Must-See Places in Croatia

The Parenzana Trail follows a historic narrow-gauge railway built in 1902 that once connected Trieste with Poreč. Today, it’s one of the most scenic cycling and walking routes in the region, running through tunnels, viaducts, and rolling vineyards across Slovenia and Croatia. Stretching 123 kilometers, it’s both a cultural journey and a living monument to the region’s industrial heritage.

Perched on a hilltop in Croatia’s Istrian peninsula, Grožnjan is renowned as the “town of artists.” Its medieval stone lanes are packed with more than twenty galleries and studios, and music festivals fill the narrow streets each summer. With panoramic views over vineyards and olive groves, Grožnjan blends history, art, and a relaxed Mediterranean charm that makes it a favorite stop for culture lovers and cyclists crossing the border from Slovenia.

Just a short ride away, Motovun rises dramatically above the Mirna River valley and is famed for its intact medieval walls and sweeping views across central Istria. The town is at the heart of Croatia’s truffle region, offering everything from simple truffle tastings to fine dining. Its cobbled streets, Venetian architecture, and surrounding forests make Motovun both a culinary hotspot and one of the most atmospheric hill towns in the region.

Premantura is the southernmost tip of the Istrian peninsula, known for the protected landscape of Cape Kamenjak. The cape is dotted with coves, cliffs, and beaches, and its coastline stretches for about 30 kilometers. Cyclists and hikers can explore its trails, while swimmers and divers are drawn to its clear waters and unique rock formations.

The Pula Arena is one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world. Built in the 1st century AD under Emperor Vespasian—the same emperor who commissioned the Colosseum in Rome—it could once seat 23,000 spectators. Today, it hosts concerts, film festivals, and cultural events, making it a remarkable blend of ancient history and modern life in the heart of Pula.

Rovinj is a picturesque Istrian town built on a small peninsula jutting into the Adriatic. Its narrow, cobbled lanes climb toward the Church of St. Euphemia, whose tall bell tower offers sweeping views. The waterfront is lined with pastel houses, cafés, and fishing boats. Once an island itself, Rovinj merged with the mainland over centuries but retains an intimate, coastal charm.

Built around AD 305 for the Roman Emperor Diocletian, this UNESCO-listed palace forms the very heart of Split. Its walls, gates, and courtyards make up half of the old town, where locals still live and work among Roman columns and arches. Highlights include the Peristyle courtyard, the Temple of Jupiter, and the vast underground cellars—some of the best-preserved in the Roman world.

Stretching along the central Dalmatian coast, the Split Riviera blends cultural heritage with Adriatic beauty. From ancient Salona to palm-lined promenades and pebbly beaches, it’s an area where Roman ruins, coastal villages, and clear turquoise waters meet—an inviting mix of city life and seaside calm.

Set at the gateway to the Pelješac peninsula, Ston is famous for its medieval stone walls—dubbed the “Great Wall of Croatia.” Built in the 14th century to defend its valuable salt pans, the fortifications stretch more than 5 kilometres over the hillside. The town is also known for Europe’s oldest active saltworks and its fresh oysters.

Encircled by monumental 16th-century walls, Dubrovnik’s Old Town is Croatia’s most famous UNESCO site and one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities. Founded in the 7th century, it flourished as the Republic of Ragusa, rivaling Venice in maritime trade. Highlights include the Rector’s Palace, Stradun Street, and Fort Lovrijenac rising above the Adriatic. 

Standing 37 meters above the Adriatic on a dramatic cliff west of Dubrovnik’s old walls, Lovrijenac Fortress has guarded the city since the 11th century. Known as “Dubrovnik’s Gibraltar,” it was key to the city’s independence. The fortress also gained modern fame as the filming site for the Red Keep in Game of Thrones. Today, it serves as a venue for concerts and the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, with views that capture the city’s grandeur.

Overlooking the city of Rijeka, Trsat Castle sits atop a 138-meter hill that has been fortified since Roman times. The current castle dates to the 13th century, when the Frankopan family rebuilt it as a defensive stronghold. Today, it offers panoramic views of the Kvarner Bay and the islands of Krk and Cres. Within its walls are a courtyard, galleries, and a café, making it one of Rijeka’s most visited historical sites.

Built in the early 17th century, Frankopan Castle in Nova Kraljevica is one of the last grand residences of the noble Frankopan family, one of Croatia’s most influential medieval dynasties. The four-winged Renaissance fortress stands at the mouth of the Bay of Bakar, once guarding trade routes between the Adriatic and inland Croatia. It now serves as a cultural venue and museum celebrating the Frankopan legacy.

Dominating the skyline of Senj, Nehaj Fortress was completed in 1558 as part of the region’s defenses against Ottoman and Venetian incursions. Built by the Uskoks — famed local warriors — it became a symbol of resistance and freedom. The square stone fortress stands 18 meters tall and today houses a museum dedicated to the Uskoks’ turbulent history.

Located between Zadar and Šibenik, Vransko Jezero is Croatia’s largest natural lake and a designated nature park. The lake is separated from the sea by a narrow strip of land and provides a vital wetland habitat for over 250 bird species. Viewing platforms and wooden boardwalks allow visitors to enjoy its peaceful setting, particularly at sunrise and sunset.

