Top Things to Do in Croatia
12 must-see attractions and experiences
Croatia hits you before you know where you are. The air above Zadar tastes of brine and dried lavender. Stone under your sandals is warm, pale as bone. Somewhere in the harbor a ferry horn echoes off walls that have been hearing that sound for seven hundred years. The Adriatic does most of the talking. Its color shifts from deep cobalt to shallow turquoise to the impossible green you associate with Caribbean clichés, except the backdrop is Venetian campaniles, Roman forums, and karstic cliffs scoured clean by the bura wind. First-time visitors arrive with mental images stitched from Dubrovnik footage and Game of Thrones location shots. The country's real character lives in its archipelago. More than a thousand islands scatter down the Dalmatian coast. Most are uninhabited. Pine-forested interiors smell of wild rosemary and warm resin. Shores drop into water so clear a boat hull casts a shadow on the seabed ten meters below. The towns along this coast, Split, Hvar, Šibenik, Zadar, are living places. Fishermen still spread nets on quays flanked by UNESCO-listed facades. Teenagers on scooters zip past Roman-era columns without a second glance. Croatia is quietly one of the most serious food countries in the Mediterranean. Zadar's markets smell of fresh fig and smoked cheese. Fish at a harbor konoba arrives whole, skin crisped over charcoal, flesh tasting of the sea it swam in that morning. Peka, lamb or octopus slow-cooked under an iron bell buried in embers, is the definitive local ritual. Patient, smoky, satisfying. Come in June or September when crowds are manageable, water is warm, and light on limestone turns gold by late afternoon.
Hand-Picked Experiences in Croatia
The best of every kind, whatever you're in the mood for
On the Water
Private tour of Pakleni islands, Red Cliffs & South Shore of Hvar
A private tour shows you the authentic side of Hvar, its islands, and most beautiful beaches.
Insider tip Go far from the crowds and mass touristic sights.
Half-Day Group Boat Tour from Zadar to the Nearby Islands
Cruise · rated 5.0 from 63 reviews · from $35
Insider tip Take time to stroll along island paths and admire impressive views.
Private boat tour of Red rocks & Pakleni islands
A private boat tour of Red rocks & Pakleni islands from Hvar city.
Insider tip Our first stop is Red Rocks, a natural attraction of vertically separated red limestone rocks.
Adventure & the Outdoors
4-Seater Buggy, Self-Guided Adventure in Hvar
A private buggy tour takes you beyond the main roads of Hvar across rocky trails and panoramic viewpoints.
Insider tip Stop, take photos and enjoy the landscape on This off-road adventure.
Private Blue Cave Tour from Split, Brač, Trogir and Hvar
Guided experience · rated 5.0 from 47 reviews · from $1801
Insider tip It is designed to match your pace, preferences, and travel style.
Krka Waterfalls Afternoon Tour, Included Entrance Fee and Guide
Guided experience · rated 5.0 from 28 reviews · from $72
Insider tip Enjoy 90 minutes of free time to explore Skradin's charming streets or relax on the beach.
Food & Drink
Zadar Food Tasting & Old Town Guided Walking Tour by Šušur
Food · rated 5.0 from 124 reviews · from $54
Insider tip A local gourmet guide reveals more than just flavors.
Private Full Day Tour | Food & Drinks | Kornati or Vrgada
Day trip · rated 5.0 from 29 reviews · from $130
Insider tip Eat delicious Dalmatian cuisine along the way with a local captain.
Hvar Small Group Wine Tour and Authentic Dalmatian Dinner
Food · rated 5.0 from 20 reviews · from $318
Insider tip Experience an authentic Dalmatian 2-course dinner in one of the rustic and charming restaurants.
Day Trips Further Afield
From Zadar: Plitvice Lakes Guided Day Tour with Tickets
Guided experience · rated 5.0 from 46 reviews · from $90
Insider tip Walk the path around the lakes and relax on a boat trip.
Transfer From Zadar Airport to Town Zadar
A transfer from Zadar Airport to the old town of Zadar.
Insider tip Driving to the old town takes about 20 to 25 minutes.
Private Return Transfer to Krka National Park from Zadar and return to Zadar
A private return transfer to Krka National Park, a beautiful place with waterfalls and lakes.
Insider tip The visit and the trip can take up to 5 hours.
Culture & History
Tuk Tuk Sightseeing Tour of Hvar
Experience the attractions of the island Hvar in a different and unique Tuk Tuk way.
Hvar - An Exclusive Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide
Walking tour · from $247
Insider tip Hvar's rich history is tied to its strategic location and local traditions.
