Every style of traveler will find Croatia incredibly rewarding, thanks to its breathtaking coastline, mountains, lakes, and countless dramatic old towns. Croatia has so much to offer that picking things to do in Croatia could be challenging. That being said, we have compiled this list of the most amazing things to do in Croatia to include in your bucket list.
1. Hike Plitvice Lakes National Park
Plitvice Lakes National Park is Croatia's most popular natural destination, an emerald expanse of lakes and woodlands. It features twelve hiking paths and more fairy-tale magic than you can toss a walking stick at.
Plitvice Lakes National Park, located in Croatia, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that offers wonderful opportunities for solo ramblers, families, and tourists interested in guided hiking excursions.
2. Walk Dubrovnik’s walls
These majestic ramparts, which date back to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, wind their way around the ancient town of Dubrovnik for about two kilometers (one and a half miles). They take you up and down stone steps and past imposing forts and defensive towers.
Make sure you give yourself at least ninety minutes to stroll around the walls, taking in the breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea, Lokrum Island, and the sea of terracotta rooftops that cover the town, all while looking into the gardens and terraces of the houses that are located below.
3. Take a boat ride through Kopački Rit Nature Park.
Located in the northeastern region of Croatia, close to the border with Serbia, the expansive wetland areas of Kopački Rit Nature Park provide some of the most tranquil and beautiful vistas in the country.
If you are looking for a delightfully relaxing experience, you should take one of the boats that gently glide through this tranquil nature reserve. This reserve is located where the Danube and Drava rivers meet, and the birdlife there is rather spectacular.
4. Brave the Skywalk Biokovo
Walking onto the glass horseshoe-shaped platform in the Biokovo Nature Park, which stands at 1228 meters (4029 feet), you'll quickly find out if you have a head for heights.
Surrounded by the bleak, arid beauty of the Dinaric Alps, the Skywalk offers breathtaking views of the Adriatic, far-off islands, and towering mountains in the background. You can hike from the nature park entrance for three hours if you feel energetic.
5. Wander through Krka National Park
The waterfalls and forested landscapes of Krka National Park are as stunning as those of Plitvice National Park, which is not to be outdone by anyone else. At the beginning, you will arrive in the village of Skradin, where you will board the boat service that travels along the Krka River, passing one breathtaking waterfall after another.
At Skradinski Buk, you will get the opportunity to witness one of the most magnificent waterfalls as it pours down limestone rocks. Proceed towards the Visovac island, home to an enchanting Franciscan monastery.
6. Visit Pula's Roman amphitheater.
Pula's enormous Roman theater, built at the end of the first century BCE and recognized as the world's sixth biggest remaining Roman theater, has been well preserved. When you visit the lower rooms, you will find exhibitions that harken back to the Roman-era wine-making history of Istria.
You will find these displays instead of gladiators and animals confined in cages. It is one of Croatia's most atmospheric concert venues, especially during the annual Pula Film Festival, which takes place during the warm summer months.
7. Visit Zagreb's Museum of Broken Relationships
The Museum of Broken Relationships in Zagreb is a ground-breaking institution that investigates human feelings from a very personal point of view. The show, which was initially a traveling art installation, eventually became a permanent museum in 2010, and it was simultaneously touching, funny, and philosophical.
Exhibits consist of donated souvenirs, which include everything from garden gnomes to prosthetic limbs. Each item is accompanied by an explanation text describing the object's value to the organization that contributed to it.
8. Kayak the Dalmatian coast
Croatia's Dalmatian coast is enjoyable when viewed from the ocean, and sea kayaking is undoubtedly the ideal outdoor sport in Croatia. In addition, it is simple to organize since several travel agencies in Dubrovnik and Hvar specialize in organizing half-day or full-day tours. It is unnecessary to have any prior expertise or training to learn how to wield a paddle; all that is required is a brief demonstration of the technique.
9. Discover the untamed Kornati Islands.
If you are looking for a place to get away from the crowds and see natural beauty that has not been altered, the Kornati islands in Croatia might be the perfect place for you to go. As one of Croatia's national parks, this collection of islands, which are generally uninhabited, offers visitors the opportunity to experience the Adriatic Sea in its purest form.
Yachting enthusiasts and people on day trips from the mainland are the most common island visitors, characterized by a scant covering of shrubs and sage that emits an uncanny palette of gray, green, and purple colored tones.
10. Visit Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is a beautiful city that is most well-known for its ancient walled Old Town neighborhood, which served as a significant location for filming numerous episodes of Game of Thrones. Take in the sights of the Adriatic Sea while you stroll through its streets made of limestone, appreciate the Baroque structures, and take in the sights.
While here, you should make it a point to go on a free walking tour, climb to the top of the city walls, and use the bathing sites. Also, make sure you don't miss the clock tower from the 15th century and the cathedral from the 17th century. A day excursion to Lokrum, an island off the coast where you can swim and go hiking, is a great opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
