18 Best Sights in Croatia

One of the most celebrated wineries and restaurants in Croatia, the progressive Josić Winery, headed by the brilliant Damir Josić in the settlement of Zmajevac, is a must-visit. It is located on a steep deeply-cut road formed by gullies called a surduk, which is flanked by wine cellars dug into the hill above called gatori. Josić is the best-known but there are other smaller wineries on the same road which can be visited by appointment or during the "wine marathon" that takes place every September. The on-site restaurant, with a romantic indoor setting and lively atmosphere on the terrace, is deservedly popular for its traditional meals, including stews cooked over an open fire at the entrance. Call ahead to arrange a tour of the cellars and a wine tasting; those craving a glass of red wine in this land of whites will be happy to learn that although 50% of its production is Graševina, Josić is renowned for its Cabernet Sauvignon and Cuvée.

Near the small medieval hill town of Momjan, the Kabola Winery is a must-visit for wine and olive oil aficionados. This boutique winery offers tours of its wine cellar and small wine museum and full tastings in its picturesque traditional Istrian farmhouse. Vintners since 1891, the Markezic family produces only organic wines and extra-virgin olive oil. Their wines are wonderful, with their Malvazija Unica, Teran, and Dolce being some of the more popular. Their olive oil blends three kinds of olives: indigenous Istarska Bjelica mixed with Leccino and Pendolino. Fresh, well-rounded, and balanced, it marries perfectly with seafood, cheese, and salads. Call in advance to arrange a visit to sample their wares.

Perched on a hill overlooking Trstenica Beach, award-winning Korta Katarina is a sophisticated venue to try Pelješac wines and the most accessible winery from Orebić. Korta is the name for the typical courtyards outside sea captains' homes around town, while Katarina is the daughter of the American couple, Lee and Penny Anderson, who traveled to Croatia in 2001, fell in love with it, and opened the winery. A winery tour, tasting, and optional food pairings, which range from gourmet tapas to a divine five-course pairing menu, can be arranged in advance. For an immersive winery experience, the five-star Villa Korta Katerina next door, a Relais & Chateaux member, has eight luxury rooms available to rent.

At Gianfranco and Antonella Kozlović's stylish architecturally impressive winery, which complements the scenic countryside, you can enjoy an extensive wine tasting indoors or on their outdoor terrace overlooking the vineyard. If you call ahead, you can enjoy a full tasting of wine and olive oil as you enjoy local cheeses and prosciutto. Next door is Stari Podrum, one of the best tavern restaurants in Istria.

A wine cellar, restaurant, hotel, and history lesson all rolled into one, Stari Podrum is the old cellar of one of Croatia's most renowned wineries, Iločki Podrumi, and a must-visit when in Ilok (even if you're not into drinking wine). The Odescalchi family began producing high-class wines here in the 18th century, including the celebrated Traminac varietal, which was served at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. A private tour will take you through the atmospheric cellars, past Slavonian oak barrels to the prestigious archive wines and old bottles, full of dust and cobwebs, that were hidden behind a wall for protection during the Homeland War. You can organize a tour and tasting for around €10. The on-site restaurant serves delicious Slavonian dishes, including melt-in-your-mouth black pork dishes; you can eat inside surrounded by traditional embroidery and heavy wooden furniture or outdoors in the sunny central courtyard. Accommodations can also be arranged in one of 18 spacious and comfortable on-site rooms.

You can taste, experience, and shop all at this well-regarded value-oriented winery. The tasting room provides a sampling of their high-quality Istrian wines, olive oils, and cheeses. One white varietal, Malvazija, is well known throughout the Adriatic, dating back to the days of the Venetian city-states. Muškat Ottonel is another high-quality native variety. Small lovingly produced batches of barrique provide high-quality (red) wine that is well-regarded in restaurants and hotels across Croatia. You can also get guided tastings, cellar tours, wine roads, and vineyard tours, and the winery has the largest AgroLaguna single olive grove in Croatia.

This winery, which operates a wine boutique in Zadar, produces wine both from native Dalmatian varieties, including Babić, Plavina, Lašina, and Debit, and nonnative grapes, including Grenache and Shiraz. The winery itself is located just outside of Skradin.

