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Croatia Travel Guide

Croatia’s Top 12 Experiences

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From spectacular seaside towns to beautiful vineyards, Croatia offers terrific experiences that should be on every traveler's list. Here are Fodor's top picks for a memorable trip.

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Dubrovnik

Few sights in Croatia are as impressive or popular as this medieval wonder of a city. With its ancient walls and bell towers set high above the blue waters of the Adriatic, Dubrovnik commands a spectacular location.

PLAN YOUR TRIPVisit Fodor's Southern Dalmatia Travel Guide

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Sailing

A coastline studded with stunning islands, emerald inlets, unspoiled beaches, and lively towns makes the country a paradise for avid boating enthusiasts.

PLAN YOUR TRIPVisit Fodor's Croatia Travel Guide

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Diocletian Palace

The city’s main attraction, the emperor Diocletian’s summer palace, dates to the third century A.D. The walls of this spectacular site surround the old town.

PLAN YOUR TRIPVisit Fodor's Central Dalmatia Travel Guide

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Hvar

The seaside town of Hvar is the country’s nightlife capital and a favorite destination of yachting revelers and nature enthusiasts alike.

PLAN YOUR TRIPVisit Fodor's Central Dalmatia Travel Guide

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Seafood

Croatians believe in simple yet high-quality cooking. Many restaurants serve delicious fresh seafood, and sometimes you can pick a fish to be cooked right off the platter.

PLAN YOUR TRIPVisit Fodor's Croatia Travel Guide

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National Parks

Parks protect some of Croatia’s abundant natural wonders. Plitvice National Park, one of the most spectacular, has sixteen magnificent lakes connected by cascades.

PLAN YOUR TRIPVisit Fodor's Croatia Travel Guide

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Zagreb Museums

Two of the country’s best museums are in Zagreb, the charming capital set in the interior: the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Museum of Broken Relationships.

PLAN YOUR TRIPVisit Fodor's Zagreb and Environs Travel Guide

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Wine

Vineyards produce excellent wines, many from Istrian villages like Motovun. Sometimes touted as “the new Tuscany,” Istria is known for its white Malvazija and red Teran.

PLAN YOUR TRIPVisit Fodor's Istria Travel Guide

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Cafe Culture

Coffee drinking is a favorite national pastime. Do it the local way: Linger at a café, unwind, and make that cappuccino or espresso last for at least an hour.

PLAN YOUR TRIPVisit Fodor's Croatia Travel Guide

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Beaches

Lovely beaches abound in Croatia, but Zlatni Rat, a spit of land on Brač Island, is particularly stunning with its white sand, lush pine groves, and intensely blue water.

PLAN YOUR TRIPVisit Fodor's Central Dalmatia Travel Guide

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Biking

Exploring towns and the countryside by bike is both fun and smart. Village streets aren’t always easy to navigate on foot, and rural roads have scenic views.

PLAN YOUR TRIPVisit Fodor's Croatia Travel Guide

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Picturesque Towns

It’s hard to imagine a city with a more romantic and relaxing setting than quaint Rovinj, with its gentle sea breezes, limestone alleys, and colorful architecture.

PLAN YOUR TRIPVisit Fodor's Istria Travel Guide