Croatia enters 2026 as one of Europe’s most compelling getaways- where fortified medieval cities, Roman-era landmarks, and waterfall-filled national parks sit within easy reach of the Adriatic coast. Since adopting the euro and fully joining the Schengen Area in 2023, many travelers find it simpler to plan multi-country European itineraries that include Croatia.

 

 

best 7 Places to Visit in Croatia 2026 Travel Guide

 

1- Dubrovnik (Old City)

Dubrovnik’s walled Old City—long nicknamed the “Pearl of the Adriatic”-rose as a major Mediterranean sea power from the 13th century, and its historic fabric remains one of the region’s great open-air museums.

A walk along the fortifications is still the essential Dubrovnik experience, framing terracotta rooftops, stone lanes, and sea views in a single circuit.

 

2- Split (Diocletian’s Palace)

Split’s story is anchored inside Diocletian’s Palace, a late-3rd/early-4th-century Roman complex built as an imperial retirement residence and now woven into the living city.

Today, cafés, shops, and apartments occupy the palace’s ancient footprint—an everyday blend of archaeology and modern Mediterranean life that few European cities can match.

 

3- Plitvice Lakes National Park

Plitvice is Croatia’s signature nature escape: a UNESCO-listed landscape shaped by travertine barriers that create a chain of lakes, caves, and waterfalls.

The park is famous for its interconnected lake system and cascades—best explored slowly via boardwalks and designated trails.

 

4- Hvar Island

Hvar balances glamour with tradition: beach days and nightlife are part of the draw, but the island’s interior is equally memorable when lavender fields bloom.

For many visitors, late spring to early summer is peak “Hvar mood,” when the hills turn purple and villages host seasonal lavender-themed events and experiences.

 

5- Rovinj (Istria)

Rovinj’s postcard skyline is dominated by the Church of St. Euphemia, a landmark that towers above the old town and shapes the city’s Venetian-tinged character.

This corner of Istria is ideal for travelers who want a slower coastal rhythm—morning markets, golden-hour harbor walks, and easy day trips across the peninsula.

 

6- Zagreb

Zagreb offers a different Croatia: café culture, grand architecture, and a local rhythm that feels more Central European than coastal.

In the Upper Town, the Museum of Broken Relationships has become one of the capital’s most talked-about stops, pairing personal objects with short stories of love and loss.

 

7- Zadar

Zadar is a sunset city with a creative edge, best known for waterfront installations that turn nature into a performance.

The Sea Organ uses wave power to produce shifting tones, while the nearby Sun Salutation gathers solar energy by day and becomes a light show after dark.

 

Practical tips for 2026

– If Plitvice is fully booked or weather turns, consider adding Krka National Park—Skradinski Buk is its best-known and most-visited waterfall area, with marked trails and viewing bridges.

– For Hvar’s lavender landscapes, aim for the main bloom window (roughly late spring into summer) to catch the most vivid scenery.

– For Zadar’s waterfront art, plan to arrive before sunset so the Sea Organ and Sun Salutation can be experienced back-to-back as the light changes.