Not typically included in the “travel wish lists” of non-Europeans, Croatia is one of those less-known European countries that has the means to make every visitor fall in love. That’s not an overstatement. Just try to find someone who’s spent a vacation in Croatia and didn’t absolutely love it.
Even though this is a relatively undiscovered destination—the number of tourists is increasing, though, now that Croatia is a member of the European Union—it is home to some of Europe’s most impressive attractions.
Chock-full of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Croatia has a long and rich history. A Catholic bulwark, an independent nation, part of former Yugoslavia, the history of Croatia is worth exploring during your visit. This is the place where you can visit phenomenal historic cities such as Roman-founded Split, medieval Sibenik and dazzling Dubrovnik.
In the far north-west lies the Istrian peninsula, a region that is as much Italian as it is Croatian. Once, it was, in fact, a part of Italy. This is still clearly visible in the region’s architecture and, for linguists, hearable in the local dialect. It’s said that the Istrian dialect sounds more like old Venetian than the current Venetian dialect does! This region is arguably the most charming of the entire country. Home to impossibly picturesque coastal towns and scenic hilltop villages, vineyards and truffle forests, Istria is a touristic treasure trove.
And then, there’s Croatia’s nature. From the pebble beaches in Dalmatia to the inland Dinaric Alps, from the Adriatic islands to thick forests, Croatia is also a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. There are eight national parks in the country, all beautiful and worth exploring.
However, if you like waterfalls—who doesn’t?—there are two parks you should focus on. Krka National Park lies within easy driving distance from both Zadar and Sibenik and allows you to swim underneath one of Croatia’s most spectacular falls. The star attraction, though, is Plitvice Lakes National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage Site protects a number of terraced lakes that flow into one another through countless waterfalls.
If you’re still not convinced that Croatia is a place you really should visit, just take a look at the 20 photos below. They’ll do the job!