Top 10 Best Things to Do in Croatia
The place where age-old walled towns stand side-by-side with sandy golden bays and dazzling sapphire waters, Croatia is a place brimming with beauty. The sea ... read more...here is staggeringly clear and hosts a number of rocky islets where you can go to escape the hustle and bustle of life back home. Whether you want to spend your time exploring magnificent palaces and wandering through centuries-old streets or getting back to nature at stunning national parks and dreamy blond beaches, you’ll never be stuck for amazing things to do in Croatia! Below are the best things to do in Croatia, let's find out!
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The Museum of Broken Relationships is one of the best destination to visit in Croatia. This museum, which is in Zagreb, Croatia, opened its doors in 2010 and is jam-packed with mementos from broken relationships, whether they were friends, family, or romantic partners. The Museum of Broken Relationships initially began as a mobile museum with a few donated objects. The exhibits were so well-liked and there were so many donations that the museum quickly secured a permanent location in Zagreb.
Here you’ll find all sorts of trinkets, from photos and drawings of couples to more symbolic items, such as a “Number 2” donated by a woman whose partner never made her his number one. There are personal stories to accompany each piece, and some of them can be truly heartbreaking. If you need a little cheering up after the museum, check out the gift shop. Here you’ll find cute and quirky items such as a bad memories eraser. There’s also a bistro and a cafe if you need even more comfort.
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Also known as the Blue Grotto, this stunning natural attraction - Blue Cave is found in the bay of Balun on the island of Biševo and looks like something from another planet! When the sun is in just the right place, it shines through natural cracks in the cave, lighting up the waters in brilliant blue. For the most stunning view, plan your boat trip on a sunny day around noon. This is when the light and colors will look most spectacular.
You can’t visit the Blue Cave on your own – you’ve got to sign up for a guided tour. You’ll stop by the Blue Cave first before heading to Stiniva Cove, famous for its crystal-clear waters. Here you can relax and swim before getting back on the boat and checking out some of Croatia’s other gorgeous islands.
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One of the greatest things to do in Croatia if you want to reconnect with nature and work out at the same time is hiking to the incredible Odysseus Cave on Mljet Island. An hour is spent on the hike to the destination and an additional hour is spent returning to the starting place. You won't have any issues if you're in reasonable shape and have a good pair of sneakers or hiking boots. You will be led on the hike through unforgiving terrain and alongside precipitous cliff edges. The scenery is breathtaking the entire way, but pay attention to your step! You'll reach Odysseus Cave after enjoying 60 minutes of breathtaking sea views.
It’s important you pack a towel and your swimming gear because the only way you can reach the cave is if you jump into the water and swim. The water is super salty, which helps you stay afloat easily. Inside the cave, you’ll find some pink rocks you can climb onto for a break before heading back. You’ll also see countless tiny fish in the water and may even hear bats overhead.
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If you’re a fan of seafood, one of the must-do things in Croatia is to try black risotto. Known locally as crni rižot, this dish is made with squid or cuttlefish, garlic, olive oil, red wine, risotto rice, and squid ink. The unique final ingredient gives the dish its iconic color, as well as an intense and addictive seafood flavor. You’ll find this dish in almost every restaurant along Croatia’s coastline. If you order it, it will temporarily turn your mouth and teeth black – but it’s worth it for the chance to try something so special and delicious!
Dalmatino Dubrovnik serves some of the very best black risotto you should visit. The restaurant specializes in traditional fish and seafood dishes with a modern twist. It’s served with cuttlefish and has the most amazing texture and flavor combo. If you’re not too sure about the squid ink, the restaurant also serves a white risotto with shrimp, zucchini, and white wine.
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Diocletian's Palace is an impressive historical site that was once a palace erected in the 4th century for the Roman emperor Diocletian. The amazing complex, which is situated in Split along the harbor, isn't really a prestigious palace or museum. With its winding streets dotted with cafes, bars, restaurants, and shops, it is the center of the city. The majority of Split's Old Town is occupied by Diocletian's Palace, which is currently recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site despite its continued use. It was formerly set aside for Diocletian and the whole of his military garrison, but now it is inhabited by about 3,000 people, along with innumerable tourists.
