Things to Do in Croatia

Split is the largest city on the Dalmatian coast and Croatia's second biggest city. It is famous for the well-preserved Diocletian Palace, a Roman Emperor's retirement palace dating from the 4th century AD which still forms the city center. Split also has wonderful beaches and an exemplary cafe life.

In front of the palace walls along the waterfront is the Riva, which is lined by outdoor cafes and always teeming. During summer, Split becomes a focus for music and dance festivals. The city is also a major ferry port for the popular nearby islands such as Hvar, Brač and Vis.

How to Get to Split
Smaller ships will dock near the ferry terminals, larger ships will anchor offshore and provide tender transport. From the ferry terminal it is an easy walk around to the city center along the waterfront to the Riva. The city center is tucked in behind the palace walls and there are plenty of gates and entrances leading you inside. If you would rather beach than history, turn right from the ferry terminal and follow the crowds to Bačvice, the main city beach which also has cafes and restaurants.

One Day in Split
The historic center of Split is small and easy to explore on foot in a few hours. Head into the Diocletian Palace and wander the marble streets which are lined with all the major shops and lots of cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops and churches. Don't miss the Cathedral and if you have a head for heights, climb the bell tower for wonderful views over the city to the islands. A small musuem inside the cathedral is worth a visit.

Across the middle square, the Peristil, and down a small passage is Jupiter's Temple – don't miss it. From the Peristil head up to the archaeological museum and wander around and behind it to fully explore the palace remains and how people still live there today. The main street is Marmontova, a wide pedestrian-only strip of shops.

If you like art, don't miss the Meštrović Gallery on Marjan hill, dedicated to the work Croatia’s most famous sculptor, Ivan Meštrović (a taxi is your easiest way). Below this is another lovely beach. Just outside the city walls is the market where you’ll find hats, sunglasses, clothing and lots of souvenirs.

Port Information
Split is a tender port so allow transfer times. The language is Croatian but nearly everyone speaks excellent English and most menus are in Croatian, English and Italian, some also German. The currency is the kuna but many places also accept euro. Taxis are easily found between the port and the city center.

The Stradun - also known locally as Placa - is the main street in Dubrovnik’s Old Town, running west from Pile Gate to Ploce Gate and the harbor in the east.

The city's biggest and most iconic street, the Stradun is also the town’s busiest. There’s a constant shuffle of feet along its limestone and marble pavings as locals go about their business and tourists explore the architectural treasures of the Old Town.

The Stradun was once a shallow water channel that divided Dubrovnik. Filled and paved in the 12th century, this wide street was originally surrounded by Gothic and Renaissance buildings. These buildings were mostly destroyed in an earthquake in 1667, which devastated much of the town.

The elegant Rector’s Palace was built on the site of an old fort near the harbor in Dubrovnik’s Old City.

The Rector was the town’s puppet ruler, set up to project an image of order and importance to the outside world. Elected for only one month, the Rector  was not allowed to leave the palace except on official business.

In addition to the Rector’s office and private chambers, the palace was the seat of the minor council and state administration and contained a watch-house, a prison and an armoury.

It was in that armory that a major explosion took place in 1463 destroying much of the Gothic architecture that had only been completed 25 years before by Onofrio di Giordano della Cava of Naples. What we see today is a mixture of Gothic, Renaissance and baroque styles that were added to the building over the years as a result of subsequent explosions and earthquakes.

At the end of the Placa - or Stradun - in Luza Square stands the gorgeous Gothic-Renaissance Sponza Palace.

Built in 1516-1522 to serve as a customs house, Sponza is one of the few buildings to have survived the 1667 earthquake that levelled much of the city. Designed by chief architect Paskoje Milicevic, the Palace is a mixture of Gothic and Renaissance styles popularized in the 16th century.

The exquisite Renaissance porch and the sculptural ornaments of the building were carved by master stone-cutters, the brothers Andrijic, in 1516.

Sponza Palace has had many lives since its beginnings as a customs house: the mint, the State treasury and a bank. It now houses the State archives, a significant collection of manuscripts dating back nearly a thousand years.

