Croatian destinations

Istria is the largest Croatian peninsula. There are a whole range of places to rest that are among the most beautiful destinations in the Mediterranean. Inland, green Istria is rich in thick forests, mountains and fruitful fields. In blue Istria, which is the coastal part, there are rocky regions that are among the hidden coves and beautiful beaches.

Green Istria is the ideal place for your enjoyment of agro tourism. In one of the traditional Istrian houses you can taste the local food, hear the singing of birds and take in natures beauties that leave you breathless. Exploring its diversity provides visitors with unforgettable impressions, and unrepeatable experience of primeval beauty.

Pula has 70,000 inhabitants, and it is the largest city in Istria. Pula is rich in monuments dating back to Roman times, and it is located on the top of the southern peninsula. The particularity of this town offers a huge Roman amphitheater (Arena). There are Operas, concerts and film festivals held at the Arena. A huge Coliseum built by prince August during the Flavian period (69-79a.c.) reached a size of 133 x 105 meters. The arena has received 23,000 visitors (Colosseum in Rome 50,000).Gladiator fights and knights fighting with wild beasts were held as well as other performances which were the most important social events in antic world, have been performed at Arena. UNESCO has protected the Arena since 1997 as a monument of the world's cultural and natural heritage.

Another attraction in Pula is it’s cathedral. It is believed that in the place of today's Cathedral in Roman times was the temple of Jupiter Conservator. There have been found remains of spas at this place dating from the Roman persecution of Christians. The place where the church of St Francis is now is where the secret gathering of Christians was held.

Beautiful bays are the places to go swimming in Pula, and especially beautiful is a large bay 10 km southeast of Pula, where the town of Medulin is situated. There are two old fishing towns across the bay, called Premantura and Pomer. They attract more and more guests in recent years. Premantura is a picturesque place, which is located in a small, protected cove at the southernmost end of Istria.

Going southeast there is a deep bay called Medulin. A little place called Pomer is in its deepest end that is famous for its cultivation of shellfish. Pomer is a little peninsula with a marina for small fishing boats. The peninsula is flat and covered with a coniferous forest. The beaches are often rocky and in some places composed of gravel. Medulin is the largest town in the bay. Long ago it was famous for its church but now it’s also a tourist center populated with camps, hotels and holiday inns.

Porec has undoubtedly been the capital of Croatian tourism since 1970. Porec the way we know it today has been designed by Romans two millennia ago, after they defeated native Histrians.

The city was at first a military camp, and then fortified to grow into an important administrative and economic center called Colonial Julia Premium. From 1267a.d. for another half millennium, Porec had been ruled by Venice. From that period remains the most beautiful palace in the city.

A good portion of tourist capacity is organized so that it is suitable for the whole families vacation. You can try one of the 165 tennis courts, or one of the water sports. The equipment for these sports can be borrowed at any tourist resort. Sports centers will also offer you the appropriate training. Additional sports offered in the town of Porec are; cycling, diving, hiking, horseback riding, extreme sports, hunting and fishing, speleology.

Rovinj is a beautiful town which is considered the pearl of the Istrian peninsula, with a tumultuous history and beautiful presents. There are 22 islands in the Rovinj archipelago, from which St. Andrew and St. Catherine are the biggest and most beautiful. The old town of Rovinj has been protected as a historical entity. It is the most magical and most interesting part of Rovinj.

It is wonderful to experience a part of the old city which is rich in many sites such as the following; Romanesque-Gothic buildings, Renaissance and Baroque themes, neoclassical windows, balconies, ‘baladures’, Altana (roof terrace), portals, Skalinade(stairways).

Walking through the narrow streets and squares you will be fascinated by the beauty of closely positioned tall houses that support each other on the slopes beneath the church of St. Euphemia. The once-protected early medieval and Renaissance city walls are partially preserved today on the south and north side of the old town. Rovinj’s night festival called Sintagma is a three-day fireworks, sports and culinary indulgence organized around the Rovinj riviera and main city square. These events are traditionally held in the last week of August for the last three decades.

Opatija’s riviera is approximately 40 km long. It has been a famous tourist resort and spa since the 19th century in which European aristocracy has enjoyed the beautiful surroundings and where they have built their villas.

The architectural style of Opatija still reminds us of the lifestyle of nobility from the time of Queen Sisi. Located in the Kvarner Bay, it is surrounded by fishing areas and long beaches. Opatija is covered with autochthonic but also exotic plants. Opatija offers pleasant wellness hotels and luxurious villas that will satisfy the needs of the most demanding guests.

Opatija’s Riviera offers fully furnished beaches for those who like comfort, and a great place for a family holiday would be Moscenicka Draga with its 2km long sandy beach.

Two women have a special place in the history of Rijeka. Carolina has saved the city of Rijeka using her female charms negotiating with the English Admiral during Napoleonic wars. Ida De Kiss, wife of the governor of Rijeka has with her conducts and socializing with European elite (e.g. F. Liszt) brought Vienna’s comfort to Rijeka. Rijeka is a city with a long shipping tradition preserved to this day, and a city that is rich with cultural and historical heritage with beautiful long promenades throughout the city.

Rijeka’s riviera is represented by the following cities; Rijeka, Crkvenica, Selce, Novi Vindolski and Senj.

Sibenik is one the oldest Croatian cities on the Adriatic, and it is located in one of the safest natural ports among the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea (mare Adriaticum) at the delta of the Krka river. It is a unique case in the world that Sibenik’s riviera has two national parks, National Park of Krka and the National Park of Kornati.

