Highlights
Food & Drink
Croatia plates up delicious, home-style dishes heavily influenced by Italy and Eastern Europe. Fish, seafood, pizzas and pastas are popular along the coast, while stews, soups and goulashes bring hearty food inland. A few dishes to look out for in Dalmatia include a fish dish called Brodet, as well as Pasticada, a rich beef stew served with gnocchi. In Istria, popular ingredients include truffles, asparagus, cured ham, crab and other seafood. Like elsewhere in the Mediterranean, quality olive oil is used in abundance, produced at local farms. Wash down these gastronomic delights with one of Croatia’s many beers, or a glass of local wine – Croatian wines may not appear on supermarket shelves at home, but pair particularly well with Croatian food.
Mountains & Countryside
The Dalmatian Coast, near Dubrovnik, is a gateway to a limestone wonderland of jagged peaks, waterfalls, canyons, caverns and glistening lakes. The Istrian Coast, on the other hand, is edged with much smaller, rocky hills carpeted with scented pines. The further inland you travel, the Croatian countryside opens out into inimitably scenic, rolling farmland. Wherever you decide to stay, active and adventurous visitors will find a variety of outdoor pursuits - from leisurely walks along coastal paths, to ziplining.
Coast & Islands
Whether you’re holidaying in Dubrovnik or Rovinj, the coastlines and seascapes are wonderfully scenic, with fragrant pine forests, pebble-stone beaches and crystal-clear waters. The ideal backdrop for water sports, enjoy paddle boarding, kayaking and scuba, as well as sailing trips and ferry rides to outlying islands. A short hop from Dubrovnik, the emerald isle of Lokrum is overrun by peacocks and offers tranquil coves and a saltwater pool for escape and relaxation. The fourteen islands of the Rovinj archipelago, meanwhile, offer assorted locations for snorkelling, swimming and sunbathing – top picks include Sveta Katarina and Crveni Otok. Meanwhile, many of Rovinj’s stunning beaches are Blue Flag graded.
History & Culture
Wedged between the Balkans and central Europe, Croatia has been the subject of possession for centuries, with ever-changing rule bequeathing incredible cultural legacy. Exquisite Venetian palaces sit by Roman columns and Napoleonic forts – a unique combination of architectural delights. Dubrovnik’s rambling walls feature splendid fortresses and Adriatic views, alongside Gothic-Renaissance palaces, Baroque churches and impressive museums. Discover Croatia’s intriguing past - from prehistoric to post-communist. Rovinj, too, has its share of striking buildings, a highlight of which is a beautiful Baroque church atop the town’s highest point. You can also find a heritage museum showcasing paintings by Rovinj’s Old Masters. Consider an outing to nearby Pula, famous for its magnificent Roman amphitheatre, or a daytrip to famed Venice, under three hours each way by fast-service catamaran.