Croatia Travel Guide

Croatia is a timeless Mediterranean gem

Touting itself as ‘The Mediterranean as it once was’, Croatia has shaped itself into a classic, timeless destination where historic towns, idyllic islands and a dramatic stretch of coastline are infused with a uniquely old fashioned charm.

History and culture

In the 1400 years since settlement began in this area, Croatia has endured occupation by the Romans, Ottoman Turks, French, Austro- Hungarians and, during World War II, the Germans. Emerging from Communist rule in the 1980s, Croatia, as one of the five countries of the former Yugoslavia, was finally able to declare a lasting independence in 1991. It took a few more years for local wars with neighbouring Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina to be resolved, but since then it has emerged from the shadows as a vibrant country and perfect holiday destination.

Strong reminders of the country’s past can be found in many of its major cities and ports. Spend some time in the capital Zagreb, a picturesque city bursting with baroque architecture and Austro-Hungarian buildings that now house fine restaurants, museums and art galleries. Don’t miss World Heritage- listed Dubrovnik, a magnifi cent walled historic town, dubbed ‘the pearl of the Adriatic’ by poet Byron for its stunning setting and proliferation of churches, monasteries and ornamental museums; the Romanesque town of Trogir; or Split’s staggering 4th century Diocletian’s Palace, built with limestone and marble, it is famed as the best preserved palace on the Dalmatian Coast and the most complete remains of a Roman palace in the world.

Land and sea

Croatia boasts almost 2000 kilometres of scenic coastline and 1185 islands, home to untouched beaches, rocky outcrops, sheltered coves and a unique natural environment. The Dalmatian Coast is home to some of the most extraordinary stretches of sandy beach, framed by wooded parklands and coastal mountains and benefiting from the cooling breeze and idyllic waters of the Adriatic Sea. Stroll through the parkland, hike the mountains or simply hit the beach, relax and enjoy the panoramic views.

The coast also serves as the gateway to Croatia’s plentiful and varied offshore islands. Island hopping and Adriatic cruising are popular pastimes and the rich and the famous have descended in their droves in recent years to find a little piece of luxurious seclusion. Many of the islands are covered in a deep green forest with fringes of soft, white sand and, though some are uninhabited, many, like the Kornati archipelago, are home to ancient stone villages, fishing ports and even some modern marinas with an opportunity to spot the rich and famous. They make fabulous destinations for day trips or cruise stopovers.

Inland the landscape is dominated by mountains, lakes and wetlands, perfect for exploring or discovering the local flora and fauna. Cities like Zagreb benefit from lush Mediterranean vegetation with spots like Jarun Lake or Mount Medvednica making popular daytrips for boating, swimming, hiking and, in season, skiing.

Food and dining

Croatian cuisine is a delightful hotch potch of flavours and influences: Many hundreds of years of foreign occupation combined with the country’s geographical position between the Mediterranean and Central Europe have led to a diverse palate with dishes ranging from heavy meat and pastry to light seafood.

In Zagreb and the north of the country, traditional cuisine tends to bear most similarities to the meat dishes of neighbouring Austria and Hungary, while the coastal regions are much more Mediterranean in focus: light meze-style dishes, fresh herbs, Italian-style pizza and pasta, and plenty of fresh seafood dominate, but as with any tourist destination, international cuisine is widely available with restaurants representing everything from French to Chinese.

In the summer months the cities and coastal resorts are full of bustling pavement cafes and rooftop restaurants. Zagreb’s town centre, Dubrovnik’s main pedestrian thoroughfare, Placa, or Split’s harbourside promenade are great places to dine al fresco, with row upon row of cafes, trendy bars and elegant restaurants.

Shopping

Adopting a love of shopping and style from their Italian neighbours, Croatia is a great place to bag a bargain. Specialities of the region include rakija, an alcoholic fruit brandy usually made from plums or grapes, paprika cookies, traditional embroidery, Zagreb hearts and authentic Croatian neckties.

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If you want to get away from it all and escape the city or tourist bustle, head to Mount Medvednica, just outside Zagreb, the city’s most popular weekend escape.

Also known as Bear Mountain or the Zagreb Uplands, its highest peak Sljeme stands at 1033 metres and is easily accessible by cable car. The trip takes 20 minutes, with hourly departures, and offers fantastic views of greater Zagreb. Once at the top the mountain slopes are densely forested and there are excellent walking and hiking tracks, and a selection of ski slopes in the winter. At the top of the southern slope you’ll discover the medieval noble town of Medvedgrad, the most important example of medieval civil architecture in Zagreb.