With more than 1,700km of coastlines, holidays to Croatia are perfect if you're looking for a beautiful beach break. Lapped by calm, clear waters, it's established itself as something of a hotspot for snorkelers. 1,185 islands sit off the coast offer plenty of delightful days out for the whole family. If you want more from your holiday than a suntan, you'll find plenty of things to do in Croatia. From historic buildings and national parks to rustic markets and high-end restaurants, you'll find something to please all tastes.
Places to go
In Croatia, things to do come in all shapes and sizes. You'll find villages that appear to have been forgotten by time and sprawling towns with chic and contemporary shopping centres. However, for most, the star of the show is the Croatian countryside; a patchwork of mountains, valleys and fields, it's an attraction in itself.
If you really want to get to grips with the best of the country's scenery, the Plitvice Lakes National Park is the place to go. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has 16 lakes, dozens of waterfalls all connected by walking trails and lush greenery.
Alternatively, the Brijuni National Park is a collection of islands that act as home to the Tito Museum and a safari park.
Attractions
Around 229BC, Romans crossed the Adriatic and took control. Today, their influence can be seen almost everywhere you go. Roman architecture, buildings and artefacts are some of the most popular attractions in Croatia, and an absolute must for anyone with an interest in history. Head to the city of Split to see the palace of Emperor Diocletian. Over 2,000 years old, it still cuts an imposing figure and attracts thousands of visitors each year. The Cathedral of St Domnius is conveniently close and gives a fascinating insight into early Roman beliefs. Pula is home to a huge Roman amphitheatre, which seats over 20,000 people and is still used today.
Places to visit
With such a rich history and spectacular countryside, it should come as no surprise that Croatia has acted as the backdrop to an impressive list of films and TV shows. Most recently, Dubrovnik has doubled as Westeros in the TV series Game of Thrones. Sci-fi fans might also recognise parts of it from the most recent instalment in the Star Wars franchise, The Last Jedi.
You'll also find some very unusual places to visit in Croatia. Zadar is home to 'The Greeting to the Sun', an interactive art installation. It's a giant, circular arrangement of solar panels that soak up the sunshine by day, turning the energy stored into a mesmerising light-show by night. The whole thing is underscored by the sounds of a sea organ, which uses the motion of the waves to create a range of eerie and soothing sounds.
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