If you are someone who is intrigued by history, architecture, the wonders of nature, good and diverse food, Croatia is where you should be heading. A country in the Balkans, Southeast Europe, Croatia is one of the most known countries of Europe and one of the most awe-inspiring places to visit, with its coast and sea, making it a perfect place for the summer vacation. And to mention its natural attractions, the splendid Adriatic Coastlines, and picturesque lakes, it doesn’t feel worldly. With its fabulously built archaic architecture and modern technical attractions, it exists to be a beautiful amalgam of historical and contemporary wonders that will leave you awestruck. So if you are planning to visit the fabulous country, here in this article you will walk through a list of the top 10 things to do in Croatia to make your visit worthwhile:
Dive into Croatia’s history and culture:
As mentioned earlier, if history and culture are what make your interest well up, you need to go around Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia and the largest city of the Country. It is located in North-western Croatia and is a lively metropolis and the heart of the Croatian culture with historical and modern attractions. Paved with cobblestone streets that lead to the old churches and towers, and is divided into Upper Town and Lower Town, it is the exact spot for you to dive into the historical beauty of the country. To take a look at Romanesque architecture the most quintessential building is the St. Mark’s Church which dates back to the 13th and 14th centuries. Zagreb also houses the tallest building in Croatia which is a gothic church, it was officially named “Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary” and is popularly known as Zagreb Cathedral.
Boat excursions and swimming at the Krka National Park:
Only a few people know about this stunning park, the Krka National Park is located along the Krka River in Southern Croatia and is known for its 7 waterfall series of natural pools, which are all equally beautiful. The park offers well-maintained walkways and boat excursions, and you can also go for a relaxing swim in the water under the scorching sun, making the visit perfect for the summer.
Windsurfing in Korcula:
Korcula is a Croatian island and is known for its dark and dense forests and for its amazing weather. Here you can enjoy wide range of Croatia things to do that you must add to your itinerary.
What fun is visiting an Island and not trying your hand at windsurfing?
No fun at all. But if you have you are planning on visiting Korcula Island then, windsurfing is what you must try there. The Island is located perfectly to catch the summer winds for windsurfing adding to your exotic trip.
Take a look at Marco Polo’s Home:
Korcula is the sixth largest Croatian island in the Adriatic Sea and is famous for being the home of the famous writer, traveler, and explorer Marco Polo. Ever imagined how exciting it would be to get to know the place where a historical legend was born? Even the thought of it makes one excited. It is a small stone tower-like structured house and a portion of it is also available for guests to explore, and its main attraction is its view, a small amount of fee is charged but it is free for children under 10.
Roman ruins in Pula:
This city of Croatia has Roman ruins in abundance due to the fact that it was conquered by Rome in the 2nd Century. The most famous attraction in the Roman amphitheatre, it is a monumental structure, locally called the Arena and is the only Roman Amphitheatre that is preserved. This amphitheatre is among the world’s six largest surviving Roman arenas. Another magnificent structure from the Roman era is the Gate of Hercules, which dates to the 1st century. It has a Single arch on which the head of Hercules is carved with his club on the adjoining voussoir. It is again worth a visit among many other remains of the Roman Empire.
Visit the beaches in Zadar:
Zadar is mainly known for its Roman ruins but this city also a great destination if you want to relax under the sun by the water. The relaxing zephyr around the beaches is something that won’t let you go without spending considerable time around the beaches. The best known is Saharun Beach, you better be prepared to be stunned by the blue water and the white sand covering the area! Exploring beaches barefoot is one of the fun things to do in Croatia with your friends or family.
Go up the Marjan Hill:
The Marjan Hill is a hill situated in the second-largest city of Croatia, Split. Marjan Hill is often known as the Lungs of the City and is one such place where you can forget about the stone structures and ruins for a bit and go hiking up the hill to enjoy a beautiful sunset and relax, mounted on this elevated beauty you will be mesmerized by its magic. All these reasons make the hill one of the top things to do in Split Croatia all around the year.
Cruse the Pakleni Islands:
The Palkeni Islands are situated off the southwest coast of the island of Hvar. The Pakleni Islands are a chain/group of sixteen islands and the most popular ones are the Sveti Klement and Marinkovic.
Sveti Klement is the largest among the Pakleni islands and is a depopulated island merely half kilometers from Hvar. The Marinkovac is known for its Mlini Beach and is removed from the crowd; you can enjoy being there on your own or with a loved one.
Among the many other top things that you can do in Croatia, cruising around the Palkeni Islands is the best you can experience.
Other sightseeing attractions:
Apart from the beaches in Zadar, the city is also known for two amazingly amazing modern sights. First is the Organ of the Sea which is a nature-based musical instrument made out of thirty-five organ pipes and it makes melodious music upon being touched by the waves. It is the most loved attraction not only for the tourists but also for the locals, because, isn’t music the thing that binds our emotions together?
The second stunning attraction to visit is the Greeting to the sun or Monument to the sun, which is a mesmerizing monument in a circular shape with multiple layers of glass and is lined with solar panels along the sidewalks. This beautiful attraction lights up and the kaleidoscopic lights go swiping beneath your feet when the sun goes down. Both these sights are mesmerizing and a must-visit and an awe-inspiring element of nature and technology.
Croatian Cuisine:
Last but not the least, the Croatian cuisine, which is spectacularly diverse because of the fact that every region has its own distinct culinary tradition which makes Croatia the best place to visit for all the foodies, vegetarian or not. The list is quite a big one and to try it all out is just worth it. The best among the meat-based among many others is Black Rossoto locally called Crni riZot made with cuttlefish or squid. This black colored dish is popularly enjoyed along the coastline of Croatia and will make your teeth black with its rich colour. And if you are looking for a meatless space for your appetite, there are a lot of places you can go to have a meatless menu, Nishata in Zagreb is one such place for vegetarians where you can enjoy falafel, pizza, homemade desserts etc. Trying local cuisine is one of the unique things to do in Zagreb Croatia for people of all interests.
What’s Next?
Whether you are looking for the best things to do in Dubrovnik Croatia or any other tourist attractions of Croatia, the above travel guide covers everything. Now you know what to do in Croatia, you can go ahead and plan your journey with total enthusiasm. If you are planning to visit some other places to visit near Croatia then don’t forget to check our Europe travel guide.
About Author: Aaliya Ahmad is an ardent reader and writer who strives to be better every passing day, not only for her professional pursuit but also in terms of becoming a better person. Currently pursuing her bachelor’s in English Honors, she aims at taking content writing professionally while pursuing her studies further because writing is what sets her heart at ease and equanimity.