The dramatic Stone Gate (Kamenita Vrata) marks the eastern entrance to Zagreb’s medieval Gornji Grad (Upper Town) and is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, providing a useful navigation point for visitors passing between the Upper and Lower towns. The stone-carved arch is more than just a gateway though – local legend has transformed it into a shrine and the adjourning chapel flickers with candles, lit daily by local worshippers in honor of the Virgin Mary.

The origins of the Stone Gate date back to as early as 1266 and today the restored archway forms a key part of the ruins of the ancient city walls. The story goes that the original gate featured a painting of Mary holding baby Jesus and after a devastating fire swept through the capital in 1731, the artwork miraculously survived, appearing to locals like the image of the Virgin Mary was emerging from the ashes. Today the painting is the centerpiece of the chapel built in its honor, protected by an ornate iron grille, and forming the basis of the country’s largest shrine.

With its narrow cobblestone streets and pastel-painted buildings, overlooked by the ruins of the 13th century Stari Grad fortress, Samobor is one of Croatia’s most picturesque medieval towns and famous for its riotous annual carnival celebrations.

Located 25km west of Zagreb, Samobor makes a popular day trip from the capital and a scenic base for exploring the woodland trails of the surrounding Samobor Hills, as well as the caves and gorges of the Zumberak I Samobor Gorje Prirodni Nature Park. In the town itself, the majority of sights are clustered around the central Kralja Tomislava square, including the Gothic St Michael's Church, the Church of St Anastasia and the Town Museum (Gradski Muzej) - all striking examples of Samobor’s historic architecture.

Samobor is also renowned as a center of Croatian gastronomy and has a wealth of fine restaurants and local specialties to impress even the most seasoned foodies. Samobor's famous aperitif, Bermet is traditionally sipped before a meal, but most indulgent are the desserts, including traditional dishes like Rudorska Greblica, a rich cheesecake, or Samoborska Kremšnita, a delicious vanilla custard pastry.

With its emerald-green lakes, rocky caves, and cascading waterfalls framed by soaring dolomite cliffs, ancient woodlands, and fields of wild orchids, Plitvice Lakes National Park is the natural playground of Croatia. The UNESCO World Heritage site has over 73,000 acres (20,500 hectares) of unspoiled landscapes, boasting 16 lakes and 90 waterfalls linked by a network of hiking and biking trails.

The Basics
Most visitors opt to explore Plitvice Lakes National Park on a day trip. Tours run from a number of Croatian cities, including Zadar (the closest), Split, Zagreb, Trogir, Rijeka, and even Dubrovnik. A Plitvice Lakes tour typically takes in the best viewpoints and boardwalks, while an entrance ticket includes an electric boat ride around the lakes and a ride on the park’s panoramic train. It’s possible to take in the highlights in two hours, but for a more comprehensive visit, book a full-day tour.

• Restaurants, snack bars, and restrooms are located near the park visitor center.
• Regular shuttle buses run between the park’s main attractions.
• Bring comfortable shoes, sun protection (in the summer months), and plenty of water.
• Park buses accommodate wheelchairs, but due to uneven terrain, some of the lakes and park attractions are inaccessible for wheelchair users.
• Ticket lines can take over an hour in peak season—book in advance to save time.

How to Get There
The closest airports to Plitvice are in Zadar, 80 miles (130 km) southwest, and in Zagreb, 85 miles (140 km) northeast. Buses run regularly from both cities to the national park in summer, but it’s far more convenient to visit with your own vehicle or as part of a group or private tour. Most day tours include round-trip transport, while those coming from further afield often offer the chance to end your trip in a second destination—for example, being picked up from Split and dropped off in Zagreb.

When to Get There
Plitvice is open year round, and while summer is the most popular (and busiest) time to visit, each season brings its own highlights. Spring and autumn are ideal for photographers with fewer crowds, colorful foliage, and high water levels, while the frozen landscapes of winter are unforgettable—although boat trips won’t be possible. To avoid the crowds, plan for an early arrival or stay until sunset.

How to Photograph the Plitvice Lakes
The natural beauty of Plitvice National Park is undeniably photogenic, and there are photo opportunities around every corner. Follow the boardwalks between the Upper Lakes (Gornja jezera) and the Lower Lakes (Donja jezera), then climb up to the most dramatic viewpoint—a lookout over the limestone canyon of Veliki Slap, meaning ‘big waterfall.’