If you ever wondered where to go and what places to visit during your vacation trip to Croatia, here are some suggestions. We are going to take you on a journey through some of our favorite places along the Adriatic coast, which is perfect for hiking, biking and swimming. Take a backpack and go on a little trip and enjoy yourself in this gorgeous country!
1. RASTOKE
Photo Credit: Miroslav Vajdic
Firstly, we take you to Rastoke. Rastoke is a small, but beautiful place filled with waterfalls, springs, greenery and local wooden cottages where you can stay overnight and have a lunch or dinner. Plus, you can also visit the museum and feast your eyes on the beautiful and untouched nature and scenery.
Rastoke is the suburb of town Slunj, a picturesque village situated about 100 km from Zagreb along the main road D1 Karlovac – Plitvice Lakes. The river Slunjcica over travertine rocks goes into the river Korana, and through Rastoke makes many small lakes, rapids and waterfalls. The most famous are Buk, Hrvoje and Fairy hair. It’s possible to see otters who have returned after long absence in large numbers. Today a tourist activity of Rastoke is revived and there is possibility of accommodation, mills, restaurants, artists’ colony in June, etc., and Slunjcica river is full of first-class indigenous trout served at a local restaurant.
Watermill village Rastoke is a place where nature created this outstanding green village with three big waterfalls. Three hundred years ago first houses were built and life blossoms since. Nature created the beautiful scenery thousands of years ago, and man kept perfecting it to its natural environment, with surrounding rocks and old forts. That now is turned into a unified whole.
2. KNIN FORTRESS
Photo Credit: Marz88
Another great town which you might come across during your ride towards the coast is one of the oldest towns in Croatia, called Knin. This town is adorned by a fortress from which you can view the entire town and much more. During the summer months, this town gets extremely hot, but that can be easily overcome by taking a swim in river Krka. Krka is one of the Croatian National Parks, and you will be dazzled just by one look at its beauty.
West of city of Knin rises medieval fortress built in the mid 10th century, and the final appearance in the early 18th century. The fort is one of the largest fortification buildings in Dalmatia. It is divided into upper, middle and lower town, which are connected by drawbridges. The oldest is the top place in the northern part of the castle, while the middle and lower town were built in the Late Middle Ages. Today, the fortress occupies an area of 123.147m2 and is among the biggest cultural and historical monuments in Croatia. The fortress is 470m long, 110m wide, and her elevation is 344m. Along the fortress are winding up huge walls and ramparts.
3. OLD TOWN OF CRIKVENICA
Photo Credit: Petr Kratochvil
On your journey, it is possible to pass through Crikvenica. Crikvenica has one of the prettiest sand beaches. The place is ideal for families with children as it offers plenty of things to do. The sea is crystal-clear and it is perfect for kids as there are playgrounds on the beach, one of them being a wooden ship.
Crikvenica is situated within easy reach to visitors from Central Europe. It is located in the Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea, known as the Croatian coast, in the Kvarner Bay, just 35 kilometers from the city of Rijeka. The continuity of human life in this region can be traced back more than 30 centuries. About such long inhabitance witness archeological findings of swords, spears, jewelry and remains of numerous prehistoric settlements. Tourism in Crikvenica coast develops from the 1890s and in 1894 was built the Hotel Therapy. In 1906 was proclaimed a health resort and tourism is more developed after World War II. Now, Crikvenica is one of the most popular Croatian coastal tourist cities with numerous beaches and rich nightlife.
4. OLD TOWN OF RAB
Photo Credit: Wikimedia
Old Town of Rab is also one of the places where you can have all the fun in the world. If you love long walks, biking, boat rides and other thrilling activities, then you are in the right place. The town has many historical monuments, churches and is a great place for couples. It is a romantic little town with a heart of gold. Plus, the town has one nudist beach, which is very famous and well visited. If you ever wanted to visit a nudist beach, this is your chance!
Rab is a Croatian city on the island of Rab. Traces of life on the island date back to the early Stone Age. Prehistoric sites are along the entire island. On a small peninsula and lost between the bay of St. Euphemia and its port, has been transformed into a picturesque and beautiful town, which its characteristic shape, with four towers, reminiscent of a large sailboat with four highly elevated mast. In the northwestern part of the square Municipum Arbe is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city, the former prince’s palace, and now the Assembly of the island. In the 12th century Rab was an important city and the diocese headquarters, however, at the request of the then bishop, a newly built church was blessed by Alexander III., The Pope in 1177 on his return from Zadar to Rome.
