Your ultimate guide to Croatia
Discover Croatia's best things to do, attractions, restaurants, bars and nightlife
Game of coves
Have you ever considered sailing through the Adriatic or wondered how it would be? We’re here to show you. Join us for a peek into a seven-day sailing journey through the southern Croatian islands. DAY ONE OF SAILING IN CROATIA It’s late June. Around 11am, we take off from Croatia’s buzzing capital city for the coast. We journey through the mountains and greenery of the gorgeous Lika and Gorski Kotar regions. Our destination is the Trogir marina, from which we’re setting sail. A few signed documents (and a round of žestica, that is, rakija – for good luck, of course) later, and we’re boarding our floating home for the next seven days. Her name is Danica and she’s a Bavaria 50 booked with Zizoo boats. She’s the perfect size for our crew of six. Taking off from Trogir, we head toward Šolta. Energies are high, Dino Dvornik is playing, and we’re sailing into the sunset (literally – it’s around 6pm by the time we head out). For the first night, we dock in a tiny turquoise cove on the west end of Šolta. It's just Danica, the sea below and the stars above. © Saša Drobac DAY TWO OF SAILING IN CROATIA After a day of exploring endless inlets and having fun under the Vis sun, we dock in Komiža, a fishing village situated on the western side of Vis under 587-metre Mount Hum. © Lara Rasin It’s around 8pm as we pull into the marina and plenty of summertime sun is left in the day. We stroll the narrow alleyways of the town, oohing and aahing at the artisan boutiques around us sh
The iconic Dubrovnik Summer Festival's 71st edition begins... Today!
Theatre, dancing, jazz, film, folklore, fine arts, classical music... All that and much more are on the menu at this year's Dubrovnik Summer Festival. The iconic event is one of the Croatia's best and most famous - plus, it's one of the oldest festivals in Europe. Dubrovnik Summer Festival is on this year from July 10 to August 25, though its 71st edition will be a bit different due to epidemiological measures and financial consequences of the ongoing pandemic. Events will be held at reduced capacities and in accordance with COVID-19 measures laid out by the Croatian government. Nonetheless, as always, the festival promises amazing culture, entertainment, and art aplenty. Dubrovnik Summer Festival's fantastic programme Over 40 performances are planned at various venues across the wonderful walled city of Dubrovnik. The festival's opening ceremony, directed by Marina Pejnović, will take place at Dubrovnik's Old City Port on Friday, July 10. It will include a performance by the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Tomislav Fačini. Joining the grand opening are the Croatian Radio and Television Jazz Orchestra, conducted by trombone player and conductor Miron Hauser, pianist Aljoša Jurinić, mezzo-soprano Dubravka Šeparović Mušović and saxophonist Ivan Bonačić. Attendees will also get to see the Festival Drama Ensemble and Linđo Folklore Ensemble. © Dubrovačke Ljetne Igre Terrific theatre Dubrovnik Summer Festival's theatre programme will be hard to beat. Among amazin
Dubrovnik's Fish Restaurant Proto is fit for Poseidon
Total seafood seduction is what you're in for at Fish Restaurant Proto, where the food is swimming in the sea one minute and being served onto your plate the next. Picture moseying down the time-slicked cobblestones of Old Town Dubrovnik's main street Stradun. On a side street about halfway between the Pile Gate and the harbour, you'll notice old-school lamp sconces bearing Proto's name - if aromas of sizzling Mediterranean morsels haven't steered you that way already. Family owned Proto traces its culinary heritage back to 1886, the restaurant's year of foundation. Since then, seafood right off the boat and organic vegetables scrupulously grown in small-scale gardens across the Dubrovnik region are menu mainstays. Offerings change daily depending on the weather and catches, but a few favorites that are generally always available for the feasting include oysters from Croatia's own shellfish central, Mali Ston Bay, perfectly charred sea bream and Adriatic lobster; all dressed to impress in the savouriest of sauces. For the more shellfish-shy, waiters are on call to explain menu minutiae from A to Z, and even fillet fish for de-boning beginners. Along with its fare, this Michelin-recommended restaurant also keeps its dining area fresh and fashionable. Remniscent of a 1950s bop-worthy ballroom, the interior features plush armchairs and cherry wood panelling, but it's all accented with a distinct Adriatic flavour. The floors are comprised of off-white stone, reflecting the stree
Flights between Scandinavia and Croatia are resuming
