CTW Explores
Croatia
Language: Croatian Currency: Croatian kuna (kn)
Croatia is a remarkable country. The kind people, and the amazing, bright blue ocean, coupled with the extraordinary, clean, and respectable Old Town’s make Croatia one of our most favorite countries in the world! The cuisine is impeccable, the wine is local, and the produce is fresh. The people of Croatia are incredibly welcoming and they hold great pride in their country. To visit multiple cities in one visit, you can rent a car. The highways are very well maintained, and access to each city’s center from the highway is simple. Starting at one end of the country and working your way along the coast to the other end is the best route to make sure that you see it all. Or if you’d rather someone else do the driving, the bus system makes getting from one city to the next a breeze.
CTW Must See
Zagreb
Even though it is Croatia’s capital, Zagreb has not been on the tourist radar, but it is certainly gaining popularity! Zagreb is alive at every turn and every moment. It’s filled with gorgeous architecture, arts, farmers markets, live music, and craft beer. The restaurants are divine and the nightlife is welcoming of all ages. Behind the city sits Medvednica Mountain, where nature lovers and sports enthusiast will find a range of activities to keep them busy during the summer and winter. Nonetheless, Zagreb provides the perfect mix of city life and nature, with some of the kindest people in the world surrounding you. For a more detailed Zagreb guide, click here!
Plitvice Lakes National Park
Just 2.5 hours by car from Zagreb will bring you to Plitvice Lakes National Park, a serene and picturesque national park filled with spectacular waterfalls. Plitvice Lakes is Croatia’s largest National Park and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. The cascades and waterfalls attract over 1 million visitors visitors a year! The sixteen rich, aqua lakes are separated into two sections upper and lower, and both are worthy of a visit! It is good to know that ticket prices vary throughout the year, and weather can affect access to certain parts of the park. For a more detailed Plitvice Lakes guide, click here!
Rovinj
Rovinj is a small coastal town with a classic Old Town. The bright, colorful buildings emerge straight out of the ocean in a perfect circle, with St. Euphemia’s Bell Tower standing tall above all the other buildings. The Old Town itself is car-free, and almost all of the laneways either lead outward to the sea or up the hill to the church. The waterfront is full of restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy a freshly caught seafood meal, a nice espresso, or a cold gelato on a balmy Croatian day. The relaxing fishing village atmosphere of Rovinj is an ideal one or two night stay to unwind and soak up the sun. For a more detailed Rovinj guide, click here!
Pula
Pula is a very small coastal Croatian town. It is the perfect day trip from Rovinj, and you’ll find there is no shortage of busses that service that route. Aside from the iconic Pula Arena, Pula has a quaint Old Town that can easily be explored in a couple of hours. Outside the Old Town, there is plenty of the vast Adriatic coastline to explore, For a more detailed Pula guide, click here!
Zadar
Zadar, another coastal Croatian city, has a small charming Old Town. When we say small, we mean the City Walls are roughly 800m by 400m. It can easily be explored on foot in a day, which makes it the perfect overnight stop if you are doing a Croatian road trip! Zadar is on the water, rewarding you with the sea breeze in the air and the soothing sounds of the Sea Organ as the waves rush in. The views of the Velebit Mountain Range in the background of the colorful and historic Old Town makes for a great relaxing holiday spot. Zadar was voted Best European Destination in 2016, making it on every tourists radar! For a more detailed Zadar guide, click here!
Krka National Park
Krka National Park is another one of Croatia’s most popular nature escapes. The park features range of rushing, cascading waterfalls, over 800 species of plant life, and a lot of spots for swimming! It has been essentially untouched by man, making it a peaceful, natural oasis. The park is situated roughly 20km from the coastal town. Šibenik, making it a great day trip. Like Plitvice Lakes, ticket prices vary throughout the year.
Šibenik
Šibenik is another gorgeous Adriatic coastal town. Unlike many of the other coastal Šibenik was founded by Croats in 1066. The city provides fine dining experiences, four fortresses that displaying stunning views and much history. It is also located near Krka National Park and the The Kornati archipelago, both incredible outdoor getaways. If delicious cuisine, a beautiful Old Town, or access to some of Croatia’s best nature experiences isn’t enough, then you might like to know that Season Five of Game of Thrones was filmed here, where Šibenik played Braavos.
Split
Split is one of the largest cities in Croatia and full of history and culture. Immerse yourself in the ancient history by wandering through the ruins of Diocletian’s Palace. Embrace the Dalmatian culture with traditional cuisine, fresh produce, espresso, and wine. Relax and soak up the sun at one of the many beaches in the area. Or take a day trip to one of the many Adriatic islands nearby. While Split is the second largest city in Croatia, you may be pleased to know it does not have the big city vibes you might expect. For a more detailed Split guide, click here!
Hvar, Korcula, Brac, Vis, Mljet…
If the coastal towns aren’t enough for you, jump on a ferry from Split and head to one of these incredible islands in the Adriatic Sea, where the seafood can’t get any fresher, the water doesn’t get any bluer, and your holiday couldn’t be more prefect. Each of these islands provides very different experiences to the next.
Dubrovnik
You do not have to be a Game of Thrones fan to fall in love with Dubrovnik. Entering the Old Town makes you feel as if you are leaving present day and entering another era! The gleaming marble streets and stone buildings are perfectly complemented by the bright orange rooftops and the rich, blue sea. The remarkable views from the Wall never get old; they will leave you wanting more. Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, provides the perfect balance of history, culture, activity and relaxation anyone on holiday could wish for. While in Dubrovnik, be sure to indulge in the locally caught seafood, freshly made ice cream, fig jam, and candied oranges. The Old Town is quite small and can easily be explored on foot in a day. If you're up for a bit of adventure, you can take day trips to the surrounding islands along the Adriatic Coast or to the nearby countries, where you can visit more endearing Old Town’s in Mostar or Kotor! For a more detailed Dubrovnik guide, click here!
