Hey Croatia, you really surprised us! Every city, coastline and countryside felt unique and full of character. Traveling through the country showed us how diverse Croatia is, from historic towns to stunning islands and hidden natural gems. In this guide, we’re sharing the most beautiful cities, breathtaking landscapes and secret spots you absolutely shouldn’t miss.
let’s get lost at croatia’s magical places
Croatia is a great travel destination in Europe. It instantly captured us with its mix of historic cities, turquoise coastlines and lush national parks. Every place we visited felt unique, from the lively streets of Dubrovnik to the peaceful corners of hidden islands. The food, the culture and the stunning landscapes made every day an adventure.
For anyone who loves history, nature, authentic experiences and good vibes, Croatia is truly worth exploring. Welcome to Croatia! ♥︎
This place is where the heart of Croatia beats. As the capital of Croatia, Zagreb has plenty of historical sights, museums and beautiful green oases to offer its many visitors. What makes Zagreb special is its unique mix of cosmopolitan metropolis and lively Balkan tradition. Old Town is a great place to learn about the city’s history. The old town is divided into two parts, the upper and the lower town. Zagreb is very well connected and you can easily get around by bus, tram or funicular. Public transport is also very affordable. The best way to get from Zagreb airport is to take the bus, which runs to the city center every around 30 minutes.
Rovinj is a picturesque place, located on the west coast of the Istria region, between Porec and Pula. The city is one of the most popular travel destinations in Croatia and certainly one of the most beautiful. But it’s not just the city itself that’s an absolute highlight, fantastic beaches and romantic bays also await you along the Rovinj Riviera. The best way to get to Rovinj is by plane to Pula and from there it’s only 30 minutes by car to Rovinj. Another option is to travel by bus from Pula or Zagreb.
Rovinj was originally its own island, which was connected to the mainland in 1763.
Zadar is a port city and seaside resort on the Adriatic. With lots of sights, great beaches around the city and good food, Zadar is the perfect vacation spot. The city is considered the gateway to Dalmatia. Zadar is also known for its stunning sunsets, which are said to be one of the most beautiful in the world. Zadar has one of the largest airports in Croatia. There are direct flights there. Split or Rijeka airports are also suitable. From Zagreb you can also take a bus, which takes around 3-4 hours. In Zadar you can easily get from place to place by bus, taxi, or ferry.
The best place to enjoy the sunset is on the promenade that leads to the tip of the peninsula.
Absolutely one of the most spectacular places in Croatia is the Berberov Buk waterfall. About 50 minutes by car from Zadar, this is one of the places you definitely shouldn’t miss. An absolute highlight is swimming in the ice-cold water, which is one of the coolest experiences.
The best way to get to the Berberov Buk waterfall is by car. The nearest larger cities are Zadar and Šibenik.
The Slapovi Zrmanje restaurant offers beautiful views, good food and great ambience and sits right next to the waterfall.
The large metropolis lies in the north of the Kvarner Bay region and is the third largest city in the country. For those interested in culture, the port city offers numerous sights. Rijeka is also known as the gateway to the islands of Croatia. Rijeka Airport is named after Rijeka, but is located on the island of Krk. It is the best location to reach the North Adriatic places. From there you can easily reach the surrounding towns and islands with a rental car or ferry.
A picturesque municipality in Croatia wich is located on the Dalmatian coast. Probably one of the most popular vacation spots in the country. Beautiful pebble beaches, rocky beaches and hidden bays await beach holidaymakers in Primošten. The picturesque place is located between the cities of Šibenik and Trogir in Croatia. The best way to get to Primošten is via the airports in Split or Zadar. From Split it takes about 30 minutes and from Zadar about 1 hour. We would recommend a rental car, as even the path along the coast is beautiful and there is a lot to discover.
In addition to the vineyards, Primošten is famous for its traditional donkey races, which are held every summer.
Hum is also known as the „smallest town in the world“. Hum is located approximately 14 km southeast of Buzet in the hilly countryside of the Istria region. Around 30 people live here. A place where truffles are very popular. Hum is located approximately halfway between the large cities of Rovinj and Rijeka. The best way to get there is by car. There are also guided tours where you travel by bus.
