Croatia

Western Croatia

Western Croatia is home to the most visited resorts in Croatia, with charming towns and historic sights aplenty. Porec, a beautiful coastal town has been left busy but unspoilt by the influx, as the resorts are set away from the centre. The Euphrasia Basilica is the main sight here, with its beautiful Byzantine stylings. In Pula, the Arena is one of the world's best preserved Roman stadiums and concerts and shows are put on regularly. The charming town of Rovnij is widely regarded as the most attractive place on the whole coast, which is no mean feat considering the competition from Dubrovnik and others! Just down the coast from here you will find Zlatni Rt, a lovely park with some excellent quiet coves perfect for swimming. This part of Croatia is also home to Koversada, Europe's largest nudist resort, so don't go anywhere near Vrsar if you want to avoid hordes of naked people!

Southern Dalmatia

Dubrovnik is the jewel in the crown of Southern Dalmatia. Its beautiful walled Old Town dates back to the 13th century, and it's an atmospheric place to stay if you can. The Rector's Palace, Big Onofrio Fountain and the Franciscan Monastery which boasts the oldest pharmacy in Europe are all must-sees. Or go to Korcula Island, nicknamed "Little Dubrovnik" where quaint streets play host to quaint traditions: you can see the traditional Moreska Sword Dance here! Hvar is a naturally beautiful island, with lots of small old villages dotted around, or head to Mljet for almost complete solitude amongst the salt lake. This area of Croatia also boasts one of the only sandy beaches in the country at Lumbarda.

Northern Dalmatia

Split, the capital of Dalmatia, is the second largest city in the country. Here you will find an historic town centre listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the star attraction Diocletian's Palace. The bell tower of the Cathedral of St. Duje is the symbol of the city and also not to be missed. Nearby Trogir is a smaller version of the same, with crooked narrow streets and a listed town centre, which is perched on a tiny island away from the rest of the town. Sibenik too has received attention from UNESCO with its 15th century cathedral receiving the attention of historians and tourists alike. Elsewhere, you can enjoy the many islands of Kornati National Park or the harsh rocky valley and beautiful Skradin Waterfalls of Krka National Park.

Central Croatia

The inland areas of Croatia are much neglected but there are plenty of things to seek out here. The capital, Zagreb, dominates the attractions in this part of the country with its beautiful old town, Gornji Grad, taking the starring role. Beautiful streets are dotted with places to eat and be sure to look out for the red, white and blue roof of St. Mark's Church. Zagreb also boasts an Archaeology Museum and a Gallery of Naïve Art plus one of Europe's first parks, Maksimir. Elsewhere, Zagorie is worth seeing and as you head out into the countryside you'll find several castles you can visit, the most popular being the Veliki Tabor.

Eastern Croatia

The further East you go the less well-known the destinations are, so here you've got the chance to experience the real Croatia with very few tourists around. The main city here is Osijek, and the architecture here shows a real mix of influences, with the citadel, the zoological gardens and the Co-Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul the highlights. Many people like to use the city as a base for visiting the nearby Kopacki National Park where wetlands play host to a huge variety of birds throughout the year.