1. Zagreb
Zagreb has culture, arts, music, architecture, gastronomy, and all the other things that make a quality capital city – it's no surprise that the number of visitors has risen sharply in recent years. Croatia's coastal attractions aside, Zagreb has finally been discovered as a popular city-break destination in its own right. Visually, Zagreb is a mixture of straight-laced Austro-Hungarian architecture and rough-around-the-edges socialist structures, its character a sometimes uneasy combination of the two elements. This small metropolis is made for strolling the streets, drinking coffee in the permanently full cafes, popping into museums and galleries, and enjoying the theatres, concerts and cinema. It’s a year-round outdoor city: in spring and summer everyone scurries to Jarun Lake in the southwest to swim or sail, or dance the night away at lakeside discos, while in winter Zagrebians go skiing at Mt. Medvednica (only a tram or bus ride away).
2. Plitvice National Park
Chiselled and carved out of the limestone bluffs, chalk cliffs and dolomite escarpments of central Croatia, where the rugged Dinaric Alps rise to form the borderlands with Bosnia to the east, the legendary Plitvice lakes and their eponymous national park really are all they’re cracked up to be! Sixteen crystalline lakes are set amidst verdant valleys clothed in spruce, fir, beech and hornbeam, and can be seen gushing and flowing in a series of breathtaking waterfalls from the various winding walking tracks and boardwalks now open to visitors. Plitvice is actually one of the oldest national parks on the continent, and still plays host to wild wolf packs, Croatian brown bears, curious wood grouses and elusive lynxes.
3. Bol
Gathered around a compact marina, the old town of Bol is an attractive place made up of small stone houses and winding streets dotted with pink and purple geraniums. While short on actual sights, many of the buildings are marked with interpretative panels explaining their cultural and historical significance. The town's major attraction is Zlatni Rat, the seductive pebbly beach that ‘leaks’ into the Adriatic and draws crowds of swimmers and windsurfers in summer. A long coastal promenade, lined with pine trees and gardens, connects the beach with the old town. Bol is a buzzing place in summer – one of Croatia’s favourites – and perennially packed with tourists.
4. Dubrovnik
Regardless of whether you are visiting Dubrovnik for the first time or the hundredth, the sense of awe never fails to descend when you set eyes on the beauty of the old town. Indeed it’s hard to imagine anyone becoming jaded by the city’s white limestone streets, baroque buildings and the endless shimmer of the Adriatic, or failing to be inspired by a walk along the ancient city walls that protected a civilised, sophisticated republic for centuries. Although the shelling of Dubrovnik in 1991 horrified the world, the city has bounced back with vigour to enchant visitors again. Marvel at the interplay of light on the old stone buildings; trace the peaks and troughs of Dubrovnik's past in museums replete with art and artefacts; take the cable car up to Mt. Srđ; exhaust yourself climbing up and down narrow lanes – then plunge into the azure sea.
5. Hvar
Long, lean Hvar is vaguely shaped like the profile of a holidaymaker reclining on a sun lounger, which is altogether appropriate for the sunniest spot in the country and its most luxurious beach destination. Hvar Town, the island’s capital, offers swanky hotels, elegant restaurants and a general sense that, if you care about seeing and being seen, this is the place to be. Rubbing shoulders with the posh yachties are hundreds of young partygoers, dancing on tables at the town's legendary beach bars. The northern coastal towns of Stari Grad and Jelsa are far more subdued and low-key. Hvar's interior hides abandoned ancient hamlets, craggy peaks, vineyards and the lavender fields that the island is famous for. It’s worth exploring on a day trip, as is the southern end of the island, which has some of Hvar’s most beautiful and isolated coves.
6. Korcula
It’s no secret that most travelers make a beeline to this sunny Adriatic island to wonder at the delights of its postcard-perfect old town, which perches over the rollers of the Med on the eastern coast, complete with a set of striking medieval towers and bulwarks and meticulously-planned breeze-kissed streets. However, head away from this marble-clad magnet of a town and you’ll discover a backcountry worth writing home about, where undulating forests of Spanish pine cascade down to secluded coves of pearly-white pebbles, where rustic fish restaurants dot the coastal paths and catamarans bob above the blue-green sea.
