Croatia, the Pearl of Adriatic Sea

Overview

Croatia is known as the secret garden of Europe, and has been listed as the No.1 tourist destination, the best travel destination in Europe, and the most worthwhile place in Europe by "Lonely Planet" many times!

This small country located on the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe, across the sea from Italy, was once a powder keg in Europe. After vicissitudes of war and war, it is now as peaceful as a surviving and independent pearl of the sea.

Living in an ancient town with white walls and red tiles, every day, wake up and open your curtain to see a long emerald green sea. If you have ever imagined such a life, then this is the place where dreams come true.

Strolling in these mottled streets is like traveling back to ancient Europe with a sense of mystery. It's no wonder that "Game of Thrones", a fantasy drama based on ancient European history, uses it as a location for filming.

You will forget the breathe when you see the dreamlike national park here...

The coastal road here connects the ancient city, fortress, bay, and countryside into a line. The scenery on the road can always give you unexpected surprises.

Sitting on the beach here, it seems that you have forgotten the passage of time and the noise, only your heartbeat and the sound of the waves hitting the rocks.

This pure land that seems to exist only in the stories is Croatia. One of the favorite holiday destinations of Europeans.

Travel time:

All year round, the best months are from April to September

Croatia has a mild climate and good for traveling almost all year round, with an average temperature of around 15 degrees. Dubrovnik, known as the film loaction of  "Game of Thrones", has more than 200 sunny days throughout the year, making it one of the most sunny places in Europe.

The Mediterranean climate of the coastal made the Croatia's good weather with its sunshine and sea breeze. Summer is Croatia's peak travel season, the sun is shining, and the beaches are full of tourists. Autumn(September & October) is the best tourist season to visit Croatia, because of its  pleasant weather and less crowds.

Does Croatia snows? yes, it does. Snow is very likely, and can be pretty heavy during the winter.

Recommended itinerary

Sitting in a medieval-style quaint café, drinking a cup of coffee, basking in the sun under the ruined walls, interpreting the stories of the past, standing on the beach and blowing the sea breeze... People living here, just like this in their casual daily life, Slowly pass on history.

Let's explore the number one tourist destination in Europe along the long coastline of the Adriatic sponge!

Dubrovnik

"Game of Thrones" location

Dubrovnik is a port city on the southern tip of Croatia and is known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic". The sunshine, red roofs and blue waves of Dubrovnik all demonstrate the charm of a seaside town. This ancient city is well-preserved, has a long history and charming scenery, which has attracted the creation team of "Game of Thrones".

As a Nationlal World Heritage Site, Dubrovnik deserves its name as the most popular tourist city in Croatia. The tall city walls, mottled monasteries, solemn medieval churches, and the long alleys with deep stone steps here have jointly composed a historical scroll, waiting for you to read it carefully.

The filming location of King's Landing in the hit American drama "Game of Thrones" is set in Dubrovnik. If you are a fan of this series, looking for scenes in various dramas in the old city is one of good tour ways. After being here, you will find that the epic magnificence of this small town is not only in the play.

▶Strolling in the ancient streets and alleys like a citizen of its own

▶Climb the ancient city wall and measure the historical imprint with your footsteps

Some people say that if you come to Dubrovnik and haven't walk around the old city wall overlook the sea, you won't really be here. The well-preserved city wall surrounds the entire old city. If you have also watched "Game of Thrones", you must have an inexplicable intimacy with this city wall.

Standing on the circular walkway on the top of the old city wall, a panoramic view of the castle, monastery, baroque dome church, and Orlando stone pillars are right in front of you . At sunset, you can also enjoy the sparkling Adriatic Sea and the red roofs of  city.

▶Sitting at the Westport Wharf, letting time flow

There is a harbour under the wall at the east of the old city, and a row of benches is neatly placed on its aisle. The sea here is as blue as a sapphire left by God on the earth. Sitting by the harbour, the salty Mediterranean sea breeze blows on your face, exuding the breath of laziness. Looking at the morning light or the setting sun, flocks of seabirds are flying on the sea, sitting on the beach like this, letting time flow, comfortable and cozy.

▶Climbing by cable car, overlooking the whole red tile town

If you want a panoramic view of the old city, Mount Said is a place to go. You can take the cable car to the top of the mountain.

Standing on the top of the mountain and looking at the appearance of Dubrovnik's old city, you can clearly feel that this most prosperous and elegant city in Croatia is beautiful and concrete, as if there is a charming vitality flowing in it.

*Small Tip

Because of hills and many stairs in the old city, it is necessary to practice your physical strength before you go. the main tour mode in Dubrovnik is walking. Therefore, you must bring a pair of comfirtable shoes .

Split

Tradition and modernity are perfectly combined here

Split is the second largest city in Croatia and a well-known health and tourist resort in Europe. This is a busy and vibrant ancient city, with clean streets, thousands of years of ancient buildings, and a beautiful coastline suitable for vacations. Whether it's traditional or modern, urban life or natural scenery, Split is perfectly balanced.

