Where to go on Holiday in Croatia: 24 Great Tips

No wonder Croatia is the main summer holiday destination for Czechs. Croatia is full of beautiful beaches, islands, but also medieval towns and diverse nature. Here you’ll find historic towns with a nice relaxed atmosphere, places with the best parties in Europe, but also tourist traps to avoid. Let’s take a look at where to go on holiday in Croatia.

Croatia is a paradise for young couples, singles and families with children, in the spring it is enjoyed by cyclists and in the early autumn by culture and sightseers.

Here are 24 great tips on where to go in Croatia to make the most of your holiday + a list of towns, beaches and other places to visit.

Croatia map

Istria

Istria is one of the most popular parts of Croatia for Czech tourists because it is very fast and comfortable to get there by car or train. If you are looking for a relaxing and peaceful holiday, Istria is the right choice.

Istria is a large peninsula in the northern part of Croatia, offering large resorts with animation programs for children and small romantic apartments for couples.

Where to stay: All inclusive hotel with pool Hotel Zorna Plava Laguna or Luxury Apartments Magali 2 or Apartments Oliva.

The most beautiful beaches in Istria

The most beautiful beaches in the area are the pebble beaches of Lanterna(Apartment and Rooms Hacienda Stelio) or the resorts of Rabac(Hotel Mimosa – Maslinica Hotels & Resorts) or Medulin(Apartmani Marin).

Pula – beaches and beautiful architecture

For culture and architecture, head to Pula, with its Roman amphitheatre. Pula is a port city in southern Croatia, famous for its ancient amphitheatre, one of the best preserved in the world. The city also has a beautiful old quarter with narrow streets and historic buildings such as the St. Francis Cathedral and Belvedere Castle. In addition, Pula is a popular tourist destination for its beaches, local culture and quality gastronomy.

🏠 Where to stay in Pula: The Twins Idola Apartments or Apartments Hedona are exceptional. But you need to book early, they are often sold out. A luxury option is Penthouse Leonarda with private parking, if you’re looking for something cheap, check out Apartments Franko 1586.

To Rovinj for diving

Rovinj is said to be one of the most romantic towns in Croatia. It has a beautiful old town where the houses are built close together, rising directly from the sea. Be sure to visit the local church of St. Euphemia. Rovinj is an ideal place for diving, as there are many wrecks in the waters.

🏠 Where to stay in Rovinj: The Apartmani Gržinić apartments are beautiful, but if you are looking for something really luxurious, check out the Adriatic Hotel by Maistra Collection. But for those who want a cheap holiday, there is also a great option, namely Apartments Ita.

To Poreč, northwest Croatia

Poreč is a town in the northwest of Croatia, famous for its historical centre, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Itis famous for its ancient church of St. Nicholas, one of the oldest and best preserved in Europe, and for its famous amphitheatre. In addition, Poreč enjoys excellent tourist services, beautiful beaches, a wide range of sports and recreational opportunities and a lively nightlife scene. Poreč is ideal for families with children, but also for couples.

🏠 Where to stay in Poreč: Luxury accommodation in the resort Hotel Zorna Plava Laguna, for a cheaper option you can choose for example Apartment Danica 358.

Where to go on a trip to Istria?

The town of Umag, which has an impressive medieval centre, is also worth a visit. If you’re looking for a bit of adrenaline, head to Motovun, a beautiful mountain town that is a mecca for paragliding. Istria is also home to Hum, the smallest town in the world. Those who like architecture and walking should definitely come here!

From Istria you can also take a day trip to Venice, a 2.5-hour journey.

Kvarner Riviera: where to go on holiday

Kvarner Riviera is a tourist area in northwestern Croatia, located on the coast of Kvarner Bay. It is known for its beautiful beaches, which are surrounded by pine groves and provide a magnificent view of the Adriatic Sea.

The Kvarner Riviera also offers a wide range of tourist activities such as sailing, diving, hiking and cycling. It is also a place rich in history and culture, where you will find many monuments such as ancient amphitheatres, old city forts and churches. These attractions combined with the friendly atmosphere and hospitality of the local people make the Kvarner Riviera a popular tourist destination.

