At the foot of Mount Medvednica, on a plain overlooking the Sava River, lies Zagreb, Croatia's vibrant capital city. The city boasts a charming medieval old town with some impressive 18th- and 19th-century Austro-Hungarian architecture and lovely cafe-lined cobbled streets. While the Upper Town is the site of the Gothic, twin-spired Zagreb Cathedral and the 13th-century St. Mark's Church, the Lower Town area contains the city's main square as well as some excellent shops, parks, galleries and more museums per square foot than any other city in the world. When it comes to drinking and dining, visitors are spoiled for choice with the area's ever-increasing amount of chic bars and top-class restaurants.
Set along Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, just north of Zadar, Petrčane is a low-key seaside village defined by clear water, pine-shaded paths and an unhurried rhythm of life. The atmosphere is calm and local, with small harbours, pebble beaches and family-run konobas setting the tone. Days are shaped by swimming in the glassy Adriatic, cycling along coastal lanes, or lingering over grilled seafood and regional wine as fishing boats drift past. The scent of salt and pine carries on the breeze, cicadas hum in the afternoon heat, and sunsets soften the sky above nearby islands. Petrčane suits travellers seeking simplicity, scenery and a quieter base for exploring northern Dalmatia.
Situated in the Adriatic Sea just off the coast of Croatia, the sun-drenched island of Hvar is a popular summer destination known for its spectacular landscape of lush rolling hills, hidden coves, and secluded beaches. The island’s hillsides are swathed in olive groves, lavender fields, and cultivated vineyards which produce excellent wines. The main town, also called Hvar, is a glitzy playground boasting vibrant nightlife, swanky bars, and elegant restaurants. For visitors looking for some serenity, the rest of the island is dotted with quaint fishing villages featuring magnificent medieval architecture. Numerous adventure activities are also on offer, including kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, caving, and boating.
Dubrovnik is a well-preserved historical city in southern Croatia, known for its distinctive 16th century Old Town, encircled with massive stone walls. After a disastrous earthquake in 1667, the medieval town was rebuilt by Baroque planners and the city’s historic core seems to have been suspended in time ever since. Set-piece churches and public buildings blend seamlessly with green-shuttered stone houses, forming a perfect ensemble relatively untouched by the twenty-first century. Its impressive buildings range from the Baroque St. Blaise Church to the Renaissance Sponza Palace and the Gothic Rector’s Palace, which is now a history museum. Add to this a few exquisitely manicured gardens and some panoramic views of the Adriatic, and it is not difficult to see why Dubrovnik has long been Croatia’s most popular tourist destination.
