Croatia - Full of Life
The Croatian national territory totals 56.594 km2 with 31.479 km2 of coastal waters for sailing, swimming and diving.
Croatia occupies the largest area of the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea which, as a part of the Mediterranean Sea, penetrates deep into the European continent. The narrow Dinara Mountain Range separates the country’s Mediterranean region from its central European continental section, which spans from the easterly edges of the Alps in the north west to the shores of the Danube in the East, encompassing the southern part of the fertile Pannonian lowlands.
And if the beauty of such landscapes weren’t enough, here’s a refreshing piece of news: tap water is drinkable across all of Croatia.
Discover the Colours of Croatia
Croatia is known for its summer bliss, amazing blue waters and sunny coastline, but now it is time to FALL in love with Croatia in autumn.
Discover the colours of Croatia and bask in the softer yellow of the sun, the deeper blue of the sea, the evergreens of the beautiful inland, the changing colours of the leaves from yellow and orange to reds and browns through any of the amazing National or Nature Parks throughout the country, from the rocky faces of Northern Velebit to the lowlands and marsh of Kopački rit.
Try the tasty new red or white wines, from the just harvested green or purple grapes, or visit a pumpkin festival and enjoy any of the many squash varieties, be they white, purple or orange. Visit an open-air market and bask in the rainbow of autumn or take a guided tour and forage for mushrooms, or a fresh water fishing trip and catch a silver trout.
Sail the Adriatic and feel the wind and the enjoy the crisp blue surroundings. Or take a walk through a museum or heritage site and revel in the amazing colours of folk costumes, artistry of traditions passed down for generations, view the clay remnants of some of the oldest known artifacts, or learn about the history of olive oil or cheese making, green-gold and creamy-yellow delicacies.
Whether you are taking in the coast or inland of Dalmatia, Kvarner and Istria, or traversing the hills and mountains of Lika, Gorski Kotar and Zagorje, or exploring the meadows, trails and fields of Međimurje, Slavonia and Baranja, or the bustling markets in Zagreb, let the colours of Croatia wash over you.
Croatia - Full of life
Luxuriate on idyllic beaches
with turquoise waters, relax in secluded coves edged with pine trees or explore finger-like sand spits, in a perfect opportunity to fully recharge your batteries. Whether urban, hidden, wild, unspoiled or pebbly, Croatia has over 6,000 km of coastline sure to feature the beach of your dreams and beyond!
In Croatia, there’s no such thing as a regular hike
Think family adventures in the forest, romantic moments under waterfalls and pushing yourself to the limit with your friends by stunning lake basins and on exhilarating mountain peaks. But perhaps the best part of all is that there’s no need to travel long distances to enjoy this wealth of fantastic scenery.
This singular rendezvous of civilisations
and influences is also reflected on the dining table, where meat, fish, vegetables and wine prevail. The result is an original national cuisine that is sure to delight your taste buds.
A route of over 1,000 islands
With 1,244 islands, islets and crags to be exact, and every one of them surrounded by crystal clear waters, it’s time to come aboard!
Island hopping is undoubtedly the best way to discover the Croatian coast from a truly dazzling perspective.
The Kornati archipelago
encompasses 89 of these remarkable islands. This national park is a veritable maritime labyrinth for sailing fans, and quite simply the perfect setting for you to get back in touch with unspoilt nature.
If you’re all about water sports
or would love to give them a try, Brač is the island for you. Here, you can enjoy windsurfing on the unmistakable Zlatni Rat beach, as well as scuba diving, water skiing, kayaking and jet skiing, all in the island’s waters!
After all that adrenaline, it’s time for a crucial element to any vacation: rest and relaxation. And there is no better place for that than Lošinj: the island of Vitality. With a health tourism tradition dating back 125 years, here the air is so pure that every breath will fill you with energy!
All that relaxation can give you an appetite, and a great place for a local meal is the island of Vis. Here, you will be able to taste authentic Dalmatian Buzara-style seafood dishes featuring fresh fish, lobster and shellfish at konoba (local taverns), and also sample extraordinary organic liqueurs and wines such as Vugava and Plančić from the island of Hvar. Bon appetite and cheers!
If you made your way to Vis, don’t miss the opportunity to discover neighbouring Biševo and the Blue Cave, only 5 kilometres away. This famous cave has been named after the magical and mesmerising blue light that appears at certain times of the day.
This fabulous Route of 1,000 Islands concludes with a visit to the minute Porer at sunset! Can you imagine a more special place to spend a night than this stunning centuries-old lighthouse perched atop a round, 80 metre-wide crag? It’s bound to be unforgettable!
Travelling through time
A trip to Croatia does not only mean geographical travel, but it also takes you back through time, as you discover centuries-old traditions and the remnants of the civilisations that have passed through and taken root in this remarkable land.
Built at the heart of the Roman Empire, the Diocletian Palace of Split is a perfect example of the evolution of late classical architecture, with its shapes and embellishments exemplifying not just the development of early Christian art, but also the prelude
to the Byzantine and early medieval architectural styles.
The collection housed at the monumental Mimara Museum serves as a veritable catalogue of the history of art, where you can soak up stunning permanent pieces by Rubens, Goya and Manet, as well as a variety of other styles and periods. Some of the most ancient pieces
on exhibit even date back to prehistoric times.
Staying indoors is all well and good, but Croatian culture likes to take things outside! The Dubrovnik Summer Festival is Croatia’s oldest cultural festival and a spectacular event sure to remain imprinted on your memory for years to come. It not only showcases theatre, ballet, opera and the world’s leading classical orchestras, but all of this against the perfect backdrop of its magnificent city walls!
And there’s something for fans of folklore too in the form of Croatia’s most popular legacy. Traditional lace has been handed down through the generations in countryside towns, such as on the island of Pag and in the town of Lepoglava in northern Croatia. Lepoglava also keeps this legacy alive with a fantastic annual festival dedicated to the art.
