Croatia Cities and Regions

Delve into Croatia’s pocket-sized capital (one of the youngest in all of Europe), home to the medieval hilltop quarters of Kaptol and Gradec, elegant Habsburg architecture, and a vivacious café culture. See our Zagreb Travel Guide

Crystal-clear seas and pebble beaches grace the verdant coast of this northern Adriatic peninsula; Pula is its primary hub, the historic towns of Rovinj and Poreč are its main resort towns, and its rustic interior stars medieval hilltop towns.

Go to the gulf for the pleasant mainland city of Rijeka and some of Croatia’s more-accessible islands, like popular Krk, underdeveloped Cres, and beautifully preserved Rab.

With its seaside towns, sun-kissed climate, and hundreds of islands, this Mediterranean region hugs the Adriatic coast from Split all the way south to Dubrovnik.

Set between blue Adriatic seas and jugged limestone mountains, this fabled, walled city is chic and gorgeous, with churches, stately palaces, and terracotta-roofed houses that have withstood the test of time (wars) over many centuries. See our Dubrovnik Travel Guide

Wander around the Diocletian Palace, a vast Roman-era complex reborn as a bustling quarter in Croatia’s second-largest city, then mingle with locals along palm-fringed Riva, the seafront promenade and the hub for ferry rides to the South Dalmatian islands. See our Split Travel Guide

For celeb sightings, head to ritzy Hvar, Croatia’s answer to Cannes. Family-friendly Brač showcases the iconic Zlatni Rat sandy beach; the remote former military outpost of Vis is the latest trend; Korčula is history-packed; and the verdant wilderness of Mljet is breathtakingly beautiful. Split is the main jump off point for ferries to South Dalmatian islands.

Check out the eclectic Roman, Venetian, and Byzantine architecture of this northern Dalmatian city. Home to some of Croatia’s swankiest bars, it’s also the gateway to the Kornati archipelago and a chain of other islands including Murter, Ugljan, and Pašman.

Few tourists explore the hills, vineyards, and woodlands of this bucolic area just northwest of Zagreb, but its charming Baroque town of Varaždin, fairytale medieval castles of Veliki Tabor and Trakošćan, and chocolate-box villages of Kumrovec and Klanjec, are absolutely worth the detour.