Croatia, sites which you must see to get to know the country

Croatia's attractions will not leave anyone indifferent. Cities, historic monuments, mountains, lakes, sea, islands – everything here is so beautiful and fascinating that it becomes addictive. There is only one problem – the must-see list is really long!

The seaside regions of Istria and Dalmatia amaze visitors with their charming cities and towns. Full of Italian influences, they have their own unique charm as well. No matter how many times you visit them, you are bound to discover something new every time. You must visit Rovinj, whose narrow alleyways come down the slope and resemble a maze that looks like a vine leaf; and then Poreč, where you will see a stunning work of Byzantine art in the form of the Euphrasian Basilica and its priceless mosaics. You will discover the ancient world in Pula and Split. In the former, you can see a Roman amphitheatre, and in the latter - a palace of the Emperor Dioclecian, which in its old days was so enormous that today it is the city's old town. You can immerse in the world of the past also in Zadar, Sibenik, Trogir and, naturally, Dubrovnik - the most beautiful of them all. Historic monuments these cities are packed with are among Croatia's most prominent attractions, so you have to allow for more time to see everything. But do not rush. Live like the locals, i.e. polako (slowly, in Croatian)! Take your time to explore successive cobbled streets and stone structures: churches, city palaces, town halls, loggias, fortresses, villas, defensive walls.

The Adriatic coast is very popular, so you must expect crowds of tourists there. But what can you see in Croatia and avoid being overwhelmed by the presence of others? How can you make your stay not that crowded and commercial? Pop into Kvarner, once a popular region tucked between Istria and Dalmatia which lost its tourist appeal after the local motorways had been built. The region's largest city Rijeka can be called a little Vienna-on-Adriatic. Further away there is Opatija, a much smaller town, but at the same time a charming combination of a seaside resort and elegant 1th century architecture. If you happen to visit the nearby town of Lovran in the autumn, you will have an opportunity to participate in marunada, i.e. the annual chestnut festival.

This small country has at least several breathtaking natural attractions. It is hard not to be amazed by mountains rising straight from the sea, or hundreds of green islands scattered along the coastline. However, there is one site in Croatia which absolutely must see regardless of the high price and crowds. That place is the Plitvice Lakes National Park. It is beauty in its own, any time of day or year and from any perspective – whether you walk, ride a tourist train or cruise on board a tourist boat, you are going to love it. Another paradise is waiting for you in the Krka Rive Valley, which is also protected under a national part scheme. You will be particularly amazed by the Skradinski Buk waterfall. You are guaranteed to see views like in an advertising folder. If you love wildlife, delve into the Northern Velebit National Park, which is a fragment of one of Croatia's highest mountain ranges with summits that rise straight from the sea to more than 1,600 m a.s.l.

Croatia's greatest attractions include also the country's Adriatic islands. Every island is unique and forms a microcosm of its own. You must visit them all to decide which one you love most. Will it be the historic Krk or Rab, or a more intimate Cres, or the moon-like Pag, or perhaps densely forested Mljet? There are also Hvar, a popular destination among celebrities around the world; Kornaty with their islands haphazardly scattered over the sea; Brač, famous for its beautiful beaches with Zlatni Rat in the lead; and Korčula, with a town by the same name which is also known as "little Dubrovnik".

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