without doubt one of the most important cities on the Croatian coast. Zadar has a beautiful, charming old town with great, interesting and exciting sights, and there are some pretty good beaches in the area. It’s worth planning your holiday to include a visit to St. Donat’s Church, the promenade along the beach and the Sea Organ.
Close to Zadar is the canyon of the Zrmanja river, one of the best photographic spots in the area. The nearby island of Pag is also a paradise for tourists.
5. Cetina River Spring
The source of the Cetina River is one of the most beautiful karst springs in Croatia. The lake-like formation is located near the town of Cetina, north of the town of Vrlika. The eyelid-shaped limestone cavity has a depth of at least 150 metres and its crystal-clear waters make it a spectacular sight. The area is made up of high mountains and river valleys, making it a recommended detour on a trip.
The village of Cetina, where the spring is located, is a quite hidden place, accessible only by car and difficult to get to. So plan your trip well and leave enough time for it.
The Cetina River Spring has been getting more and more fame on social media in recent years. Although there are several photos on social media of people swimming in the water, it is otherwise highly not recommended because of the water temperature.
6. Krka National Park
In Krka National Park you will find beautiful waterfalls, hiking trails and interesting buildings. The Croatian park was formed along the Krka River. In the park you can go boating, hiking, picnicking and even swimming. The most famous waterfall in the park is Skradinski Buk, the most photogenic of all. In addition to the fascinating natural environment with its unique rock formations, waterfalls, lakes, islands, flora and fauna, Krka National Park also has a cultural heritage with several buildings of historical importance, such as the Franciscan monastery and church on the island of Visovac Lake, which is most similar to the small island of Bled.
A short drive from the Croatian coast, this huge park is an hour’s drive from Split or Zadar. The national park, which resembles the Plitvice Lakes, is already an ideal place to complement a beach holiday.
If you would like to read more about Krka National Park, you can find out more information by clicking on the link.
7. Split
Croatia’s second-largest city on the coast of central Dalmatia, Split has a long and rich history that has earned it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is home to the former palace of Emperor Diocletian. It also boasts medieval fortresses, churches, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque palaces. Behind the coastal city are the beautiful Dinari Mountains, and the Croatian sea is home to a variety of small and large islands. The promenade with its palm trees and the harbour offer a pleasant walk.
8. Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is also a popular attraction in the south of Croatia. Dubrovnik is a fortress in itself, comprising several smaller fortresses. Its most famous attractions, besides its enchanting beaches, are its massive, strong city walls, churches, monasteries, palaces, historic cottages and residences. Dubrovnik also offers many museums and cultural festivals.
As you can see from the description, Croatia is a very diverse country and a favourite for many tourists for good reason. So if you decide to take a trip to Croatia, we hope our article has helped inspire you.