More to Explore
Even more of the best of Croatia
Full-Day Tour in Dugi Otok with Stand-Up Paddle Experience
EntertainmentThe Full-Day Tour in Dugi Otok with Stand-Up Paddle Experience takes you to the outermost inhabited island in the Zadar archipelago, Dugi Otok, the 'Long Island,' which runs 45 kilometers down the coast but is never more than five kilometers wide. Whose western shore drops straight into the open sea. The stand-up paddleboarding portion takes place in the sheltered bays on the island's eastern side, where the water is warm and shallow enough that the sandy floor is visible several meters below the board. The silence is broken only by the occasional splash of an oar and the distant cry of a yellow-legged gull. The tour also covers the spectacular Telašćica nature park, where salt lakes behind dramatic cliffs turn pink-red in summer from algae in the warm, hypersaline water.
Private Islands Escape: Ugljan, Ošljak Preko Adventure from Zadar
OtherThe Private Islands Escape to Ugljan, Ošljak, and Preko Adventure from Zadar crosses to the three islands that sit closest to the city, close enough that local fishermen row out to them. But which most visitors miss entirely because the ferry crossing to the tourist-magnet islands to the south seems more compelling. Ugljan is agricultural, covered in terraced olive groves whose silver-green foliage shimmers in the afternoon breeze, smelling of dry earth and the mineral sweetness of ripe olives. Ošljak is one of the smallest permanently inhabited islands in Croatia, its population countable in dozens, its single lane running between a cluster of stone houses and a garden that produces figs and pomegranates in plain sight of the path.
Zadar best tour: Sakarun beach, Dugi otok, sunken ship snorkeling
AdventureThe Zadar Best Tour combining Sakarun Beach, Dugi Otok, and Sunken Ship Snorkeling is organized around three distinct pleasures that represent the full range of what the Zadar archipelago offers. Sakarun is Croatia's most beautiful beach by almost any honest measure, a sweeping crescent of white sand and shallow turquoise water on Dugi Otok's northern tip, the fine sand cool and pale underfoot where the shade of the pine trees touches it, the water so transparent that individual shells are visible on the seabed in two meters' depth. The sunken ship component takes the group to a wreck shallow enough for snorkelers, its hull encrusted with sea fans and sponges in orange and yellow, with small fish moving through the corroded porthole frames.
Planning Your Visit
Practical tips for getting the most out of Croatia
Frequently Asked Questions
What Movies Can I Visit Filming Locations for in Croatia?
Croatia served as the primary filming location for King's Landing in Game of Thrones, with Dubrovnik's Old Town walls and streets featured prominently throughout the series. You can walk the same steps as the characters along the city walls (entrance around 35 EUR) and visit Fort Lovrijenac, which doubled as the Red Keep. Star Wars Episode VIII also filmed scenes on the island of Cres and in Dubrovnik, while Mamma Mia 2 was shot on the island of Vis.
What Are the Best Places to See in Croatia?
Dubrovnik's medieval Old Town and its famous city walls are essential, along with Plitvice Lakes National Park with its cascading waterfalls and turquoise lakes. Split's Diocletian's Palace offers Roman history right in the city center, while the islands of Hvar and Korčula provide beautiful beaches and charming historic towns. The Istrian peninsula in the north offers hilltop villages like Motovun and Rovinj's colorful waterfront.
What Are the Main Attractions in Croatia?
Croatia's top attractions include Plitvice Lakes National Park (entrance 10-40 EUR depending on season), Dubrovnik's city walls, and Split's Diocletian's Palace. The Roman amphitheater in Pula is one of the best-preserved in the world, while Krka National Park offers waterfalls you can swim near. Island-hopping along the Dalmatian coast and exploring the historic cores of towns like Trogir and Zadar are also popular activities.
What Are the Best Cities to Visit in Croatia?
Dubrovnik, Split, and Zagreb are Croatia's three must-visit cities, each offering distinct experiences. Dubrovnik has the famous walled Old Town, Split combines Roman history with modern coastal life around Diocletian's Palace, and Zagreb offers Central European café culture and museums. Zadar is worth visiting for its Roman ruins and unique Sea Organ, while Rovinj in Istria provides an intimate, colorful waterfront experience.
What Are the Top Things to See in Croatia?
Don't miss Plitvice Lakes National Park's 16 terraced lakes connected by waterfalls, Dubrovnik's complete medieval city walls (a 2km walk), and Split's Diocletian's Palace where locals still live within the Roman ruins. The islands offer crystal-clear Adriatic waters, Hvar, Brač, and Vis are beautiful. In Istria, explore hilltop towns like Motovun and try truffle dishes, while Krka National Park provides accessible waterfalls and swimming spots.
Which Places Should I Visit in Croatia?
A well-rounded Croatia trip includes Dubrovnik for its walled city, Split for Diocletian's Palace, and at least one national park like Plitvice Lakes or Krka. Add a few days island-hopping to places like Hvar, Korčula, or Vis for beaches and local wine. If you have extra time, the Istrian peninsula offers excellent food, hilltop villages, and the coastal town of Rovinj, while Zagreb provides museums and continental Croatian culture.
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