Two of the world's top tourist destinations are connecting via air again thanks to Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA (aka Norwegian) and Scandinavian Airlines System (aka SAS), Norway's two largest domestic carriers. As The Norwegian Standard states, the airlines plan to connect Scandinavia with Croatia, which is a favorite holiday spot of Norwegians. The northern lights lighting up the Norwegian skies.© Tom Vooght The Norwegian Standard reports the details on flights that SAS and Norwegian are offering to Croatia, starting in July 2020. Scandinavia to Croatia flights via SAS: Copenhagen, Denmark to Pula, Croatia Copenhagen, Denmark to Split, Croatia Oslo, Norway to Split, Croatia Stockholm, Sweden to Split, Croatia Scandinavia to Croatia flights via Norwegian: Bergen, Norway to Dubrovnik Croatia Bergen, Norway to Split, Croatia Copenhagen, Denmark to Split, Croatia Oslo, Norway to Dubrovnik Croatia Oslo, Norway to Split, Croatia Stavanger, Norway to Dubrovnik Croatia Stavanger, Norway to Split, Croatia Stockholm, Sweden to Split Croatia Trondheim, Norway to Dubrovnik Croatia Trondheim, Norway to Split, Croatia Split is one of the stunning destinations Scandinavians will be able to fly to.© Split Tourist Board Of course, as the situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic develops, flights can change and travellers should always follow health and safety instructions issued by governmental and official institutions. Norway has over 40 and Croatia nine main airpor
Introducing one of the best restaurants in Zagreb: Beštija
Imagine yourself sipping a coffee on Zagreb's famed flower square; life all around you. The chorus of lively chatter and laughter is joined by happy yells of children chasing each other through the plaza. Hopeful pigeons waddle around groups of students eating sandwiches in front of the adjacent cathedral. You're starting to get hungry yourself... and just a bit wishful of some peace from all the urban hubbub. Your needs are ready to be fully met - all you've got to do is walk three minutes southward. One cobblestoned left turn later, passing beneath Austro-Hungarian-era buildings, and you'll arrived at your destination on Masarykova street... Almost. © Lara Rasin Beštija isn't immediately noticeable from the street, but a tell-tale signpost at the top of a courtyard's entry arch will point you in the proper direction. That's right - Beštija is, in fact, not located on the street but nestled a few steps within an open-air, terracotta rooftop-flanked courtyard. This ambience of delightful seclusion (while being still being within the bustling city center) is just one of the restaurant's many draws. Once you've arrived, choose an indoor of outdoor seat. Inside, you'll be surrounded by a fabulous mix of funky green plants, tastefully exposed walls and a neon light reading "Beštija" - all illuminated by the big windows making up an entire wall of the restaurant. Wooden and metal furniture (which, per the owner, were procured from a Zagreb art dealer) is placed on grey, in
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
PHOTO GALLERY: Cruise Croatia through 10 fantastic photos
Many countries still have travel restrictions in place, so, Cruise Croatia is providing travellers with 10 photos of the most dazzling Croatian locations - to keep stir it up the wanderlust when travel is safe again. Take in hidden areas of Croatia, from sea-surrounded saltwater lakes in Mljet National Park to the world's smallest - and probably most charming - town Hum, with a population of 30. When things get back to normal, fully satiate your wanderlust with a small ship cruise throughout the Croatian coast with Cruise Croatia.
In pictures: Top 42 photos of Croatia's terrific nature trails
From forest-blanketed mountains in the verdant Gorski Kotar region to islands as beautiful as they are historic, Croatia is chock-full of nature trails waiting to be traversed. Discover the best treks and routes in the country through our gallery of the top 42 photos of Croatia's terrific trails.
In pictures: Top 42 photos of where to go stargazing in Croatia
Croatia is rife with perfect places for all your stargazing day dreams, from a designated Dark Sky area just outside of Zagreb to countless Milky Way-lit spots on the coast - and much more. Explore these space-ial area with out gallery of the top 42 photos of where to go stargazing in Croatia.
In pictures: 42 photos of Croatia's marvelous mountains and canyons
The landscape of Croatia is every nature lover's dream. It changes from mountain ranges along the coast across endless flatland fields to canyons carved from the winding rivers - and much more in between. Take an online trek with our gallery of Croatia's marvelous mountains and canyons.
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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.
