Indecisive, aren’t you? You want to travel somewhere, but you’re not sure where. And somehow, you discovered a small country named Croatia and started your research about it. A great starting point, it’s always good to make an online exploration of the place you’re planning to visit. I just want to know what to expect when you come there.
If you are wondering if is Croatia worth visiting, we’ll do our best to answer that question for you. And we’ll assume you don’t know much about Croatia. We’re locals, and we’ll bring you the best reasons to visit Croatia and choose why we believe it’s one of the best countries for vacation in Europe.
So stay with us until the end of this article, and we’ll give you an answer to your inquiry about whether Croatia is worth visiting.
A few lines about a country named Croatia
Croatia is a small European country situated just across Italy with whom we share the best part of the Adriatic Sea. You could say that Croatia is a part of the Balkans, but you wouldn’t be wrong. Our country was once in a union of countries called Yugoslavia. It didn’t go so well and Croatia decided to go its own way and split all the connections to Yugoslavia. Things were not so simple, and Croatia had to fight its way out of Yugoslavia.
But let’s jump to happier times. Croatia is a member of the European Union for a few years now. It’s also one of the most popular vacation destinations in Europe. Around 4 million people live in Croatia, and that number multiplies during the summer months when many tourists arrive and spend their vacation time there. All of them believe that Croatia is worth visiting, so that might partly answer your question too.
Croatia is known for its beautiful nature, clear Adriatic sea, historical cities, and welcoming people. We would say that these four things describe Croatia very well. But is Croatia worth visiting only because of these things? Let’s discuss each of them further.
Natural Wonders of Croatia
Croatia has a beautiful and diverse nature. We’re simply blessed with it. The sea, mountains, rivers, forests, just name it. Croatia has everything. Many foreigners come to Croatia because of its nature. And when a country as small as Croatia has eight national parks, you know that our claims are true.
Apart from the national parks, Croatia has many nature parks too, as well as other types of protected natural landscapes. We recommend everyone to visit at least one national park during their travel through Croatia.
So, how does it look like in reality? Well, you have the Adriatic Sea, and there are a few mountains just in the place where the sea and land meet. It’s an awesome thing to have a combination like this. Imagine yourself swimming in the sea and observing mountain peaks above you. Velebit and Biokovo mountains are 2 of the largest mountains that stretch along the coast.
Further inland, you have the Lika and Gorski Kotar regions. They are kind of like central Croatia, and they are full of mountains. They even have a mountain-continental climate. Even though the Adriatic sea is just on the other side of the Velebit mountain, this mountain has a huge impact on the local climate. Istria is a region with many vineyards and picturesque towns. It’s closest to the rest of Western Europe, so many people choose Istria for their vacation. Finally, you have the Slavonia region in the East, which is the most fertile ground in Croatia with many, many fields.
Finally, Croatia has a ton of islands. To be exact, there are 718 islands, 389 islets, and 78 reefs. Trust us, it’s a lot. Many of these islands are inhabited and ready for exploration.
Things are much more diverse in reality; this description above is just a simplified view of Croatia.
- National Parks:
- Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famous for cascading lakes and waterfalls.
- Krka National Park is known for its emerald pools and the iconic Skradinski Buk waterfall.
- There are eight national parks in Croatia. Rather small country, yet so many national parks.
- Nature Parks:
- Biokovo Nature Park offers breathtaking views from the famous attraction known as Biokovo Skywalk.
- Kopački Rit is a paradise for birdwatchers.
- Lastovo is an island with the darkest skies in Croatia, perfect for stargazing.
- Unique Landscapes:
- The rocky beauty of famous mountains in Croatia – Velebit, Biokovo, Dinara, and more.
- The tranquility of Baćina Lakes, a group of lakes in southern Croatia
The Adriatic Sea
Adriatic sea is one of the main reasons why people visit Croatia. We have to admit it. When you come to our country and see the sea for yourself, you’ll know what we are talking about. It’s one of the most beautiful and safe seas in the world. Why do we say safe? Well, you know how some seas have sharks, some have jellyfish, and some have some other dangers lurking in their depths? The Croatian side of the Adriatic Sea has none of these; you can simply enjoy every moment in it.
It’s also a very clean sea. Because of the sea currents, Croatia has a much clearer sea than neighboring Italy. The mighty Italian river Po is another reason. This large river brings a lot of fine sand and flushes it along the eastern coast of Italy. That’s why they have a lot of sandy beaches there.
Adriatic sea is pretty shallow, and it gets really nice and warm in the summer months. Its shallowest part is in the Istria region. When it comes to scuba diving in the Adriatic Sea, we have to admit that there are better seas for that. We don’t have any coral reefs and such, so if you are a huge scuba diving fan and want to do that, you might want to find some other places. On the other hand, if you want to scuba dive in Croatia, we suggest diving along the coast of one of the many islands in Croatia.
- Crystal-Clear Waters: Perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and diving.
- Island Hopping: Over 1,000 islands, including Hvar, Brač, and Korčula, each with unique attractions.
- Water Activities:
- Kayaking, paddleboarding, and sailing are popular activities along the coast of Croatia.
- Scuba diving enthusiasts can explore underwater caves and shipwrecks.
Historical Cities
When speaking about historical cities in Croatia, Dubrovnik is always the first to be mentioned. A lot of people who maybe don’t even know about Croatia know about Dubrovnik city. Dubrovnik is indeed a beautiful city, and we suggest you visit it if you plan to come to Croatia. However, some other cities have similar histories. The city of Split, the second-largest city in Croatia, was very important in the times of the Roman Empire. Then there is Trogir, Pula, Zadar, Korcula, and many others.
There are many other historical sites scattered all across Croatia. There are many fortresses, castles, and similar buildings. Roman architecture is present in the whole of southern Croatia, while Western European style is more evident in northern Croatia and in the old cores of cities such as Zagreb or Varaždin.