Island of Krk

Krk is the largest Croatian island, which has been called the golden island (insula aurea) for its beauty since ancient times. It has a mild Mediterranean climate, azure Adriatic Sea and a rich historical and cultural heritage.

Krk can be easily reached by air or by car, and if you wish, you can also take a ferry or boat to the neighbouring island of Rab.

If you are travelling with children, be sure to visit the Aquarium Adriatic in Baška, which is right in the centre of the town. If you like medieval towns, head to Vrbnik. Other popular attractions include the Biserukja Cave and the grounds of St. Lucie, located in the centre of Jurandvor. Fig lovers can look forward to the Fig Days, which are observed on Krk at the end of August.

Opatija – the most luxurious resorts

Opatija is a town in Croatia, located on the northeastern Adriatic coast. It is known as one of the oldest and most luxurious resorts in the country and is renowned for its excellent spa services and beautiful beaches.

Opatija also has a rich history and culture, which can be seen in its opulent villas and park-like landscaping that stretch along the 12 km long Lungomare promenade. In addition, Opatija offers a wide range of activities such as golf, tennis, sailing and hiking, as well as excellent cuisine and nightlife. These attractions make Opatija a popular tourist destination for families, couples and individuals.

🏠 Where to stay in Opatija: Great accommodation is in Apartment Ranch, if you are looking for something really luxurious, check out Ikador Luxury Boutique Hotel & Spa.

Crikvenica – for a peaceful holiday

If you are looking for a quieter holiday, Crikvenica is one of the less touristy places. But it still has beautiful beaches, a rich history and culture, which can be seen in local monuments such as the old town forts, churches and museums.

🏠 Where to stay in Crikvenica: Relax Derossi or Hotel Miramare.

Island of Cres – an oasis of peace

The island of Cres is one of the two largest islands in the Adriatic, yet it is one of the least visited. The northeast of the island is inhospitable and arid due to the stormy winds, but in the south of the island there are beautiful meadows and pastures and in the northwest beautiful forests. The most beautiful place on the island of Cres is Lake Vrana – the largest Croatian lake ever. Visit towns like Cres, Martinšćica, Porozina, Osor and Punta Križa, or settlements like Lubenice, Melin and Grabar.

🏠 Where to stay on Cres: Villa Lavanda or Apartments and rooms Roberto B.

Island of Rab

My favourite island in Croatia is Rab, especially for its eponymous ancient town, whose silhouette is easily recognisable by its four towers.

The island of Rab itself is known for its climate and the weather is pleasant all year round. Ironically, during our visit it was raining in the middle of summer, but that was probably the exception that proved the rule.

The Komrčar Forest Park and the Dundo Nature Reserve are definitely worth a visit. The most beautiful beaches on the island can be found near the second largest town of Rab – Lopar. One of the popular beaches in Lopar is the 1.5 km long Rajska Plaža. There are only sandy beaches on Rab.

Where to go on a trip on the Kvarner Riviera:

• Rijeka is Croatia’s busiest port, a crossroads of land and sea routes. It’s definitely worth a trip to Rijeka, you can also visit the Natural History Museum, where you can learn more about oceanography, the geological history of the Adriatic or enjoy the botanical garden.

To the sea in Dalmatia

Dalmatia is the name given to a historic country on the eastern Adriatic coast, which is today divided between Croatia (most of its territory) and Montenegro. Read article about the 10 most beautiful places in Dalmatia.

To the sea and nature in Northern Dalmatia

If you’re mainly heading out to sea, you’ll probably opt for Northern Dalmatia, which is known for its crystal clear waters suitable for snorkelling.

The resorts in Northern Dalmatia tend to be quieter and smaller, which will be welcomed by families with children and couples. Northern Dalmatia is also one of the best starting points to the national parks of North Velebit and Plitvice Lakes.

Who hasn’t seen photos of Krka National Park, the northern part of North Dalmatia attracts nature lovers in particular. Northern Dalmatia includes Krka National Park and Kornati National Park. You can take a day trip from Sibenik, for example.

Be warned, it can get a bit crowded in the middle of the tourist season, so if you’re trying to avoid places with a lot of tourists, either head here in the off-season or right on opening day.

