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Touring Croatia, coastline view of Rovinj

Best Things to Do in Croatia

Iconic Attractions & Hidden Gem Travel Experiences

Croatia

Croatia is one of Europe's hottest destinations, and occupies an enviable position on the Adriatic. Its island-dotted coast makes it perfect for exploring by small ship cruise lines, which can dock at off-the-beaten-path isles like Hvar and Trogir. Medieval cities Dubrovnik and Split provide glimpses into the region's storied past, but are gastronomically up-to-date.

Top Croatia Experiences

Walking through ancient Roman ruins from when Rome conquered the area in the 2nd century BC

Exploring the beautiful Dalmatian Coast

Visiting the urban city of Zagreb

Taking a sailing tour along Croatia’s incredible coastline

Savoring Croatia’s eclectic cuisine, which combines Italian, Turkish and other culinary influences

Touring the city of Dubrovnik where much of Game of Thrones was filmed

Enjoying an afternoon in Plitvice National Park with its hundreds of waterfalls and pristine blue water

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Things to do in Croatia - Expert’s guide

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

Croatia is now open to travelers from both Europe and the United States.

Read more about Countries Reopening for Tourism


1. Plitvice National Park

Beautiful Plitvice National Park Croatia

Lovely Plitvice National Park is a staple on “Must See” lists in Croatia. Located in the north of the country, Plitvice is a large park of pools and waterfalls - connected by a series of wooden pathways. The easy walks through the park make this a great option for older travelers and families with young kids.

The lush ecosystem of Plitvice make it a haven for wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled as you explore the many pathways and hikes available.

2. Old Town Dubrovnik

Aerial view of Old Town Dubrovnik

The city of Dubrovnik has a “Classic European” vibe, with fortress walls rising out of the ocean, cobblestones, old stone archways, and picturesque ocean views. The filming location for many “King’s Landing” scenes in the TV show Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik sees thousands of tourists a year eager to walk in the footsteps of the show’s dynamic characters.

Dubrovnik’s Old Town is a great stop for history lovers eager to soak up this area's unique past. Joining UNESCO as a World Heritage site in the 1970s, Dubrovnik remains a staple for any tour to Croatia, and is often a jumping off point for cruises, and tours of wider Croatia.

3. Adriatic Cruise

Taking an Adriatic Cruise

Croatia is a long thin country, with most settlements sitting along the idyllic banks of the Adriatic sea. The cruise season is typically between mid-April to mid-October when the weather is nicest and seas are calmest. This is also peak tourist season, however, so choose your Adriatic cruise company wisely. There are nearly 1200 nearby islands off the coast of Croatia, all with unique character and hidden gems to discover.

4. Korcula

Korcula Croatia

Wine aficionados may have heard of Korcula, but it’s still somewhat of a hidden gem for tourists. One of the more heavily populated Croatian islands, Korcula is a great destination for those interested in traditional Croatian culture. Festivals are held throughout the year, and locals are often found enjoying and performing traditional folk music.

As for the wine, Korcula is known for white wines, both dry and sweet. Some of the grapes are actually indigenous to the island, which will definitely excite those who are heading there for a wine tasting.

5. Edivo Vina

Another attraction for wine lovers, as well as thrill seekers. If you’ve ever thought “I wish there was a place where I could put my wine knowledge and scuba diving skills to use at the same time, then Croatia has what you’re looking for in Edivo Vina.

While this underwater cellar, accessible only via scuba diving, may seem gimmicky, you can’t deny the special-interest appeal. And if you are not a scuba diver, don’t worry. Visitors can sample wine at the above ground tasting room, while their scuba diving counterparts can visit where the wine is stored (after being grown and bottled above ground).

But is the wine any good? Well, the storage techniques may be unconventional, but the winemakers swear by the oceans pressure and temperature control as idea conditions.

6. Split

Split Croatia

Another one of Croatia’s popular old cities, Split is well known for Diocletian's Palace - an ancient Roman fortress and essentially a retirement home for the Roman Emperor Diocletian in the year AD 305. Split's Old Town is a walking-only area, and attracts visitors year round for excellent shopping, history tours, classic European squares, and interesting architecture.

7. Mljet

Mljet Croatia

This is one of the largest islands lying off Croatia’s coast. Consisting largely of forested areas - most established as national parks in 1960, with some farmland and small villages, it’s an idyllic and quiet place to experience nature and enjoy some quality beach time. There are also two large lakes you can visit.

