Croatia has been cropping up with increasing regularity on top-ten travel lists for years now—a phenomenon that does not surprise anyone who’s ever spent the evening sipping wine on a Croatian terrace, high above the glittering Adriatic.

Boasting some of the most stunning stretches of coastline in the Mediterranean, Croatia’s sapphire waters and pebbled beaches beckon visitors to while away the day with a beach towel and a paperback, while its rich history and delicious cuisine turn every walk and meal into a cultural adventure.

The Land

With more than 1,000 islands to explore, travelers are spoiled for choice. Active types will find plenty of pursuits to occupy their time both on land and at sea, with snorkeling, windsurfing, kayaking, hiking, cycling, and rock climbing all on the menu. 

Those who like their vacations a bit mellower can spend their afternoons wandering the shady lanes of ancient walled cities, ducking into museums and seaside taverns for a dose of European history and grilled squid.

Croatia’s interior may not offer the balmy ocean breezes of Dubrovnik or Hvar, but it holds the sort of rugged, pastoral appeal that makes European road-tripping so magical. 

The coastal Dinaric Range looms over a wilderness of limestone caverns, waterfalls, and lakes that gradually gives way to bucolic pastures and vineyards as you make your way further inland. Sturdy farmhouses and medieval villages dot the central landscape of Zagorje, while the town of Varaždin, clad in Baroque beauty, sits along the passage north to Hungary.

The Food

While there’s no doubt the natural beauty of Croatia is a huge draw, the food here just as memorable.

Croatian cuisine is as multifaceted as the country’s tumultuous history, with culinary influences from Italy, Hungary, Austria, and Turkey, depending on which part of the country you’re dining in. Expect plenty of fresh seafood (particularly scampi), spiced stews, high-quality olive oil, red wine, and all sorts of charcuterie fare.

Nearly every Dalmatian menu will include crni rižot (black risotto), and it’s a must-try. The risotto gets its rich black coloring from squid ink and incorporates other seafood such as mussels, clams, or squid.

Older taverns tend to favor simple, tasty homestyle cooking, but there’s also a rising cadre of young chefs keen to put a modern, adventurous spin on classic dishes. Dubrovnik, Zagreb, Šibenik, Rovinj, and Lovran all boast Michelin-starred restaurants with inventive menus.

The History

For such a small country, Croatia has no shortage of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with ten in total to explore.

Marvel at the juxtaposition of Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance architecture in Dubrovnik’s Old City; visit the eerie, crumbling stećci (medieval tombstones) in cemeteries across the country; hunt for rainbows in Plitvice Lakes, one of the most stunning national parks around; or head to Split and wander the palace of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, built in 300AD.

There’s no wrong choice here—whether your thing is art, architecture, history, or nature, Croatia has an ancient wonder to match.

If its beauty, food, and history aren’t quite enough to convince you this Mediterranean gem needs to be on your bucket list, the exchange rate just might be: one US dollar is equal to a little over six Croatian kuna. Even in hotspots like Dubrovnik, you’ll still get a great deal on anything that catches your eye.

So what are you waiting for? If you’re ready to start planning a trip to Croatia and a few other stops around Europe, then you could be a great fit for our Curated Trips by TravelBash. Find out more about our upcoming trip!

Courtnie is the founder & CEO of TravelBash. After years as an ambitious fundraiser, she took her passion for travel full-time. She has lived all over the U.S. and abroad and after planning her own destination wedding, she decided to help other couples plan their big day abroad too. She has written “Passport to Paradise: The Complete Destination Wedding Guide,” a top seller on Amazon. She has also been featured in Travel + Leisure, Destination I Do and The Washington Post. As a certified travel advisor, expert event planner and natural connector, she uses her powers to create VIP travel experiences.