Croatia is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe, with miles of stunning coastline. There’s something for everyone in this great country. Here are my top things to do in Croatia.
Croatia is a great country to explore in Europe. There’s a great variety of different things to see and do in Croatia. Many of the top things to do in Croatia are focussed on the country’s amazing coastal scenery. There’s miles of beautiful coastline, with many islands and miles of unspoilt, natural beauty.
The city of Dubrovnik is a must-visit destination in Croatia. Dubrovnik is a small city, but it’s definitely worth spending a day here at the start or end of your trip. The city of Split, further north in Croatia, is worth visiting as well. Between these two cities is Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast. This coastline is just stunning. So here are my top things to do in Croatia, with the best sights in Dubrovnik, Split and the Dalmatian Coast in Croatia.
Walk the old City Walls in Dubrovnik
The first of my top things to do in Croatia is to walk the old City Walls in Dubrovnik. Walking along the city walls gives you amazing views over the red roofs of Dubrovnik, and you get a real sense of this beautiful small city. It’s a great way to start your adventures in Croatia and start exploring the Dalmatian Coast in Croatia.
Cycle to the lakes on Mljet Island
Mljet Island has Mljet National Park, which is a great destination for outdoor adventure. Cycling is one of the best ways to explore the national park. You can hire bikes and cycle through the national park to the lakes, and cycle around the lakes. There are some hills so the cycling can be hard work at times, but the views make the ride so rewarding.
Visit the Blue Cave
One of the best things to do in Croatia is visit the Blue Cave. It’s on a small island called Bisevo, just off the coast of the larger island of Vis. You can get on a speedboat from Vis Island, and then transfer to a smaller boat that takes you into the Blue Cave. The sunlight coming through the cave and reflecting off the water makes the whole cave glow in a deep blue colour. It’s a really magical place to visit, and so memorable.
Wander through Diocletian’s Palace in Split
Split is the second biggest city in Croatia, and is a great place to visit on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast. One of the top attractions in Split is Diocletian’s Palace, which dates back over 1500 years. You can visit the cathedral and see the old walls of the palace. But the palace also spreads out across the city, and is still living and active today with shops and restaurants.
Go wine tasting in Korcula’s Old Town
Croatia has a great climate for growing grapes and making wine. If you enjoy wine, make sure you try some of the local wines while you’re in Croatia. Korcula Old Town is the main town on the large Croatian island called Korcula. Korcula island, and its Old Town, is a great place for wine tasting. There are wine bars that offer tasting of several different wines, accompanied by local meats and cheeses.
Go hiking in Mljet National Park
Mljet National Park is a great place to go hiking. You can follow the well marked hiking trails around the park. My favourite is the trail that goes up to the highest point in the National Park, which gives amazing views. You can see down to the lakes, and also out to sea. Bear in mind that the weather can get very hot in Croatia in the summer, so if you’re visiting at this time of the year, start the hike early to avoid the worst heat.
Go partying in Hvar Town
Hvar Town, on Hvar Island, is one of the most famous party towns in Croatia. It’s the place to go for a night out. Check out the wide range of bars and night clubs. If you don’t want to go too wild, there are plenty of options of more chilled bars where you can relax with a drink. Or head straight to the clubs with loud music for a proper party night.
Go snorkelling in the clear waters of Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast
Croatia has some beautiful beaches and some stunning clear seas. It can be great to snorkel here, as the clear water means you can see lots of fish. The water in the Adriatic Sea is very salty, so it’s easy to swim and float here while you look at the fish below you. Swimming in the sea is definitely one of the top things to do in Croatia.
Hike and swim in Odysseus Cave
Odysseus Cave, on Mljet Island, is one of Croatia’s less well known treasures. But it’s definitely worth the trip. It was one of my favourite places in Croatia. Getting to the cave involves a bit of hike over rocky ground to get to, but it’s worth it. The views down to the cave are lovely, but it’s even better to jump off the cliffs into the water and swim through the cave. The sunlight can make the water in the cave a really bright blue, and it’s just a magical place to swim.
Eat fresh fish and seafood
Croatia has some amazing fish and seafood. Pretty much every town and city along the Dalmatian Coast will have a restaurant serving fresh fish and seafood. Ask the restaurant what fish they have on the menu – it often changes each day, depending on what fish has been freshly caught that day. Fresh tuna steak and swordfish are some of my favourites.