You can still see the trivialities of history in the rubble of today's Roman ruins. The fascinating thing about Split is that it does not deliberately preserve the romantic ideal past. The lives of generations of people began in the ruins of thousands of years and lived with them.

▶Diocletian's Palace, the heart of Split

Diocletian’s Palace is the only well-preserved and large-scale of the ruins of the Roman Empire Palace that is not in Italy . It is different from other ancient Roman monuments. It is not an attraction only for tourists to visit, but is integrated into Split city life.

There are more than 200 buildings within the boundaries of the palace, housing nearly 3,000 people living here. It has become the beating heart of the city of Split.

▶Sit on the street and taste a cup of coffee, feel the wonder of traveling through the past and the present

The moonlight falls under the coastal mountains, and the ancient city is reflected in the mirror-like calm Adriatic Sea, making Split even more fascinating. You can walk into a street restaurant and enjoy a delicious Dalmatian seafood; or sit on a bench on the street, holding a cup of coffee, watching various people come and go.

Sail away and explore the beautiful sea

Taking a boat out to sea is the favorite pastime of Croatians. Come to Croatia, rent a small yacht at the pier and explore the islands of Croatia. In this small sea area, there are more than a thousand small islands and beautiful scenery waiting for your patronage.

Cruise and yachting activities in Croatia are mainly oeprating in summer. So if you want to go to sail out, please come here between April and September.

Hvar Island

Bask in the brightest sun in Europe

Hvar Island is not only the laziness of the island, but also the style of Eastern Europe. The locals like to talk about olives and sea breeze, as well as the carnival party that started after a glass of iced Gölk.

It is the sunniest and greenest island in the Adriatic Sea. It is said that it enjoys 300 days of sunshine throughout the year, which is enough to have 2724 hours of brilliant sunshine!

What's more special is that the open-air nightclub on the island can be called the party headquarters of European and American celebrities. The Beyoncés and Prince Harry have both come here on vacation and enjoy this hilarious place.

Let the blue waves sweep away all the tiredness,  come here and live a sunny day!

Blue Grotto

There are blue caves in three places in the world, Maeda Cape in Okinawa, Capri Island in Italy, and one in Croatia.

The best time to enter the Blue Hole is at noon when the sun is right. When the sunlight passes through the top of the hole and hits the water in the hole to produce refraction, you can see the most wonderful scene in the blue hole.

It is worth mentioning that if you want to see the blue hole, you need to cooperate with the right time and place to appreciate the true charm of the blue hole.

Zadar

The setting sun and the sea organ play a seaside movement

Zadar is located at the end of a small peninsula in southern Croatia and is the most unique point on Croatia's long and narrow coastline. It is a lazy and comfortable town. The ancient Roman ruins all over the streets, the most beautiful sunset, the whisper of the sea organ... are all the charms of this town.

▶Greeting to the sun and embrace the most beautiful sunset in the town

"Greeting to the Sun" is a must-see attraction in Zadar. It is located on the sidewalk just beside the sea and consists of 300 layers of glass panels. It is the masterpiece of local architect Nikola Basic. On sunny days, it collects solar energy, and the energy is enough to support the lighting system of the entire harbor.

During the day, here is a huge mirror surface. You can sit on the ground and study your own reflection, pose in various funny poses and take pictures. All men, women and children, young and old, can have fun here...

▶ Sea Organ , listen to the music composed by the sea

These stone steps have a beautiful name - "Sea Organ". It is also a masterpiece of Nikola Basic. It uses a unique architectural design to give the sea a different vitality.

Whenever the sea water rises to a certain level, the waves slap against the staggered steps, making beautiful music sound similar to the organ.

Visitors from all over the world are accepted here every day. They sit here in the same place, waiting for the sunset to slowly dive into the sea, waiting for the tide to beat back and forth, quietly listening to the low and peaceful tone of the sea organ.

Plitvice Lakes

cascading lakes

The Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia’s most popular & beautiful  tourist attraction, was granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1979. Located roughly halfway between capital city Zagreb and Zadar on the coast, the lakes are a definite must-see in Croatia.

The beauty of the National Park lies in its sixteen lakes, inter-connected by a series of waterfalls, and set in deep woodland populated by deer, bears, wolves, boars and rare bird species. 

There’s also quite an altitude difference – the highest point is at 1,280m, the lowest at 380m – so you can see it from different angles.

The mineral-rich lake water presents shades of blue under the sunlight, shimmering beautifully like pieces of emerald. Tired of seeing the neon flashes of the city, the tranquil beauty of Plitvice’s paradise, will surely sway you.

The entire park is connected by the surrounding mountain roads and the wooden plank road on the lake. Walking on the wooden plank road, you can reach every inch of the park.

▶Autumn scenery is more unique, and the gorgeous colors are dazzling

Although the park is beautiful all year round, autumn is the best season to visit. It is a gluttonous feast of colors in autumn, with beech, spruces and firs as its palette.

As the autumn wind blows, leaves of various colors are rushing like waves, from mountain to mountain, wave after wave, covering the entire Plitvice Lakes, staged a never-ending landscape show.