There is only one hotel on the entire island, as well as a smattering of private apartments and BnB accommodations. Mljet is a great destination for nature, but also for travelers curious about the Island's Benedictine Monastery, dating back to the 12th Century.

8. Zagreb

Art museum architecture in Zagreb Croatia

This Austria-Hungarian-inspired city is full of quirky and historical sites. The city’s Upper Town boasts stunning pieces of architecture, while the Lower Town is where you can spend the afternoon shopping or eating in the romantic cafes. When visiting you can’t forget to check out the interesting Mirogoj Cemetery and The Museum of Broken Relationships.

Zagreb isn’t only ideal for summer vacations, but also the perfect place to visit during the winter. Croatia’s capital city is known for its Advent Festival in December with an outdoor ice skating rink and thousands of twinkling lights giving the city a wondrous feel.

9. Zadar’s Old Town

Zadar Cathedral, Croatia

The largest old town on the Dalmatian Coast, Zadar’s Old Town is home to two of Croatia’s top attractions, the Sea Organ and The Monument of the Sun.

The Sea Organ combines architecture and nature by harnessing the waves that flow through pipes to create music. Right next to the organ is The Monument of the Sun, a large circular piece that collects the sun’s rays during the day and creates a light show at night.

10. Krka National Park

waterfall in Krka National Park in Croatia

Another one of Croatia’s stunning national parks, Krka is a short drive inland from Split. Made up of multiple teal pools, waterfalls, and boardwalks, this park is a great option to spend the day enjoying nature.

It’s also a great place for families as you can swim at the base of the main waterfall, Skradinski Buk, and enjoy a nice picnic at the local restaurant.

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Croatia Tours Reviews & Ratings

Write a review
Excellent
935
Great
188
Average
23
Disappointing
9
Terrible
21
Deborah
·
2024-03-15
Written on
Croatia Island Hopping
Fantastic first time to Croatia and an amazing introduction and itinerary with an Excellent guide -Damir .The tour started at Split and we visited the different islands during the week by Catamaran..it felt like you really were experiencing Croatian life..the sunshine and great food. I liked Korcula and Hvar especially. I added on an extra day in Dubrovnik to walk the city walls and visit the Lapad area. A great week with fun and friendly company.
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Dollie Harrilal
·
2023-12-15
Written on
Best of Croatia and Slovenia
It was perfect, saw the best of both countries.
Hassan Zaver
·
2023-12-08
Written on
Best of Croatia and Slovenia
A couple of the hotels could be better especially Hotel Paris where the rooms smelled strongly of Cigarette smoke. The Hotel in Plisvice was mediocre at best and both the dinner and breakfast could have been a lot better than it was.
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LuAnne
·
2023-12-02
Written on
Confidence with ACIS
I have been traveling with ACIS for almost 20 years, and I have yet to be disappointed! From the planning stages to the actual travel abroad, the ACIS team is attentive, knowledgeable and helpful. Traveling with them, I know that the entire experience, from excursions to food to hotels, will be top-notch. I love that there are always little surprises along the way, too….some little cultural experience or bonus stop that adds to an already amazing itinerary. I have traveled once with a different company, and that experience proved that you get what you pay for! With ACIS, I can rest assured that my group will walk away from the trip feeling happy with their investment.
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Sean
·
2023-11-16
Written on
ACIS has been my go to.
ACIS has been my go to for leading educational tours through Europe. I went in 1989 as a student and led my last trip in 2022. They have always had the highest standards and will jump to fix anything unpleasant that comes up unexpectedly. Their guides are experienced and fun, the hotels are good and the food is great.

But the best part is knowing just how helpful everyone in support roles can be. Planning is stressful and ACIS tries hard to alleviate as much ad possible.
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Powered by Taters
·
2023-11-10
Written on
Croatia: The Dalmatian Islands by VBT Bicycling Vacations
Amazing, scenic trip and incredible biking terrain
This trip was incredible. Our group went in October, and had nearly perfect weather, except when we had to take boat rides. When the winds came up or it was stormy the guides seamlessly rerouted the boat transfers so that it did not affect our fun factor. We did the 'tour only'. One of the hotels was fabulous, the other was tired and in need of a remodel, but luckily the scenery and location made up for the less than 4 star accommodation. The routes, bikes, guides, and most meals were just all so wonderful. We would go back in a heartbeat!

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