Experience the thrill of a speedboat ride
Another of my top things to do in Croatia on the Dalmatian Coast is to experience the thrill of a speedboat ride. Feel the adrenaline rush and the wind in your hair as you bounce across the waves. It can be so much fun, and gives great views across to the islands as well.
Try local olive oil on Solta island
As well as local wines, Croatia also produces a lot of local olives and olive oil. Solta Island is a smaller, less well known island but it has some amazing food. The island of Solta has some especially good olive oil, and you can try some local produce here. It’s delicious with some fresh bread, and also some anchovies and sardines as well.
Learn about the military history on Vis
When you’re busy enjoying all of the amazing sights and experiences in Croatia, it can be easy to forget the recent history of Croatia. There was a war here only 30 years ago, following the break up of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia. If you want to learn more about the military history, you can take a tour on Vis Island and see some of the sites from the war and also from WW2. This includes a cave where war officials used to meet in secret in wartimes.
Take the Cable Car up to see Dubrovnik from above
For the best view over Dubrovnik, take the cable car up the mountain. The cable car only takes a few minutes to reach the top. From here, you get stunning views down to the red roofs of the old city. There’s a restaurant up here too, so you can have lunch while admiring the view below you. Check out the opening times of the cable car here.
Marvel at the waterfalls at Krka National Park
Just outside the city of Split is the Krka Waterfalls National Park. The waterfalls here are just stunning, and it’s definitely worth taking a day trip here. The most impressive waterfall is famous from postcards of the area, but there are lots of other waterfalls here too. There’s also lots of wildlife, including frogs and various birds. There’s a fairly easy walking trail that takes you around the best viewpoints so you can really enjoy this national park.
Eat ice cream on the beach at Primosten
Primosten is a lovely small town with one of the best beaches on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast. The beach is stones rather than sand, as are all beaches in this part of Croatia, but it’s still lovely, with beautiful clear blue water. On a hot day, there’s nothing better than getting an ice cream and sitting in the sun to enjoy it.
Have a drink along Split’s waterfront
Split has a lively waterfront, with a great atmosphere in the evenings. There are lots of bars and restaurants along the waterfront, so you’ll have plenty of places to choose from for a drink. You can look out over the water at the posh boats and cruise ships and imagine what life would be like living on one of these huge boats.
Go souvenir shopping in Dubrovnik’s streets
Dubrovnik has some really cute narrow streets. It can be good fun to get lost in the streets as you browse for souvenirs to take home. There’s plenty of Game of Thrones shops here, which fans of the show will enjoy after seeing the locations where the show was filmed in the city. But even if you’ve never seen Game of Thrones, you’ll find plenty of other souvenir shops too, and some art shops. I really enjoyed spending time just wandering around the streets of Dubrovnik, without following a map, and seeing what I’d find around each corner.
Drink cocktails at a beach bar on Lumbarda, Korcula Island
Korcula Island isn’t short of beautiful sea views. Lumbarda, about 10 minutes away from Korcula Town, has a great beach bar with a great range of cocktails. Sip on a Pina Colada while watching the gentle waves on the sea. It’s a must-do while on holiday.
Explore Korcula Old Town
Korcula Town has a really lovely old town. In some ways it feels similar to Dubrovnik, but a lot less busy. It’s lively in the evenings, but also a great place to explore in the daytime. You can wander through the pretty streets, and also enjoy the stunning ocean views from the outskirts of the town. Korcula Island is really well connected to mainland Croatia, so it’s a great island to visit when you’re in Croatia.
Visit Trogir
Trogir is a short drive from Split, and definitely worth a visit. It’s another of my top things to do in Croatia. My favourite part of Trogir is the waterfront. You can walk along the edge of the sea, and look at all the nice yachts here. Some of the boats are huge and really impressive. Trogir is a lovely town as well, with nice restaurants and a nice chilled vibe.
Watch the sunset over the sea
The last of my top things to do in Croatia is to watch the sunset over the sea. Pick a spot on one of the islands that faces west, and just sit back and relax as you watch the sun dip in the evening. It’s a perfect ending to any trip to the amazing country of Croatia.
Hope you enjoy the top things to do in Croatia! For more detail on these amazing adventures, check out my guide to the best things to do in Dubrovnik, and also the best islands in Croatia. To fully enjoy Croatia, I recommend spending a week here. Check out my one week itinerary for Croatia, and also my guide to sailing in Croatia – an amazing way to enjoy this great country.
