Croatia, a stunning country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, is a paradise for travelers with its diverse landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture. From its breathtaking Adriatic coastline to its charming medieval towns, Croatia offers a wealth of attractions that cater to all types of visitors. Here are the top 30 tourist places in Croatia, each with its unique tourism specialty, locality, best time to visit, nearby attractions, and recommended restaurants and hotels.
1. Dubrovnik
Tourism Specialty: Historic city walls, Old Town Locality: Southern Croatia Best Time to Visit: May to October Nearby Attractions: Lokrum Island, Mount Srđ, Fort Lovrijenac Nearby Restaurants: Nautika Restaurant, Proto, 360° Nearby Hotels: Hotel Excelsior, Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik, Villa Dubrovnik
2. Split
Tourism Specialty: Diocletian’s Palace, vibrant nightlife Locality: Central Dalmatia Best Time to Visit: May to September Nearby Attractions: Marjan Hill, Riva Promenade, Bacvice Beach Nearby Restaurants: Konoba Fetivi, Villa Spiza, Zinfandel Food & Wine Bar Nearby Hotels: Hotel Park, Radisson Blu Resort, Heritage Hotel Antique
3. Plitvice Lakes National Park
Tourism Specialty: Cascading lakes, waterfalls Locality: Central Croatia Best Time to Visit: April to October Nearby Attractions: Rastoke Village, Barać Caves Nearby Restaurants: Lička Kuća, Bistro Vučnica, Poljana Restaurant Nearby Hotels: Hotel Jezero, Plitvice Holiday Resort, Fenomen Plitvice
4. Hvar
Tourism Specialty: Vibrant nightlife, lavender fields Locality: Adriatic Sea, Split-Dalmatia County Best Time to Visit: May to October Nearby Attractions: Pakleni Islands, Stari Grad Plain, Hvar Fortress Nearby Restaurants: Dalmatino, Black Pepper, Giaxa Nearby Hotels: Adriana Hvar Spa Hotel, Amfora Hvar Grand Beach Resort, Palace Elisabeth
5. Rovinj
Tourism Specialty: Charming old town, coastal beauty Locality: Istria Best Time to Visit: May to September Nearby Attractions: St. Euphemia’s Church, Lim Fjord, Punta Corrente Forest Park Nearby Restaurants: Monte, La Puntulina, Kantinon Tavern Nearby Hotels: Hotel Lone, Hotel Adriatic, Grand Park Hotel Rovinj
6. Zadar
Tourism Specialty: Roman and Venetian ruins, Sea Organ Locality: Northern Dalmatia Best Time to Visit: May to September Nearby Attractions: Kornati Islands, Nin, Paklenica National Park Nearby Restaurants: Pet Bunara, 2Ribara, Kornat Restaurant Nearby Hotels: Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa Iadera, Hotel Bastion, Almayer Art & Heritage Hotel
7. Zagreb
Tourism Specialty: Vibrant culture, historic sites Locality: Northwestern Croatia Best Time to Visit: April to October Nearby Attractions: Zagreb Cathedral, Museum of Broken Relationships, Maksimir Park Nearby Restaurants: Vinodol, Dubravkin Put, Agava Nearby Hotels: Esplanade Zagreb Hotel, Hotel Dubrovnik, Canopy by Hilton
8. Pula
Tourism Specialty: Roman amphitheater, historic architecture Locality: Istria Best Time to Visit: May to September Nearby Attractions: Brijuni National Park, Temple of Augustus, Pula Aquarium Nearby Restaurants: Jupiter, Vodnjanka, Farabuto Nearby Hotels: Park Plaza Histria, Hotel Valsabbion, Boutique Hotel Oasi
9. Korčula
Tourism Specialty: Medieval architecture, Marco Polo’s birthplace Locality: Southern Dalmatia Best Time to Visit: May to October Nearby Attractions: St. Mark’s Cathedral, Vela Spila Cave, Korčula Town Museum Nearby Restaurants: Konoba Mareta, Nonno, Adio Mare Nearby Hotels: Hotel Korčula De La Ville, Aminess Korčula Heritage Hotel, Tara’s Lodge Hotel
10. Trogir
