Your ultimate guide to Croatia
Discover Croatia's best things to do, attractions, restaurants, bars and nightlife
54 photos of Croatia's fantastic flora and fauna
Croatia is a blend of marvelous Mediterranean coast, forest-clothed mountain ranges and bountiful meadows. The country's environment is home to a variety of animals; those that swim fly, crawl and dash. We're bring you 54 photos of Croatia's fantastic flora and fauna.
Get the finest fresh falafel delivered to your Zagreb home
Though open for less than six months already, Opatovina-based Falafel, etc. has already earned a reputation for the best falafel in town. Like all restaurants and fast food establishments, their city centre premises is currently closed but, from Thursday 2 April they will begin home delivery in the Zagreb area. © Falafel, etc. A far cry from the ultra-dry and hard versions found in many places, Falafel, etc's chick pea treats are a moist and moreish affair which come in three flavours; beetroot, coriander and (our favourite) sweet potato. They come served inside a salad or in a wrap made with their own homemade bread. Sweet potato or seasoned, thin, freshly-made potato fries are a great accompaniment. Everything they serve is vegetarian-friendly. © Falafel, etc. The new home delivery service will run from Monday - Saturday between midday and 7pm. There's a minimum 50 kuna order, which includes free delivery to your door, with payment via credit card upon ordering on in cash upon delivery (but, please make sure you have the right change). You can place an order by calling 01 2343 945 or 098 316 144
Graphic designer raises healthcare funds with his new t-shirts
Croatia remains united in these challenging times and people with many different skills have been inspired to help out in whichever way they can. One of them is a graphic designer Vinko Makek. He has designed a new range of t-shirts with the aim to raise money in the fight against Coronavirus. The sharplydesigned shirts have messages such as '#Stay home' or 'Social control' emblazoned on the front. The various designs are sold for 40 kuna a piece and all the profits from their sale will go to the Dr. Fran Mihaljević Clinic for Infectious Diseases for the purchase of respirators. © Vinko Makek With 'stay home' being the lead message, Makek is marking the times and helping remind people to adhere to official advice. His t-shirts can be ordered through his Instagram page or from his friend's web store and are delivered across Croatia. White-coloured, short-sleeved t's, made of 100 % cotton, they come in all sizes and for all sexes. © Vinko Makek The shirts are going so well that Makek confessed to Time Out Croatia the large number of orders briefly crashed his friend's website (it's back up and running now). Apart from the humanitarian incentive and the great design, Makek believes people are also buying the shirts because they might want to have a record of this situation for when it's over. © Vinko Makek
Zagreb Philharmonic record patriotic song for their city
Though they're staying in their individual homes for now, that hasn't stopped the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra coming together online. With the help of sound engineer Bernard Mihalić and film editor Igor Ferderber, the musicians have made a video to raise spirits in the Croatian capital while it lives through the effects of the earthquake and the Coronavirus lockdown.The beautiful instrumental they recorded is a popular paean to their city, 'Moj Zagreb tak imam te rad'. The song is over 50 years old, having first been recorded in 1963 by Dušan Dančuo. It was written by Drago Brahm.
The history of quarantines in the city that invented them
As we brace for the future, let’s reflect on the past. The concept of the quarantine as we (all too well) know it today wasn’t always around. History’s worst pandemic is thought to be the Black Death, which took between 75-200 million lives in the 14th century. As a desperate attempt to stop the spread of disease, the world’s first-ever quarantine was implemented in 1377. Its inventor? The Republic of Ragusa, one of the medieval Mediterranean’s greatest maritime powers. Today, we know the creator of the quarantine as Dubrovnik. During a March 16 press conference, the World Health Organization’s general director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared quarantining the currently ongoing pandemic’s best opponent. Ghebreyesus implored “…the most effective way to prevent infections and save lives is breaking the chains of transmission. And to do that, you must test and isolate.” So what can we learn, if anything, from the history of quarantines in the city that invented them? The world’s first quarantine Dubrovnik’s response to the Black Death pandemic (1348) and other 14th-century plagues (1358, 1361, 1363, 1371, 1391) At the beginning of the 14th century, Dubrovnik thrived, encompassing a city within its famed walls (which are popularly known as the setting of Game of Thrones’ King’s Landing) and its surrounding villages. Latin, Italian, and Croatian were spoken in the multinational republic, whose citizens enjoyed long-term economic and political stability. Trade and diplomacy fl
The best of Croatia
The 51 best things to do in Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is a one-town tourist industry on its own, with endless things to do all year round. As stunning as the clear blue sea around it, the former centre of the independent Republic of Ragusa invites superlatives and attracts the lion's share of Croatia's visitors. Read on for our insider's guide to the best things to do in Dubrovnik. RECOMMENDED: More great things to do in Dubrovnik. Done something on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDoList and tag @TimeOutEverywhere. You can also find out more about how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world, or take a look at our list of the 50 best things to do in the world right now.
