Croatia‘s mainland coast is over 1,000 miles long, with the Adriatic Basin consisting of over 1,000 islands, around 50 of which are permanently inhabited. Surrounded by clear turquoise waters, the islands of Hvar (pictured above) and Korčula are considered the sunniest islands in Croatia, each receiving over 2,700 hours of sunshine per year.
Besides the beautiful waters and seemingly endless sunshine, Croatia’s coast is also well-known for the famous port cities of Split, Dubrovnik and Zadar, each offering hundreds of years of history woven into their narrow winding streets and ancient palace walls. As the Adriatic coast used to be part of the Venetian Republic, walking through Croatia’s port cities has a very Venice-y feel.
Traveling along the Croatian coastline, you’ll spend your days lounging under the Mediterranean sun coursing through the stunningly blue waters of the Adriatic.
Depending on what specific tour route you choose, you’ll spend time in various ports both on the mainland and on several islands, with the chance to do some exploring on your own and have some fun with the local nightlife. Here are some of the highlights you’ll hit while on tour with Oh! So Croatia:
Split
Split was once part of the Eastern Roman Empire, and has an abundance of stunning Roman architecture that is still around today. The city’s crown jewel is Diocletian’s Palace (pictured left), named after Emperor Diocletian, who made the decision to split the mighty Roman Empire into Western and Eastern branches.
This huge complex now forms the heart of the old town, and shops and cafes now occupy the ancient streets.
Zadar
Zadar’s structure also came from Roman times, with the Roman forum and the Roman aqueduct both high on the must-see list for travellers sailing the Croatian coast. The sea organ and the sun salutation installation are also popular sights for visitors to Zadar.
Dubrovnik
Known as the “pearl of the Adriatic,” the city has gained popularity in recent years due to its use as a filmset in the popular series Game of Thrones, with Dubrovnik providing the backdrop for scenes in the mythical towns of Kings Landing and Qarth.
The city’s intact city walls, which run uninterrupted for 1940 meters around Dubrovnik, is one of the most beautiful and strongest fortified systems in Europe; it is the main attraction to the city’s visitors, and is part of what helped it qualify as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
All photos in this article were provided by our friends at Oh! So Croatia, who provide tours throughout Croatia with a perfect combination of major attractions, off the beaten track locations, festivals and secluded beaches! The tours start in Zagreb, Zadar or Split lasting from 2 – 12 days.
Oh! So Croatia lets you experience the major sights like Plitvice National Park and Dubrovnik, and also makes sure you have time to chill and relax on a secluded beach you would otherwise never find…It’s the way to see Croatia!
