Croatia is a place to discover many unique landscapes and experiences. Whether you’re interested in the beautiful and pristine waters of the Adriatic coast, untarnished Mediterranean islands or the edgy urban culture, this scenic part of Eastern Europe scores highly in everything. For those in search of history and culture, the historic centers of Dubrovnik and Split, which are Unesco world heritage sites, offer Roman, Byzantine, Venetian and Austro-Hungarian monuments. A melange of timeless untouched nature, beautifully preserved centuries-old architecture and a vibrant contemporary cultural scene, including an ever-growing number of electronic music festivals, promises rewarding memories for anyone who wishes to explore it over the summer holidays. If you are one of those who are planning a summer vacation to this great place, then below is a comprehensive guide on some of the best things to do over the summer holidays, in Croatia.
1. Satisfy your adrenaline rush by cliff jumping in Southern Istra
Croatia is famous for its beautiful beaches and cliffs, most of which are located near the town of Pula in Istria. The southernmost coast of Istra in Cape Kamenjak on the Premantura peninsula is a rugged, rocky coastline, and is very popular among locals as a swimming spot. If you are an adrenaline junkie, you can take the plunge into the crystal clear water from the top of the cliffs. At this spectacular site, you can find only beaches with rocks or cliffs from where you can calmly walk into the water directly. There are cliffs with vertical walls dropping from as high as 15 meters straight down into the clear turquoise water and swimmers of all ages can be found jumping and diving from both sides of the U-shaped cliff.
Southern Istra
Address: 52100, Premantura, Croatia
Opening hours: Open 24 hours
Price: N/A
2. Get adventurous at Hvar (from USD 108.44)
Hvar is the historic capital of a heavenly island in Croatia’s Dalmatian region, and it is dotted with white-stoned Venetian renaissance buildings full of precious artworks. The town is famous for its beautiful galleries, boutiques and chic cafes. Ascend the steep stairway to the imposing Venetian fortress, Spanjola, or visit the Venetian Loggia, Clock Tower and Franciscan Monastery. Get your heart pumping and rent a boat or book an excursion from this lovely little island to embark on an island-hopping excursion that will take you to picturesque beaches, coves and little port towns housing ancient buildings and waterside cafes.
Split: Blue Cave, Vis & Hvar Full-Day Trip by Speedboat
Duration: 10.0 hour
3. Witness an endless sunset in Rovinj
The ancient and romantic town of Rovinj in the Istrian Peninsula features cobbled streets, a bustling and photogenic harbor and some of the best seafood restaurants in Croatia. And the best part about this place is that, unlike other islands in the vicinity, like Dubrovnik or Hvar that are crowded most times of the year, this quaint little town doesn’t feel mobbed. The core of the old town is predominantly Venetian and it is made of pale limestone that gleams in the sun and houses several ancient ruins and breathtaking natural spaces and edifices, like Rovinj City Museum, Balbi Arch and St Euphemia’s Church.
Rovinj
Address: Istria West Coast, Croatia
Opening hours: Open 24 hours
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
4. Eat truffles in Motovun
The beautiful town of Motovun, situated amidst dense oak forests and valleys of the Istrian territory, serves sumptuous truffle flavored honey, pate and other truffle delicacies. The delicacy is mainly associated with Italy and France. Truffles have also been hunted in Croatia for centuries. Enroll for a truffle-hunting tour to learn more about the family-run truffle business and to sample high-quality truffle products.
Truffles in Motovun
Address: Barbican ul. 1, 52424, Motovun, Croatia
Website: Konoba Mondo
Opening hours: 12pm - 3:30pm, 6pm - 10pm (daily)
5. Explore Ston, home to the second largest city wall in the world
A salt-producing town, Ston is world famous for its well preserved defensive walls and its mussels! The 900-meter town walls encircle the area for 3 miles (4.8 km) and are famed for being the second largest in the world after the Great Wall of China. The hillside-hugging fortifications connect Greater Ston, also called Veliki, with its smaller sister Mali Ston. The long stretch of the wall can be walked in its entirety, and the tedious task involved in climbing the steep sections is more than made up for by the stunning views from the top.