With all the bustle of the area, it’s easy to forget where you actually are. Take the time to admire the centuries-old architecture when you’re there. You can easily see the original columns and arches above the stores and restaurants. If you’re fascinated by the area, you can even head underground and explore the palace’s substructure.
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When you need a break from all the Croatia sightseeing, spend a few hours at Zlatni Rat Beach on the island of Brač. Easily the best beach in Croatia, this glamorous bay boasts a V-shaped golden shore, with aquamarine waters on one side and a thick forest on the other. You won't ever have trouble finding a position on the 0.5-kilometer-long beach thanks to the abundance of sun loungers and umbrellas that are available for rental.
You can always spread your towel out next to the trees and take advantage of the free natural shade if you don't want to spend more for a lounger. The fact that Zlatni Rat Beach changes with the tide, current, and wind is one of its most intriguing features. You can take a bath in a little pool that occasionally appears when the tip of the coastline becomes dislodged. While the beach can sometimes get windy, its unique shape means that one side is always calm and pleasant. If you’re looking for beautiful Croatia attractions, Zlatni Rat Beach won’t disappoint.
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A visit to a lavender farm is one of the top things to do in Croatia if you enjoy photography. All along Croatia's coastline, notably on the island of Hvar, you may see many fields of blossoming lavender. The greatest months to view the blossoms are July and August, although you can also see them rather frequently in the late spring and early fall. You'll want to take pictures of the incredible sight of millions of lavender flowers spread out as far as the eye can see. The scent is very wonderful.
Just 50 years ago, Hvar was responsible for 8% of the world’s lavender production. Today you can still buy all kinds of lavender souvenirs, which have been produced on the island. Decorative lavender, lavender essential oils, and lavender flavoring for baking are three of the best gifts to take home with you.
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Hunting for truffles is an amazing experience if you like to get creative in the kitchen. Unless you know exactly what you’re doing, searching for truffles on your own can be difficult (and dangerous if you’re not a fungi expert), so you join group truffle hunting tour for the best experience. When you sign up for a tour, not only will you be able to relax, knowing you’re in great hands. But you’ll also be accompanied by a couple of truffle-sniffing dogs who will do all the hard work for you!
In pursuit of the pricy gourmet ingredients, you and other truffle fans will embark on a guided walking excursion through the Motovun forest. It is time for you to search the soil for the truffles after the dogs have located their general location. A traditional dish including truffles will be available for you to sample at a local eatery at the end of the journey.
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Croatia is home to many historic sites, but Dubrovnik's Old Town is one of the most charming and seductive. This medieval town is packed with things to see and do, reaching out into the Adriatic Sea with the gorgeous craggy limestone mountains as its backdrop. It is a lovely pleasure to simply wander around the town's streets. There are endless passageways to discover, historic white limestone structures to admire, and traditional terracotta roofs that evoke a bygone era.
If you prefer to follow an itinerary, take a walk around the walls that surround the city – they date back to the 12th century and are declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You should also ride the cable car up to Mount Srđ for amazing views, visit the Old Pharmacy Museum (a medieval pharmacy that’s been operating for more than 700 years!), and explore Rector’s Palace, the most historic monument in Dubrovnik.
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Check out the Bay of Abandoned Hotels if you enjoy offbeat, off-the-beaten-path activities while you're on vacation. This location, one of the strangest tourist destinations in Croatia, is just over 9 kilometers from Dubrovnik and is easily accessible from the city by using bus number 10. The Bay of Abandoned Buildings is a collection of derelict hotels that was formerly one of Croatia's most well-liked vacation spots. This is where a lot of well-known Yugoslav officials used to spend their summers. The region suffered significant damage during the Yugoslav war in the 1990s and was left to deteriorate.
As every building here has been completely neglected and forgotten, you’re free to wander wherever you like without running the risk of trespassing. You can even climb to the top of the most intact buildings and enjoy spectacular views of the sea and mountains. If you need a break, relax at the small beach. Because it’s so out of the way from the rest of the cities and resorts, there’s a good chance you’ll be the only one there!