Croatia is one of the top traveling destinations in Europe. It’s famous for many things and if you’re reading these lines, there is a high chance that you are either already decided to come to Croatia or you are thinking about your vacation in our beautiful country. We have already written numerous articles about many things in Croatia and this one will be about the best tourist cities in Croatia. Our aim is to present you with the most beautiful historical cities that are usually visited by many tourists coming to Croatia.
Use this article as a resource from which you’ll find the best accommodation and best activities in any given city on this list.
The best tourist cities in Croatia This list will consist of a total of 10 tourist cities in Croatia. There are more, we know, but we like to keep our lists different than some others you can find online in which you can easily get lost among all the things presented in them. Please do explore more when it comes to Croatia, there are a lot of resources on our Croatia Travel Blog as well as on other websites.
1. Dubrovnik – Feel the Medieval charm of Croatia’s favorite destination We are starting with the most famous and most visited destination in Croatia. Each year we spend so much time in Dubrovnik that it has become our second home even though we live on Makarska Riviera, yet another beautiful part of Croatia.
Why Visit: Dubrovnik is Croatia’s most famous city, famous for its well-preserved medieval Old Town, stunning city walls, and beautiful coastline. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has gained a bit of extra popularity because it served as a filming location for the Game of Thrones series.
Top Attractions:
Walk the City Walls for panoramic views of the Adriatic Sea.
Explore Rector’s Palace , Sponza Palace , and Lovrijenac Fortress .
Visit Lokrum Island , just a short boat ride from the city.
Take the cable car to Mount Srđ for magical sunset views.
Relax at Banje Beach , the most famous beach in Dubrovnik.
Our selection of the top 3 places to stay in Dubrovnik:
Hotel Dubrovnik Palace Hotel Rixos Premium Hotel More
Best For: History lovers, photographers, and luxury travelers.
Our selection of the top 3 activities in or near Dubrovnik:
2. Split – Where Ancient Rome Meets the Adriatic Split is the second-largest city in Croatia and the largest city in the Dalmatia region. Since we live just in the middle between Split and Dubrovnik and work as wedding photographers in Croatia, we spend a lot of time in Split too since it’s one of the most popular wedding destinations in Croatia.
Why Visit: Split is a vibrant coastal city with a blend of ancient history and modern life. It is home to Diocletian’s Palace , a Roman fortress that’s located in the heart of the city.
Top Attractions:
Explore the Diocletian’s Palace , a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Walk along the Riva Promenade and soak up the easygoing Split lifestyle.
Hike up Marjan Hill for the best views of Split and the islands.
Visit the Cathedral of Saint Domnius , one of the oldest Catholic cathedrals still in use.
Take a boat trip to Hvar, Brač, or the Blue Cave .
Our selection of the top 3 places to stay in Split:
Hotel Ambassador Hotel Park Hotel Cornaro
Best For: History lovers, nightlife seekers, island hoppers.
Our selection of the top 3 activities in or near Split:
3. Zadar – A City of Sunsets, Sea Organ, and Culture Zadar is one of our favorite cities in Croatia because of many things. It’s a home to famous sea organ and it has some of the most beautiful sunsets in Croatia. Whenever we visit Zadar, we feel good. It’s the perfect city for living and it has a beautiful old part of the city.
Why Visit: Zadar offers a mix of Roman ruins, medieval churches, and modern attractions like the unique Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun . It is less crowded than Dubrovnik or Split which makes it a great alternative for travelers looking for a more relaxed atmosphere. Zadar is also a great base for exploring many natural wonders in the area such as Zrmanja River Canyon, Kornati National Park, Paklenica National Park, Tulove Grede, and many more.
Top Attractions:
Experience the Sea Organ , which creates music from ocean waves.
Walk through the ancient Roman Forum and visit St. Donatus Church .
Watch an unforgettable sunset at Greeting to the Sun .
