Flowing for more than 60 miles (96 kilometers) from its source at Dinara on the Croatia–Bosnia and Herzegovina border all the way to the Adriatic Sea near Split, the Cetina River is a main player in Dalmatia’s adventure-sports scene. Its rushing rapids, waterfalls, and tunnels make it ideal for rafting and canyoning excursions.
Comprised of dozens of islands sprinkled along Croatia’s Adriatic coast, Kornati National Park is an idyllic retreat for those looking to escape mainland crowds. Remote, undeveloped, and strikingly beautiful, the archipelago abounds with lush forests, desert-like plains, and jagged karst-limestone rocks. Here you can find a surprisingly diverse ecosystem and some of the region’s most vibrant marine life.
Discover one of the main attractions of Dubrovnik’s Old Town with a visit to the Bell Tower. Overlooking Luza Square, the stone tower is 102 feet (31 meters tall and dates back to the 15th century. It is near some of the city’s top architectural landmarks including Sponza Palace, Orlando’s Column, and St. Blaise Church. The bell is struck every hour, on the hour.
The freestanding Revelin Fortress was built in 1463 to guard the Ploče Gate against invasion. After surviving the 1667 earthquake unscathed, the fortress became the headquarters of the Republic of Ragusa. Nowadays, its large stone terrace is used as a stage during the Summer Festival, and there are exhibits and a nightclub inside.
Near the Church of St. Donatus, in the city of Zadar, Croatia, you’ll find the remnants of an ancient Roman marketplace. Built between the 1st century BC and the 3rd century AD, the forum is one of the largest of its kind east of the Adriatic.
Perched along the Adriatic Coast just south of Dubrovnik, Cavtat is the coastal getaway of choice for affluent city dwellers. The historical port town has Roman ruins, beautiful villas, and chic restaurants, while luxurious yachts bob just off the sandy beaches a short stroll from the city’s center.
Inland from Zadar, Croatia, the emerald-green Zrmanja River is a white-water playground for rafters and kayakers. Originating in the Velebit Mountains, the Zrmanja flows for 43 miles (69 kilometers through spectacular limestone canyons before emptying into the Adriatic Sea. Visitors are drawn to the rivers’s crystal-clear water, hidden swimming holes, and picturesque waterfalls.
Built as a retirement residence for the Roman emperor Diocletian in the 4th century AD, this massive fortress-like palace makes up about half of old town Split. Although there have been plenty of changes to Diocletian’s Palace over the ages, the original quadrant design still remains with four different gates—the Brass Gate, Iron Gate, Golden Gate, and Silver Gate—that enclose this walled fortress.
Bisected by the wide turquoise ribbon of the Cetina River, the steep cliffs of Cetina Canyon form a striking landscape just a short drive outside of Split, Croatia’s 2nd-largest city. In a country lush with stunning nature, Cetina Canyon is one of the easiest to reach and offers many opportunities for hiking and adventure sports.
Constructed in the 15th century by architect Onofrio della Cava, the circular Onofrio’s Fountain in Dubrovnik’s Old Town was designed as the end point of the city's 7-mile (12-kilometer) aqueduct system. Today, it serves as a landmark and resting place in the city center. Nearby is a smaller fountain designed by the same architect.
Meštrović Gallery (Galerija Mestrovic) is an art museum dedicated to 20th-century Croatian sculptor, Ivan Meštrović. As his former home and atelier, the palace is an appropriate setting for the artist’s most important works, much of it religious, including a pair of walnut Adam and Eve figures and a powerful bronze Cyclops sculpture.
An abandoned village where trees grow through walls, Malo Grablje offers a glimpse into past life in Hvar. The last remaining residents left this village in the 1950s, and today Malo Grablje shows you how nature can reclaim a village.
With blue coral lagoons, dramatic limestone cliffs, and a fascinating saltwater lake, Telašćica Nature Park is one of Croatia’s most magical natural wonders. On the island of Dugi Otok in the Adriatic Sea, Telašćica offers visitors endless hiking, diving, swimming, fishing, and wildlife-viewing opportunities.
Part of a quintet of civic museums in Dubrovnik, the Ethnographic Museum (also known as the Rupe Museum) celebrates traditional Croatian folklife through exhibits on farming, handicrafts, and textiles. Game of Thrones fans may recognize the building—a 16th-century granary—as a recurring filming location featured in the show.
Located in Bosnia and Herzegovina and within day-tripping distance of Dubrovnik, Croatia, the Vjetrenica Cave system offers a fascinating glimpse of what lies below the Dinaric Alps. Along with underground rivers and massive stalactites and stalagmites, the cave is full of over 200 types of cave-dwelling insects and other species, many of which aren’t found anywhere else on Earth.