7. Kornati Islands
Composed of 140 uninhabited islands, islets and reefs covering 300 square km, the Kornatis are the largest and densest archipelago in the Adriatic. Due to the typically karstic terrain, the islands are riddled with cracks, caves, grottoes and rugged cliffs. Since there are no sources of fresh water they are mostly barren. The evergreens and holm oaks that used to be found here were long ago burned down. Far from stripping the islands of their beauty, the deforestation has highlighted startling rock formations, whose stark whiteness against the deep-blue Adriatic is an eerie and wonderful sight.
8. Krk
Connected to the mainland of Croatia by a toll bridge, Krk is the largest island in the country. The island is well developed and boasts plenty of infrastructure for tourism as well as an airport that is open between April and October. Most tourists base themselves out of Krk Town, a medieval walled city with a bustling seaside promenade and historical attractions such as the 12th-century St. Mary’s Cathedral and Frankopan Castle. Visitors can also explore the island's many secluded beaches and authentic Mediterranean fishing villages or indulge in the wine and olives the region is known for.
9. Krka National Park
The shimmering and crashing waterfalls and lakes of Krka are something like the southern counterpart to Plitvice. They range from the crumbling karsts and escarpments of the Dinaric Alps to the ria of Skradinski, where the river waters become brackish and join with the Adriatic Sea. Of course, the main attraction here has to be the series of cataracts that dot the park, many of which are the product of centuries of hyper algae growth between the banks of the mineral-rich Krka River, while other pulls include the enchanting sight of the Visovac Monastery, which just pokes above the trees on an island in the midst of mirror-like Visovac Lake.
10. Makarska
Tucked between the Makarska Riviera and the stunning Biokovo mountain range, Makarska has plenty of appeal for nature lovers and beach bums alike. Adrenaline junkies can take advantage of the opportunity to go paragliding or windsurfing, while anyone looking for a more relaxing vacation can take a stroll along the waterfront promenade or kick back on the beautiful pebbly beach. The area surrounding the city lends itself perfectly to activities such as hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, and mountain biking. A good number of bars and restaurants can be found along the beach, and the city boasts a vibrant nightlife scene during the high season.
11. Mljet
According to ancient legend, the tranquil beauty of the island of Mljet impressed the hero Odysseus so much that he stayed here for seven years. Considering everything there is to do on the island, visitors today might be tempted to stay just as long. Most of the island is taken up by Mljet National Park, which offers spectacular pine forests, two saltwater lakes, and a secluded seaside cave. There are plenty of man-made attractions here as well, including a Benedictine monastery, tombs that date back to the Illyrian period, and the ruins of a large 5th-century Roman palace.
12. Osijek
The largest city in Eastern Croatia, Osijek is an elegant university town with plenty of history. The 18th-century Hapsburg defensive fortress is a big draw for many visitors, but there are also a good number of beautiful and historic cathedrals, castles, and other neoclassical buildings. Strolling along the promenade on the banks of the Drava River makes for an enjoyable afternoon; plenty of restaurants and cafes can be found here. There's more than enough to do in the city itself, but it's also a great place to base yourself if you're interested in visiting the surrounding countryside or the Kopacki Rit Nature Park.
13. Pag
Pag is like something you’d find in a 1950s Italian film, perfect for a broody black-and-white Antonioni set – it’s barren, rocky, and sepia coloured, with vast empty landscapes. The Adriatic is a steely blue around it and, when the sky is stormy, the island is the most dramatic-looking place in the whole of Croatia. Its karstic rock forms a moonscape defined by two mountain ridges, patches of shrubs and a dozen or so villages and hamlets. Nowadays it’s connected to the mainland by a bridge – but in terms of culture it’s very independent and distinct. Islanders farm the miserly soil and produce some excellent wine. Tough local sheep graze on herbs and salty grasses, lending their meat and milk a distinctive flavour and producing paški sir (Pag cheese). Intricate Pag lace is famed and framed on many a Croat’s wall. Pag is now an unlikely clubbing mecca with Zrće Beach a summer nightlife hot spot.
