Preparing for the worst could save your life
The unquestionable jewel in the Croatian crown, Dubrovnik is one of the Mediterranean's top tourist destinations. Encircled by defensive stone walls dating back to the Middle Ages, the Old Town is a cluster of historic and beautifully preserved mid-17th-century buildings. In fact, its outstanding medieval legacy and cultural significance is why Dubrovnik is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And what better way to begin sightseeing than by walking its ancient streets?
Make sure your Dubrovnik itinerary includes the cathedral. Completed in 1713 after being largely destroyed in the earthquake of 1667, which leveled much of the city, the cathedral is noted for its dazzling treasury.
Once you've absorbed the riches the Old Town has to offer, catch a flight on the cable car that whisks visitors up Mount Hill for the bigger picture. On a clear day, the uninterrupted views stretch for 50 km (31 mi) or so.
Rebuilt over several centuries due to fire and earthquakes, the Rector's Palace you see today dates back to the late 1600s. A medley of late Gothic, early Renaissance, and Baroque styles, the building now houses the Cultural History Museum.
Moored off Dubrovnik is Lokrum Island. A 10-minute ferry ride from the mainland, Lokrum is crisscrossed by several footpaths, some of which take you to Fort Royal Castle. From here the view back towards the Old Town is what Instagram was made for.
Anyone familiar with the 'Game of Thrones' television series will recognize Minceta Tower, which featured in a pivotal scene where Daenerys goes to search for her stolen dragons. The sturdy 14th-century structure is the highest point of the walls, and offers an unforgettable view across the Old Town.
Beyond Dubrovnik, there are a wealth of attractive and historic destinations to discover. Split, Croatia's second largest city, is worth visiting simply for the extraordinary Diocletian's Palace. Built for the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who retired to the region in 305 CE, the palace and its grounds also preserve the Cathedral of St. Domnius, landmarked by its elegant bell tower.
The Dalmatian islands lie scattered off the Croatian coastline and provide endless vacation options for those seeking a picturesque resort atmosphere. One of the most fashionable of these islands is Hvar. The destination enjoys celebrity status and as such features some of the finest hotels and restaurants in the country.
You may well have arrived in Croatia via the capital, Zagreb. It's worth lingering a few days in the city for sights like Gornji Grad, the medieval Upper Town district. Places of interest include the cathedral, St. Mark's Church (pictured), and the Croatian Parliament Building.
If you're into boating and watersports you'll love Kornati National Park. Comprising 89 scattered islands and islets floating in the Adriatic Sea, the only way to explore this exceptional nature park in on the water.
Pula positively bristles with ancient Roman buildings, the most famous being the Pula Arena, one of the best preserved Roman amphitheaters. It even gives the Colosseum a run for its money!
Zadar can trace its earliest evidence of human life from the late Stone Age. In fact, it is said to be the country's oldest continually inhabited city. Zadar's top visitor attractions is its collection of fine Romanesque churches, most of them built between the 9th and 13th centuries. If religious tourism is your thing, this is where to ensconce yourself.
No, not a fancy hangout for trendy rodents, but rather a spit of sand on the Croatian island of Brac known as the Golden Cape and regularly cited as one of the top beaches in Europe. Even in winter, this is a wonderful place to chill out and soak in the Dalmatian atmosphere.
Korcula's claim to fame is its famous resident Marco Polo, said to have been born here in 1254. There's even a sign outside a house purporting to be the birthplace of the great 13th-century explorer. The fact that most historians agree that Mr. Polo entered this world in Venice doesn't seem to deter the crowd of tourists vying for a selfie outside the humble abode.
A blissful destination, Mljet National Park is where to escape the rattle and hum of mass tourism. The park centers on two interconnected, turquoise saltwater lakes, one of which encloses an island on which a 12th-century former Benedictine monastery stands in silence.
The striking Venetian-era town of Rovinji takes pride of place on the western coast of the Istrian peninsula. The destination is distinguished by the hilltop Church of St. Euphemia and its needle-like spire.
The Brijuni islands collectively form the Brijuni National Park. This is where to discover an abundance of unique flora and fauna— the destination is designated as a Protected Natural Value of Croatia. For animal lovers less inclined to scan the horizon with binoculars, there's a small safari park to explore.
This historic town and harbor on the Adriatic coast has been singled out by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site for its outstanding Venetian-era architecture. Besides its historic design credentials, Trogir is proud of the fact that it's one of Croatia's most popular tourist destinations.
Rijeka works on a less hurried level, but is still worth a diversion for its wonderfully evocative Old Town, which is approached via a Roman arch, the oldest architectural monument in the city. For an impressive overview of the destination, head up to Trsat Castle.
Sibenik is rarely visited, and for the most part remains under the tourist radar. But therein lies its appeal. This attractive Dalmatian city has as its star attraction the most important architectural monument of the Renaissance in the entire country— Sibenik Cathedral, another UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Spend time browsing the fascinating Zagreb Archaeological Museum, which recently took possession of a tooth that once had a home in the jaws of a megalodon shark. It's regarded as one of the largest and most powerful predators in history.
A standalone natural wonder, the Blue Grotto is hidden away on the east side of the island of Bisevo, which itself is accessed from the island of Vis, reached by ferry from the city of Split. The grotto is absolutely worth the effort to see for its ethereal blue glow radiating from the depths.
Set in central Dalmatia, Krka National Park is appreciated for its excellent hiking, with trails snaking past an abundance of waterfalls. A variety of wildlife can be appreciated here, especially birds of prey such as the golden eagle, Bonelli's eagle, and the griffin vulture. The top cultural draw is the remote 15th-century Visovac Monastery, set on an island in the middle of the park.
If you feel like joining the Dance of Death, waltz over to the Sanctuary of St. Mary of the Rocks at Beram near Pazin and gaze upon the spooky but compelling paintings decorating the chapel's interior. The murals depict the Danse Macabre, the personification of death.
Sources: (National Geographic) (Journal of Marine and Island Cultures)
See also: The world's most evocative abandoned churches and chapels
Another ecclesiastical draw is St. Blaise's Church. St. Blaise is the patron saint of Dubrovnik. A 12th-century holy relic decorated with enameled cloisonne plaque on display in the church contains his skull.
Another former Dubrovnik stronghold worth investigation is Fort Lovrijenac. Dating back to the 11th century and persistent Venetian insurgency, the fort played a vital role in protecting the town from attack.
Surely Croatia's most unusual cultural facility, the Museum of Broken Relationships in Zagreb is dedicated to failed relationships, and is home to sentimental keepsakes donated by lovelorn romantics. Look out for the axe used by a woman to chop up her former lover's furniture after he ran off with another woman.
The treasury holds over 100 reliquaries, dazzling and ornate depositories for rare and valuable relics from the 11th to 18th centuries. The display also includes a portion of the cross that Jesus is thought to have been crucified upon.
Croatia, a country at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, is a Mediterranean nation of rare beauty. With its island-speckled coastline lapped by crystalline sapphire seas, this is a country imbued with a maritime heritage as old as antiquity. Travel inland, and you're met with a stunning landscape of forests, mountains, lakes, and waterfalls. The gem in Croatia's cultural crown is Dubrovnik, but other cities sparkle, too, including Split, Hvar, and Trogir. It's a destination to explore at leisure, either by boat or on foot. Either way, this really is a place of compelling contrast.
Already packed? Click through for an exciting itinerary of where to go and what to see.
Crisscrossing your way through Croatia
Discover a land of rare beauty
TRAVEL Europe
Croatia, a country at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, is a Mediterranean nation of rare beauty. With its island-speckled coastline lapped by crystalline sapphire seas, this is a country imbued with a maritime heritage as old as antiquity. Travel inland, and you're met with a stunning landscape of forests, mountains, lakes, and waterfalls. The gem in Croatia's cultural crown is Dubrovnik, but other cities sparkle, too, including Split, Hvar, and Trogir. It's a destination to explore at leisure, either by boat or on foot. Either way, this really is a place of compelling contrast.
Already packed? Click through for an exciting itinerary of where to go and what to see.