With over a thousand islands and more than 6000 kilometers of coastline, Croatia is a paradise for sailors, snorkelers and swimmers alike. From the natural beauty of the country’s impressive landscape to the centuries of gothic history, you want it? Croatia’s got it.
Ready to jet off? Still on the fence? Well sit down and strap in: I’m about to tell you the top five reasons Croatia should be at the top of every respectable traveller’s bucket list.
1. The Coastline
Whether you’re up north in Istria or would rather explore the dalmatian coast with the famous hotspots Split and Dubrovnik, the Croatian coastline is full of beautiful hidden treasures. The best part? Moving along the coast is incredibly easy! If you’re in the mood to visit the nearby islands such as Hvar, Brač, Korčula or Mljet you can easily do this by hopping on a ferry or just setting sail on your sailing boat.
With its Mediterranean climate and an average of 2,600 hours of sunshine a year, Croatia is one of the sunniest regions in the Mediterranean with mild winters and a magnificent spring and summer season.
In case you’ve been wondering – yes, dalmatians are named after the Dalmatian coast in Croatia, which supposedly was their first home.
2. Lights, Camera, Action!
Ever heard of a little show called Game of Thrones? If you’ve always dreamed of traversing Westeros then Croatia is hands down the perfect spot for you. Visit Dubrovnik, the main filming location for the capital of the Seven Kingdoms, King’s Landing. Identify more with Daenerys Targaryen, the mother of dragons? Lucky for you, you can visit Split–one of the filming locations of Meereen–and even walk through Daenerys’ throne room.
Not a George R. R. Martin junkie? Not to worry — you’ll still have your mind blown when you walk along the wall of Dubrovnik or take a ride in a cable car to capture a bird’s eye view onto the historic city with its iconic red roofs and beautiful seafront.
3. The Sunsets
Croatia is widely regarded as being “home to the world’s best sunsets” with famous film director and producer Alfred Hitchcock stating this about the city of Zadar, Croatia’s oldest inhabited city situated on the Adriatic Sea. No matter how long or short your stay in Zadar is, you’ll inevitably hear Hitchcock’s famous quote recanted by a local.
In May 1964, Alfred Hitchcock checked into the famous (but since closed) Hotel Zagreb on the coast of Zadar. The hotel’s location was considered one of the best in town and inspired the famous director to muse,
The sunset of Zadar is the world’s most beautiful and incomparably better than in Key West, Florida.
Of course this wasn’t new information to residents of Zadar, but Hitchcock was largely responsible for putting Croatia on the map via its mesmerizing sunsets. Travellers describe the Croatian sunset as a daily phenomenon in which the sun slowly melts into the sea.
4. The Serenity
Despite Croatia being a tourist hotspot, there are more than enough secret spots and idyllic places where you can relax and enjoy some reflective solo-time. Take Mljet, for example: as one of the most southerly of the larger Adriatic islands along the Dalmatian Coast, Mljet is home to a magnificent National Park which is perfect if you want to withdraw and wander off the beaten track. It includes an inland lake and within it a small island with the gorgeous Monastery of Saint Mary which you can get to by kayak or by simply hopping on a boat.
5. The Nightlife
Fancy a night out after a beautiful day in paradise? Croatia is home to countless beautiful beachside bars and exciting clubs where you’re guaranteed to have the time of your life. Drinks are very affordable, and there is a style of bar for every kind of partier from the ravers to the rockers to the Irish at heart. Croatia has been on the map as a party destination for music enthusiasts for quite a long time with music festivals ranging from Ultra, Hideout, Electric Elephant and more.
Looking for a truly memorable pub crawl? Head to Rijeka in Kvarner during the off-season and Novalja on Pag Island for raging beach parties in the summer.
Feeling chic? Hvar is definitely the location for you — just be sure to pack your fanciest party clothes.
And of course, Split has the laid-back student vibe that works for every kind of traveller in search of a good time.
