Author:
Valentina is Croatian, digital nomad and traveller: @kookylovestotravel, youtube, kookylovestotravel.com
I am proud to be Croatian and call this country my first home. Growing up here wasn’t that easy, but I must say I had the best childhood ever running wild amidst the natural beauty of Croatia.
When I mention Croatia to someone today, people usually say football or Dubrovnik. And trust me, I’m so happy about that, because a few years ago, I met a group of people who were totally confused about my origin. After a while, they started to imitate shooting guns. Nope folks, Yugoslavia is dead a long time ago. Today, it’s the Republic of Croatia.
Croatia is in Southeastern Europe on the Med. It boasts cultural and historical heritage under UNESCO protection. Ten percent of the whole country is protected: 11 nature parks, 8 national parks and 2 strict reserves.
Here’s my list of the 6 best places to visit:
Plitvice Lakes:
If you’re a nature lover, Plitvice is a must visit. Not only for nature lovers, but for anyone. Seriously, the views here are outstanding.
Plitvice is the largest and the oldest national park in Croatia dating from 1949. It’s been on the UNESCO World Heritage List from 1979. The lake system consists of 16 named and several smaller unnamed lakes. They all cascade into each other which is stunning.
I’ve been to Plitvice three times and I always love returning. The National Park is in a mountain range and you can hike up and down and explore all day.
I recommend getting there as early as you can and to wear comfortable clothes. However, you don’t have to hike all the way around the park. There’s a boat and a bus transfer which makes exploring a lot easier and faster. There’s a place to eat too and you can buy souvenirs and drinks. Unfortunately, vegetarians and vegans, won’t find much to eat here so prepare in advance!
You need a whole day for Plitvice Lakes.
Dubrovnik:
Believe it or not, the first time I visited this extraordinary city was when I was 25 years old.
As soon as I entered Dubrovnik’s gates, I fell in love with it. Honestly, now it’s my favourite city in Croatia.
Dubrovnik Old Town is known as one of the world’s finest and most perfectly preserved medieval cities.
The historic centre is enclosed by massive, thick, stone walls dating from the 11th and 17th century. You can walk the walls and enjoy amazing, panoramic views of the town, the sea and the surrounding green islands.
It’s truly unbelievable how Dubrovnik’s historical core has remained unchanged for centuries. You can explore ancinet: churches, palaces, paved squares, steep cobbled streets, monasteries, fountains and facades in the Baroque and Renaissance style. Ooh, and don’t forget, Game of Thrones was filmed here!
Beware that you need to pay an entrance fee to walk the historical walls. Plus prepare for a hike, it includes some steep climbs and you should dedicate a good four hours to it (and the nearby Fort Lovrijenac included on the ticket). Tip – don’t miss the sunset – it’s one of the best I have seen in my life!
Split:
Split is in Central Dalmatia and is the second-largest city in Croatia. It’s my hometown too!
The development of Split began slowly around 17 centuries ago. It started when the Roman Emperor Diocletian decided to build his Palace right on the peninsula near the Roman city of Salona where he wanted to spend the last years of his life.
Today, the Diocletian Palace(which includes much of Split’s old town) and the whole historical core of Split, are on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
The extraordinary preservation of the palace and busy town life inside the walls make Split endlessly interesting. You will fall in love with the stone walls, narrow streets, charming stores, and cafes inside the palace.
Don’t miss walking along the Riva – the harbour promenade – and climbing the Marjan hill. Climbing up the St. Domnius bell tower is also a must with unforgettable views. Make sure you visit the rest of the Cathedral as well. Be prepared to pay a fee for the last two.
To explore everything, you’ll need a day. Maybe two if you like to linger. PS: If you are up for exploring the surroundings of Split, you should take a day trip and visit Krka National Park.
Salona:
Ancient Salona is the largest archaeological park in Croatia and the former capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia.
When you walk through the ruins, you immediately feel like you are in a time machine. According to legend, it’s the birthplace of Emperor Diocletian, who built the Diocletian Palace in Split.
If you love historical sites and architecture, definitely don’t miss Solana in Solin – just 5 km away from Split).
In Salona, you can explore the imposing walls with towers, several gates, a forum, temples, the remains of an amphitheatre, and cemeteries which include the martyrs of Solin.
I grew up in Solin and it is the cradle of ancient Croatian history, set on the river Jadro. It’s the youngest town in the Republic of Croatia and has a great cultural and natural heritage. Also, it gets hardly any visitors compared to next door Split, making it an ideal destination if you prefer quieter places.
You’ll need two days if you really want to explore all the historical locations.
Hvar:
Hvar is the longest island in Croatia and one of the sunniest places in the country. I was actually blessed to live here for a few months and I totally enjoyed it. The islands are without a doubt my favourite places in Croatia to relax.
No matter what you are looking for on your vacation – you will find it in Hvar: rich nightlife, the stunning architecture of the old town, daily boat trips to the Pakleni islands, sandy beaches, pine forests, delicious village cooking, driving through the lavender fields and quiet, hidden coves…
To explore Hvar, I suggest at least five days. If you are short of time, then stick to Hvar town and the Pakleni Islands. You can watch my travel vlog about Hvar here.
Omis:
Omiš is a small town and port 26 km southeast of Split. It lies on the Cetina River with its stunning canyon views.
The air in Omiš is different: clear and fresh. If you’re an adrenaline enthusiast, you will love it. You can choose from: rafting, canyoning, paragliding, and ziplining. Or tyr all of them. For more on my ziplining experience click here.
In the 13th and 14th century Omiš was home to pirates.So it offers more than many adventure destinations. It has also has a few historical sights. A short climb up to the Fortica fortress is something you shouldn’t miss. It has one of the most magnificent views in the whole of Dalmatia. Omis has a second fortress too as well as a beautiful church and a few smaller historical monuments.
Prepare to dedicate one day to Omiš and if you want to enjoy one of the area’s sports activities – definitely two or three!
Kooky AKA Valentina:
Find me on @kookylovestotravel, youtube, kookylovestotravel.com and don’t forget to subscribe to my blog!