3 Must-See Spots in Captivating Croatia

Nestled in southeast Europe close to Hungary, Slovenia, Serbia, Bosnia, Herzegovina, and Montenegro, Croatia’s curvaceous Mediterranean coastline, charming walled towns, and lively culture have transformed it from a fringe attraction to a tourist hotspot. There are plenty of amazing activities to pack into a holiday here, but if you’re a first-timer to these shores, the following three must-see spots in Croatia should give you a head start!

1 Dubrovnik

If you’re a fan of Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik might be familiar to you because this is the filming location for scenes at Red Keep, Qarth, and King’s Landing.

Climbing the city walls is one of the best ways to see the entire vista. These walls have been here since the 7th Century AD, although their current incarnation dates from the 15th Century. The fall of Constantinople and the possibility of Ottoman invasion saw them rapidly constructed by officials.

• St Johns Fortress is a particularly well-preserved part of the walls and contains a small aquarium and museum.
• The Church of St. Blaise is a beautiful example of Baroque architecture, showcasing its gorgeous Gothic-Renaissance style.

2 Istria

The Istrian Riviera is a picturesque peninsula that is perpetually popular with visitors. Here you’ll find fine cuisine, historical attractions, blissful beaches, and much more.

For wine enthusiasts, there are wonderful wineries to visit, including:

• Trapan
• Damjanic
• Kozlovic
• Kabola

The Parenzana Trail is the main attraction for cyclists. Meanwhile, for sun, sea, and sand, head to the beaches at:

• Rabac
• Rovinj Lone Bay
• Porec

Here, you can swim, snorkel, cliff dive, or simply sit sipping a drink while watching the world go by. Foodies are well catered for in Istria, with a number of lip-smacking restaurants, such as: