Best of Croatia

Croatia: Croatia is an Eastern European country with a long coastline on the Adriatic Sea. Encompassing more than a thousand islands, it’s also crossed by the Dinaric Alps. Its inland capital, Zagreb, is distinguished by its medieval Gornji Grad (Upper Town) and diverse museums. The major coastal city Dubrovnik has massive 16th-century walls encircling an Old Town with Gothic and Renaissance buildings. In a country famous for its dazzling coastline, Croatia’s inland capital has been sneaking under the tourist radar for decades. With a new airport terminal opened in March 2017 and exciting new cultural developments bolstering its long-cherished historic and natural charms, now’s the time to discover the delights of Zagreb.

Trip Planning: The planning stage of your trip can be instrumental in its success and an enjoyable part of the experience itself. You have a world of options…and plenty to consider.

Entry and Exit formalities: Visitors must hold a passport valid for at least six months & beyond at the time of entering the country. Some nationalities can obtain visa on arrival and for nationalities who requires visa please refer to the Croatia consulate website: www.vfsglobal.com/croatia/uae/

Transportation: Figuring out how to get around is one of your biggest pre-trip decisions. Get our holiday expert best advice on deciding between your options. Based on your trip itinerary, our experts will help you choose wisely. You’ll also find a wealth of practical travel tips.

Money: Use your money wisely. Know the best time to use cash or card — and how to avoid unnecessary fees either way — as well as tipping etiquette, and how shoppers can take advantage of VAT refunds.

Phones and Technology: Phones and other smart devices can be huge time-savers…or expensive distractions. Get our tips for making the best use of technology during your trip, and for calling home with or without your own phone.

Packing Light: On your trip you’ll meet two kinds of travelers: those who pack light and those who wish they had.

Sleeping and Eating: Your hotel and restaurant choices can be a matter-of-face chore…or they can provide rich opportunities to connect with locals and their culture. 

Health & Hygiene: Take comfort: Doctors, hospitals, launderettes, and bathrooms aren’t that different. Dealing with them can even be part of the fun of travel.

Sightseeing & Activities: Once you’re on the ground, the real fun begins…but it pays to have a thoughtful plan. Our experts will help you get oriented to your surroundings, use your sightseeing hours wisely, and find your way off the beaten path.

Things do & see:

Zagreb – Croatia’s northwestern capital, is distinguished by its 18th- and 19th-century Austro-Hungarian architecture. At its center, Upper Town is the site of the Gothic, twin-spired Zagreb Cathedral and 13th-century St. Mark’s Church, with a colorfully tiled roof. Nearby is pedestrian-friendly Tkalčićeva Street, lined with outdoor cafes. Lower Town has the main square, Ban Jelačić, plus shops, museums and parks.

Split – Croatia’s second-largest city and the largest city in the Dalmatia region. It lies on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea and is spread over a central peninsula and its surroundings.

Pula – a seafront city on the tip of Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula, is known for its protected harbor, beach-lined coast and Roman ruins. Settled in the prehistoric era and valued for its strategic location, Pula has been occupied, destroyed and rebuilt numerous times. The Romans, Ostrogoths and Venetians, as well as the Allied Forces in World War II, have each administered the city.

Zadar – a city on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, is known for the Roman and Venetian ruins of its peninsular Old Town. There are several Venetian gates in the city walls. Surrounding the Roman-era Forum is 11th-century St. Mary’s Convent, with religious art dating to the 8th century. There’s also the grand, 12th-century St. Anastasia’s Cathedral and the round, 9th-century pre-Romanesque Church of St. Donatus.

Dubrovnik – is a city in southern Croatia fronting the Adriatic Sea. It’s known for its distinctive Old Town, encircled with massive stone walls completed in the 16th century. Its well-preserved buildings range from baroque St. Blaise Church to Renaissance Sponza Palace and Gothic Rector’s Palace, now a history museum. Paved with limestone, the pedestrianized Stradun (or Placa) is lined with shops and restaurants.

Šibenik – is a city on the Adriatic coast of Croatia. It’s known as a gateway to the Kornati Islands. The 15th-century stone Cathedral of St. James is decorated with 71 sculpted faces. Nearby, the Šibenik City Museum, in the 14th-century Prince’s Palace, has exhibits ranging from prehistory to the present. The white stone St. Michael’s Fortress has an open-air theater, with views of Šibenik Bay and neighboring islands.

Rovinj – is a Croatian fishing port on the west coast of the Istrian peninsula. The old town stands on a headland, with houses tightly crowded down to the seafront. A tangle of cobbled streets leads to the hilltop church of St. Euphemia, whose towering steeple dominates the skyline. South of the old town is Lone Bay, one of the area’s pebble beaches. The Rovinj archipelago’s 14 islands lie immediately off the mainland.

Trogir – is a town on the central Adriatic coast of Croatia. Its preserved old town, known for its mix of Renaissance, baroque and Romanesque buildings, lies on a small island connected to the mainland and the island of Čiovo by bridges. The 13th-century Cathedral of St. Lawrence houses the Renaissance Chapel of St. John and offers sweeping views from its bell tower. Parts of the medieval city walls remain intact.

Osijek – is the fourth largest city in Croatia with a population of 108,048 in 2011. It is the largest city and the economic and cultural centre of the eastern Croatian region of Slavonia, as well as the administrative centre of Osijek-Baranja County.

Rijeka – is a Croatian port city on Kvarner Bay in the northern Adriatic Sea. It’s known as a gateway to Croatia’s islands. Korzo, the main promenade, is lined with Habsburg-era buildings. Nearby, the 19th-century Ivan pl. Zajc Croatian National Theatre has ceiling paintings by Gustav Klimt. The hilltop Trsat Castle complex, which includes a religious shrine, has sweeping views of the islands of Kvarner Bay.

Varaždin – is a city on the Drava River, in northern Croatia. It’s known for its baroque and rococo architecture, including the 17th-century Sermage Palace, displaying Croatian and international old masters and modern paintings. That collection is part of the Varaždin City Museum holdings, which also exhibits historical artifacts in the old town fortress. Lisak Tower is the only surviving part of the old city walls.

Poreč – is a popular summer resort on the coast of the Istrian Peninsula in western Croatia. In the historic old town, the 6th-century Euphrasian Basilica complex is famous for its gem-studded Byzantine mosaics. The coastline north and south of town draws visitors with camping areas, marinas and beaches with water sports. Some 6 km inland, the Baredine Cave is notable for its stalactite formations.

Karlovac – is a city in central Croatia. According to the Croatian Bureau of Statistics, in 2018, its population was 51,447. Karlovac is the administrative centre of Karlovac County. The city is located on the Zagreb-Rijeka highway and railway line, 56 kilometres south-west of Zagreb and 130 km from Rijeka.

Vukovar –  is a city in eastern Croatia. It contains Croatia’s largest river port, located at the confluence of the Vuka and the Danube. Vukovar is the seat of Vukovar-Syrmia County. The city’s registered population was 26,468 in the 2011 census, with a total of 27,683 in the municipality.

Beach Season – Croatian coastline boasts some of the most picturesque beaches in Europe.

The Blue Cave – A precious gem among Croatia’s nature highlights.

Pag Cheese Season-Famous cheese from Pag island is a national pride of Croatia, known as Paški sir.

Hiking-Climb spectacular mountains, traverse lush woods, enjoy freedom and harmony with nature.

Kayaking-A great way to explore Croatian costline.

The Best Sunsets-Famous Adriatic sunset in Zadar impressed Alfred Hitchcock.

White Water Rafting-Fast rivers of Croatia are perfect for white water rafting.

Cruising and Sailing-Follow Marco Polo’s path and explore Croatia’s numerous islands.

Diving-Clear waters of the Adriatic are popular with divers. Take a chance to explore marine life, ship wrecks and underwater caves.

Lavender Bloom on Hvar Island-A flowery kingdom on the Croatia’s most sunny island.

Kitesurfing and Windsurfing-Good conditions for windsurfers and kite surfers during the summer.

Peka-A signature cooking technique for Croatian cuisine.

Wild Figs-Enjoy this nutritious sweet fruit while in Dalmatia.

Lobster Eating Time-Mouth watering lobsters as well as other delicious seafood straight from the Adriatic.

Asparagus Season-Have you already tried wild asparagus?

Frozen Waterfalls in Plitvice Lakes-Frozen Plitvitce Lakes are called Croatia’s natural miracle.

Sinjska Alka-A medieval equestrian knightly competition in Sinj that is part of UNESCO list.

Autumnal Plitvice Lakes-Natural wonder wearing all shades of gold and red.

Ultra Europe Music Festival-Feeling the beat of Adriatic with an ultrahip Ultra music festival.

Rijeka Carnival-Winter holiday season in Rijeka is highlighted by the biggest carnival in Croatia with costumed parades and performances, lots of music and dancing.

International Donkey Race-Visitors get a chance to hop on a donkey and speed up in Tisno during the annual donkey race.

Oysters Season-Locally produced oysters and mussels is a must try for seafood lovers.

Olive Harvest-Olives are the matter of pride in Croatia.

Kumpanjija Performance-See a unique historical dance on Korcula Island with sword fights.

Nights of Diocletian-In Split, do as Romans do during a colourful carnival at Diocletian Palace.

Red Bull Air Race-Extreme flying competition in Rovinj is a breathtaking experience for spectators.

Zagreb Christmas Market-The spirit of Advent and entertainment for the whole family in the central of medieval city.

Fried Dormice-A grilled dormouse—a rather unusual dish for modern European cuisine.

Truffle Season-A chance to find the next biggest truffle in the world.

Crni Rizot (Black Risotto)-If you like seafood, this is a must try of Croatian cuisine.

Ribarska Festa-Fisherman festivals in an Istrian town of Vrsar is a unique experience, available at Adriatic.

Birdwatching in Kopacki Rit-Exciting birdwatching on one of the largest wetlands in Europe.

Dvorišta—the Courtyards of Zagreb-Get behind closed doors in old Zagreb and meet some locals during a ten-day festival.

Skiing and Snowboarding-Northern Croatia boasts a few decent skiing locations in winter.