Explore Kornati National Park , a paradise for nature lovers.
Explore the Zrmanja River, one of the most beautiful rivers in Croatia.
Our selection of the top 3 places to stay in Zadar:
Falkensteiner Hotel and Spa Villa Nai 3.3 Hyatt Regency Zadar
Best For: Cultural travelers, sunset lovers, and those seeking many nearby natural attractions.
Our selection of the top 3 activities in or near Zadar:
4. Rovinj – A Romantic Seaside Escape Moving to the largest peninsula in Croatia – Istria and visiting the best tourist cities in Croatia located there. It’s yet another place we adore and to which we travel often, although not as much as we would like to. Rovinj is our favorite city in Istria, and it’s one of the most beautiful cities in Croatia too. Istria is also famous for its hilltop towns that are not included in this list, but we’ll make a separate article about these. Make sure you visit at least on when visiting Istria.
Why Visit: Rovinj is one of the most picturesque towns in Croatia known for colorful Venetian-style buildings, stone streets, and beautiful coastline.
Top Attractions:
Explore the Old Town and visit St. Euphemia’s Church .
Relax at Mulini Beach , a stunning pebble beach.
Take a boat trip to the Rovinj Archipelago .
Enjoy fresh seafood at a local restaurant.
Visit Punta Corrente Forest Park for a nature escape.
Our selection of the top 3 places to stay in Rovinj:
Hotel Lone Grand Park Hotel Rovinj Meneghetti Wine Hotel and Winery
Best For: Couples, honeymooners, families, and photographers.
Our selection of the top 3 activities in or near Rovinj:
5. Pula – A City of Roman Heritage We’re still in Istria but this time we go a bit further south from Rovinj and we visit yet another of the best tourist cities in Croatia – Pula.
Why Visit: Pula is renowned for its impressive Roman ruins , especially the well-preserved Pula Arena , one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the whole world.
Top Attractions:
Explore the Pula Arena , one of the six largest surviving Roman amphitheaters.
Walk through the Temple of Augustus and the Triumphal Arch of Sergii .
Visit Brijuni National Park which is located near Pula.
Relax at Hawaii Beach , one of the most beautiful beaches in Pula.
Experience the vibrant Pula Film Festival if visiting in summer.
Visit Galebove Stine , stunning cliffs on the coastline near Pula.
Our selection of the top 3 places to stay in Pula:
Gran Hotel Brioni Vincent House Villa Sunce
Best For: History lovers, architecture enthusiasts, and nature explorers.
Our selection of the top 3 activities in or near Pula:
6. Hvar – The Island of Luxury and natural wonders Hvar is the island we look at each day from our terrace and one of the most visited islands in Croatia. It’s also the place to which we travel at least 10 times a year and through the past decade, we have explored pretty much every part of this stunning island.
Why Visit: Hvar is the sunniest place in Croatia and it’s famous for its glamorous nightlife, lavender fields, and historic relevance.
Top Attractions:
Explore Hvar Town , known for its lively bars and scenic harbor.
Visit Fortica Fortress for spectacular views of the Pakleni Islands.
Swim at Dubovica Beach , one of the best on the island.
Take a boat tour to the Blue Cave and Green Cave .
Discover the Stari Grad Plain , a UNESCO-listed agricultural site.
Our selection of the top 3 places to stay on Hvar:
Maslina Resort Palace Elisabeth Heritage Hotel Heraclea House
Best For: Luxury travelers, party-goers, island adventurers.
Our selection of the top 3 activities in or near Hvar:
7. Šibenik – A Hidden Gem of Dalmatia Šibenik is another historical city located between Split and Zadar and the closest city to the Krka National Park. Of all the cities on this list, we somehow visit Šibenik the least, once in a year or once in every 2 years.
Why Visit: Often overlooked, Šibenik is a beautiful coastal city with a medieval old town and an authentic Croatian feel.
