Choose from 95 Fun Things to Do in Croatia
Split Cruise Port
In front of the palace walls along the waterfront is the Riva, which is lined by outdoor cafes and always teeming. During summer, Split becomes a focus for music and dance festivals. The city is also a major ferry port for the popular nearby islands such as Hvar, Brač and Vis.
How to Get to Split
Smaller ships will dock near the ferry terminals, larger ships will anchor offshore and provide tender transport. From the ferry terminal it is an easy walk around to the city center along the waterfront to the Riva. The city center is tucked in behind the palace walls and there are plenty of gates and entrances leading you inside. If you would rather beach than history, turn right from the ferry terminal and follow the crowds to Bačvice, the main city beach which also has cafes and restaurants.
One Day in Split
The historic center of Split is small and easy to explore on foot in a few hours. Head into the Diocletian Palace and wander the marble streets which are lined with all the major shops and lots of cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops and churches. Don't miss the Cathedral and if you have a head for heights, climb the bell tower for wonderful views over the city to the islands. A small musuem inside the cathedral is worth a visit.
Across the middle square, the Peristil, and down a small passage is Jupiter's Temple – don't miss it. From the Peristil head up to the archaeological museum and wander around and behind it to fully explore the palace remains and how people still live there today. The main street is Marmontova, a wide pedestrian-only strip of shops.
If you like art, don't miss the Meštrović Gallery on Marjan hill, dedicated to the work Croatia’s most famous sculptor, Ivan Meštrović (a taxi is your easiest way). Below this is another lovely beach. Just outside the city walls is the market where you’ll find hats, sunglasses, clothing and lots of souvenirs.
Port Information
Split is a tender port so allow transfer times. The language is Croatian but nearly everyone speaks excellent English and most menus are in Croatian, English and Italian, some also German. The currency is the kuna but many places also accept euro. Taxis are easily found between the port and the city center.
Morske Orgulje (Sea Organ)
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Stone Gate (Kamenita Vrata)
The origins of the Stone Gate date back to as early as 1266 and today the restored archway forms a key part of the ruins of the ancient city walls. The story goes that the original gate featured a painting of Mary holding baby Jesus and after a devastating fire swept through the capital in 1731, the artwork miraculously survived, appearing to locals like the image of the Virgin Mary was emerging from the ashes. Today the painting is the centerpiece of the chapel built in its honor, protected by an ornate iron grille, and forming the basis of the country’s largest shrine.
Rupe Ethnographic Museum
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Park Bundek
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Stradun
The Stradun - also known locally as Placa - is the main street in Dubrovnik’s Old Town, running west from Pile Gate to Ploce Gate and the harbor in the east.
The city's biggest and most iconic street, the Stradun is also the town’s busiest. There’s a constant shuffle of feet along its limestone and marble pavings as locals go about their business and tourists explore the architectural treasures of the Old Town.
The Stradun was once a shallow water channel that divided Dubrovnik. Filled and paved in the 12th century, this wide street was originally surrounded by Gothic and Renaissance buildings. These buildings were mostly destroyed in an earthquake in 1667, which devastated much of the town.
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In what must have been a monumental rebuilding effort, the Stradun, and the baroque buildings we see along its length today, were rebuilt. There’s plenty to see as you walk along the Stradun – all the cities main sights are on or just off the main thoroughfare – stone houses, baroque churches and palaces, fountains and statues, and plenty of bars, shops and restaurants.
The Stradun starts at the Old Town’s main entrance, Pile Gate and runs directly west through the centre of the Old Town to Ploce Gate and the harbor in the east.
Strossmayer Promenade
Although most visitors stroll the walkway to take in the panoramic views, the most atmospheric time to visit the Strossmayer Promenade is during the summer months, when the Strossmarte street festival takes over the area and the street is teeming with artists, musicians and food stalls.
St Mark's Cathedral
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Lokrum Island
- It’s not possible to stay overnight on the island, so be sure to arrange return transport.
- Smoking is not permitted on Lokrum Island.
- Bring swim shoes to protect your feet from the rocky shore, and plenty of water if you plan on hiking.
- The island has several cafés and small restaurants. Alternatively, bring picnic supplies.
Hvar Fortress
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Sponza Palace
At the end of the Placa - or Stradun - in Luza Square stands the gorgeous Gothic-Renaissance Sponza Palace.
Built in 1516-1522 to serve as a customs house, Sponza is one of the few buildings to have survived the 1667 earthquake that levelled much of the city. Designed by chief architect Paskoje Milicevic, the Palace is a mixture of Gothic and Renaissance styles popularized in the 16th century.
The exquisite Renaissance porch and the sculptural ornaments of the building were carved by master stone-cutters, the brothers Andrijic, in 1516.
Sponza Palace has had many lives since its beginnings as a customs house: the mint, the State treasury and a bank. It now houses the State archives, a significant collection of manuscripts dating back nearly a thousand years.
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The palace courtyard, historically a meeting place for Dubrovnik’s artists and intellectuals, regularly hosts art exhibits and concerts and plays a unique role in the opening ceremony for the city’s Summer Festival.
Sponza Palace is in Luza Square at the end of the Placa Stradun, in the Old Town.
Mount Medvednica
Another key attraction of Medvednica is the medieval fortress of Medvedgrad, originally built in 1242 and now home to the Altar of the Homeland memorial, a poignant dedication to the local soldiers who fought and died in the Croatian war of independence. Alternatively, pay a visit to the Veternica Cave, one of the largest in Croatia, or tour the historic silver mining area of Zrinski Mine.
Mount Medvednica also serves as the backdrop for a number of annual events, including medieval reenactments and knights’ tournaments held in the grounds of the historic castle and the winter Snow Queen festival, held in honor of legendary Croatian skier Janica Kostelic, who first learned to ski on the slopes.
Museum of Broken Relationships
- The Museum of Broken Relationships is a must for sightseers who need a break from the traditional tourist trail.
- Find a café and a shop selling souvenirs, including clothing and stationary, at the museum.
- The Museum of Broken Relationships is wheelchair accessible.
Salona
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Lotrscak Tower
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Samobor
Located 25km west of Zagreb, Samobor makes a popular day trip from the capital and a scenic base for exploring the woodland trails of the surrounding Samobor Hills, as well as the caves and gorges of the Zumberak I Samobor Gorje Prirodni Nature Park. In the town itself, the majority of sights are clustered around the central Kralja Tomislava square, including the Gothic St Michael's Church, the Church of St Anastasia and the Town Museum (Gradski Muzej) - all striking examples of Samobor’s historic architecture.
Samobor is also renowned as a center of Croatian gastronomy and has a wealth of fine restaurants and local specialties to impress even the most seasoned foodies. Samobor's famous aperitif, Bermet is traditionally sipped before a meal, but most indulgent are the desserts, including traditional dishes like Rudorska Greblica, a rich cheesecake, or Samoborska Kremšnita, a delicious vanilla custard pastry.