Interesting historic sites, fascinating traditional villages, and exceptionally rich nature with beautiful beaches along the Adriatic Sea, along with inland mountains, woods, lakes, rivers, and waterfalls are the major attractions in Croatia. This scenic and modern European country offers excellent opportunities for sightseeing, dining, entertainment, water sports and outdoor activities.
On the Adriatic coast of Croatia, the seaside town of Dubrovnik is world-famous for its historic walled old town, picturesque islands and beautiful beaches by the crystal clear Mediterranean waters. Split is another interesting historic city by the Adriatic Sea with many beautiful Roman buildings. Split and Dubrovnik are good bases for exploring the picturesque Adriatic islands of Croatia. A charming small town on the Dalmatian coast between the clear blue waters of the Adriatic Sea and the towering Biokovo Mountain, Makarska offers a palm-fringed beach promenade, beautiful old town, and lovely harbour. On the pebble beaches of the Makarska Riviera you can sunbathe, swim, or try water sports, and the Biokovo Mountain is great for hiking.
National Parks. Croatia hosts eight national parks, mostly situated along its beautiful Adriatic coast. The most famous of them, the Plitvice Lakes National Park is home to outstanding natural beauty with numerous turquoise lakes, magnificent waterfalls and large forests. The area is exceptionally rich in flora and fauna and a perfect destination for nature lovers: wildlife viewing and trekking are popular activities in the area. Other popular Croatian nature reserves include Paklenica and Mljet National Parks and Velebit Nature Park.
Island destinations in Croatia include Hvar, an island full of natural beauty with its rolling green hills, lovely beaches, picturesque vineyards and lavender fields. The biggest Dalmatian island of Brač has also unspoiled nature with golden beaches, rolling hills, pine forests and vineyards. The island of Marco Polo, Korčula has secluded beaches, dense pine forests and vineyards where the famous Croatian wine is being produced. In the walled, historical old town of Korčula you can stroll along the narrow streets and visit some fascinating attractions. The Croatian islands of Mljet, Losinj, and Pag and the peninsula of Istria are also popular holiday destinations in Croatia.
Accommodation & services. A popular summer holiday destination, Croatia has good facilities for visitors. There is a good selection of apartments, small private hotels, mid-range hotels and five-star luxury hotels in Croatia, concentrated in coastal areas. The major Croatian cities have lively nightlife with bars, pubs, discos, nightclubs, and live music.
Historical cities, picturesque villages and nature wonders in Croatia
The capital of Croatia, Zagreb is home to numerous historical attractions such as medieval old town with magnificent architecture and cobblestone streets. Zagreb is the cultural and business center of the country with good opportunities for shopping, entertainment and nightlife. In the picturesque nearby villages of Samobor, Sestine, Gracani and Remete on the beautiful Medvednica hill you can still sense the traditional Croatian way of life.On the Adriatic coast of Croatia, the seaside town of Dubrovnik is world-famous for its historic walled old town, picturesque islands and beautiful beaches by the crystal clear Mediterranean waters. Split is another interesting historic city by the Adriatic Sea with many beautiful Roman buildings. Split and Dubrovnik are good bases for exploring the picturesque Adriatic islands of Croatia. A charming small town on the Dalmatian coast between the clear blue waters of the Adriatic Sea and the towering Biokovo Mountain, Makarska offers a palm-fringed beach promenade, beautiful old town, and lovely harbour. On the pebble beaches of the Makarska Riviera you can sunbathe, swim, or try water sports, and the Biokovo Mountain is great for hiking.
National Parks. Croatia hosts eight national parks, mostly situated along its beautiful Adriatic coast. The most famous of them, the Plitvice Lakes National Park is home to outstanding natural beauty with numerous turquoise lakes, magnificent waterfalls and large forests. The area is exceptionally rich in flora and fauna and a perfect destination for nature lovers: wildlife viewing and trekking are popular activities in the area. Other popular Croatian nature reserves include Paklenica and Mljet National Parks and Velebit Nature Park.
Island destinations in Croatia include Hvar, an island full of natural beauty with its rolling green hills, lovely beaches, picturesque vineyards and lavender fields. The biggest Dalmatian island of Brač has also unspoiled nature with golden beaches, rolling hills, pine forests and vineyards. The island of Marco Polo, Korčula has secluded beaches, dense pine forests and vineyards where the famous Croatian wine is being produced. In the walled, historical old town of Korčula you can stroll along the narrow streets and visit some fascinating attractions. The Croatian islands of Mljet, Losinj, and Pag and the peninsula of Istria are also popular holiday destinations in Croatia.
Practical information for your trip to Croatia
Croatia is located in Southeastern Europe by the Adriatic Sea. The Croatian landscape is very diverse with beautiful rocky coastline, islands on the Adriatic Sea, flat plains, mountains, and highlands. Northern Croatia has a continental climate with hot summers and cold winters while the coastal areas enjoy a pleasant Mediterranean climate with mild winters and dry summers. The most pleasant time to visit Croatia is from April to September. The peak season for tourism in Croatia is from July to August.Accommodation & services. A popular summer holiday destination, Croatia has good facilities for visitors. There is a good selection of apartments, small private hotels, mid-range hotels and five-star luxury hotels in Croatia, concentrated in coastal areas. The major Croatian cities have lively nightlife with bars, pubs, discos, nightclubs, and live music.
Photo: Perledivetro, used under Creative Commons License (By ND 2.0)
How to get there. Croatia's main international airport is located approximately 20 kilometers from the capital Zagreb, while the airports in Dubrovnik and Split also receive many flights to Croatia from abroad. There are regular domestic flights between the major cities in Croatia. The country can also be accessed by bus, car, and train from the neighboring countries and many other European countries. There are popular ferries to Croatia from Italy, offering you a good way to explore the beautiful Croatian islands.
Getting around. Croatia has good highways and an excellent network of affordable buses. However, the coastal highway often gets congested during Croatia’s peak tourism season in August. All major cities in Croatia except Dubrovnik are connected by trains. Car rental companies can be found in the major cities such as Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik. Driving is on the right side of the road.
Safety. Travelling in Croatia is generally safe, though a danger of landmines still exists in some remote former war zones. These areas include eastern and western Slavonia, Lika and Banovina. Unpaved roads and abandoned areas should be avoided when travelling in these areas of Croatia. Other than that, occasional pickpockets and fast traffic in winding mountain roads remain your main safety concerns.
History and culture of Croatia
The area of Croatia has been inhabited for thirteen centuries. Croatia was once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. After the World War I the Croats, Serbs, and Slovenes formed Yugoslavia which became a communist state after the World War II, during which Croatia was a Fascist state cooperating with Nazi Germany. Croatia declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 but entered a long and bloody war between Croatian police forces and the rebelling Serb minority. This civil war lasted until 1995. Today, Croatia is a peaceful and modern European country. Rich in history, the Slavic Croatia has also strong cultural traditions with Roman Catholic religion, Roman art and folk music.hint See also these nearby destinations: Zagreb, Plitvice Lakes National Park
