Matador's Ultimate Guide to Croatia

Drool-worthy coastal scenes ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [Croatia]( Matador's Ultimate Guide to Croatia Hi all, When it comes to breathtaking scenery and unique cultural experiences, [Croatia]( is a must-see destination. You'd be hard pressed to find someone who doesn't have Croatia on their bucket list. From its stunning Adriatic coastline and islands to its vibrant cities and charming villages, Croatia has quite a lot of appealing destinations packed into a small country. Onshore, take a coastal road trip to see centuries' worth of history, incredible historic sites in Dubrovnik (where you might recognize a few from Game of Thrones), and enchanting small fishing towns dotting the shore. Offshore, go island-hopping in Hvar, Brac, Korčula, and Solta. And don't skip going inland, either. You'll find Croatia’s award-winning wine regions, incredible hiking at Plitvice Lakes National Park, gorgeous views of Krka Waterfalls near Split, and quirky museums in Zagreb. We break down how to make the most of your time there below. [EXPLORE CROATIA]( [GuideGeek]( Get Inspired [Croatia]( Where To Spend Nine Perfect Days in Croatia Croatia has been having a moment in the European travelsphere for years, thanks in part to tourism driven by iconic Game of Thrones filming locations. Tours or cruises inspired by the hit HBO show are one way to craft a Croatian itinerary, but there’s more to the country than real-life King’s Landing. You won’t be able to see it all in a single trip, but the video below maps out a nine-day Croatia itinerary that’ll give you a taste of the country’s best, from its most iconic Old Town to its second-largest city to its incredible islands. [READ MORE]( [Islands in Croatia]( The Best Islands To Visit in Croatia: Hvar, Brac, Korčula, Solta Croatia is becoming an increasingly popular summer destination for those wanting an affordable European beach vacation. With so many islands, you can choose the kind of experiences you want for your vacation — whether for relaxation, nightlife, outdoor activities, or food and wine. Each island has a rich heritage and its own distinctive cuisine, as well as activities suited to its unique geography. Departure for each of these four islands is from the coastal port city of Split, which has its own rich heritage, UNESCO-listed sites, and great ferry network. [READ MORE]( [Croatia road trip]( This Epic Road Trip Will Take You Through the Best of the Croatian Coast Coastal countries are made for scenic drives. When the coastline in question belongs to Croatia, whose seaside towns hug the Adriatic for 3,600 striking miles, any inclination toward a road trip becomes nearly irresistible. So why fight it, we say. To make the siren call of the Croatian coast that much harder to refuse, we’ve even done half the legwork for you, mapping the ultimate route from Istria to Dubrovnik. All you have to do is secure some wheels and delight in one of the Mediterranean’s most enchanting drives. [READ MORE]( [Croatia day trips]( 7 International Day Trips You Can Take From Dubrovnik To Explore the Balkans Exploring the re-tiled roofs and turquoise waters of this region on one of the many easily accessible day trips from Dubrovnik should be a top priority next time you’re visiting Croatia. [READ MORE]( [Dubrovnik]( How To Spend Three Perfect Days Exploring Dubrovnik's Coastline, History, and Nightlife Dubrovnik is a Croatian city on the Adriatic coast, known for its beaches, medieval structures, and stone walls. For many, it’s better known as one of the filming locations for King’s Landing in “Game of Thrones.” It’s no surprise that Dubrovnik is a popular destination for travelers, and ideally you’d have a full week to spend here. If you only have a few days, however, you can still appreciate all the city has to offer. [READ MORE]( [Dubrovnik Hotels]( The Finest Hotels in Dubrovnik With Spectacular Views Over the Adriatic Sea With its friendly locals, delicious seafood, and breathtaking islands and national parks, it’s no wonder why Dubrovnik is one of Europe’s most popular destinations. Its popularity comes with a price tag, in the high season finding affordable accommodation can be tricky, so planning and booking in advance is advised. To help you