The Cuj olive oils (and wines) are a true labor of love and passion. Owner Danijel Kraljevic—Cuj—will infuse you with both when you visit his wine and olive oil estate in the village of Farnažine near Umag. A beautifully restored, old stone building houses an olive mill, wine cellar, and tasting room with an open fireplace. He produces three single-sort extra-virgin olive oils—Buža, Črna, and Bjelica—and one multi-sort extra-virgin olive oil—Selekcija. Call in advance to arrange a visit.

At Katunar Winery on the island of Krk, you can sample the Žlatina varietal, which is indigenous to the island. Individual visits and group tours can be arranged to sample the dry white Žlahtina Katunar, the Černo Katunar (a dry red), or the "pearl wine" Biser Mora, a dessert wine produced from 100% žlahtina grapes. This dry white wine is famous around the world.

If you only visit one winery in the Golden Valley, make it Krauthaker. Vlado Krauthaker was one of the first private wine producers to emerge after the fall of communism, opening his winery in 1992. He is still widely considered one of the best (and most humble) winemakers in the country, producing a dozen varietals including award-winning Chardonnay. The location is lovely, with a terrace overlooking the town, a small pond and bridge, and colorful wine barrels scattered around the premises. Call ahead to arrange a visit.

There are 30 different wineries to choose from around Kutjevo; the biggest, and oldest, is Kutjevačko Vinogorje. The story of this winery is the story of Kutjevo itself; its cellars date back to 1232, when the town was founded by Cistercian monks from Hungary. Over the years, it passed into the hands of Ottomans, Jesuits, Habsburgs, and private families, and the stories of each of these eras and the influence they left on Kutjevo are etched chronologically onto the Slavonian oak barrels in the cellar. Ask your guide about the legend of Maria Theresa Habsburg and her dalliances on the circular stone table (where wine tastings are done). Call ahead to reserve an appointment.

With vineyards in the northeast, Matošević Winery welcomes visitors for a tour and tasting at their top-notch cellars in Krunčići, near Sveti Lovreč, a village not far from Rovinj. Their Malvazijas Rubina and Alba bear international renown and are served at many Michelin-starred restaurants.

A family boutique winery in the northeast corner of the peninsula between Buje and Umag, Coronica produces some of Croatia's most delicious wines. A highlight is their Malvazija, a white grape native to Istria best enjoyed served with fish and seafood. The Gran Teran, a local variety of red wine, has been a gold medal winner at international wine competitions for many years.  

On the beautiful vineyard-strewn island of Hvar you can visit the winery where the Plančić family has been producing a variety of top-quality wines, including rosé and dessert wines, as well as local rakija, since 1919. Look out for Bogdanuša (dry white wine) or Ivan Dolac (a select red). Call the winery for information about tours and tastings.

This award-winning winery on the island of Hvar—along with its restaurant Bilo Idro and on-site hotel—are well worth a visit. The Zlatan Plavac (a dry red) made by Zlatan Plenković has continually won prestigious awards at local and international wine fairs since the early 1990s. Call ahead for information about winery visits.

This small family-run winery in Golaš, a small village in Bale, just 17 km (10½ miles) south of Rovinj, is housed in a beautifully restored 150-year-old farmhouse with exposed stones and large wooden beams. The property features a wine cellar, a tasting room with a big open fireplace, and a small ethnographic museum displaying old family photos and equipment that once was used in the wine-making process in Istria. Don’t let their Malvazija Istarska fool you–although the wine is fresh, easy to drink, and sweet, it is still 14% alcohol. They also produce a few reds, a rosé, and the sweet dessert, Muscat Žuti. If the owner, Janja, happens to be there, ask her to let you taste her raisin wine, which isn't for sale. You can also stay in the winery's modern pension.

Don’t miss a trip to Trapan Food & Wine Station in Šišan, less than 10 km (6 miles) from Pula. A visit to this trendy winery includes a wine tasting and tour, with a full gastronomy experience available to complement the wines offered. Popular labels to take home include Uroboros and Ponente, both white wines of 100% Malvazija Istarska, and Che, a sparkling wine of 100% Terrano.

The recipient of many awards for its bottles of the famous Babić wine variety—today a symbol of Primošten, Šibenik, and all of Croatia—Vinoplod Winery can be contacted for tours and tastings.