Where to go in Croatia

Medieval Dubrovnik, known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” has become one of the world’s top destinations. Its walled Old City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, filled with magnificent architectural wonders and marble-paved streets. Visitors can marvel at buildings like the 15th-century Rector’s Palace and explore the remarkable Franciscan monastery complex which holds one of Europe’s oldest pharmacies, founded in 1317. It’s also possible to walk atop the ancient city walls, enjoying a few of the Adriatic and nearby islands on one side, and the red-tiled roofs of the historic center on the other.

Zagreb is Croatia’s largest city and its capital, boasting a rich history that dates back to the Middle Ages. Here you can stroll charming cobblestone streets while gazing up at an eclectic blend of Austro-Hungarian heritage and classical Viennese secessionist architecture. It’s home to landmarks like Zagreb Cathedral with its soaring twin towers, considered the most important Gothic-style sacred building southeast of the Alps, and 13th-century St. Mark’s Church, famous for its colorful tiled roof. There are plenty of modern delights too, including picturesque parks, art galleries, world-class museums, and theaters, along with a wide range of dining and shopping venues.

Nestled between the mountains and the sea, elegant Opatija offers timeless beauty and lots of aristocratic charm, having been a world-famous wellness resort town in the 19th century, attracting all sorts of VIPs and celebrities from across Europe. It continues to ooze opulence today with beautiful churches, impressive monuments, and a magnificent villa- and mansion-lined Lungomare promenade. The 7.4-mile stretch follows the rocky coastline between Volosko and nearby Lovran, bringing jaw-dropping views of the Kvarner coast, neighboring islands and Adriatic on one side, and spectacular mansions on the other.

The 3,000-year-old walled city of Zadar is home to an impressive mix of old and new, including an Old Town with medieval churches and Roman ruins along with high-quality museums and trendy cafes. Its world-famous pair of light installations along the seafront have made it even more of a must-visit. The Sea Organ plays music using the power of the waves while the Greeting to the Sun represents the solar system and is driven by the sun. Watch what Alfred Hitchcock declared to be the world’s most beautiful sunset, and then see it light up the waterfront.

Cosmopolitan Hvar is one of the sunniest of the Croatian islands, famous for attracting international jet setters and celebrities who often arrive on mega-yachts that fill its picturesque harbor during the summer. Hvar Town is home to legendary beach bars, nightclubs, and world-class restaurants as well as a beautiful historic center with medieval architecture. The island also features idyllic beaches for swimming in enticing clear blue waters, vineyard- and lavender-covered rolling hills, craggy peaks, and ancient hamlets. On the northern end is Stari Grad, one of the oldest towns in Europe, founded by the creeks in the late 4th century BC.

A stunning island just off the coast opposite Split, Brac Island is home to everything from a magnificent monastery, vineyards, and wineries to one of Europe’s most beautiful beaches, Zlatni Rat, also known as the Golden Horn. A white pebbly beach that glistens under the Mediterranean sun and changes its shape with the winds and the tides, it’s surrounded by a strikingly clear turquoise sea on three sides providing an unforgettable place to swim, just west of the pretty harbor town of Bol.

The laid-back fishing town of Ston lies on a cape of land that links the Peljesac Peninsula, renowned for producing some of Croatia’s best wines, to the mainland. Once an important military fort, its defensive walls are world-famous, as are its oysters, with many visitors coming to taste these fresher than fresh delicacies while learning all about their cultivation at its oyster farms. Ston is also known for its salt production, an economic mainstay since the Middle Ages, with its saltworks among Europe’s oldest and most well-preserved. The town itself is particularly enchanting with its crumbling churches, breathtaking coastline, and endless olive groves.