Top Attractions:
Visit St. James Cathedral , a UNESCO-listed site.
Explore St. Michael’s Fortress , offering incredible sea views.
Take a boat trip to Krka National Park for waterfalls and nature immersion.
Walk through historic Old Town streets .
Enjoy the beaches and clear waters of the Šibenik Riviera.
Our selection of the top 3 places to stay in Šibenik:
D-Resort Villa M King Krešimir Heritage Hotel
Best For: History and nature lovers, off-the-beaten-path travelers.
Our selection of the top 3 activities in or near Šibenik:
8. Trogir – Another stunning medieval place on the Coast Trogir is a small city located just near Split so if you are visiting the second largest city in Croatia, make sure you visit Trogir as well. It’s also the city you will fly above if landing on Split airport.
Why Visit: Trogir is a beautifully preserved medieval town in Croatia. It’s rich in history and architecture, and located just a short drive from Split.
Top Attractions:
Explore the Trogir Old Town , a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Visit Kamerlengo Fortress for great panoramic views.
Walk along the scenic Trogir waterfront promenade .
Admire the stunning Cathedral of St. Lawrence and its carvings.
Take a boat trip to Čiovo Island for a relaxing beach experience.
Our selection of the top 3 places to stay in Trogir:
Brown Beach House Hotel Adults Only Hotel Ola Villa Juliet
Best For: History enthusiasts, photographers, and travelers seeking a quieter coastal town.
Our selection of the top 3 activities in or near Trogir:
9. Korčula – The Birthplace of Marco Polo Korčula town is often referred to as the ‘Little Dubrovnik’ and it’s the smallest city on this list but we still decided to include it because of its charm and beautifully preserved old town.
Why Visit: Korčula is a stunning island rich in history and natural beauty. Regarded as the birthplace of Marco Polo, this island offers a perfect blend of medieval architecture, rolling vineyards, and breathtaking beaches.
Top Attractions:
Visit Korčula Old Town , often called “Little Dubrovnik” because of its medieval walls and charming streets.
Visit the Marco Polo House , a museum dedicated to the famous explorer.
Relax at Pupnatska Luka , one of the most beautiful beaches on the island.
Enjoy a wine-tasting tour of Korčula’s famous Pošip and Grk wines .
Experience the traditional Moreška sword dance , a unique cultural performance.
Our selection of the top 3 places to stay in Korčula:
Best For: History lovers, wine and gastronomy enthusiasts, beachgoers, and cultural travelers.
Our selection of the top 3 activities in or near Korčula:
10. Zagreb – The Heart of Croatia And finally, the capital of Croatia. We spent 10 years of our lives in Zagreb before we returned to southern Croatia. For a long time, it was our second home and we regarded it as such. We still return to it at least 3 times a year.
Why Visit: As Croatia’s capital, Zagreb offers a mix of history, culture, and urban energy, making it a great year-round destination. Winter is our favorite season because of the famous Zagreb Christmas Market.
Top Attractions:
Walk through Ban Jelačić Square and explore Dolac Market .
Visit the Museum of Broken Relationships , one of the world’s most unique museums.
Explore St. Mark’s Church and the Upper Town.
Enjoy the lush greenery of Maksimir Park .
Discover the lively cafe culture and nightlife.
Our selection of the top 3 places to stay in Zagreb:
Hotel Zonar DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Esplanade
Best For: Cultural travelers, museum lovers, and urban explorers.
Our selection of the top 3 activities in or near Zagreb:
Before You Venture To Croatia Each of these best tourist cities in Croatia we have covered in this article has its own unique charm and attractions and many visitors choose to visit at least 2 of these cities during their vacation in Croatia. Depending on your itinerary, we suggest you visit at least one city from this list which we’re sure you will because you can’t miss them when traveling through Croatia. We hope any city you visit will bring you some great experiences and you’ll end your visit with nice memories.
Enjoy your holidays in Croatia!