Ston Walls
Address: 20230, Ston, Croatia
Website: Ston Walls
Opening hours: 8am - 7pm (daily)
Price: 11 USD
6. Explore the historic town of Trogir (from USD 43.37)
The photogenic and delightful town of Trogir is a hidden gem that should be included even on the fastest of itineraries. The small old town is located on an island, accessible by bridges from the mainland, and is packed with charm, scenic views, and lots of trendy restaurants. To make the most of your visit, climb the tower of the St. Lawrence Cathedral, walk along the waterfront, get some stunning views from the top of fortress Kamerlengo or wander the narrow streets and bylanes of the old town.
Trogir 1.5-Hour City Tour
Duration: 1.5 hour
7. Go on an adventure sailing trip (from USD 640.0)
Unwind, sail, party and have a gala time living on a yacht with your friends and hundreds of other Yacht adventurers. If you are one of those who aim to live life to the fullest, then this one will surely not disappoint you. Explore hidden coves, eat at the finest of sea restaurants, listen to the locals’ stories, swim to sunken ships off the shores of sprawling white-sand beaches and party until dawn, as you sail in your yacht which takes you across Croatia’s serene seas and enchanting towns, and presents an altogether different side of the island country.
Adventure Sailing 3-Night Trip from Dubrovnik on the Huck Finn Catamaran
Duration: 4 days
8. Take a day trip to Pula (from USD 110.0)
Located in Pula, on the southern tip of the Istria peninsula in North-western Croatia, the Pula Arena is a Roman amphitheater that is known to be the only one to have four side towers and with all three Roman architectural orders entirely preserved. Dating back to the 1st century AD when the magnificent Roman Colosseum was built, the arena served as the regional center of Roman rule and was once the site of gladiator fights. Today, the arena is the venue for various events including Pula Film Festival, musical concerts, opera, ballet, exhibitions, sports competitions, and it can accommodate about 5000 spectators.
Pula Day Trip from Rovinj
Duration: 7 hours
9. Ride an electric bicycle in the town of Skradin (from USD 78.13)
Enjoy the magical Croatian history and the mesmerizing landscape of forests and hills, monuments and bird reserves, as you cycle past the historic town of Skradin. The magnificent ride offers a glimpse over the Prokljan Lake and Skradin, and it is the perfect way to spend a day with new experiences in the most beautiful Croatian scenery. Here’s your opportunity to embark on some good old sightseeing and explore the historic towns like Split and Dubrovnik. There are several tours that provide skilled guides and instructors and have a choice of experiences to provide fun excursions, cultural festivals, gastronomy & wine tasting, and social activities to visitors. Make sure you carry a jacket and a raincoat as there is always the possibility of rainfall and inclement weather in Croatia.
Skradin: Krka National Park E-Cycling Circuit
Duration: 5 hour
10. Sail along the Adriatic Coast and disembark on an amazing archipelago (from USD 3.0)
Croatia is flanked by more than a thousand islands that lie along the Croatian coast of the Adriatic Sea. While some of the larger islands are inhabited and popular visitors’ destinations and well connected by ferries, others are smaller and deserted. The Adriatic coastline houses over 1185 islands, islets, reefs and rocks and serves as an important waterway. Today, the Adriatic coast is visited by sailing enthusiasts from across the world for their boating adventures using the most developed nautical infrastructure to sail through the crystal-clear waters and pleasantly mild climate. The Tremiti Islands, the only archipelago in the Adriatic Sea, offer a beautiful escape away from the maddening crowd of the beaches and touristy resorts of the Adriatic coast, and consists of three small islands, namely San Domino, San Nicola and Caprara.
Dalmatian Islands: Private 5-Night Sailing Holiday from Split to Dubrovnik
Make some amazing memories in Croatia
From great scenic waterfronts to fantastic architecture and beautiful monuments, Croatia has no shortage of things to offer. It’s fascinating to think about all that the slender streets and edifices have seen and experienced through the passage of time. Your Croatian summer is barely a blink in the city’s eye, so don’t feel overwhelmed by everything that you get to see or do here!
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
-
-
-
-
-
Top 10 Family Resorts In Croatia - Updated 2024Trina Joy Cassey -
-
-
Top 10 Shopping Malls In Zagreb, CroatiaElah Angelica -
-
-
Create an account to