Eye candy
54 photos of Croatia's fantastic flora and fauna
Croatia is a blend of marvelous Mediterranean coast, forest-clothed mountain ranges and bountiful meadows. The country's environment is home to a variety of animals; those that swim fly, crawl and dash. We're bring you 54 photos of Croatia's fantastic flora and fauna.
In pictures: 54 photos of Croatia's splendid lakes and rivers
The Adriatic sea is a major draw for Croatia's visitors, but the country also has over 60 lakes and rivers - and each could headline a postcard in its own right. From inland lagoons and canyon creeks to crystal-clear lakes adorning Dalmatian islands, we're bringing you 54 photos of Croatia's best blues.
In pictures: Top 54 coolest outdoor pursuits in Croatia
Across its strikingly diverse landscapes, Croatia offers the chance to rock climb a mountain, parasail across islands, cycle through vineyards - and do it all in one day. The choices are endless, the landscapes are lovely, and we're showing you the highlights through 54 photos of the coolest outdoor pursuits in Croatia.
In pictures: 40 photos of Croatia's sweetest spring escapes
Spring is in the air, so why not enjoy it in Croatian flair? Dreamy getaways await at every corner of the country, from sunkissed medieval towns in Istria to the wildflower-sprinkled hills of Zagorje. Take in our selection of XY photos of Croatia's sweetest spring escapes.
In pictures: 48 photos of Croatia's dazzling national parks
Breathe in sea salt-infused air as you wander through dinosaur tracks, look out for wolves howling as you hike, behold an eagle gliding over a rippling river. Welcome to Croatia's great eight. From island archipelagos and turquoise waterfalls to plunging canyons, eight national parks call Croatia home: Brijuni, Kornati, Krka, Mljet, Northern Velebit, Paklenica, Plitvice Lakes and Risnjak. Take in 48 spellbinding photos of the picture-perfect parks that span Croatia, from Dalmatia to the continental regions.
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Sail Croatia, the best way to see the country in summer
From Michelin-recommended restaurants and internationally famous music festivals to some of the world's best-preserved Roman architecture, secret coves and idyllic beaches, Croatia has endless options for a summer holiday. But, with so much to choose from, how can you make sure you catch the very best of what Croatia has to offer? Croatia sailing holidays are one of the very best ways to take it all in. Sailing in Croatia allows you to tailor your holiday to be the once-in-a-lifetime experience you always wanted, allowing you to take in everything and for each day to hold a different, unforgettable experience. As Croatia's largest charter yacht company, Gulet Expert is one of the Mediterranean's best experts in this type of holiday. Here are just some of the reasons why a sailing holiday is the best option for experiencing Croatia.
Croatia villa holidays with Villsy
A land of over 1000 islands and almost six thousand kilometres of pristine coastline, Croatia villa holidays are often the very best way to experience and explore this beautiful country. And with over 1000 properties scattered all across the country, Villsy are one of the best choices for Croatia villa holidays. Whether it's the preserved, historic architecture of Pula, quiet coves and beaches reachable only by boat, epic national parks, world-famous music festivals in Dalmatia or bustling cities like Split and Dubrovnik, Croatia is a country with countless offers for the visitor. Choosing to spend your nights in one of Villsy's luxury villas will allow you the freedom to explore whichever part of Croatia appeals to you and your fellow travellers, whether they be family members, business colleagues, friends or just that special someone. Here are five destinations with distinctly different offers, each of which can be explored while on Croatia villa holidays with Villsy.
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The incredible monuments of Bjelovar-Bilogora county
Bjelovar-Bilogora county is steeped in history, reflected in its attractive Habsburg buildings, its Austro-Hungarian spas and its post-war memorials. These three monuments provide distinctly different architectural value, which anyone visiting Zagreb, central Croatia or Slavonia should see. This article is sponsored by the Bjelovar Bilogora county TB and The Croatian National Tourism Board: 'Croatia Full of Life'.
