by Janis / 2 comments - Orginally published:17th May 2019

There are so many beautiful towns to discover

If you’re thinking about visiting Croatia for the first time, or you’re a regular returner, you’ll know how attractive the country is. Also, it still has some true gems that feel like they are yet to be truly discovered. In which case, then, perhaps I should just be quiet and keep them to myself.

Ok, so there may not be any islands mentioned on this list.

We did drive through a couple which we reached by hopping on a car ferry, but Gary and I are saving them for another visit to Croatia.

We just couldn’t fit any more in during our two-week road trip.

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Our 8 places to visit

We'll be discovering the following;
  1. Zadar
  2. Trogir
  3. Dubrovnik
  4. Split
  5. Plitvice Lakes National Park
  6. Rovinj
  7. Pula
  8. Porec
You can click on the link to jump to the section, and to return, just click on the title.
Zadar was one of our favourite locations in Croatia.  It wasn’t just for the sounds of the melodic Sea Organ, or the mesmerising Greeting to the Sun evening light display, but the incredible history.
The facade of St Mary’s Church, Zadar, next to its bell tower
St. Mary's Church under a beautiful blue sky
The Venetian influence is so prominent to see, along with where the Romans let their mark through Zadar’s symmetrical streets. Flagstone pathways, so shiny with centuries of footsteps passing through. It was such a heart-warming city I could return time and again.
Individuals and couples on the zadar’s riva at dusk, listening to the sea organs as the adriatic sea laps against the edge.
Entranced by the Sea Organ
If you'd like to learn more about our time in Zadar, why not check out our full post on the city?
Featured image for “The Sights and Sounds of Zadar, Croatia”
Oct. 16, 2017

The Sights and Sounds of Zadar, Croatia

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Trogir is a small historical town just north of Split. I was initially unsure whether to stay here or Split, but as our road trip was more or less a circular route, we decided to visit one heading south and the other heading north. I am so pleased we did, as I actually preferred Trogir to Split, mainly for its size and number of visitors.
The view of trogir, with its clear Venetian influences, from the island of Čiovo across the Adriatic sea.
Trogir, with its Venetian influences
Don't get me wrong, Trogir is reasonably popular, and its walls have an incredible maze of ancient lanes and courtyards. However, in the evening, it became a very peaceful and delightful place to sit and watch the sunset across the evening sky.
Boats moored against the water's edge at dusk on the riva in trogir, croatia
The Riva at dusk, Trogir
Oh, and it was where I had my favourite meal of the trip, "Brodet", which is a seafood stew.
If you'd like to know more about our stay in Trogir, then check out our post about the stay.
Featured image for “The Historic Walled City of Trogir, Croatia”
Oct. 23, 2017

The Historic Walled City of Trogir, Croatia

If you've yet to discover the delights of Croatia you're in for a treat. While planning our road trip, I used the DK Eyewitness books.  I find them extremely informative, easy to follow and the pictures and maps tempt you into discovering more.

We used a previous version of this book to plan our north to south Croatian road trip, now you can grab the revised copy.

DK Croatia Cover
Of late, Dubrovnik has been getting a bit of a bad rap for its number of visitors, quite often from cruise ships, although the city has started to address this. In my opinion, try not to let this put you off. It is a beautiful city, and incredibly picturesque, particularly the view you get when strolling around the top of the city walls, across the rooftops below and the crystal-clear waters beyond the shores.
The fortress at the entrance to the harbour of the old town of dubrovnik, croatia
View from the old port of Dubrovnik
My advice with Dubrovnik is to stay overnight; definitely, the streets and restaurants become quieter, and there is such a lovely warm atmosphere to enjoy.

Did you know?

That the Old City of Dubrovnik has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.
People walking along the stradum, the main thoroughfare in dubrovnik's old town at night
Stradun at night
Once again, if you want to understand our real experiences, not an A.I. response, check out our post about our time in Dubrovnik.
Featured image for “Exploring the streets of Dubrovnik, Croatia”
Oct. 30, 2017

Exploring the streets of Dubrovnik, Croatia

When visiting Split, you are immediately drawn to its pleasant waterfront, and you just want to enjoy a promenade along the Riva or is that just me? Sitting elegantly on the edge of the Adriatic Sea, Split is a city that you just have to go and dig deeper into.
Standing in the central courtyard of the Diocletian palace in Split, Croatia, bathed in the golden light of late afternoon under deep blue skies.
The Diocletian palace, Split

Gary and I couldn’t wait to discover the ancient Diocletian Palace, its intriguing warren of historic lanes and its beautiful little courtyards filled with tiny restaurants.

The palace in the heart of the old city is free of charge to wander around. Which is fantastic considering the centuries of footsteps you are sharing it with.