14. Porec
With a history dating back to the time of the ancient Romans, the small town of Porec is now the most popular holiday destination in Istria. The oldest parts of the town are from the 4th century, but Porec is most famous for being home to a 6th-century basilica, which features gem-studded Byzantine mosaics and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, many visitors are drawn here by the beaches; Porec boasts more than 10km of coastline, with beaches ranging from rocky to pebbly to sandy. The area also offers more than 250km of cycling trails of various lengths and difficulties.
15. Pula
Dressed in Roman marble and sparkling against the aquamarine hues of the Adriatic, Pula is the jewel at the end of the Istrian Peninsula. It rose to glory under the auspices of Augustus Caesar, and the mighty amphitheatre that still stands on the edge of the ancient old town (arguably the best preserved Roman relic outside of Italy) was raised while the Julio-Claudians still reigned supreme in Rome. Today the 2,000-year-old centre is interspersed with charming Venetian buildings and traces of Slavic and Byzantine rule, all coalescing around the lively beer bars and konobas (traditional Croatian eateries) of the city Forum. Then there are the rugged cliff-backed coves and sun-splashed terraces that line the Verudela headland on the edge of town; picture-perfect examples of Croatia’s glorious Mediterranean coast.
16. Rijeka
Croatia’s third-largest city, Rijeka is a bustling blend of gritty 20th-century port and Italianate Habsburg grandeur. Most people speed through en route to the islands or Dalmatia, but those who pause will discover charm, culture, good nightlife, intriguing festivals and Croatia’s most colourful carnival. Despite some regrettable architectural ventures in the outskirts, much of the centre is replete with ornate Austro-Hungarian–style buildings. It’s a surprisingly verdant city once you’ve left its concrete core, which contains Croatia’s largest port, with ships, cargo and cranes lining the waterfront.
17. Risnjak
Relatively isolated and rarely visited, despite being only 32km northeast of Rijeka, Risnjak National Park covers an area of 63 square km and rises up to 1528m at its highest peak, Veliki Risnjak. The landscape linking the Alps with the Balkan ranges is thickly forested with beech and pine trees, and carpeted with meadows and wildflowers. The bracing alpine breezes make it the perfect hideaway when the coastal heat and crowds become overpowering. The park is named after the lynx (ris in Croatian), the fluffy eared, pad-footed wild cat which can still be found here. Other wildlife includes brown bears, wolves, wild cats, wild boar, deer, chamois and 500 species of butterfly. Most of the park is unspoiled virgin forest, with only a few settlements.
18. Split
Positioned on a peninsula that juts out into the turquoise waters of the Adriatic, Split offers the perfect blend of impressive history and convenient modernity. The historic city center has been on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List since 1979; this is where visitors can find the sprawling Diocletian’s Palace, which is recognized as one of the best-preserved pieces of Roman architecture in the world. Visitors should also make time for a stroll along the waterfront promenade known as the Riva, which is lined with restaurants, bars, and cafes, and regularly hosts cultural events and other forms of entertainment
19. Zadar
The capital of the much-trodden Dalmatian region is everything you’d expect of a sun-splashed Croatian resort town on the edge of the Adriatic: at once lively and laid-back, steeped in history yet perennially modern. In fact, Zadar is known for its good mix of old and new, boasting the elegant Byzantine rises of St. Donat’s Church next to the crumbling remnants of a Roman Forum and crisscrossing lanes of cafes and eateries. The so-called Sea Organ by architect-artist Nikola Basic also draws crowds with its light shows and curious science, while there’s a certain allure to the way Zadar just seems to slip into the Mediterranean, making it easy for locals and travelers alike to cool off in the sea.
20. Šibenik
Driving through the somewhat shabby outskirts of Šibenik you might find yourself questioning your choice of destination. However, that is guaranteed to change as soon as you reach the city's magnficent medieval heart, gleaming white against the placid waters of the bay. The stone labyrinth of steep backstreets and alleys are a joy to explore. Šibenik is also an important access point for Krka National Park and the Kornati Islands.
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