The town of Sibenik has plenty of forts, monuments and churches. The Riviera of Sibenik and the island of Murter are known by the tradition of Big Game Fishing, in which guests can participate in the hunting of swordfish and tuna. Vodice and Primosten are two towns that are part of Sibenik’s riviera and are best known for swimming and fun.

The town of Zadar consists of 200 islands, of which 17 are inhabited. Beatiful tourist and nautical places like Biograd, Nin, Starigrad, Paklenica are the top places to visit in this area.

In the vicinity of Zadar there are national parks Paklenica, Krka and the islands of Kornati. There are also two natural parks called Velebit and Telašćica whose natural beauty you just have to see to believe.

With 5000 berths in the marinas and 2885 sea berths, the city of Zadar and the town of Biograd are considered to be a paradise for boaters. There are many churches and Roman ruins in the city of Zadar, such as the Forum of Zadar where the church of St. Donat was created in the 9th century, now being a trademark of the town. For those looking for a good time, there are numerous bars on Kalelarga will provide good entertainment until the early morning hours.

It was the year 295a.d. when the Roman emperor Gaius Valerius Aurelius Diocletianus began to build his palace in the isolated bay on the Dalmatian coast now known as Split. In the year 305a.d. finding his peace, the monarch retired and moved into his 28,900 sq. m. large palace and wished to stay in it until the end of his life. Split has a 1700 long history.

Be sure to visit the 'Peristil', the main palace square, where the emperor accommodated his guests. Today there is a beautiful coffee shop where you can enjoy the views, drinks and pastrys while being surrounded by majestic ancient city walls. Unerneath the Peristil is a long passageway where souveniers and many other intresting items can be purchased as a pleasent reminder of your stay.

The cathedral of St. Duje is located within the palace walls which was built in the 7th century. It was the mausoleum of Emperor Diocletian. The palace was put on the UNESCO list of world cultural heritage.

Mount Marijan is the green oasis of the city where you can enjoy various recreational activities or simply stroll and experience the beautiful view of Split. The port of Split connects all major coastal cities of Croatia and its islands, as well as Italy.

Trogir is a city known for its old town center, which is protected by UNESCO. Trogir is a city that was founded by Greek colonists from the island of Vis in the III. century b.c. Trogir is considered to be the best preserved Roman-Gothic city in central Europe. The castle and the towers surrounded by ancient walls make up the center of Trogir. The most significant cultural monument of Trogir is the cathedral.

Trogir is a city-museum and is a wonderful experience to visit. You can sink into the past by walking the narrow streets while being impressed with the stone facades of old portals and heads of various human and animal motifs. Trogir is connected with the peninsula of Ciovo by an old stone bridge. Ciovo is an ideal place for a vacation, offering beautiful beaches and hidden coves.

Omis is a small town located in the heart of Dalmatia, at the delta of the River Cetina. For all those who are looking for an active vacation this would be the right place to go. Omis offers the following sports activities; rafting on the River of Cetina, free climbing, paragliding, diving, sailing, beach volleyball, tennis, etc. You can basically enjoy all sports on the ground, water and in the air. The canyon of the River of Cetina is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places in Croatia.

The town of Omis has a stormy and interesting history from ancient times. The medieval impregnable fortress of Omis pirates became a tourist destination. Omis is an ideal place for a family vacation due to its long sandy beaches. The Pirate’s evenings traditionally organized each year are something that especially kids are going to like. The glorious past of the city as the histories most powerful Pirate’s place comes to life during the Pirate’s nights of Omis.

Makarska is located in central Dalmatia. The city is a connection between Biokovo mountains and the Adriatic Sea, and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Croatian coastal area. It is attractive because of its climate and natural characteristics, as well as its diverse offers for tourist and hospitable hosts. The history of the city can be best learned at the Franciscan monastery, which has recently celebrated 500 years of existence.

Makarska is famous for its 2 km long pebbled beach and its rich nightlife. During summer evenings the harbor is full of yachts and tourist excursion boats, and as the night goes on the Makarska riviera becomes even busier. The local bars, restaurants and discos all get packed with people looking to have a good time. Baska Voda, Brela and Tučepi are the best known places of the Makarska riviera, and are recognizable by kilometers of long pebble beaches where the whole family can enjoy activities and sports on the water.

Dubrovnik is a medieval town situated on the southern Croatian coast and represents the treasury of cultural and historical monuments. Dubrovnik has been selected for UNESCO’s list of the world's cultural heritage. The city can be compared to a museum. Known as the pearl of the Croatian Adriatic, it is surrounded by 2 km-long city walls that have for centuries defended the city from evil both from the land and sea. The wall is in places 22 m high, 4 to 6 m thick from the mainland side and 1.5 to 3 m thick from the seaside. A beautiful city with its cultural monuments and beautiful promenade Stradun has developed within the walls. The city has a variety of restaurants and coffee shops which have an exceptional gastronomic offer.

Dubrovnik riviera offers to its visitors many exhibitions, concerts, theatrical performances, and various festivals emphasizing the traditional "Dubrovnik Summer Festival". Within the festival there are numerous concerts and theatrical performances held at various locations in the city.

You can also enjoy various sports, both on the water and on land in the city of Dubrovnik. Horseback riding, hunting, fishing, surfing, scuba diving or climbing are just some of the possibilities you can explore. The mountain of Srdj in Dubrovnik is an ideal place for those activities. In any case, Dubrovnik is a kind of place that you'll leave with a desire to return as soon as possible.