Your ultimate guide to Croatia
Discover Croatia's best things to do, attractions, restaurants, bars and nightlife
In the spotlight at ZagrebDox 2020: female fortitude, movie mavens and new definitions of democracy
Croatia’s leading documentary film festival is back for its 16th edition with over 100 films including Oscar, Sundance and BAFTA winners. This year, ZagrebDox is on from March 15 to 22 at cinephile vortex CineStar Zagreb theatre in Branimir Mingle Mall. Curated categories like Eco Dox and Musical Globus include hard-hitters like docu-thriller Sea of Shadows, and a tender telling of Leonard Cohen and Marianne Ihlen’s tragic love. Along with such powerhouses, three special themes take the spotlight this year: stories of female fortitude, intimate looks into the lives of cinema’s doyens and new definitions of democracy. The stories of women who fought prejudice and won will be told, like that of the first woman to run a marathon wearing a hijab and an Auschwitz survivor and dancer who sold out an arena at age 90. The famous faces (read: Forman and Tarkovsky) behind the screen will make their way onto it. ZagrebDox will get unorthodox exploring new definitions and different faces of democracy, covering relations between Russia’s oligarchs and government, WikiLeaks whistleblowing and the rise of the Brazilian right. Read on for our overview of the films of passion that will dive into democracy, film masters and female savoir-faire this year.
The grand slam of holidays in Istria
Everything is coming up aces: with a Swing Through Rovinj tennis retreat, all you have to do for nine days is serve and be served in Istria's most dazzling and deluxe locales. Your holiday home will be Rovinj, an oval peninsula strewn with narrow cobbled streets and topped with the 18th-century Baroque church of St. Euphemia. Experience a fusion of intriguing inclinations in this coastal city. On one hand, Rovinj still lives and breathes as it has for centuries past: fishermen faithfully head off to sea each dawn and laundry flutters overhead on clotheslines hung between Venetian-era buildings. On the other, the peninsula has become a muse to modern creatives whose galleries and ateliers are now engraved both into the city’s streets and soul. Rovinj's resplendent Grand Park Hotel is where you'll rest your head between exploring local culture, enjoying expert-led tennis sessions and savouring succulent seafood. Read on for our breakdown of this idyllic nine-day itinerary by Sporty Adventures. After arriving to Venice’s Marco Polo Airport, glide to ravishing Rovinj via luxury Mercedes V-Class van. Your home base, the elegant Grand Park Hotel, was designed by the renowned Croatian architects of 3LHD Studio, with interiors by coveted Italian designer Piero. Sitting between Rovinj’s postcard-perfect old town, pine forests and the Adriatic Sea overlooking the island of St. Catherine, the hotel, surrounded by sweeping vistas, has no bad angle. The pebbled Mulini beach, 416 metres
Great things to do in Croatia this week
Welcome to our guide to the best events happening across Croatia this week. With music concerts, club nights, sports events, exhibitions, festivals and food and drink events, there are always many reasons to visit Croatia at any time of year.RECOMMENDED: Great things to do in Zagreb this week.
Video: first views of the finished sky walk on Biokovo mountain
Mountain walkers have taken a video taken from the high glass bridge being built at Ravna Vlaska on Biokovo mountain. The new skywalk viewpoint sits 1228 metres above sea level and extends out from the mountain by some 12 metres. Being made mostly of glass, the walk might be nerve-racking to some, especially as it has not yet officially been finished. But, some of this group enjoying the mountain Biokovo look not to have been perturbed. Their video shows the skywalk offering incredible views of the Adriatic and towns like Makarska. A fine, pretty and well-judged piece of design and engineering, this is clearly not the skywalk's first official video introduction. However, the video shows it could soon be receiving official visitors.
