Where to go in Croatia and what to do there?

Simple questions: where to go in Croatia? What to do in Croatia?

In some way, I got inspired to write this post by looking at many articles about Croatian trips. Their routes are always presented in a similar way, in short: Zagreb-Plitvice-Zadar-Split-Dubrovnik.

Don’t get me wrong, these are all wonderful places, definitely worth visiting. Well, to Dubrovnik I have quite ambivalent feelings, but for Split I already feel unconditional love. However, it’s not enough!

To really feel Croatia, or at least Dalmatia, you should go to smaller towns, and absolutely, really absolutely, to one of the islands (1244 islands to choose from, out of which 68 are inhabited, 50 permanently).

Croatia has a particular place on my personal destination list, like a special category.  In this article, you will find a completely subjective list of things to do in Croatia and places worth seeing, that are not Zagreb, Dubrovnik, or even not Split.

What to do during holidays in Croatia on the Croatian coast?

Eat in Konoba

Even better, eat in konoba, in which klapa sings. Konoba is a traditional restaurant, most often in rustic style, with traditional regional dishes and wine.

Klapa is a musical form, choir (up to 12 people) singing a cappella about love, wine, motherland, and sea. Most often, it is a male choir, although in recent years female klapa has also become more popular. It’s a strictly Dalmatian tradition, acknowledged on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

It’s hard to find an idea for a more traditional evening.

Eat, eat a lot of Croatian traditional food

It is of course part of every trip, wherever you go to. However, in Croatia (and whole region) food is a particularly important thing. It’s a lot of meat dishes. And on the coast, it’s a lot of fish and seafood. Vegetarians/vegans can struggle a bit, but for sure, you will be able to eat everywhere grilled vegetables and blitva- mix of potatoes and Swiss chard.

The number of dishes you should try is so large that even a week will not be enough, even if you eat two dinners daily. Going to a restaurant is a must (look at point 1), but with big frequency, it may be cost-absorbent. You can eat well and regionally also without restaurants.

Buy burek or other miracles from the bakery. You will find a bakery without problem, there are really many, and you can sniff one out from a 50-meter distance. Look out for local markets for fresh vegetables and fruits, and fish markets for fish. Olive oil, wine, honey, olives, cheese, ajvar, and other sauces, all this are easily accessible on markets, directly from producers, and even in supermarkets.

Drink even more coffee

Croatians drink around 5 kg of coffee per person per year (for comparison: in the UK it’s 2.8 kg). Although in this case it’s not about amount, but mainly about the culture of drinking. You don’t see famous coffee chain places in Croatia. There is no single Starbucks! There were rumours about the opening of Starbucks in Zagreb, but the company confirmed, that they don’t have such plans at the moment. One of the reasons was market research which confirmed, that Croatians would still choose coffee drinking calmly in café over ‘coffee to go’. It’s true, you will just not notice crowds running on the streets with take away cups. It’s a long coffee meeting instead, with friends, for work, alone. It’s rooted in culture and mentality, and, fortunately, it doesn’t change.

There are many non-chain local cafes instead, so nothing but sit among locals in such a place on riva and drink good coffee spiced by the sun and beautiful views.

Sail

Adriatic is a calm sea, and Croatia, with its particular type of coast (called nomen omen, Dalmatian in geographical nomenclature) and coastline of 6278 km length, is ideal place for the sails. Developed infrastructure, modern marinas, and the huge number of charter companies only emphasize it.

It’s easy to find companies that organize charters and cruises. I really recommend such holidays. For a week, you sail from island to island, every night staying on a different one. If it’s completely not your cup of tea, you can think about some touristic cruise of few hours. It’s worth it, Croatia from the sea is even more beautiful.

Stay overnight in the lighthouse

Well, that’s a bit ahead of time, as I still have it on my bucket list.

But I already imagine a night in such a place, on the island, with such a view…

You can choose from over 10 lighthouses offering accommodation, most often with the transfer. Here you can read more about Croatian lighthouses.

Here you can book your stay in the lighthouse!

Where to go in Croatia? Places worth visiting

These are not very secret regions, but they are worth remembering. Probably not all of them will fit into one trip, but maybe you can include part of them in your holiday program.

Let’s start from the north:

Istria, the seaside part

Because of Pula, Poreč, Rovinj.

Because of seaside, views, amphitheatre in Pula (third Europe largest!), basilica from the sixth century, historic towers, charming streets, harbors.

Istria, but a continental part

Buzet, Motovun, Bale or ‘the smallest town in the world’ Hum. Beautiful green views, Gothic towns, and truffles.

In Hum, except for visiting the city (you don’t need too much time on this) you can also see slabs with the Glagolitic alphabet, the first Slavic script.

Island, one of those north of Zadar

Generally, every and whichever. It may be Rab (because Rab on Rab is very charming town), or it may be Pag, which offers so many different places: pretty beaches, towns, clubs- Pag is often called ‘Croatian Ibiza’, mainly due to Zrče beach.

For me, actually, what’s more convincing than clubs is delicious sheep’s milk cheese, which originated in Pag (paški sir).

Here you can check what to see in Zadar.

National Park Kornati

Often called sailing paradise. 89 islands and islets, rocks, creeks. Impressive and special views, a bit row, a bit moonscape-like.

Šibenik i Trogir

These two cities are on the way between Zadar and Split and not that it’s worth it, but it’s absolutely necessary to stop in them.

Hvar

The island becomes more and more popular, and the island capital, town Hvar, is quite a party place during the season.

However, it’s also a town-monument, with armoury, three fortresses, a cathedral, monasteries, and charming crooked alleys.

Other towns and villages on the island are calmer and similarly charming.

The island is often called ‘scented by rosemary and lavender’. Indeed, you can feel that in the air. The biggest lavender productions have been destroyed by fires, and currently different actions are being taken to bring back tradition and production itself (for example, by the annual lavender festival in Velo Grablje).

Korčula

Second island, which is right away is associated with the smell of herbs and lavender. The place of birth of Marco Polo, with museum placed in his house.

From a bird’s eye view, old town resembles the backbone of a fish, with large number of narrow atmospheric streets, to which usually small stairs lead. Old town has a really amazing vibe with fortifications, two gates into the city, historic buildings such as cathedral or Arneri palace and harbor.

If you’d rather search for peace, you can go to one of the smaller villages on the island. The most famous is probably Lumbarda, known for its beautiful beach and a fishermen’s atmosphere.

These are just examples… 😊

Thinking of visiting Krk, the biggest Croatian island? You can read in detail about what to see in Krk how to get there, and few more tips.

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