Must-see attractions in Croatia

  • Local History Museum

    Central & Eastern Istria

    Housed in the grand Bigatto Palace (built 1639), this museum displays a collection of prehistoric and Roman artefacts as well as some ethnological items…

  • Aquarium Terrarium Šibenik

    Šibenik

    A useful rainy-day diversion for the kids, this little aquarium has a display of local and tropical fish, along with crabs, lobsters, rays, small sharks…

  • Grandovac

    Vis Island

    Past Kut and the British Naval Cemetery, this pretty beach has a bar (look out for occasional late-night parties), a small stretch of pebbles and a string…

  • Traditional Crafts Square

    Zagorje

    Demonstrations of pottery, weaving, beekeeping and hat-making re-create the olden times here and there's a couple of market stalls where you can buy…

  • Galerija SC

    Zagreb

    Temporary exhibitions and installations by some of Croatia’s youngest artists with a focus on conceptual art. The space also hosts occasional theatre…

  • Patačić-Puttar Palace

    Zagorje

    Check out this mid-18th-century building's eye-catching mixture of baroque and classical styles. The richly decorated stone portal features the coat of…

  • St Sebastian's Church

    Trogir

    No longer used for services, this 1476 church shelters stone sarcophagi and the photos of locals killed in the 1990s war. It's topped by a large, blue…

  • Gospa Gusarica

    Komiža

    Komiža's most popular beach is at the northern end of town, right below the Hotel Biševo. It's fringed with pine trees and backed by the triple-naved…

  • Pantun

    Trogir

    Surrounded by a protected nature reserve, Pantan is a gravel-and-sand beach on the estuary of the Pantan River, 1.5km east of the Trogir bridge, and…

  • Buba

    Makarska

    For a party atmosphere, head past the town beach to Buba beach, near the Hotel Rivijera, where music pumps all day during summer.

  • Church of the Annunciation

    Central & Eastern Istria

    This 16th-century parish church on the east side of the main square has a Renaissance facade made of local cut stone, and five elaborate Venetian marble…

  • Drava River Waterfront

    Zagorje

    A 15-minute walk northeast of the town centre takes you to this verdant, tranquil riverfront, bordered by footpaths and several outdoor cafes where you…

  • Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art

    Rijeka

    On the 2nd floor of the university library, this small museum puts on high-quality rotating shows, from street photography to contemporary drawings and…

  • Boćarski Dom

    Zagreb

    Let the tots run free. This park has the best in playground equipment, playing fields and a rollerblading ramp. There's also a relaxing path along the…

  • Bell Tower

    Krk Island

    At the summit of a hill, this bell tower has a Glagolitic inscription above the entrance stating that it was built in 1527 and was, for a time, used as a…

  • Roman Arch

    Rijeka

    This plain archway marks the former entrance to the Praetorium, an ancient military complex. Other Roman remains can be seen in a small excavation site…

  • Large Well

    Central & Eastern Istria

    At the centre of the old town is an ornate cistern topped with a well, built in 1789 in the rococo style. Look out for the carved lion, the symbol of…

  • Firule

    Split

    Less built up than nearby Bačvice, this little horseshoe cove has a slimline sandy beach with a bar down one end.

  • Town Beach

    Makarska

    Makarska's long, pebbly town beach stretches from the Sveti Petar park northwest along the bay. It's lined with hotels, ice-cream shops and beachy stalls.

  • Koprivnica Gallery

    Inland Croatia

    Naive art can be seen at the Koprivnica Gallery in the small village of Koprivnica, 50km southeast of Varaždin, which has a small applied-arts section.

  • Trogir Town Museum

    Trogir

    Housed in the former Garagnin-Fanfogna palace, this museum exhibits books, documents, drawings and period costumes from Trogir’s long history.

  • Pokonji Dol

    Hvar Town

    This large pebbly beach is literally at the end of the road if you're following the coast east from Hvar Town. There's a large restaurant here.

  • Tri Mosta

    Brač Island

    The 'Three Bridges' beach is just past the cemetery. There's a good restaurant at the eastern end, and you can rent boats and jet skis nearby.

  • St Nicholas' Church

    Central Dalmatia

    Outside Drvenik Veli village is the unfinished 18th-century St Nicholas' Church, whose builder never quite got past the monumental facade.

  • Hlebine Gallery

    Inland Croatia

    A clutch of naive-art painters and sculptors still work in Hlebine, 62km southeast of Varaždin. Their work is on display in this gallery.

  • St Lawrence's Church

    Hvar Island

    Fifteenth-century St Lawrence's is crammed with valuable art, including what is believed to be a Veronese triptych above the high altar.

  • Town Loggia

    Trogir

    On the main square, this 13th-century open-sided structure contains an interesting relief by famous Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović.

  • Makarska Municipal Museum

    Makarska

    Kill time on a rainy day tracing the town’s history by checking out this collection of photos, old stones and nautical relics.

  • St Mary’s Church

    Northern Dalmatia

    This local parish church was built in the 15th century. Its wooden altar and Renaissance paintings are particularly impressive.

  • Holy Trinity Monument

    Slavonia

    This elaborate baroque pillar, erected in 1729, commemorates the victims of the 18th-century plague that swept the city.

  • Ovčice

    Split

    Wedged between the Bačvice and Firule bays, this little beach has a large cafe-bar and a slender strip of fine pebbles.

  • Temple of Neptune

    Poreč

    Dating from the 1st century AD, only fragments of this great Roman temple, dedicated to the sea god, have survived.

  • Croatian National Theatre

    Zagorje

    This stunning theatre was built in 1873 in neo-Renaissance style, following the designs of Hermann Helmer.

  • St George's Church

    Central Dalmatia

    St George's Church dates from the 16th century and has baroque furniture and a Venetian altarpiece.

  • Jerolim

    Pakleni Islands

    The closest of the Pakleni Islands to Hvar, the island of Jerolim is entirely clothing optional.

  • Benedictine Monastery

    Komiža

    On the eastern approach to the town, this fortress-like complex dates from the 17th century.

  • Banj

    Brač Island

    Supetar's main beach is a large eastward-facing curve lined with pine trees and beach bars.

  • Kaštel

    Komiža

    This blocky Renaissance citadel, built in 1585, sits at the southern end of the harbour.

  • Nugal

    Makarska

    This lovely, rocky stretch lies southeast of Makarska; it's popular with nudists.

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