out, here are some of the best Dubrovnik hotels, famed for their high level of hospitality, jaw-dropping views, and amenities. [READ MORE]( Nature + Adventure [Eye of the Earth]( This Is What It Looks Like To Swim in Croatia's 'Eye of the Earth' One of the most picturesque spots in the entire country, the Eye of the Earth, officially called the Izvor Cetine, or the Cetina River Spring, is a natural spring at the base of the Dinara mountain range. Similar to a sinkhole, the natural spring is fed by the same underground aquifer that feeds the nearby Cetina River, which empties into the Adriatic Sea. And there’s no secret as to why it got its imposing nickname. [READ MORE]( [Beach towns in Croatia]( The Best Beach Towns in Croatia To Visit in the Summer You don’t need to jet off to Croatian islands like Hvar and Brač to see the country’s best beaches. Coastal towns run the length of Croatia, and while they may not look like the coastal destinations in Mexico or surf havens in California that you typically equate with a beach town, they bring European charm and elegance to the concept of a town that’s centered on a stretch of coast, and whose identity is in some ways shaped by that fact. For scenic beaches accompanied by stunning architecture and non-sunbathing activities ranging from hiking to bar-hopping, these are the Croatia beaches and beach towns to visit on your next trip to Croatia. [READ MORE]( [Krka Waterfalls ]( How To See the Stunning Krka Waterfalls Near Split, Croatia The Krka Waterfalls are an impressive natural wonder protected as part of Krka National Park in Croatia. The Krka River runs through a series of seven naturally formed waterfalls, cascading over limestone and dolomite rocks. The most famous of the Krka waterfalls is Skradinski Buk, with a height of 145 feet and width of almost 2,600 feet, making it one of the largest cascades in Europe. [READ MORE]( Food + Culture [wine in Croatia]( 4 Underrated Eastern European Wine Regions To Visit Before They’re Famous Western Europe’s beautiful wine regions get plenty of attention, and there’s a good chance you recognize them by name: Champagne, Bordeaux, and Rioja just to name a few. But there’s a whole world of wine just waiting to be discovered further afield. One of the better-known Croatian grape varieties is plavac mali, which is similar in taste to zinfandel with an ancestral varietal connection. This versatile red is arguably best tasted on the island of Hvar in the town of Jelsa on the north coast, where wineries like Tomič and Dubokovič are based. [READ MORE]( [quirky museums]( Zagreb, Croatia, Might Be the Best City in the World for Niche Museums Zagreb, like any of Europe’s coolest capitals, is flush with museums. It’s home to classic cultural staples like the National Museum of Modern Art and Museum of Contemporary Art. But Croatia’s capital also overflows with specialty museums that make it a truly memorable museum city. Zagreb museums run the gamut from educational to humorous, exploring topics ranging from heartbreak and hangovers to amateur art and illusions. For a window into Zagreb’s eclectic museum scene, and to learn more about the city and Croatia in the process, these are the Zagreb museums you’re going to want to see. [READ MORE]( [burek]( The Essential Croatian Dishes and Drinks to Try With just 4.5 million residents, Croatia is a small country by population, but it boasts a widely diverse cuisine that varies between regions. Seafood abounds along Croatia’s 1,104 miles of Adriatic coastline. In Zagreb and elsewhere inland, however, the cuisine is more meat-centric. Most of the ingredients you’ll need to make these items can be found at your local supermarket and seafood shop. Note that garlic is a staple ingredient in Croatia. If something doesn’t taste quite right, try adding a touch more garlic. Here are a few common foods and plates to try. [READ MORE]( Epic Stays Take the headache out of planning and check out our staff picks for places to stay [Infinity Pool]( [Infinity Pool]( [Epic Stays TikTok]( FOLLOW US AND FIND YOUR NEXT #TRAVELSTOKE [Facebook]( [Linkedin]( [Youtube]( [Instagram]( [TikTok]( [Pinterest]( [Custom]( [Twitter X]( [Update your email frequency and topic preferences here](. 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