20 Things to Do in Croatia:

Croatia is a country at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe on the Adriatic Sea. This dreamy summer destination is famous for its gorgeous waterfalls and spectacular rocky coast. There are more than 1,000 islands in Croatia that you can go and see for yourself! We listed 20 things to do in Croatia.

My Experience:

I went to Croatia in September 2019 with my best friend, Ariana Gomez. We stayed in Split, Croatia, which is a unique city. We had the best time in Split because we explored the Old Town, strolled along the Riva Promenade, and climbed Marjan Hill. I highly recommend both excursions we took from Split, Croatia, including a five Island speedboat tour and a trip to see KRKA National Park! Listed below are 20 things to do and places to go in Croatia based on my experience and research that I have done!

Split, Croatia:

1- Diocletian’s Palace–

Diocletian’s Palace, built in 305AD for the Roman Emperor Diocletian, is a prime filming location for Game of Thrones.

2- St. Domnius Cathedral–

This cathedral is in Diocletian’s Palace. Climb the bell tower to get the best view of the city.

3- Riva Promenade-

One of the best sites to see in Split is simply walking along the Riva Promenade because there are tons of colorful buildings, a few palm trees, and a great view of the Adriatic Sea.

4- The Old Town–

The Old Town of Split is a maze of cobblestone streets surrounding Diocletian’s Palace. Cafes and restaurants surround People’s Square. At People’s Square, you can also see a view of the old town clock.

5- Marjan Hill-

We climbed to the top of Murjan Hill and I must say it truly is a stunning view of the city.

6- Trogir-

Trogir is a separate coastal city only 35 minutes away from Split, and you can take a car, bus, or ferry to get there. Wow, what a beautiful place to stroll.

7- Putalj Winery-

If you love wine, then visiting the Putalj Winery is for you. This place is located 20 minutes out of Split, Croatia.

8- Klis Fortress-

This ancient fortress has a long history of battles between the Knights Templar, Ottomans, and the Mongols. This place is another prime film location for the infamous TV series, Game of Thrones.

Tours from Split, Croatia:

9- Island Speedboat Tour

Take the tour of a lifetime, also known as the five Island speedboat tour featuring the Blue Cave and Hvar!

What islands do you visit? The five islands that you visit are Hvar, Ravnik, Budikovac, Vis, and Biševo.

What are the highlights of the trip? A few highlights from the trip include visiting the Blue Cave, going to the fishing village of Komiža, swimming and snorkeling in Stiniva Cove, and exploring the old town of Hvar!

How do you travel to each island? You will travel by boat and see beautiful sights from the water. The professional guides are super informative and friendly!

My Experience: My favorite part about the tour described above was visiting ‘The Blue Cave’. This cave contains natural light from the sun shining through the cave. It was incredible.

Fun Fact: I also saved someone’s life on this tour. We had the option to swim out to a beach at Stiniva Cove. A few of us swam to the beach; however, one could not make it back. I was able to swim out and give him a life jacket. He made it back on the speedboat safe and sound! The tour guide was kind and gave me a free soda when we got to the next island.

Learn more: Croatian Coast Island Speedboat Tour

10- Kayaking and Snorkeling-

There are so many kayaking and canoeing adventure tours available in Croatia. There are full-day tour options available that will take you kayaking to the beautiful island of Dugi Otok. The guide will take you to the island’s spectacular cliffs, bays, and sea caves. They provide sea kayaks as well as snorkeling gear. After kayaking, you will go snorkeling near a shipwreck. You have time to relax at Sakarun Beach after you go snorkeling. Book your tour: Kayak and Snorkeling Tour

11- 8 National Parks–

There are a total of eight national parks in Croatia to see! We were able to go and see KRKA National Park, which is a MUST DO in my opinion, as I have never seen water so crisp and clear!

#1: Plitvice Lakes National Park

This national park is in central Croatia near the border of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The park is situated in the mountains of Lika-Seni County, making it great for hiking.

#2: KRKA National Park

Another fun excursion that we were able to go and see is a trip to KRKA National Park. I wrote a blog post based on everything you need to know before visiting here.

Learn more: Krka National Park

#3: Brijuni–

This charming archipelago consists of two islands and is stunning.

#4: Kornati-

Diving underwater around the Kornati is a incredible experience. The Kornati Archipelago consists of 140 islands, and 89 are a part of the national park. The islands are not inhabited and have to be visited by boat.

#5: Miljet-

This mythical island is worth a visit and has been a national park since 1960.

#6: Paklenica–

This national park has two spectacular canyons, Velika Paklenica and Mala Paklenica, offering a stunning view of the sea below. This national park is also great for climbers.

#7: Risnjak–

This national park is an absolute treasure for nature lovers and offers many different hiking trails, a mountain lodge, and accommodation.

#8: North Velebit-

North Velebit is a national park home to ruins of old houses, pits, and caves, including Luke’s Pit, the deepest cave in the world.

Dubrovnik:

Dubrovnik is a city on the Adriatic Sea. The city is located in southern Croatia. It is one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the Mediterranean Sea. It is an ancient, walled medieval city filled with world-class restaurants and cobblestoned streets.

12- Dubrovnik Walls-

It takes two hours to walk the entire loop around the city. Highlights include climbing the Minceta Tower and reaching views over the Old Town.

13- Old Town of Dubrovnik–

The narrow streets have restaurants as well as small shops.

14- Stradun-

Stradun is the prime filming location for Star Wars Episode IX.

15- Lovrijenac-

Lovrijenac is an ancient fortress that was a Game of Thrones filming site.

16- Take a Tour of King’s Landing-

St. Dominika is where Cersei made her walk of shame. Minceta Tower is where Daenerys recovers the dragons stolen from her.

17- Gornji Ugao Tower–

Gornji Ugao Tower provides a look at the history of the city.

18- Lokrum Island–

This island has a few beautiful beaches and gardens. There also Peacocks everywhere that roam the island.

19- Wine Tasting–

Did you know that Croatia produces delicious wine? Don’t miss D’Vino Wine Bar, located in Dubrovnik, where you can drink a wine flight and try meat and cheese platters.

20- Mostar + Kravice Waterfalls

Visit Bosnia and Herzegovina from Dubrovnik and see three of the country’s top national attractions in just one day! You’ll see Mostar and the Kravice Falls with convenient round-trip transfers from your hotel!

LINK: Mostar and Kravice Waterfalls

I highly recommend visiting Croatia for it is stunning! From the kind people to the fabulous views, it was a trip I will never forget.
We listed 20 things to do in Croatia. Have you been to Croatia? I would love to hear about your experience!