Travelheart A Blog for those who love to travel
Bordering the glorious Adriatic Sea to the south and west, the Republic of Croatia has all the features needed to give you a spectacular holiday in the sun. Here are some of the top things you must do whilst visiting the region to make your holiday unforgettable!
#1 Walking Dubrovnik’s Walls
Dubrovnik’s Old Town is completely surrounded by enormous stone walls that date back to the 10th century. Up to 6m (19ft) thick and 2.5m (8ft) high in places, Dubrovnik’s Ancient City Walls were built to protect the city and deter would-be invaders.
You can walk along the entire (2km/1.2mi) length of the ancient walls today and the briefest of trots around the battlements will provide you with a breathtaking introduction to this ancient city.
#2 Plitvice Lakes National Park
Plitvice Lakes National Park is the oldest national park in Southeast Europe and the largest national park in Croatia. The park is Croatia’s most popular tourist attraction and was granted a UNESCO World Heritage status in 1979.
The beauty of the National Park lies in its sixteen lakes, inter-connected by a series of mesmerizing, foaming waterfalls hemmed in by forest-clad hills.
#3 Walking the Premužic Trail
Croatia’s most exhilarating long-distance hiking route, is 57km long and provides a superb taste of the mountain’s varied geography, with lush deciduous woodland alternating with dense pine forests and arid rocky wastes.
#4 Sunsets in Zadar
If Alfred Hitchcock said it – it must be true! The most stunning sunset in the world is found in Zadar, Croatia. There is no doubt that you will be bowled over too, especially now sunsets in Zadar are accompanied by the complimentary sound-and-light effects of the famous Greeting to the Sun and Sea Organ art installations.
#5 Rovinj
Rovinj, in Istria, is a city in Croatia situated on the north Adriatic Sea with a population of just 14,294 . While it can get very popular with tourists during the summer, and residents have developed a sharp eye for maximizing profits by upgrading hotels and restaurants to four-star status, it remains one of the last true Mediterranean fishing ports.
Fishermen heave their catch into the harbor during the early hours of the morning, followed by a mass of screeching seagulls. Forested hills and low-rise hotels frame the old town, which is webbed with vertical cobbled streets and piazzas.
#6 Pula Arena
Croatia’s most famous and significant monument, and the starting and ending point of every sightseeing tour is the Amphitheater, commonly known as the Arena of Pula, which was once the site of gladiator fights. It was built in the 1st century AD during the reign of Emperor Vespasian, at the same time as the magnificent Coliseum in Rome.
Pula area today is also used as a venue for summer performances , such as the Film Festival, Opera Season, Equestrian Festival, concerts etc. which can seat approximately 5,000 spectators at a time.
#7 The Elaphite Islands
On the western side of Dubrovnik, in its immediate surroundings there is the finest Dubrovnik archipelago called Elaphite (in Greek meaning the Deer Islands), closely bound to Dubrovnik and its entire past. These easy-to-explore, mainly car-free islands offer great hiking, sandy beaches and plenty of peace and quiet.
#8 Pelješac peninsula
Just across the Pelješac channel from Korčula is the Pelješac peninsula, a hilly portion of land which stretches for some 90km from Lovište in the west to the mainland in the east. It is an exceptionally beautiful place, where you can explore rugged mountain scenery, quiet coves and unspoilt seaside villages. The region is renowned for its robust red wines and fantastic seafood and although it is an increasingly popular holiday area, development remains low-key.
#9 Krka National Park
Krka National Park is one of the Croatian national parks, named after the river Krka that it encloses
The top attraction of the Park are its glorious waterfalls, including the famous Skradinski Buk falls which is arguably one of Croatia’s most famous sights. There is a huge variety of both flora and fauna in the Park. Over 800 species of plant life have been identified as being present in the National Park. The park is also home to several different bird species (there are over 200) and 18 different species of bats.
#10 Trsteno
Trsteno is a village northwest of Dubrovnik in southern Croatia, with a population of just 237. Trsteno is an old fishermen’s village with a long tradition in maritime hence it is no wonder that this settlement hosts one of the oldest and most beautiful Arboretums in the entire region.
#11 Sea Kayaking
There is no better way of experiencing the Med than from the sea, and kayaking is the simplest, most relaxing and rewarding way to do so. Croatia is blessed with countless coves, beaches and hidden restaurants and what better way to see it than by taking a leisurely paddle!