People enjoying a stroll along the Riva in Split after sundown.
Strolling along the Riva in Split
It will come as no surprise, but we have a post on our visit to Split if you are interested.
Featured image for “Strolling through the centuries of Split, Croatia”
Nov. 13, 2017

Strolling through the centuries of Split, Croatia

Booking.com Search FlightsImage
Booking.com Search FlightsImage
If you are planning a trip that involves travelling beyond Croatia’s cities, then Plitvice Lakes National Park needs to be on your list. It is absolutely beautiful, and it will take a whole day to truly appreciate its wonder.
a misty view over the upper lakes of plitvice in croatia against a backdrop of green trees
The Plitvice Lakes are always beautiful

Just to let you know, Plitvice Lakes has its own microclimate, so although it may be sunny and blue skies a few miles away, Plitvice may be completely different.

The atmosphere that the park creates is magical; as you wander by gushing waterfalls and across wooden paths over ponds, the eerie, peaceful presence is terrific.

Some advice

We were given advice by a local. Sstart at the top of the park and make your way down.

There is a bus that runs you to the north, it’s easier wandering down and also a lot quieter, to begin with.

A small pool fed by many little waterfalls in the plitvice lakes national park in croatia
Water flows at Plitvice Lakes
For more details of our day at Plitvice Lakes National Park, including tips for getting the most from your day, why not check out our post.
Featured image for “Visiting the opal lakes of Plitvice National Park, Croatia”
Oct. 09, 2017

Visiting the opal lakes of Plitvice National Park, Croatia

How to get to Croatia

- Check your flights for Croatia
If you’re flying into Croatia, search for your flights in one easy place with Booking.com. This reliable travel search engine will scan for your favoured routes and chosen dates.

Booking.com Search FlightsImage
Booking.com Search FlightsImage

- Need a car in Croatia?

The open roads await, pop in your location details then Rental Cars will search well-known car hire brands and discover the deals that suit you the best.

On the Istrian Peninsular in the north of Croatia is the colourful fishing port of Rovinj, which is a wonderful town to use as a base to discover the region.
The view from the harbour, across the water to the Croatian coastal town of Rovinj on the Istrian peninsula
View from the harbour front
Rovinj is so picturesque; take a stroll through the pedestrianised streets to the Baroque Church at the top of the old town; the view is beautiful.
a covered archway over a quaint cobbled back street in rovinj, croatia
The cobbled lanes of Rovinj
a quaint cobbled back street heading up hell at dusk in rovinj, croatia
A climb through the old town of Rovinj
Take a look at our post on Rovinj to discover more about this little hidden gem on the Istrian Peninsula.
Featured image for “The Romance of Rovinj, Croatia”
Nov. 20, 2017

The Romance of Rovinj, Croatia

Section Text
The exterior walls of the ruins of the roman amphitheatre in pula, croatia
The amphitheatre at Pula
As if Pula didn’t have enough history, take a wander through the Arch of the Sergii, and you’ll see a bronze dedicated to James Joyce. Mr Joyce taught English to Austro-Hungarian officers, at a time when Croatia was part of the empire.
The remains of the Romans with the Temple and Forum in the centre of Pula, Croatia
The Temple and Forum
Discover more of the secrets of Pula in our post from the time we spent in the city.
Featured image for “The Romans left their mark in Pula, Croatia”
Nov. 27, 2017

The Romans left their mark in Pula, Croatia

Visiting Croatia

For further advice on visiting Croatia, head to the official tourism website Croatia – Full of Life.
Just north of Rovinj is another delightful town named Poreč, and the Venetian influences are unbelievably noticeable. I suppose with Venice just a short hop across the Adriatic Sea, it isn’t surprising.
A view across the terracotta rooftops of poreč from the bell tower of euphrasian basilica
The view from the bell tower, Poreč
Poreč has a picturesque harbour, lovely cobbled lanes and an incredible mixture of architecture. However, one of the draws for us was the 6th-century Euphrasian Basilica, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s beautiful inside, and you must venture up to the top of the bell tower to get a great view across the rooftops of Poreč.
a quaint cobbled back street in porec, croatia
The cobbled lanes of Poreč
The ornately decorated nave of Poreč’s Euphrasian Basilica with gold highlights making the scene glimmer as the light catches it.
The Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč
Of course, we have a post on Poreč should you want to find out a little more.
Featured image for “Rustic Charm of Porec, Croatia”
Dec. 04, 2017

Rustic Charm of Porec, Croatia

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      Rovinj is lovely, I highly recommend staying for the evening as the streets get quieter and the River is a great place to sit and watch the world go by. There is so much history in such little place.

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