Tourism Specialty: UNESCO World Heritage Site, historic charm Locality: Central Dalmatia Best Time to Visit: May to September Nearby Attractions: Kamerlengo Fortress, St. Lawrence Cathedral, Ciovo Island Nearby Restaurants: Konoba Trs, Calebotta, Restaurant Don Dino Nearby Hotels: Brown Beach House, Hotel Pasike, Villa Moretti
11. Šibenik
Tourism Specialty: Historic fortresses, St. James Cathedral Locality: Central Dalmatia Best Time to Visit: May to September Nearby Attractions: Krka National Park, Kornati Islands, St. Michael’s Fortress Nearby Restaurants: Pelegrini, Tinel, Konoba Nostalgija Nearby Hotels: D-Resort Šibenik, Heritage Hotel Life Palace, Bellevue Superior City Hotel
12. Makarska
Tourism Specialty: Beautiful beaches, Biokovo Mountain Locality: Southern Dalmatia Best Time to Visit: May to September Nearby Attractions: Biokovo Nature Park, Makarska Riviera, Vepric Shrine Nearby Restaurants: Konoba Kalalarga, Restaurant Riva, Konoba Decima Nearby Hotels: Hotel Meteor, Hotel Park, Valamar Meteor Hotel
13. Brač
Tourism Specialty: Zlatni Rat Beach, Vidova Gora Locality: Adriatic Sea, Split-Dalmatia County Best Time to Visit: May to October Nearby Attractions: Bol, Supetar, Blaca Hermitage Nearby Restaurants: Konoba Kopačina, Ranc Restaurant, Pizzeria Topolino Nearby Hotels: Bluesun Hotel Elaphusa, Hotel Osam, Villa Adriatica
14. Krka National Park
Tourism Specialty: Stunning waterfalls, natural beauty Locality: Central Dalmatia Best Time to Visit: April to October Nearby Attractions: Skradinski Buk, Roški Slap, Visovac Island Nearby Restaurants: Konoba Vinko, Pelegrini, Bonaca Nearby Hotels: Hotel Vrata Krke, Agrotourism Kalpic, Heritage Hotel Life Palace
15. Pag
Tourism Specialty: Unique moon-like landscape, cheese Locality: Northern Dalmatia Best Time to Visit: June to September Nearby Attractions: Zrće Beach, Pag Lace Gallery, Lun Olive Trees Nearby Restaurants: Bistro Na Tale, Konoba Dva Ferala, Restaurant Belveder Nearby Hotels: Hotel Pagus, Hotel Plaža, Boutique Hotel Intermezzo
16. Mljet National Park
Tourism Specialty: Serene lakes, pristine nature Locality: Southern Dalmatia Best Time to Visit: May to October Nearby Attractions: Veliko and Malo Jezero, Odysseus Cave, Polače Nearby Restaurants: Konoba Herc, Maestral, Konoba Galija Nearby Hotels: Hotel Odisej, Villa Radulj, Pansion Lovrić
17. Rijeka
Tourism Specialty: Vibrant port city, cultural events Locality: Kvarner Bay Best Time to Visit: May to September Nearby Attractions: Trsat Castle, Korzo, Peek & Poke Computer Museum Nearby Restaurants: Konoba Nebuloza, Placa 51, Ristorante Spagho Nearby Hotels: Hotel Bonavia Plava Laguna, Hotel Jadran, Grand Hotel Bonavia
18. Opatija
Tourism Specialty: Elegant architecture, coastal promenade Locality: Kvarner Bay Best Time to Visit: May to September Nearby Attractions: Lungomare, Angiolina Park, Croatian Museum of Tourism Nearby Restaurants: Plavi Podrum, Ruzmarin, Bevanda Nearby Hotels: Hotel Milenij, Hotel Miramar, Amadria Park Hotel Royal
19. Varaždin
Tourism Specialty: Baroque architecture, cultural festivals Locality: Northern Croatia Best Time to Visit: May to September Nearby Attractions: Varaždin Castle, Old Town, Drava River Nearby Restaurants: Restoran Angelus, Palatin Restoran, Verglec Restaurant Nearby Hotels: Hotel Istra, Hotel Turist, Park Boutique Hotel
20. Poreč
Tourism Specialty: Euphrasian Basilica, coastal beauty Locality: Istria Best Time to Visit: May to September Nearby Attractions: Baredine Cave, Decumanus Street, Aquacolors Poreč Nearby Restaurants: Konoba Aba, Sv. Nikola, Restaurant Divino Nearby Hotels: Valamar Riviera Hotel, Hotel Parentium Plava Laguna, Hotel Materada Plava Laguna