Enjoy a drink at the Aura distillery and try some truffle specialties.
For sure one of the most popular cities in all over Croatia. It is the second largest city in the country. The Old Town of Split has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A variety of wonderful beaches and bays in and around Split await beach vacationers. The city got another boom from the Game of Thrones series. Split offers cultural, historical and religious sights in abundance for visitors. Split is one of the most important transport hubs in Croatia. Ferries run from the city’s four ports to all areas of the Adriatic. There is a well-developed road and rail network by land, so that Split can be easily reached from all major cities in Europe. The airport is around 20 kilometers away. You can also travel by train from Zagreb.
We recommend ferry trips to the beautiful Croatian islands such as Brac, Vis, Hvar and many more. Day trips to other cities such as Trogir, Omiš, Makarska or even Mostar in Bosnia & Herzegovina are also perfect from Split.
Definitely of the most beautiful cities in Croatia, in our opinion, is picturesque Šibenik. What’s also special is Sibenik’s unique location, along the Krka River. In the old town center of Sibenik you will find numerous churches, monasteries and palaces. Šibenik is a true jewel on the Croatian Adriatic and is one of the most worth seeing cities on the Dalmatian coast.
The best way is to arrive by plane via Split airport or Zadar airport. From there you can get to Šibenik either by bus or rental car.
Restaurant Caffe Bar sv. Lovre is a true oasis. Enjoy some drinks or food in a beautiful ambience.
Krk is the largest and most important city, health resort and port on the island of Krk of the same name. Over time, the place has developed into one of the most popular holiday destinations in northern Croatia. Krk is one of the oldest inhabited places in the country. Krk is easy to reach no matter how you arrive. You can travel by bus or train to Rijeka and from there use the local bus lines or a rental car. Rijeka airport is also located on the island of Krk and is around 27 kilometers from Krk.
One of the most beautiful beaches in Croatia is Oprna Bay on the island of Krk. The bay with its crystal clear water is ideal for swimming and snorkeling. There is a small restaurant wich is only open in high season. The beach cannot be reached directly by car. You have to park on the street and climb over the guardrail. It’s a 10-minute walk down to the beach, but it’s definitely worth it.
Are truly one of the most beautiful natural places in Europe! The national park is the largest and at the same time the oldest national park in Croatia. The Plitvice Lakes were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979 as one of the first natural monuments in the world. Every year around a million visitors come to this fascinating place. In addition to the unique flora and fauna, the 16 lakes, waterfalls and beautiful landscape are an absolute highlight.
The most convenient way to reach Plitvice Lakes by public transport is by bus from Zagreb, Karlovac, Zadar or Split.
You can enter the national park via the „Rastovaca“ (entrance 1), the „Hladovina“ (entrance 2) and the auxiliary entrance „Flora“. The national park is open 365 days a year, but opening hours vary depending on the time of year.
In the cold months, a large part of the restaurants are closed to visitors.
If you want to save some money, it’s best to come in the low season. Here the entry prices are significantly cheaper. In the high season, wich is from 01.06 – 30.09 you will pay 40 euros per person.
A magical city on the Adriatic coast. The place is one of the most famous and popular travel destinations in Europe. The old town was added to the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 1979. Dubrovnik experienced a real hype from the TV series Game of Thrones, which was filmed there. You can really do a lot of cool things in Dubrovnik.
Among other things, you can take the cable car up the mountain from where you have a really good view of the city.
But we really have to say that Dubrovnik is a very touristy and is absolutely overcrowded place in Croatia, especially in the summer months. The city itself is also very expensive.
Grab a drink at Buza Bar and enjoy the truly breathtaking sunset.
It’s one of the most charming places in Croatia. This natural paradise in northern Istria attracts its visitors with waterfalls, untouched nature and turquoise water pools, in wich you can swim. The place is around 13 kilometers from Buzet and 5 kilometers from Hum.
Tip: The Konoba Kotlić restaurant is located right next to the river and impresses with its really tasty gnocci with truffles.
With shimmering emerald green water, seven beautiful waterfalls, ruins from Roman times and much more can be admired in the Krka National Park. One of the most famous and fascinating places in Croatia. The national park was founded in 1985 and is one of the most valuable biotopes in Europe due to its biodiversity. Since January 2021, swimming under the largest waterfall in the Krka National Park in Skradinski Buk is no longer permitted.
We recommend spending one night in Skradin and taking the ferry from there in the morning at 8:00 a.m. to avoid the crowds.
One of the most beautiful places on the island of Krk, is Vrbnik. The place was built by the residents on a 50 meter high rock above the sea. Vrbnik not only impresses with its picturesque old town, but also with the many beautiful beaches in the immediate area. Vrbnik is also known for its wine, Vrbnicka zlahtina. It is a high-quality white wine that grows exclusively in Vrbnik on the island of Krk. The easiest way to get to Vrbnik is from Rijeka. Either by train, bus or plane. From there, the best option is to rent a car or take the bus to Vrbnik.
The city of Pula is famous for its Roman amphitheater, ancient history and fresh seafood. Numerous charming streets with great café’s and restaurants await you and nearby you can go swimming in small bays in the crystal clear sea.
Pula is one of the largest and oldest cities in Istria. The city is a real gem on the Adriatic coast and there is a lot to do. A weekend is perfect for Pula.
Pula Theater was the sixth largest amphitheater in ancient times.
Meline Beach is a beach that is primarily known and popular for its healing mud, which is said to have a healing effect against rheumatic diseases. Due to the shallow water in the bay, Meline Beach also offers ideal water temperatures for swimming.
The beach is one of the few beaches in Croatia that is mostly covered with sand.
Skradin is the perfect starting point for a day trip to the Krka National Park. From here several ferry boats travel directly to the national park every day. The trip on the Krka River is also a highlight in itself. But the city also impresses with its charm. Skradin is also known as „The Gateway to the Krka National Park“ and is also one of the oldest cities in the country. If you travel without a car, we recommend taking the train to Šibenik. Šibenik is connected to train stations in Zagreb, Split and Rijeka. Buses to Skradin leave from Sibenik bus station several times a day.
If you buy a ticket for Krka National Park, the ferry ride from Skradin is included. We recommend you to take the first ferry at 8:00 a.m. otherwise it can get very crowded.
Trogir is a beautiful town with many churches and narrow streets, with countless nice restaurants and bars. Trogir is a port city located in central Dalmatia, about 25 kilometers west of Split. The entire old town of Trogir has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. Here you can also enjoy boat tours, water skiing, paragliding and parasailing against a medieval backdrop.
Zarecki Krov Waterfall is one of the most interesting natural attractions in Istria. The pond around the waterfall exudes the atmosphere of an oasis. Zarečki Krov waterfall is one of the few waterfalls from which it is possible to jump
directly into the water. The waterfall is located around 2.5 kilometers from the town of Pazin. There is a smaller parking lot from where
you have to walk about 5 minutes. When we were there the parking lot was free.
Spectacular views and landscapes can be admired at Parizevacka Glavica or also known as Zrmanja Canyon. Located on the Zrmanja River, you can enjoy this beautiful nature from the viewing plateau.
The upper reaches of the river are particularly suitable for rafting and canoeing.
Or also known as the Eye of the Earth, is the origin of the Cetina river. The Blue Eye is over 125 meters deep and is a true natural spectacle. Swimming is prohibited to protect water quality. It is located in the Dalmatian hinterland between Vrlika and Knin, not far from the border with Bosnia & Herzegovina. The source is somewhat remote, so you can only get there by car.
One of the most beautiful places on the island of Krk is the small town of Njivice. It is the youngest place on the island. A relaxed stroll along the coast and eating good fish is exactly what you can expect when visiting Njivice. The best way to get to Njivice is from Rijeka. It is around 10 kilometers from the airport. From there it’s best to take the bus or a rental car.
The Waterfall is located near the town of Knin at the source of the Krka River and offers an impressive sight. The Krčić waterfall falls 22 meters into the depths. You can also view the waterfall for free.