Zadar

Zadar is the largest city in northern Dalmatia. Zadar is less touristy than Makarska. It is a perfect starting point for exploring the surrounding islands, climbing, rafting, and hiking.

🏠 Where to stay in Zadar: Shell Luxury Residences with Pool and Whirlpool is the most luxurious accommodation, but Magic View Apartments are more affordable. If you are looking for cheap accommodation, there is also cheap accommodation, for example Apts and rooms Jagoda-parking.

Sibenik

When we cycled through Croatia, it was the Dalmatian town of Sibenik that I fell in love with. I think it’s an underrated, very culturally rich city where you can find a number of modern businesses that even Prague would be ashamed of. This is for example Hostel Scala, where they cook phenomenally and surprise you with good coffee.

🏠 Where to stay in Sibenik: Hostel Scala in Sibenik is the cheapest, Guest House Bakica in Trogir is a happy medium, Apartments Silver Beauty in Rogoznica is the best, if you want something really luxurious, check out Bifora Heritage Hotel and Dubrovnik President Valamar Collection Hotel.

Vodice

Vodice is a lovely town full of nightlife and charming beaches. This smaller resort is located 11 km from Sibenik. It is especially suitable for young groups of people.

🏠 Where to stay: There are a number of apartments in Vodice that are suitable for young people, such as Apartment Zorica.

Primosten

Primosten is a popular place between Sibenik and Split. The historic centre of the town can be found on a small island. Primosten, like most Croatian towns, has beautiful architecture, but you’ll also find beaches with crystal clear water.

🏠 Where to stay in Primošten: Apartments Villa Šibenik or Olive gardens.

Central Dalmatia

The Central Dalmatia region starts with the coastal resort of Rogoznica, which is located northwest of the historic town of Trogir and lines up to the port of Ploče.

Central Dalmatia includes the Makarska Riviera, which is one of the most popular tourist destinations and offers several kilometres of pebble and sandy beaches that are lined with pine forests.

Central Dalmatia also includes the islands of Hvar, Brac, Solta, Ciovo, Drvenik Veli and Vis.

Omis Riviera – sandy beaches

Omis used to be overlooked, but that’s not the case anymore. There are sandy and pebbly beaches and it is one of the ideal locations for families with small children.

🏠 Where to stay in Omiš: the Villa Marina or the more luxurious Hotel Saint Hildegard.

Split

The port city of Split is considered the cultural and economic centre of Dalmatia and it is also the second largest city in Croatia. It has a beautiful historic centre where you will find the extremely popular Diocletian’s Palace. Split is a great starting point for ferry transport to the larger islands in the area – Hvar, Brac, Korcula.

🏠 Where to stay in Split: luxury accommodation is Oblivion Luxury Rooms or Four Elements, the golden mean is Apartmani Lucante, for a cheaper option try Pension Alba.

Trogir

A typical historic town in Dalmatia with a cute historic centre, where there are many boutiques and shops with local jewellery. The dominant feature of the town is the St. Lawrence Cathedral with its tower, which you can climb for a small fee.

🏠 Where to stay in Trogir: Guest House Bakica.

Makarska Riviera – Croatia’s most beautiful beaches

You will probably find the most beautiful beaches on the Makarska Riviera, but you have to take into account that it is quite busy. Take a trip to the Biokovo mountain range, which can also be reached by car. Very popular is also a glass lookout – Skywalk Bikovo.

🏠 Where to stay in Makarska: Let’s start with the luxury option, there are few that supposedly surpass Hotel Tamaris, but City Beach Makarska also has an excellent location. The golden mean is Apartments & Rooms Alagić. For cheap accommodation, choose Apartments Josip.

Island of Hvar

We cannot fail to mention the most visited island of Croatia. No wonder, it has beautiful nature with lavender fields and vineyards, where the air smells of wild herbs.

🏠 Where to stay in Hvar: Not many people will be able to afford it, but you should check out this absolutely luxurious hotel Hotel Moeesy, Blue & Green Oasis. Still more expensive but gorgeous is also B&B Buzolic or the cheaper Fontana Resort or Apartments Ana.

Island of Brac

The beautiful beaches of Makarska are rivalled by one in Bol, which some say is the most beautiful. It is called Zlatni Rat and is the most famous, to say the least.