Vote: Ginkgo tree in Daruvar in finals of European Tree of the Year
The Ginkgo biloba tree which stands in front of Castle Janković in Daruvar is in the finals of European Tree of the Year award. Voting has just opened and this elegant 242-year-old deserves your vote. It is only the second Croatian tree to reach the finals of the 10-year-old European Tree of the Year awards. The other previous Croatian entry – the massive plane tree, the symbol of Trsteno - won 7th place in 2018. The Ginkgo biloba tree in front of Castle Janković in Daruvar © JU-Priroda-BBŽ Daruvar's Ginkgo biloba aka maidenhair tree has been protected since 1967, has a trunk circumference of seven metres and is the oldest of its kind in Croatia. Ginkgos have been used in traditional medicine for hundreds of years. In autumn, their leaves turn an incredible saffron yellow colour. When their leaves finally fall to the floor, they create an incredible carpet of colour. A Ginkgo tree in China drops its leaves in autumnGinkgo biloba's are the last surviving subspecies of a tree family which dates back as far as 270 million years. Daruvar's tree will compete with finalists from Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, The Netherlands, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Spain, Slovakia, United Kingdom.Daruvar's Ginkgo biloba in autumn © Grad DaruvarVoting is open only between February 1 and February 29. Voters must choose a first choice and a second choice (pick your second choice intelligently if you want the Daruvar Ginkgo to win!). Voting
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
In pictures: that's a wrap on Rijeka Carnival 2020
This year's carnival in Rijeka has come to an epic end. There were masks (sharks, Sherlocks and everything in between), there was music (from karaoke to Croatian rock), there were memories made. Behold the phenomenon that is the Rijeka Carnival with our selection of 22 photos from the fest.
In pictures: Rijeka is Rockin' in 2020
Rijeka rocked out for 24 hours straight this weekend. From epic fireworks echoing across the Adriatic to techno beats thrumming through an underground cave, the port city's inauguration as European Capital of Culture 2020 began with a bang. The programme featured various venues with 100+ stage performances including jazz in a remodelled fish market, avant-garde shows in the harbour and ballet ensembles in the city's Croatian National Theatre.
In pictures: 69 photos of the best street art in Zagreb
Zagreb is no stranger to graffiti, from its downtown walls covered in rashes of swirling name-tags to bright and beautiful murals that add flourishes of colour to the city. Here are 69 beautiful examples of urban art in the capital with a distinctly Zagrebian flavour. Photos of Tesla, Human Rights House, Čulinečka (Mali princ) and the Grif bar used by kind permission of Zagreb photography website Lice Grada. Check it out here.
These then-and-now photos show how Zagreb has changed in the last 100 years
A lot has changed in Zagreb over the years, beautifully captured in this series of images by Ognjen Ivanović. The photographer has travelled across the city with old pictures and polaroids in hand, documenting how Zagreb looked then and now. The results are fascinating and also rather beautiful - just take a look at this slideshow of pictures to see what we mean.
The 51 most beautiful destinations in Croatia
World-famous TV shows like Game Of Thrones, equally well known international music festivals and the country's unprecedented success at the 2018 World Cup have placed Croatia and some of its cities in the global spotlight. But just how widely is the country known beyond the big hitters like Dubrovnik, Zagreb, Pula and Split? Here's your insider's guide to the 51 most beautiful destinations to visit in Croatia.
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Rijeka's seventh annual Impulse Festival
Rijeka, the Port of Diversity, is receiving its most high-profile year on the international stage, thanks to its status as European Capital of Culture 2020. One of the most desirable aspects of this status is the cultural legacy the year leaves in its wake. Now in its seventh year and organised by Rijeka's most passionate live music promoters, Distune, Impulse Festival is as valuable a cultural asset as any in the city and its guaranteed return in 2021 is assured. Taking place over a week, the festival sees lectures, DJ nights and live concerts occur across several of the city centre's bars and clubs, with a daytime record and music fair also attached. Making Rijeka a special place to visit this and every year, here are all of Impulse Festival's events for the 2020 occurrence.
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.