Begun in the 14th century and completed in the 1500s, St. John’s Fortress (Tvrđava sv. Ivana) defended Dubrovnik’s Old Port from seaborne assaults for hundreds of years. Today, the fortified tower is known for its Adriatic views and Ragusan history, and is home to the city’s aquarium and maritime museum.
Tucked into a shaded cove in Marjan Forest Park just west of downtown Split, Bene Beach is a peaceful alternative to the busier city beaches. Only accessible by foot, this secluded beach is a popular choice for families thanks to ample shade, lifeguards on duty, and plenty of activities for children, including playgrounds and a water slide.
This Gothic-Renaissance-style church sits in the center of Korcula’s old town, surrounded by charming streets. St. Mark’s Cathedral, also called the Korcula Cathedral, draws visitors for two main reasons: art and architecture, plus the views from its cupola-topped bell tower. Check out the curious characters on the building’s façade before going inside to see two paintings by Tintoretto and finishing the visit with a climb to the top of the bell tower.
The cliffs and lush forests of Krka National Park serve as a dramatic backdrop to the the waterfalls of Roski Slap. Located along the Krka River and peppered with historic water mills, Roski Slap features small cascades that make for pretty photo opportunities.
The largest passenger port in Croatia and one of the busiest in the Mediterranean, the Port of Split (Luka Split) connects Croatia’s second-largest city with destinations all over the region, from nearby islands to other countries. The port is located within walking distance to the Old Town, as well as Split’s bus and train stations.
Located 10 minutes’ walk from downtown Split, Croatia’s oldest museum boasts a 150,000-strong collection of ancient, medieval, and early-Christian objects, making it a must-visit for history buffs. Exhibition highlights include the country’s largest collection of gems, pottery excavated from the waters of central Dalmatia, and armour that dates back thousands of years.
Originally built in the 12th century, Dubrovnik Cathedral was destroyed in the 1667 earthquake that struck the city and rebuilt in the baroque style by Italian architects. The cathedral is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, and its treasury contains gold and other artifacts dating to medieval times.
Paklenica National Park is a pilgrimage spot for climbing enthusiasts, but there's plenty to experience for travelers of all stripes. Here, you'll find two massive canyons, the Mala Paklenica Educational Center, which has displays about local flora, a few old abandoned village structures, a cave, and plenty of hiking opportunities.
This small museum in a historic Dubrovnik townhouse pays tribute to the 16th-century Renaissance playwright Marin Držić, often referred to as the “Croatian Shakespeare.” Scenes from Držić’s life and plays are recreated through set pieces and waxwork character models, alongside period furniture and modern art exhibitions.
Housed in a wing of the battle-scarred Napoleonic Fort Imperial, this museum—also known as the Homeland War Museum—honors the soldiers and civilians killed in the Croatian War of Independence and siege of Dubrovnik in the early 1990s. Its location atop Mount Srđ affords dramatic views of Dubrovnik and the Adriatic Sea.
Visit the island of Lokrum to see its Benedictine Monastery, dating back to the early 11th century. Located just 600 meters from the shoreline of Dubrovnik, Lokrum is easily accessed via a quick boat ride. Discover the history of the monastery, which was expanded over several centuries and displays several architectural styles.
With turquoise waters surrounded by lush pine forests set against a backdrop of soaring mountains, the Bacina Lakes (Bacinska Jezera) are one of Croatia’s most enchanting hidden wonders. The seven lakes, six of which are interconnected, are off the radar for most tourists, but they provide an idyllic setting for outdoor activities.
One of the scenic highlights of the Dalmatian Coast, Croatia’s Blue Lagoon (Krknjasi Bay) represents the best of this seaside region. A shallow natural swimming hole located off the east coast of Drvenik Veli—and protected by two smaller islands—the lagoon is known for its glass-clear water and turquoise hue. Little wonder it’s an essential stop on island-hopping tours.
Dating back 1,700 years, Split Old Town is an archaeological jewel set within Croatia’s seaside city of Split. Hemming Split’s Riva seafront, this UNESCO-protected, car-free quarter centers on the semi-ruined Roman Diocletian’s Palace and a tangle of lanes where the city’s residents still go about their daily routines.
Romantics will be in their element at Dubrovnik’s Love Stories Museum, an unabashedly sentimental collection of letters, mementos, and keepsakes, each one pivotal to a real-life love story. Classic love stories, on-screen romances, and heartfelt accounts from people all around the globe all appear in the exhibits.
