With its rocky, irregular coastline and over 1000 islands, Croatia boasts one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the whole of Europe. In addition, many of the country’s towns and rural settlements bear a fascinating history, being full of ruins dating back to Roman and Venetian times.
For the past 20 years, Croatia has become a top-rated tourist destination where visitors from all over the world come to spend their vacation days. It’s no surprise since this beautiful country on the Adriatic coast has dozens of sites listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The following is a list of the most 10 beautiful sights in Croatia.
10 Gornji Grad, Zagreb
Gornji Grad is the medieval center of Zagreb and translates as the Upper Town. This area developed as two separate towns, Kaptol, the residence of the bishop and Gradec, where merchants and artisans live. The towns were united in 1770, breaking away from the northern part of the historical part of Zagreb.
The main attraction in Gornji Grad is the square around St. Mark’s Church, the Old Town parish church, with its colorful roof. Also, the 13th-century tower of Lotrscak, from where you can get a great view of the whole city. Lastly, don’t miss the Museum of Broken Relationships, which is most people’s favorite.
9 Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč
The Euphrasian Basilica, built in the 6th century, is the main attraction in Poreč, a 2000-year-old town in the Istrian region. It is one of the best examples of early Byzantine architecture in the Mediterranean region, one that has preserved most of its original form, despite the calamities, fires and earthquakes that have affected some of the building details. The basilica was built on the site of an earlier one during the time of Bishop Euphrasius. The mosaics on the walls were executed by Byzantine masters and those on the floor by local artisans.
On the other hand, Porec is an excellent summer resort town located on the Istrian Peninsula of Western Croatia. In addition to its fascinating history and magical mosaics, Porec offers a variety of popular family attractions and world-class beaches that will appeal to all types of visitors.
Old Town Porec is the heart of the city. Cobblestone streets, cozy little cafes, friendly family restaurants, and many beautiful historical buildings make this a great destination. No matter if you’re a history buff trying to find an old Roman site or a young couple taking a romantic stroll, Old Town of Porec has something for everyone.
8 Mljet island
The island of Mljet is one of the largest islands off the coast of southern Croatia. With 72% of its area covered by forests and the rest with fields, vineyards and small settlements, Mljet is an ideal location for relaxation. Mljet’s western part is home to a beautiful national park. The two saltwater lakes, surrounded by green forests, are the park’s main attractions: Veliko and Malo Jezero.
In the middle of Veliko Jezero lake, there is a small island with a 12th-century monastery belonging to the Benedictine monks’ order. The monastery is easily accessible by taxi boat.
Also available are nine-kilometer trails that run around the lakes and provide excellent cycling conditions. As well as swimming in the lakes, travelers can rent kayaks to explore these two magnificent lakes. Here you have more info about Mljet National Park.
7 Diocletian’s Palace in Split
Diocletian’s Palace in Split was built by the Roman Emperor Diocletian before his reign. He lived here in his old age, his only concern being the vegetable gardens he tended. After the Romans abandoned the place, the palace remained uninhabited for several decades. In the 7th century, the nearby inhabitants took refuge within the palace walls to escape the barbarian invasion. Since then, the palace has remained occupied, with people living here and opening various businesses in and around the basement.
The arched courtyard and the cathedral of St. Domnius attract thousands of visitors every day to the palace. In front of the palace, the vibrant Riva promenade is lined with restaurants and bars where you can enjoy the tasty Croatian gastronomy.
When you visit this city, put on your list these top 5 things to do in Split.
6 Pula Arena
The amphitheater in the town of Pula is the fifth largest Roman arena that has survived over the centuries and is one of the best-preserved Roman monuments in Croatia. The Pula Arena was built around the 1st century AD and could accommodate over 26,000 spectators.
In the 15th century, many stones were taken from the amphitheater to build houses and other structures around Pula, but fortunately, this practice was stopped before its entire structure was destroyed. T
The Knights of Malta used it as a running track during the Middle Ages and a place for tournaments. Today, it is a popular venue for performers such as Luciano Pavarotti and Placid Domingo. Since 1954, Pula Arena has also hosted Croatia’s oldest film festival.
5 Korcula island
Croatia’s sixth-largest island, Korcula, is separated from the mainland by a narrow strait. The island’s capital bears the same name. Nicknamed “Little Dubrovnik”, this ancient city is among the most beautiful towns on the Croatian coast, known for its unique architecture. One of its main attractions is the house in which Marco Polo was supposedly born. Korcula’s largest and most beautiful building is St. Mark’s Cathedral, built in Gothic-Renaissance style and completed in the 15th century.
4 Rovinj
Rovinj is one of the most picturesque towns in the Mediterranean region. Dotted with pastel-colored houses clustered together on winding narrow streets, Rovinj is a wonderful place for romantic walks. Rovinj is still a fishing port, and visitors can hop aboard a boat to take them to the enchanting offshore islands. The region around Rovinj has been described as a scenic wonder due to the sheer beauty of its coastline and forests.
In Rovinj, you can explore pebbly beaches, relax under the shade of pine groves, and supply your body with salt and sand by the sea. Take a walk through the Old Town, surrounded by vibrant colors, before taking in the spectacular views of the harbor and ending your day with a crisp white wine.
3 Hvar island
The island of Hvar, and especially the town of Hvar, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Croatia. Plantations of olive trees, orchards of fruit trees, and entire fields of lavender largely form the area’s rural landscape. The town of Hvar, set in a picturesque bay, protected to the south by the chain of Pakleni islands, is a popular harbor where, especially in summer, yachts sail in the Adriatic Sea dock.
The Old Town of Hvar is full of ancient landmarks worth seeing, including 13th-century fortifications and Byzantine cathedrals. Located between the harbor and hillsides, the maze of interconnected streets in the center of town is home to many restaurants, cafés and boutiques.
Starigrad, the oldest settlement on the island, and the many villages in the area, scattered along the coast or nestled inland, are also worth a visit. For example, on the northern coast of Hvar, there is this peaceful community called Jelsa. There are plenty of opportunities for sightseeing and dining here, even though it’s much smaller than Hvar Town. There are several coffee shops and restaurants near the charming harbor, as well as lush parks, town squares, and swimming areas.
2 Plitvice Lakes
The Plitvice Lakes is one of the most beautiful natural destinations in Europe. Because of its beauty and importance, this system of 16 interconnected lakes and the complex of forests in the area was declared a national park in 1949.
The lakes are known for their unique turquoise, green, blue, and grey. The area around the lakes is home to a wide variety of animal and bird species – rare species such as the European brown bear, wolf, eagle, owl and lynx, as well as species commonly found in this part of Europe.
There are dozens of hiking trails in the area and forests, but the biggest attraction here is Veliki Slap, a majestic waterfall with a height of 78 meters. You’ll need about 4.5 hours to complete the main path, stretching through the entire park. The crystal clear lake can also be explored, by boat, and a lot is hidden under the surface.
1 Dubrovnik
Nicknamed the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” Dubrovnik is one of Croatia’s most important tourist attractions and the Mediterranean Sea region. Since ancient times, the city has been based on maritime trade; in the Middle Ages, it became the only city-state in the Adriatic to rival Venice and experienced a remarkable level of development in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Dubrovnik is noted for its superb architecture and fascinating sculptural details. Today, it boasts spectacular churches, monasteries and fountains, and the famous thick defensive walls surrounding the old town. If it is your first time in the city, make sure to start by exploring these sturdy old ramparts, which include towers, fortresses, and cannons, which make up the complete circuit of two kilometers.
Some of Dubrovnik’s Old Town‘s highlights include the ornate Onofrio’s Fountain, the Franciscan Monastery (home to one of Europe’s oldest pharmacies as well as a Gothic abbey built in the 14th century), the Church of Saint Blaise, and Orlando’s Column. There are a lot of these along Stradun, the main street with limestone pavement. When you’ve completed your tour, don’t forget to stop by the shops and see the sights of the quaint and narrow cobbled alleyways leading off from here. The cinephiles know that The Old Town of Dubrovnik was used as a filming location for HBO’s famous Game of Thrones series.
In conclusion, there are several places in Croatia that should be on your list of must-see destinations. If you are going to spend a holiday in this beautiful European country, make sure you visit the above ten fantastic tourist attractions of Croatia!
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