In summer the water level may be too low or the waterfall may be completely dried out. But you can certainly admire it in spring and autumn.
Hey Croatia! You offer amazing road trip routes. Whether you’re driving along the coast or through the countryside many corners here are just great to explore. Distances are manageable, roads are well maintained and the scenery changes constantly, from turquoise beaches to mountain landscapes.
Our road trip tip: Take it slow and enjoy the journey. Some of the best moments in Croatia happen between destinations, at small coastal towns, hidden beaches or scenic viewpoints. Stop whenever something catches your eye, try local food along the way and enjoy the freedom that comes with traveling by car.
Exploring Croatia by car is, in our experience, the best way to see the country. Many of Croatia’s most beautiful places like small coastal towns, national parks, hidden beaches and scenic viewpoints are easiest to reach by car and often difficult to visit with public transport.
Driving gives you the freedom to move at your own pace. You can stop whenever you want, take detours along the coast and explore places that aren’t on every itinerary. We would say that most of the roads are generally in good condition and distances between highlights are manageable, making road trips relaxed and enjoyable.
For us, traveling by car turned the journey itself into part of the experience. Some of the most memorable moments happened between destinations, unexpected viewpoints, quiet villages and spontaneous stops by the sea. If you want flexibility and the chance to discover Croatia beyond the main tourist routes, visiting by car is highly recommended.
Good to know💡
When traveling by car in Croatia, keep in mind that most highways are toll roads. You pay at toll stations when entering or leaving the motorway, usually based on the distance driven. Payment is easy and possible by cash or card. It’s straightforward, but good to know in advance so you’re prepared during your road trip.
Buses in Croatia are a practical and affordable option, especially for traveling between larger cities and popular coastal destinations. The bus network is well developed and connects places like Zagreb, Split, Zadar, Dubrovnik and many towns along the Adriatic coast. While we traveled mainly by car, we noticed how frequently buses run and how easy it is to plan classic city-to-city trips by bus.
Main Bus Providers in Croatia:
Our tip💡
You can buy tickets at the bus stations, online through the providers’ websites or via platforms like FlixBus and others. During summer, buses on the coast fill up quickly, so booking in advance is a good idea. Prices are generally affordable, making buses a solid and quite cheap option for travelers who don’t want to rent a car.
Yes its also possible to travel through Croatia by train, but it’s not always the most practical option for sightseeing. The rail network mainly connects Zagreb with a few larger cities in the north and east of the country. For classic routes like Zagreb-Split, trains do exist, but they are often slower than buses or driving.
We never traveled here by train so we just did some research for you. However, when it comes to exploring the coast, national parks or smaller towns, trains are quite limited. Many of Croatia’s most beautiful places simply aren’t connected by rail, which means you’ll still need buses or a car to reach them.
A road trip through Croatia is possible year-round, but each season offers a very different experience. We visited Croatia in June and for us, it was the perfect balance, warm weather, long days and beautiful coastal scenery without the peak summer crowds.
Spring is a wonderful time for a road trip. Nature is in full bloom, temperatures are mild, and the roads are quieter. It’s ideal for exploring cities, national parks, and inland regions without the heat. Some coastal towns are still calm, which makes driving especially relaxed.
Summer is peak season in Croatia. The weather can get very hot, especially along the coast, but it’s perfect for beach days and island hopping. Expect more traffic, higher prices, and crowded hotspots. If you travel in summer, start your drives early in the morning and plan extra time for stops.
Autumn is one of the best seasons for a road trip. The sea is still warm, crowds slowly disappear, and temperatures are comfortable. Vineyards, small towns, and coastal roads feel more relaxed, making it a great time for slow travel.
Winter is the quietest season. In some regions, especially inland and mountainous areas, it can even snow. While many coastal places are very calm, cities like Zagreb come alive with festive Christmas markets. It’s a unique time to experience Croatia without crowds, but less ideal for a classic coastal road trip.
Our personal tip: If you want warm weather, manageable traffic and flexible road conditions, late spring or early summer, like our trip in June is probably hard to beat.
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