As an avid traveler who has spent more than seven years exploring Europe, I can say with certainty that Croatia is one of my top five favorite places in that continent. After backpacking through more than 15 European countries, what drew me to Croatia were its beautiful natural scenery, rich cultural history, and friendly people. Let’s read below about “Croatia Ranks in Top 5 Destinations After Travelling Across Europe”.
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Croatia Ranks in Top 5 Destinations After Travelling Across Europe
Croatia is unique and should be on your list of places to visit:
Natural Beauty That Will Awe You
Some of the most beautiful and varied landscapes in Europe can be found in Croatia. This country is stunningly beautiful, from the clear blue waters of the Adriatic Sea to the lush green forests of its national parks.
The most beautiful thing about Croatia is its coastline, which has more than 1,000 islands. It felt like I was living in a postcard when I sailed through the clear blue water and went from island to island. I fell in love with the beautiful beaches, coves, and cliffs on the most popular islands, like Hvar, Brač, and Korčula.
Plitvice Lakes National Park
Another natural wonder is the mountainous Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia, which is closer to home. It was magical to walk along the network of 16 terraced lakes that were linked by waterfalls. Croatia is better than other European vacation spots because it has a wide range of natural landscapes, from the coast to the middle of the continent.
History and Culture
Along with its beautiful nature, Croatia has a rich cultural history that goes back hundreds of years and adds to its charm. I felt like I was back in time when I walked along the cobblestone streets of coastal towns like Dubrovnik, Split, and Rovinj.
The Stone Walls of the Middle Ages around Dubrovnik’s Old Town made me feel like I was an extra on the set of Game of Thrones, which was filmed there. The Roman Diocletian Palace in Split and the Venetian architecture in Rovinj showed how these empires ruled Croatia in the past.
The well-preserved historical sites in Croatia taught me a lot about the country’s troubled past. I learned about Croatia’s fight for independence in the 1990s by going to the Homeland War Museum in Zagreb and the war-torn city of Vukovar.
Croatia has unique cultural traditions that can be seen in its food, music, art, and festivals, as well as its architecture and history. I loved traveling around Croatia and trying foods like ćevapčići, pašticada, and pršut. I also loved listening to klapa music, which is a famous a cappella style from Dalmatia.
Off-the-Beaten Path Places to Visit
Popular spots like Dubrovnik and Split are great, but I also liked exploring Croatia’s less well-known gems. I learned that there was a lot more to see in Croatia than just the main tourist spots the longer I stayed there.
I really liked going to places that weren’t very popular with tourists. My favorites were the Istrian peninsula with its medieval towns on hills, the wine regions of Dalmatian Zagora, and the untouched Kornati islands. I had a more authentic experience when I was away from the crowds and in these quieter places.
I loved walking through Motovun Forest to find Motovun, a hidden medieval village in the middle of Istria. In Zagora on the Dalmatian coast, it was a revelation to go on a winery tour and taste Croatia’s underrated wine. The faraway Kornati islands were a boater’s dream, with 147 mostly uninhabited islets to explore.
Going to less well-known places gave me access to beautiful nature, culture, food, and wine without having to deal with tourists. It was like a secret trip I was taking in Croatia, away from the crowds.
Delicious food and wine
You could call me a foodie, but I travel for the food, and Croatia did not let me down. Croatia’s food, from fresh seafood along the coast to hearty meat dishes in the middle of the country, makes the best use of the ingredients that grow there.
I ate a lot of seafood, like grilled branzino, shrimp buzara, and octopus salad, while I was by the Adriatic Sea. Inland, hearty meat dishes like ćevapčići, Zagorski štrukli (cheese-filled pastry), and Slavonian kulen (spicy paprika sausage) made our mouths water.
And I can’t forget about Croatia’s wine regions that don’t get enough attention! Red and white grapes like Plavac Mali, Pošip, and Malvazija tasted great in vineyards and restaurants by the beach. I was also impressed by the craft beer scene in cities like Zagreb and Split. Croatia was basically a food and drink lover’s dream!
Warm and friendly service
While I was traveling in Croatia, I was moved by how friendly and helpful the people I met were. Even though Croatia is getting more tourists, I never felt like I was just another visitor because the people there were so friendly.
No matter if I was lost in Dubrovnik’s alleys, tasting wine with vineyard owners, or haggling with market vendors in Split, the people I met were always happy to talk and help. They were friendly and funny, which made me feel right at home in Croatia right away.
I’ll never forget how a group of people in a small Istrian town invited me to join their unplanned street party during the St. Martin’s Day festival. It was the best part of my trip when they showed me their culture through food, music, and dance. For me, the friendly people who live there are what make Croatia special.
Why you should pay attention to Croatia
Even after traveling all over Europe a lot, Croatia is still one of my favorite places to visit. It has so much natural beauty, history, culture, food, and friendly people that it has something for every kind of traveler. Although it’s getting more and more popular, Croatia still feels like it hasn’t been discovered like other popular European spots.
Adventurers who want to hike and sail in Croatia’s outdoors, culture lovers who want to see its ancient sites, and foodies who want to try the local food—Croatia has something for everyone.
From Istria to Dalmatia to Zagreb and beyond, every part of Croatia has its own special charms that make it worth visiting. I can’t wait to go back to Croatia and find more of its hidden gems. On my next trip, I hope to make some new friends there.
Make sure you include Croatia in your next trip through Europe! Its beautiful scenery, interesting culture, and delicious food will win you over. Let the beauty and charm of Croatia take your breath away, like it did for me. More and more direct flights are going to Croatia, making it easier than ever to get there. Remember what I said and keep Croatia in mind. This hidden gem is waiting to be discovered.
