Holidays to Croatia

Whether you’re exploring the Adriatic on a group tour or booking into a hotel on the Dubrovnik Riviera, knowing where to find Croatia’s best beaches is essential. Starting in the southeastern region of Konavle, Cavtat is famed for its small, pebbled beaches and crystal-clear shallows. Pasjaca Beach is one of the best and features dramatic caves and tunnels cut out of the cliff face.

Moving north, Dubrovnik’s beaches range from the cocktail bars and watersports at Copacabana beach, to the more secluded shingle setting of Sveti Jakov. Closer to Split, the beaches are just as enticing with Podrace and Nugal beaches, near Madarska, and Kasjuni Beach on the Marjan Peninsula all providing peaceful places to swim, snorkel and sunbathe surrounded by cypress tree-covered slopes. The white-sand spit of Zlatni Rat on Brač is probably the most photographed of all Croatia’s beaches however, head to Lovrecina on the north side of the island and you’ll find a lesser known but equally scenic alternative.

Situated around 90 minutes’ drive north of Zadar on the Dalmatian Coast, Plitvice Lakes is Croatia’s oldest and largest national park. Sandwiched between the Mala Kapela and Lička Plješivica mountains, this vast UNESCO-protected region features a succession of lakes cascading from one into the other. The effect is stunning, with waterfalls, rivers, and canyons surrounded by eons’ old landscapes moulded by limestone. Well-marked walking trails lace through alpine meadows and beech and pine forests. You can also experience the park by coach and enjoy rowing boat rides and guided tours.

No trip to Croatia is complete without visiting one or two of the country’s historic cities. In Dubrovnik, gigantic stone walls encircle the maze-like Old Town and worn limestone walkways lead to baroque churches and 16th-century palaces and courtyards.

Around three hours’ drive north of Dubrovnik, Croatia’s second largest city, Split, is another historical setting to make the most of. Its UNESCO-listed Old Town is dominated by the Diocletian's Palace and features Roman gates, underground cellars and narrow stone streets lined with medieval arcades and red-roofed buildings.

The Split suburb of Solin is also well worth a visit for history buffs on holiday in Croatia. Solin was once known as Salona, the Roman capital of Dalmatia. These days you can stroll around the extensive archaeological ruins and imagine what life was like 2,000 years ago. Temples, tombs, and an amphitheatre can all be found here, along with mountain foothills covered in citrus trees, vineyards, and ancient olive orchards.

There are hundreds of islands and islets dotted along Croatia’s Adriatic coastline. Not only are they well known for their forest-flanked beaches and tranquil clear waters, but they’re also steeped in cultural history. Stari Grad on Hvar, for example, was founded by the ancient Greeks and is one of the oldest recorded towns in Europe. Neighbouring Brač – the largest of the Dalmatian islands – has evidence of human life dating back to the ice age, as well as a rich olive oil heritage. Korčula, on the other hand, promises Venetian-style villas along its palm-fringed waterfront while Mljet’s legendary caves, lakes and vineyards are said to have inspired prose from Homer’s epic poem, the Odyssey.

Enjoy a small ship cruise to the Kvarner Islands in northern Croatia and you’ll discover sleepy hilltop villages and tiny seaside towns. Where better to hop between deserted shingle coves and traditional seafood taverns before anchoring for the evening with a chilled glass of white wine under a blanket of stars? Other sailing holidays allow you to explore the Dalmatian islands in between Dubrovnik and Split as well as the Elaphati islands – famed for their botanical gardens and peaceful car-free ambience.