Got the most of its history, Croatia has been a part of some other country, before gaining its independence in 1991. It was a part of Hungary, then briefly a part of the Ottoman Empire before becoming a part of the Hapsburg empire in Austro-Hungary. In 1918, it was united with other South Slav lands in Yugoslavia. All those countries and regimes had left its mark on its architecture and people, creating a unique blend of landscape an customs, while preserving its Mediterranean charm.
1. Visit Dubrovnik
img source: europeanwesternbalkans.rs
Dubrovnik is an ancient town on the South Adriatic coast. Throughout its history, it was a merchant republic, modeled on Venice, until Napoleon conquered it in 1806. After his defeat, the town became a part of Austria. It was an important commercial center during its independence, connecting cities and towns on the Balkan peninsula with the rest of the world. Its merchant marina sailed across the globe, bringing various goods home. The Old Port is perfectly conserved and it is an excellent example of a medieval city, which is why many movies and TV shows were filmed there, including Game of Thrones. It is placed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list.
2. Diving in Blue Lagoon
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Blue Lagoon is located near Split. Its beautiful crystal-clear waters are perfect for diving and the locals had made them even more interesting by placing various statues on the bottom of the shallow bay. Many of them are biblical, representing the Station of the Cross. There are guided tours from Split daily, where you can rent the equipment and hire a guide. After exhausting yourself on a dive, you can head out to a nearby island of Solta to chill on a beautiful beach and watch the sunset.
3. Explore Plitvice National Park
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While it is true that Croatia is mostly famous for its amazing coastline, there is plenty to see and enjoy inland as well. One of the must-see sites is Plitvice National Park, a two-hour bus ride for the capital Zagreb. Placed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list because of its astounding natural beauty, Plitvice is one of the most visited attractions in Croatia.
4. Spend a day on Zlatni Rat Beach on Brac
img source: croatia.hr
The island of Brac is located near Split. It is the third-largest island in the Adriatic, with Supetar as its main town, with 3,300 inhabitants. The island has an airport, so you have options for getting on and off it. Zlatni Rat or Golden Cape or Golden Horn as it is also known is located on the southern tip of the island. Its constantly shifting sands are often described as one of the most beautiful beaches in the Adriatic.
