Not all the sights that have intrigued me over the years are famous; some are actually offbeat! Some have made it onto my list of Croatia's top sights. Others are just personal favourites. The point is that Croatia offers a tremendous variety of landscapes, monuments, old towns and natural wonders. I hope this selection gives you some ideas in planning your own Croatian holiday.
This Franciscan monastery is on Badija island, a quick boat ride from Korcula town. The tiny island is pine-shaded with excellent swimming off the rocky coast. More. |
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Baska Voda is cute combination of fishing port and beach. Just hop over if you're visiting nearby Brela Beach or on your way from Split to Makarska. More. |
Osor is an odd little town on Cres Island. Inhabitants are few but the streets are adorned with interesting, contemporary sculpture. More. |
Brac Island is one of the few islands easily done as a day trip from Split. The port of Supetar (above) makes a good base for exploration. More. |
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The Brijuni Islands is Istria's only national park and it contains an abundance of protected marine life. Only Veliki Brijun (above) can be visited. More. |
Plitvice Lakes National Park is stunning any time of the year. The sight and sound of these pounding cascades are mesmerizing. More. |
Here is sandy Cikat beach outside of the Mali Losinj port. There are a number of comfortable hotels a stone's throw from the sea. More. |
The 16 interlocking lakes of Plitvice National Park change color with the season and weather. The park is open all year. More. |
This gorgeous scene off the coast of Cres Island is a favorite stop on one of the many island cruises. Imagine the snorkeling! More. |
Here's the main attraction in Porec: the Euphrasian Basilica with the 5th-century mosaics that made it a World Heritage Site. More. |
This Venetian loggia in Cres town is one of many reminders of the strong Italian heritage on Cres Island. More. |
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The Romans made Pula their administrative headquarters and left behind this stately amphitheatre where gladiators once fought to the death. More. |
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Rab Town is a highlight of the Kvarner region in the northern Adriatic. This is the small boat harbour. More. |
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The Franciscan monastery of Dubrovnik is a model of elegance. Here is the cloister. Also worthwhile is the ancient pharmacy. More. |
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So much of Dubrovnik can be viewed on a walking tour, for example, this splendid carving of the Pietà on the facade of the Franciscan monastery. More. |
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The Rector's Palace in Dubrovnik is one of the few remaining examples of Renaissance architecture in Dubrovnik to have survived the earthquake of 1667. More. |
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If you take the Venice-Rovinj catamaran, here is the sight that will greet you when you arrive in Rovinj's northern port. More. |
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Not far from Mljet National Park is this secluded, sandy beach in the tiny village of Saplunara. More. |
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Stari Grad is the main port of Hvar Island. The old town is often overlooked in the general rush to get to glamorous Hvar town. More.
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The carved faces that adorn the Sv Jakov Cathedral in Sibenik are stunningly expressive, a factor in making it a World Heritage Site. More. |
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The little port of Sucuraj receives the crucial Drvenik-Sucuraj car ferry. But obviously if you miss the ferry, it's not a great tragedy. More. |
Split is dramatically positioned between the sea and the mountains. Climb up Marjan hill for the best view of the city. More. |
Looking for the kind of unspoiled Mediterranean fishing village that seems to have disappeared. Komiza on Vis Island is that place. More. |
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Even sailing by Korcula town, nestled onto a protruding peninsula, is a delight. The interior is even better. More. |
Why is the big toe so pale on this statue of Grgur Ninski in Split? Rubbing it is said to bring good luck. More. |
Lumbarda on Korcula island is known for this wonderful, sandy beach, called Przina. More. |
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Sailing around the 147 islands and islets that make up the Kornati Islands National Park is an unforgettable Adriatic adventure. More. |
North of Zagreb, central Varazdin is the "capital of baroque" for its architecture and annual music festival. More. |
Can't make it to Plitvice? The waterfalls of Krka Waterfalls National Park are conveniently located near the coast plus you can swim under the falls you see here. More. |
It may be a long ferry ride from Split, but the unspoiled natural beauty and rugged coastline of Vis island make it worth the effort. More. |
This idyllic beach on Lopud island is a highlight of the Elafiti islands, an easy day trip from Dubrovnik. More. |
Croatian wines are attracting serious attention from wine aficionados and for good reason. More. |
Taking a leisurely swim in this otherwise inaccessible cove off Losinj island makes a Croatia island cruise indispensable. More. |
This colorful mosaic tops St Mark's Church in Zagreb and displays the emblems of Zagreb and Croatia's historical regions. More. |
Mali Losinj is the animated center of Losinj island as well as the nucleus of a large pine-shaded beach resort. More. |
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Tkaliceva is the center of Zagreb's Upper Town with the cozy, baroque style that makes it a mini-Prague. More. |
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Zlatni Rat beach is the most outstanding attraction on Brac island and is an easy walk from Bol. More. |
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