Rising above the old town of Šibenik, St. Michael’s Fortress is the city’s oldest fortification, first mentioned in the 11th century. Its strategic hilltop position offered protection from invaders, and today it provides sweeping views of the Šibenik archipelago. A modern open-air stage built within the fortress now hosts concerts and cultural events, blending history with contemporary life.

The Neretva Valley in southern Dalmatia is often called Croatia’s “Garden of Eden.” Formed by the delta of the Neretva River, it’s a fertile patchwork of orchards, vineyards, and canals. The region is renowned for citrus fruit production — particularly mandarins — and traditional lađa boats, used for centuries to navigate its waterways. The valley’s blend of agriculture and natural wetlands makes it one of Croatia’s most unique landscapes.

A glamorous harbor town on the island of Hvar, known for its Venetian-style architecture, marble squares, and lively cafés. The 16th-century Fortica (Španjola) overlooks the old port and the Pakleni Islands, while St. Stephen’s Cathedral anchors the main piazza—one of the largest in Dalmatia.

Hvar’s hills turn purple each June and July when lavender blooms across the island. The tradition began in the 1920s and once made Hvar one of Europe’s leading producers of lavender oil. Today, visitors can follow fragrant roads near villages like Velo Grablje and Zaraće, where the scent fills the summer air.

Nestled near Stara Baška, Oprna Bay is one of the island’s most picturesque coves. Its turquoise waters, white pebbles, and dramatic cliffs make it a favorite among locals seeking peace and natural beauty. The bay is reached by a short but steep trail, rewarding every visitor with views that feel like a slice of untouched Adriatic paradise.

Near the village of Salatići, these ivy-covered ruins date to the 15th century and were once the residence of the noble Salatić family. The remains of towers and defensive walls stand quietly amid olive groves, evoking Krk’s medieval past when noble estates dotted the island’s fertile interior.

A charming coastal town on Krk’s western shore, Malinska has long been a favorite Adriatic retreat. Known for its sheltered bay, palm-lined promenade, and easygoing pace, it offers beaches, local taverns, and easy access to Krk’s inland villages. Once a fishing settlement, today it balances resort life with authentic island character.

Known as the “Moon Plateau,” Mjesečev Plato is one of Krk’s most striking natural landmarks. Located near Baška, its barren, rocky landscape resembles a lunar surface — shaped by centuries of wind erosion and the island’s karst geology. The area offers sweeping views over the Adriatic and neighboring islands like Prvić and Cres. It’s a favorite among hikers and mountain bikers seeking otherworldly scenery just minutes from the sea.

Standing at 408 meters, Kamenjak is the highest point on Rab Island, offering panoramic views of the entire Kvarner Gulf. On clear days, you can see the Velebit mountains across the water and the chain of northern Adriatic islands stretching into the distance. The summit features a scenic viewpoint and a small café where visitors can take in the dramatic contrasts of Rab’s green forests and rocky shoreline.

The historic heart of the island, Rab Town is a perfectly preserved medieval gem surrounded by ancient walls. Its skyline is defined by four Romanesque bell towers, earning it the nickname “the town of four towers.” Founded by the Romans and granted city status by Emperor Augustus, it flourished under Venetian rule. Today, its marble streets, Renaissance palaces, and waterfront promenade make it one of the Adriatic’s most beautiful old towns.

This 12th-century cathedral in Rab Town is one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture on the Adriatic. Its bell tower, built in the 13th century, offers spectacular views over the town and harbor. Inside, the cathedral houses centuries-old stone carvings and relics that reflect Rab’s importance as an early Christian center.

Kalifront is a vast forest peninsula on the western side of Rab Island, covered in oak and holm oak trees — a rare Mediterranean forest ecosystem. It’s part of the Dundo Nature Reserve, protected since 1949, and home to deer, wild boar, and a network of peaceful trails leading to hidden coves. The blend of dense woodland and turquoise sea makes Kalifront one of Rab’s most tranquil and scenic areas.

Often called Europe’s southernmost fjord, Boka Bay (Boka Kotorska) is a dramatic inlet carved by ancient tectonic forces. Surrounded by rugged mountains, its calm waters host historic towns like Perast and Risan. The bay’s narrowest point—Verige Strait—is just 400 meters wide. The old town of Kotor, nestled along the bay, is protected by steep ramparts and Gothic palaces.

A jewel on the Boka Bay, Kotor is an ancient walled city with roots reaching back to Roman times. Its fortified walls climb the steep hillsides behind the town, leading to the Castle of Saint John at 260 meters elevation. Within its walls are narrow medieval streets, baroque palaces, and the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon, built in 1166. Kotor’s blend of maritime history and mountain backdrop makes it uniquely stunning.

Popovo Polje is a broad karst plain in southern Herzegovina (Bosnia & Herzegovina), surrounded by hills, forests, and limestone ridges. The name “Polje” means “field” in Slavic, and this valley is one of the largest karst fields in the Balkans. Lush and fertile, it supports vineyards, seasonal streams, and old villages. It lies just north of the Adriatic and has served as a cultural crossroads between coastal and inland regions.