- Dubrovnik: One of the most famous cities in Croatia, famous for its medieval walls and Old Town part.
- Split: Home to Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site blending Roman ruins with the vibrant and easygoing lifestyle of Dalmatia.
- Zadar: Famous for its Sea Organ and Farewell Sun installation, as well as Roman and Venetian heritage.
- Pula: Known for its well-preserved Roman amphitheater.
The People of Croatia
Croats are known to be very welcoming people. When tourists comment on Croatia, they often mention how welcoming Croats are. And it’s true. We are happy for anybody visiting our country, and most Croats will gladly help you in any way they can.
A lot of Mediterranean people are like that, and Croats are no exception. If you happen to have an accident on the road, for example, the failure of your car, you’ll be able to witness how everybody stops to help you.
Another good thing about Croatian people is that most of them speak English. Maybe the older ones don’t, but most of the younger generations do. It’s because English is learned from a very early age in Croatia.
Is Croatia Safe?
Croatia is one of the safest countries in Europe. We have written a dedicated article about this topic so you can read more details about it. We’ll be short here and say yes, Croatia is indeed a very safe country. In fact, Croatia is safer than most of the European countries. This is not a subjective opinion, and there is a lot of research about this topic presented in the mentioned article, so check the statistics presented there if you want to know more.
Many tourists travel to Croatia each year, and with their numbers so high, you would expect a much higher crime rate than it is recorded. Yes, there are some petty thefts and similar stuff, but these are easily avoided by keeping your valuable things next to you. Other than that, you really shouldn’t have any problems.
- Low Crime Rates: Petty crimes like pickpocketing are rare, but always stay vigilant in crowded areas.
- Road Safety: Roads are well-maintained, and driving is easy and enjoyable.
- Health and Hygiene: High standards in medical facilities and clean public spaces.
- Landmine Awareness: While most areas are safe, avoid unmarked trails in remote regions due to remnants of the Croatian War of Independence. These areas are always well-marked, and they are being cleaned thoroughly.
Culinary Delights of Croatia
Who doesn’t love food? There is a whole branch of tourism based solely on the culinary delights of some particular country. Croatia is well known for its food delicacies, and here’s what to expect if you choose to visit Croatia:
- Seafood: Fresh fish, oysters, and squid are must-try specialties along the coast.
- Traditional Dishes: Try peka (meat or seafood slow-cooked under a bell-shaped lid) and ćevapi (grilled minced meat, more characteristic for Bosnia and Herzegovina, but widely spread in Croatia).
- Wine and Olive Oil: Croatia produces some of Europe’s finest wines and olive oils.
Vibrant Festivals and Events
Finally, if it’s a party you’re looking for, here’s the section just for you. There are many different kinds of festivals and cultural events in Croatia, and most of them are organized during the summer months. Here’s the list with just a few of them.
- Dubrovnik Summer Festival: Celebrates arts and culture of Dubrovnik city, one of the most visited places in Croatia.
- Sinjska Alka: A historic knight’s tournament held annually in Sinj.
- Zrće Beach Festivals: Famous for electronic music events.
- Split Ultra Festival: The most famous electronic music festival in Croatia.
Outdoor Adventures
And now we come to our favorite part. For a long time, we had an adventure travel agency in Croatia, and if you have looked into another topic presented on this website, you can easily see that we love to explore outdoor places in Croatia. Here’s a list of some of the most famous adventure activities you can try in Croatia. Make sure you check our adventure tours in Croatia section to find the best tours to try in each of the Croatian regions.
- Hiking and Climbing: Famous hiking trails in Biokovo, Paklenica, and Velebit Mountain. Croatia is great for hiking and rock climbing.
- Cycling: Explore Istria’s hinterland or Dalmatian islands on two wheels.
- Water Sports: Rafting on the Cetina River or kiteboarding in the Neretva Valley. Croatia is made for all kinds of water sports.
- Ziplines: Croatia is full of great zipline adventures.
Unique Cultural Heritage
Lastly, we come to another aspect of Croatia, which is the unique heritage of this beautiful European country. There are many towns, festivals, and events celebrating the diversity of Croatia’s rich past. Croatia is also famous for:
- Old Towns: Explore ancient streets in towns like Trogir and Rovinj.
- Traditional Crafts: Lace-making in Pag (Paška čipka) and stone carving in Brač (part of the White House was made out of this stone).
- Music and Dance: Enjoy klapa singing, a traditional a cappella style, and folk dances different through each region of Croatia.
Tips for Visiting Croatia
We believe that the images presented throughout this article and the reasons presented in it already answered your ‘is Croatia worth visiting’ question so let us give you just a few more tips before you start packing for your holidays in Croatia.
Here’s what to think about:
- Plan Ahead: Book accommodations and popular tours early, especially during summer, since they can book pretty fast. Check our list of the best tours in Croatia we listed for each of Croatia’s regions.
- Explore Beyond the Coast: Inland regions like Slavonia and Baranja offer unique experiences even though the coastal part is the most visited part of Croatia.
- Use Public Transport For Cheaper Travelling: Buses and ferries are reliable and affordable. But beware that there might be some delays during the busiest months.
- Pack for Variety of Activities: Bring swimwear, hiking gear, and comfortable walking shoes. Think about what you want to do in Croatia and pack accordingly.
Before you Venture to Croatia
So what do you think now after you read this article? Is Croatia worth visiting? We believe it is. We might be biased since we’re native to Croatia and have spent our whole lives here, but we did our best to present to you some of the most famous things our beautiful country has to offer. We hope you will choose to visit Croatia and enjoy your holidays there.
Just remember, stay active and try some of the outdoor adentures in Croatia!