Croatia's 'island of vitality' opens itself to restorative weekends aimed at men
Losinj Hotels & Villas' award-winning Hotel Bellevue is launching a restorative weekend getaway aimed at men. The five-star hotel is the brand's principle wellness resort and holds the famous Bellevue Spa Clinic, which was just renovated in 2018. Located in Čikat Bay, the complex will play host the men's health and wellness weekend between October 4 and 6. In addition to the usual wellness treatments available from Bellevue Spa Clinic, the weekend offers a specially constructed calendar of event and activities specially designed to interest, destress and relax a male clientele. There will be a welcome dinner at the hotel's fusion restaurant Matsunoki, which combines Japanese and Mediterranean foods. On the weekend's second day, attendees will be offered the chance to experience some of the natural beauty of the island with a selection of outdoor activities including FootNet, SUP, kayaking and much more in the natural embrace of the island. Lunch will be served by the waterside and will be comprised of local wines and Mediterranean specialities. In the afternoon, guests will take their pick of treatments at the Bellevue Spa before that evening's seafood-based dinner at the hotel's sister property, the nearby Boutique Hotel Alhambra which will have a theatrical cabaret theme and will be followed by cognac and cigars at Villa Augusta. On Sunday, a hiking tour around Čikat Bay concludes the weekend. The two-night Gentlemen's Getaway Weekend starts from EUR 351.00 per person (a
Osijek on a plate
Fresh pasta from Istria, served with generous shavings of truffle, sumptuous seafood accompanied by zesty wedges of lemon and the traditional green chard; Croatia's cuisine has become one of the more famous facets of a holiday on the country's coast. And deservedly so. Locally-sourced flavours and ingredients are nearly always found alongside summertime coastal dishes although, with an ever-expanding gastro scene, some of Croatia's top chefs are now looking to employ adventurous techniques which allow them to experiment with such time-honoured dishes. However, Croatia's gastronomical offer extends much further than the seasonal menus of the seaside. And, after turning their attentions to the famous coastal platters of Istria and Dalmatia, the next area ripe for culinary rediscovery must surely be Slavonia. Čobanac © Maja Danica PečanićThe county of Osijek Baranja, located in the far east of Croatia and at the heart of the flatlands known as the Pannonian Basin, is Croatia's great unknown gastronomic star. Here, as in Istria and Dalmatia, flavours and components are selected from nearby, creating a menu in which ingredients complement each other naturally. But, the difference here is the wealth of ingredients on offer. Dalmatia is characterised by its crystal clear Adriatic, glorious sunsets and the spectacular backdrop of the Dinaric Alps. The rock which lies beneath accounts for much of what you'll see there, from the shingle beaches to the mountain ranges. But, it won't
Lošinj's Hotel Bellevue celebrates art and beauty at an exclusive pop-up exhibition
Lošinj Hotels & Villas has announced an exciting new pop-up exhibition at the five-star Hotel Bellevue, a collaboration with leading galleries and curators Josip Konta Art Studio, Galerija Libar Gallery and Patrizio Contemporary Gallery. This autumn season, from September 28 to October 5 2019, guests at the luxurious hotel can experience the rejuvenating 'Art & Beauty' package which offers exclusive access to a curated collection by iconic artists including pop-art icon Andy Warhol and a visit to the Croatian Apoxyomenos, one of the world's best-preserved ancient Greek statues - plus art-inspired treatments at the Bellevue Spa Clinic. Launching on September 28 with an opening reception, the gallery open daily from 10am until 6pm for one week and offers guests the opportunity to meet with prominent curator Goran Margeta and international art dealer and historian Dr. Marco Antonio Patrizio. The pop-up exhibition is the collaboration between academic sculptor and painter Josip Konta, one of the most prominent names of the contemporary Croatian art scene; Croatian art gallery Galerija Libar and art advisor and collector Dr Marco Antonio Patrizio. Visitors can see works from domestic and international artists Julie Knifer, Getulio Alviani, Piero Gilardi, Arnaldo Pomodoro, Bernard Aubertin, Giorgio de Chirico, Andy Warhol, Edo Murtic, Ivan Picelj and many more. The hotel's award-winning Bellevue Spa Clinic will also feature a dedicated menu of pampering treatments inspired by fam
Croatia's best cities
20 great things to do in Pula
Istria’s historic main city of Pula is symbolised by its Roman amphitheatre, scene of a surprisingly wide range of outdoor events every summer. Festivals of film and electronic music, and concerts by everyone from Elton John to José Carreras, fill the 2,000-year-old arena, with its near intact walled ring. Roman remains also form Pula’s city centre, dominated by a hilltop Venetian fortress. With docks rather than beaches nearby, many head south for out-of-town seaside fun in Verudela and Medulin. RECOMMENDED: more great things to do in Pula. Done something on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDoList and tag @TimeOutEverywhere. You can also find out more about how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world, or take a look at our list of the 50 best things to do in the world right now.
What's happening in Zagreb
Popular destinations in Croatia
Croatia's best bars and restaurants
The best Dubrovnik restaurants
Dubrovnik restaurants are beginning to offer the culinary quality and variety that should be expected of such a luxury destination. And dining in Dubrovnik needn't cost an arm and a leg: many places offers simple, wholesome dishes at wallet-friendly prices.
The best Zagreb bars
People in Croatia's capital city always give themselves time to linger and socialise over drinks. Whatever the time of year, new Zagreb bars are always raising and lowering their banners across the city centre and beyond, while traditional landmarks stay firm. Time Out's experts discover the best places to sip across town.
