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Croatia Attractions

Croatia is a country whose geographic position, preservation and uniqueness has deservedly given it the title “The Mediterranean as it Once was”. Its charm, beauty, natural wealth, people, and cultural-historical identity were, and still remain, Croatia’s main plus point.
The Croatian Adriatic coast, which stretches from Istria all the way to Dubrovnik and further on to Prevlaka, is the most popular area for tourists in Croatia.
Istria is Croatia’s largest peninsula, and has a memorable blend of green and blue countryside that forms an ideal whole. The outer edge is lapped by the sea, and its interior is interwoven with green hills, castles, vineyards and quaint countryside.
The other coastal regions, Kvarner and Dalmatia, also have impressive countryside and points of interest that everyone should visit. Yet, what makes the Croatian coast so unique is how indented it is, where there are 1185 islands and islets scattered the length of the coast.
The mountainous parts of Croatia, Gorski Kotar as its green heart and Lika under the shade of the Velebit mountain range, have the cleanest and most unspoilt areas. The green woods, clear rivers, meadows, paths, valleys and hills appeal to all nature lovers.
The Pannonian part of Croatia, especially Slavonia and Baranja, is famous for its plains, and the pretty villages are treasure troves of folk tradition, and a rural life style that everyone should discover.
Zagorje and Međimurje are in the continental part of Croatia, and are unique because of their hills and vineyards. There are numerous romantic castles and old estates that will prick your interest.
Of course, we should not forget to mention Croatia’s eight National Parks: Brijuni, Kornati, Krka, Mljet, Paklenica, Plitvička jezera, Risnjak and Sjeverni Velebit. There are also ten protected Nature Parks in Croatia.
Croatia’s natural beauty is just one small part. There is so much more there: the rich history and many localities that have witnessed the passing of the turbulent centuries, the change in rulers from Roman times up until today, the culture as an ever important element of this area’s authenticity, the people and the traditions they have kept even today, the excellent culinary offer and so many other interesting things that Croatia warmly offers to all those who visit it.

Top 10 attractions

	City walls, Dubrovnik Dubrovnik’s most important feature and the most visually dominant symbol of the town; an impressive Middle Age construction where the corner towers of Minčeta, Revelin, Bokar and Sveti Ivan create the city’s famous historical shield.
	Old Town, Poreč A huge attraction in itself. It developed on the peninsula in Roman times and has kept its original urban street system. The peninsula, which is where Poreč’s centre is located, is divided lengthways by Decumanus Maximus street with a parallel series of ancillary streets. They are connected together by horizontal streets with Cardo Maximus at the centre. As a result of this layout, the town area takes the form of a proper square with the houses inside it.
	Stradun (Placa), Dubrovnik Dubrovnik’s main street, the city “artery”. It has two fountains designed by Onofrio at either end that were built in the 15th century.
	St. Blaise church, Dubrovnik The patron saint of Dubrovnik. This majestic church is located at the intersection of two main thoroughfares, where public gatherings in Dubrovnik are held – ‘Placa’ and ‘pred dvorom’. It was built by the Venetian architect and sculptor M. Gropelli at the beginning of the 18th century.
	Euphrasius’ Basilica complex, Poreč The most significant and valuable cultural historical site in Poreč. It is the best kept memorial of early Byzantine art in the Mediterranean and is on the UNESCO world cultural heritage list. It was built in the 6th century during the time of Bishop Euphrasius and Emperor Justinian I.
	Frankopan Castle, Island of Krk Found on Kamplin square. Throughout history it has been an important building that had a defensive role, and today is used for cultural events.
	Istrian Council house, Poreč An original Franciscan Gothic church built in the 13th century that was rearranged in a Baroque style in the 18th century. Today it houses exhibitions and concerts, and in the last century it was the seat of the regional parliament.
	Krk churches There are a large number of well preserved sacral objects in the town of Krk and surrounding areas. We recommend the church of St. Michael the Archangel from the 13th century, and the two churches of St Kvirin and St Margaret from the 12th century.
	Sanfior gate, Labin The main gate of the town of Labin, St. Flora, was built in 1589. Above it sits the Labin crest and Venetian lion.
	Francovich and Battiala Lazzarini Palaces, Labin The most beautiful palaces in Labin were built in the 17th century. Today in Francovich Palace you can see the permanent exhibition of Mathija Vlačić Ilirik, a famous theologist, reformer and historian who was born in Labin in 1520. The National museum has been housed at Battiala Lazzarini Palace since 1960, and amongst the many valuable exhibitions, of particular interest is the mining exhibition with items that were once used in the coal-mines.