21. Rab
Tourism Specialty: Sandy beaches, medieval town Locality: Kvarner Bay Best Time to Visit: June to September Nearby Attractions: Rab Old Town, Kamenjak, Paradise Beach Nearby Restaurants: Restaurant & Wine Bar “Natura Rab”, Konoba Rab, Restaurant Velum Nearby Hotels: Valamar Collection Imperial Hotel, Arbiana Heritage Hotel, Valamar Padova Hotel
22. Osijek
Tourism Specialty: Historic fortresses, vibrant culture Locality: Eastern Croatia, Slavonia Best Time to Visit: May to September Nearby Attractions: Osijek Fortress, Drava River, Kopački Rit Nature Park Nearby Restaurants: Kod Ruže, Rustika, Lipov Hlad Nearby Hotels: Hotel Osijek, Hotel Waldinger, Hotel Central
23. Vis
Tourism Specialty: Unspoiled beauty, Blue Cave Locality: Adriatic Sea, Split-Dalmatia County Best Time to Visit: May to October Nearby Attractions: Stiniva Beach, Komiža, Green Cave Nearby Restaurants: Pojoda, Roki’s, Konoba Vatrica Nearby Hotels: Hotel San Giorgio, Hotel Issa, Villa Vis
24. Lošinj
Tourism Specialty: Healing climate, dolphin sightings Locality: Kvarner Bay Best Time to Visit: May to September Nearby Attractions: Čikat Bay, Museum of Apoxyomenos, Veli Lošinj Nearby Restaurants: Restaurant Alfred Keller, Konoba Cigale, Bocca Vera Nearby Hotels: Boutique Hotel Alhambra, Hotel Bellevue, Family Hotel Vespera
25. Trakošćan Castle
Tourism Specialty: Fairytale-like castle, scenic lake Locality: Northern Croatia Best Time to Visit: April to October Nearby Attractions: Krapina Neanderthal Museum, Varaždin, Veliki Tabor Nearby Restaurants: Restaurant Trakošćan, Bedem Restaurant, Zlatne Gorice Nearby Hotels: Hotel Trakošćan, Terme Tuhelj Hotel, Hotel KTC
26. Paklenica National Park
Tourism Specialty: Rock climbing, hiking Locality: Northern Dalmatia Best Time to Visit: April to October Nearby Attractions: Starigrad, Zadar, Velebit Mountain Nearby Restaurants: Taverna Konoba Marasović, Restaurant Dinko, Bistro Biser Nearby Hotels: Bluesun Hotel Alan, Villa Vicko, Hotel Rajna
27. Cavtat
Tourism Specialty: Scenic coastal town, historic sites Locality: Southern Croatia Best Time to Visit: May to September Nearby Attractions: Rector’s Palace, Cavtat Old Town, Sokol Tower Nearby Restaurants: Bugenvila, Leut, Restaurant Galija Nearby Hotels: Hotel Croatia, Villa Pattiera, Boutique Hotel Villa Pattiera
28. Šolta
Tourism Specialty: Tranquil island, olive groves Locality: Adriatic Sea, Split-Dalmatia County Best Time to Visit: May to September Nearby Attractions: Maslinica, Grohote, Stomorska Nearby Restaurants: Martinis Marchi, Pasarela, Restaurant Pasarela Nearby Hotels: Heritage Hotel Martinis Marchi, Hotel Villa Marija, Apartments Lavanda
29. Međugorje
Tourism Specialty: Pilgrimage site, religious significance Locality: Herzegovina (close to Croatia border) Best Time to Visit: May to September Nearby Attractions: Apparition Hill, Kravica Waterfall, Mostar Nearby Restaurants: Gardens Restaurant, Pivnica Medugorje, Colombo Nearby Hotels: Hotel Villa Regina, Hotel Herceg, Hotel Cesarica
30. Kopački Rit Nature Park
Tourism Specialty: Wetlands, birdwatching Locality: Eastern Croatia, near Osijek Best Time to Visit: April to October Nearby Attractions: Osijek, Baranja, Vukovar Nearby Restaurants: Kormoran, Citadela, Didin Konak Nearby Hotels: Hotel Osijek, Hotel Lug, Pannonia Hotel
Croatia is a treasure trove of natural beauty, historic wonders, and cultural riches, making it a top destination for travelers seeking diverse and memorable experiences. Whether you’re exploring its stunning coastline, historic cities, or serene national parks, Croatia promises a journey filled with unforgettable moments.