5. OLD TOWN OF BIOGRAD NA MORU
Photo Credit: Wikimedia
This wonderful town offers sandy beaches, many high-quality auto camps and beautiful long walks. The place is ideal for recreations, rest and fun.
Biograd na moru is a littoral town in northern Dalmatia. It is located approximately 28 km south of Zadar. The town itself is well known for its beautiful sand beaches, picturesque bays, and many camping places. The town is a local commercial and traffic center, with good connections with its hinterland, surrounding coastal villages, small towns and the island of Pasman. Biograd was first mentioned in the tenth century, and since then the town attracts the attention of many travelers.
The thing that tourists will appreciate the most is the fact that Biograd has many camping places by which the town is known. Auto camp Ljutić and Soline, just to name a couple. Visitors from all over the globe come to these camps and enjoy beautiful camping area intertwined with pine forest and other natural elements which make the camp one of the best camps in this part of Adriatic coast.
Parents will mostly appreciate a big sandy beach, which has many accompanying contents to offer. The beach offers water bikes, inflatable balloons in the water used for climbing and jumping, pastry shops, ice cream shops, and many small restaurants along the beach. Therefore, people can enjoy the whole day without lacking food, drink nor fun things to do.
Biograd has a few hotels, and hotel Ilirija is one of the largest and the best in town. The hotel is known for its culinary specialties. Visitor can enjoy local Dalmatian cuisine and a view towards the Adriatic see.
When visiting the town core, people will be able to enjoy eating in many little restaurants placed along the coast with a view of the ships and small boats. The nightlife does not offer wild parties, but there are a few night clubs and cafés open till early morning hours.
Biograd is a town mostly suitable for quiet leisure time. If you are looking for licentious night life, you will not be able to find it. However you will be able to go out and have fun, but the town is an ideal place to relax with family and children.
6. OLD TOWN OF MAKARSKA
Photo Credit: annaspies
If you have enough time, be sure to visit some southern parts of the country such as Makarska. This town offers many things: a beautiful old town, sunny weather most of the time, expeditions, sightseeing, boat rides and more. It is one of the most attractive places along the coast of the Adriatic.
Makarska is a coastal city of Split-Dalmatia County, located at the foot of a mountain Biokovo. City has some of the most beautiful Croatian beaches. The main economic activity of Makarska, as well as the entire region is tourism. Tourists can use a large number of beds in hotels and private accommodation.
Makarska is popular for its palm-fringed promenade, where are many classy cafe bars, shops and the lovely harbor.
Makarska concathedral (Collegiate Church) of St. Mark the Evangelist is, on top of Kacic square. It was built in the Baroque style.
7. ISLAND OF SUSAK
Photo Credit: Tim Ertl
Last, but not least, the Island of Susak. This island is a nature paradise but its hard to get to. There are no roads on the island, no cars, no night clubs, no nothing, just a few residents and untouched nature. The island is completely isolated and you will feel like you’re in a whole other world. The people who used to live there mostly immigrated to America and only come back during the summer months. People who still reside there have a different accent from the rest of Croatia.
Susak is part of a group of islands called Cres-Losinj in the Adriatic Sea, in the coast of Croatia. This particular island is geologically different from other Croatian islands because it is formed by layers of loess on a limestone cliff and it is characterized by specific speech and folk costumes. The island is a geographical phenomenon, and it is protected by the government. Building on it is prohibited. However, this wasn’t always the case: it was densely populated in the former Yugoslavia. Mass emigration from the island began in 1964, after the introduction of wine tax in Croatia.
The thing that sets part Susak from other islands along the coast of Adriatic see is the fact that the island has many sandy beaches and yellow dust. There is no other similar island in the whole Mediterranean. However, getting to the island is a completely different issue, and finding a place to stay even bigger issue. The island has stayed off the tourist radars, and there is a small number of visitors on the island throughout the year. The island of Susak remained a natural paradise and one of the rare untouched nature sites. The island itself has no roads, no clubs; basically nothing interferes with this oasis of peace, quiet, and nature. We recommend setting aside a day or two to visit this island by foot and explore all of its beauties.
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