🏠 Where to stay on the island of Brac: Bluesun Hotel Borak is a more expensive option, but you can also find cheaper accommodation, such as Apartments Obala.

South Dalmatia

In South Dalmatia you can find everything. If you are a fan of nature and Game of Thrones, South Dalmatia is the place to go. Southern Dalmatia can be characterized as a region of great contradictions, a region that breaks up into several completely different places that perhaps have little in common with each other. Each part is completely different and therefore holidays in South Dalmatia will be extremely varied.

Plitvice Lakes

The Plitvice Lakes are the most famous national park in the county of Licko-Senj in Croatia and the most visited attraction by tourists, so it is worth going to the opening. If you manage to do this, believe that you will enjoy them to the maximum.

The Plitvice Lakes are a UNESCO World Heritage Site located on the upper reaches of the Korana River between the limestone massifs of Velika and Mala Kapela and Pleševica between the towns of Karlovac and Zadar, close to the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

There are 16 karst lakes, which are terraced and connected by flows. Swimming has been banned in the lakes since 2006, and you can only walk on footbridges and designated paths; the price of admission increases almost every year, but during the coronacrisis it was reduced from CZK 945 to CZK 700 per adult in the high season. For the current price of admission, see official website.

Dubrovnik

The famous HBO series Game of Thrones was filmed in Dubrovnik, and since then the number of visitors to this beautiful medieval city has multiplied. So we recommend going in the off-season, or plan an early morning stroll through the city like we did. Dubrovnik has been on the UNESCO list since 1979 and it is no wonder.

While walking around the city, you should not miss the main Stradun Street, where you can see all the main sights, such as the Sponz Palace and the Church of St. Vlaho, the patron saint of Dubrovnik.

If Dubrovnik don’t visit Dubrovnik on bicycles like we did, don’t skip a walk around the city walls and take a trip to the islet of Lokrum. If you’ve had enough of walking, you’ll come out to Banje beach, which is considered one of the most beautiful in Croatia.

Island of Korcula

Marco Polo Island – Korcula is another beautiful island in Croatia. It’s tiny, only about thirty kilometres long, but still offers great activities for families, couples and sportsmen. There are wineries, stunning coastlines and beautiful sights – and it’s the supposed birthplace of Marco Polo.

🏠 Where to stay: the most luxurious option is Korcula Holiday.

Where are the sandy beaches in Croatia?

One of the biggest myths is that there are no sandy beaches in Croatia. Although pebble and rocky beaches predominate, you will still find many sandy beaches in Croatia.

• Island of Dugi Otok: Sandy beach Sakarun near Soline
• Island of Pag: the sandy beach Čista plaža, Planjka another one in the bay of Blue Lagoon in Vlašici and in Povljana, a smaller sandy beach can be found in the western bay of Potočnica
• Island of Pasman: Sandy beach Plažine in Tkon
• Island of Rab: There are only sandy beaches on Rab, the most popular is the sandy beach Rajska plaža in Lopar
• Island of Brac: Sandy beach Lovrecina near Hvar Island: Sandy beaches in Jelsa on the island of Hvar
• Island of Korcula: Tatinja, Bilin and Pržina sandy beach in Lumbarda
• Peljesac peninsula: Sandy beach Trstenica in Orebić
• Omis Riviera: Sandy beaches in Omis-Duce
• The sandy beach of Iza Banja in Sveti Filip i Jakov on the Zadar Riviera
• Sandy beach Ninska laguna in Nin

Map with points of interest on your phone

Save a map of the best places in Croatia directly to your phone. After purchase, you will receive a link to a non-public Google Map, which you can save by clicking ”Follow/Follow”. This will copy it to your Google account and display it on all devices where you use Google Maps.

Where to go on holiday in Croatia with children

Croatia is an ideal destination for holidays with small children. With younger children, you’ll probably want to go to Istria, as it’s relatively quick to get there. The islands (Krk, Brac, Korcula, Pag) are also great, where you will have more peace and quiet. If your kids can handle the long journey well, head to Makarska, where the most beautiful beaches are. Most of the time it’s more about choosing a good hotel or apartment than exactly where you’re going. V

Accommodation Croatia – find the accommodation of your choice