Even If You Aren't a Game of Thrones Fan, There is So Much More to Experience in Croatia
Croatia is a former Yugoslav republic on the Adriatic Sea. It is about the size of West Virginia. Part of Croatia is a barren, rocky region lying in the Dinaric Alps. The Zagorje region north of Zagreb is a land of rolling hills, and the fertile agricultural region of the Pannonian Plain is bordered by the Drava, Danube, and Sava Rivers in the east. Over one-third of Croatia is forested. Due to its geographical position, Croatia has been influenced by its neighboring countries. The country gets its cultural richness from a blend of Mediterranean, Eastern, Central European, and Balkan traditions.
A popular cruise ship port of call, Croatia is a must-see destination for beach lovers, with over 1,000 miles of coastline and more than 1,200 islands. See the glistening and sparkling Adriatic Sea. Pine and olive forests provide natural shade on many of the beaches. If you've always wanted to sail, charter a boat with a qualified skipper and island-hop. There are also sailing schools if you have a more serious interest in sailing
major cities
Dubrovnik
Located on the dramatic Dalmatian Coast, Dubrovnik is the cultural and artistic hub of Croatia. Its famous walls were constructed between the 12th and 17th centuries and its Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Dubrovnik is cut off from the rest of Croatia. Just north of the city, a 12-mile strip of Bosnia and Herzegovina cuts Croatia in two.
zagreb
Zagreb is the capital of Croatia and lies at the crossroad of routes between the Adriatic Sea and Central Europe. It's Baroque architecture, vibrant markets, museums, and spacious boulevards highlight the Austro-Hungarian influence that culminates in the beautiful St. Mark's Church.
Split
The town of Split is the second-largest city in Croatia and the largest city in the Dalmatia region. The city was built around the Diocletian’s Palace (a fortress-like palace built for the retired Roman emperor Diocletian). It is where the locals sought refuge many centuries ago. Modern Split is a city with 180,000 dwellers, and it is an economic hub of the Eastern Adriatic shoreline (an unofficial "capital" of Dalmatia).
national parks
The natural beauty of the Croatian natural parks and their various flora and fauna will leave you mesmerized. Visit any or all of Croatia’s eight national parks: Brijuni, Kornati, Krka, Mljet, Paklenica, Plitvice Lakes, Risnjak and Northern Velebit. Frequently referred to as heaven on earth, Brijuni has 14 small islands that are famous for their beautiful shapes, varied and distinct forms, and high cliffs. Meanwhile, Plitvice, which has 16 lakes that are connected by waterfalls as high as 250 feet, is just another one of the Croatian national parks that will truly captivate you with its natural beauty.
The Croatian coast has given life to several scenes from the hit HBO series Game of Thrones. Recent data shows that 244,000 tourists have visited Dubrovnik, just one of the locations where the series filmed. Fans are always eager to walk the streets of Qarth when in Trogir or stroll across King's Landing in Dubrovnik. Read our blog post to find out more about Croatia's ties to this hit series.
practical guide
Climate
Croatia can be divided into three Climatic regions. In the north are the Pannonian Plains, lowlands with a continental climate of cold winters
and hot summers. Central Croatia consists of the mountainous Dinara Region, which is covered with large forests and has an alpine climate.
The Adriatic coast enjoys a Mediterranean climate of cool, rainy winters and hot, dry summers.
Photograpy Spots
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Krka National Park
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Plitvice lakes
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Jasenovac Memorial Site
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Vrbnik Bay
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Old Dinaric fortress
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Dubrovnik
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Trakošćan Castle
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Diocletian’s Palace, Split
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Roman ruins in Pula
money
The Croatian national currency is the kuna (kn). Following Croatia’s E.U. membership, some
Croatian businesses, most notably hotels and tourist agencies, began to express their prices in euros and kuna, though euros are not
officially accepted. In Croatia, credit cards are generally not accepted for private accommodations or in rural areas. In addition, some establishments that accept credit cards will offer a discount if you pay in cash. ATMs, or ‘bankomats’, are readily accessible in most parts of Croatia, especially tourist centers. Most ATMs have the option to transact in English and will accept international cards. For extra safety, bring two functioning cards with you, in case one isn't accepted. ATMs can be found in supermarkets, airports, posts offices, train stations, and banks. Note that you need a four-digit pin to operate an ATM in
Croatia.