Prettiest Places in Croatia

Like much of Europe, Croatia is home to all manner of medieval cities, cobbled streets, and historic ruins. Whether it’s a dramatic coastline, a picturesque island, or a rolling vineyard, Croatia is truly blessed with beauty. Here are five of the prettiest places this European charmer has to offer.


Plitvice National Park
Croatia takes great pride in its national parks. Plitvice is a fairy-tale-like place to visit, with a lush forest surrounding the 16 interconnected lakes. Each of these lakes has a distinct color, ranging from vibrant turquoise to deep blue to light green to calming grey. You’ll see naturally formed dams and waterfalls that wouldn’t look out of place in a movie.


Dubrovnik
A name like the “Pearl of the Adriatic” is a broad boast, and the city of Dubrovnik does not disappoint. Located in southern Croatia, off the Adriatic Sea, it’s one of Croatia’s most visited destinations. The highlight of the city is the Old Town, where marble streets and grand churches greet you. There’s also a 16th century palace to explore as well, all framed by terracotta rooftops overlooking the Adriatic Sea.


Mljet National Park
Croatia is home to many islands, and if you only get the chance to visit one, Mljet Island should be your choice. It’s a vast range of greenery, with saltwater lakes and lagoons dotted throughout. It’s a paradise for outdoor lovers, with hiking and biking trails galore. You can also go scuba diving off the coast, where reefs and wrecks await to be explored.


Peljesac Peninsula
Lest you think Croatia only has water and forests to offer, the Peljesac Peninsula is one of the world’s top wine producing regions. You can taste an eclectic variety of wines, such as Dingac and Postup, accompanied by fresh from the sea oysters and mussels. Of course, if you prefer more outdoor activities, you can always hike the Sveti Ilija Mountain that looms off in the distance.


Zagreb
While the capital of Croatia does not offer the scenic lakes that it’s coastal brethren offer, it makes up for it with the historic city centre. Medieval alleyways and museums are the main attraction here, along with the cobbled streets of the Old Town.

There are so many places to see and visit in Croatia, this are but a few. You can’t go wrong with any of them though, so start exploring.

Anna Seymour is an English Literature graduate working for First Choice and writing about her travels around the world. She misses her cat, Benji and Skypes him regularly!

Images by Trish Hartmann and Grant Bishop, used under the Creative Commons license.

Bio: Anna Seymour is an English Literature graduate working in association with First Choice as she travels the world. She misses her cat, Benji and Skypes him regularly!