Top 6 Places To Visit In Croatia This Summer To Avoid The Massive Crowds

Last Updated 11 hours in the past

Croatia is likely one of the Mediterranean’s most visited vacationer locations, and in 2022 it turned the most sought-after destination across Europe. And it’s simple to see why!

But with 3.8 million tourists visiting Dubrovnik and three.1 million vacationers visiting Split every year, it will also be extremely crowded, notably through the summer season months.

Despite this, Croatia continues to be dwelling to many hidden treasures, notably if you happen to go to one of many 78 islands within the Croatian archipelago.

With that in thoughts, listed here are six of the very best locations to go to in Croatia if you wish to get off the overwhelmed path and keep away from the large crowds:

1. Zlarin

Zlarin is a small island with an enormous character. It is situated near the mainland metropolis of Šibenik, making it simple to entry. And at simply 6km lengthy, it’s small however completely shaped.

Visitors to Zlarin are interested in its stone and pebble seashores, which are perfect for swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, or exploring on a stand-up paddleboard.

Zlarin’s most important harbor is extremely picturesque, and the bars lining the harbor provide glorious views whereas watching the small fishing vessels return to shore or the bigger yachts and catamarans dock.

Zlarin boasts 4 fortresses, however probably the most spectacular of those is the St. Nicholas fortress, which is the one one situated at sea.

Constructed in 1525 to maintain the Ottomans from touchdown on the mainland, you would wish to take a ship or kayak to achieve and discover the fortress.

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2. Sibenik

Sibenik is a metropolis book-ended by Split and Dubrovnik, which implies many vacationers merely ignore this picturesque coastal metropolis. But that will be an enormous mistake. Sibenik has all the identical appeal and vibrancy as Split and Dubrovnik however with out the crowds.

Sibenik is a metropolis that has a wealthy historical past and boasts authentic cobblestone streets and Medieval structure.

History buffs ought to head straight to St. James Cathedral, a powerful and imposing constructing that could be a UNESCO World Heritage website.

Other points of interest price exploring in Sibenik embody the fantastically preserved nationwide parks that encompass the town and the Renaissance structure of the town’s Town Hall.

3. Stari Grad

Stari Grad is located on the northern facet of the favored island of Hvar.

While Hvar attracts loads of vacationers, many of those head to Hvar city and its well-publicized get together scene moderately than exploring the marginally additional afield Stari Grad.

This makes Stari Grad much less crowded and simpler to discover.

As effectively as being the oldest city on the island, Stari Grad can also be one of many oldest in Europe, and it has a wealthy cultural historical past. Some of the streets and cobbled lanes in Stari Grad’s Old Town date again to 384 BC.

Stari Grad is dwelling to 2 world heritage websites, and for the insta-inclined, the picture-perfect historic Skor sq. is a must-visit location.

Amazing town of Hvar harbor aerial view, Dalmatia, croatia

4. Pag

If you’ve all the time fancied flying into area and taking your subsequent trip on the moon, then Pag might be an amazing different.

People go to Pag for its lunar-like landscapes, which characteristic huge expanses of barren rock, however the island additionally has a lot extra to supply.

This massive island is the second-longest within the Adriatic and boasts a mixture of sand and pebble seashores good for sunbathers. Head into Old Town Pag to discover the ruins of a Franciscan monastery, and you’ll want to pattern Pag’s largest and most well-known export: its scrumptious cheese.

If you’re seeking to get together and are ready to courageous the crowds, then head to Zrce Beach within the city of Novalja. Home to the preferred nightlife on the island, Zrce Beach has an Ibiza-like ambiance, however this may be simply averted by staying elsewhere on this picturesque and eclectic island.

5. Silba

Spending time on Silba is like stepping again in time. Not solely is the island car-free, however it additionally doesn’t have a resort, which means that the one approach to keep right here is to lease an condominium or vacation let.

This signifies that the island by no means attracts massive crowds, and has a laid-back, bohemian really feel.

Silba is greatest identified for its brilliant, scorching summer season days and for boasting a powerful 2570 hours of sunshine yearly. But once you’re performed with lounging within the solar and paddling within the sea, you’ll additionally discover a lot to discover in Silba.

Climb the winding staircase to the highest of the Tower of Love, which was in-built 1872 as an emblem of affection and loyalty.

Explore small fishing villages and unspoiled harbors. There are additionally a spread of fantastic diving and snorkeling spots on the southwestern coast which might be effectively price exploring.

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6. Zagreb

Finally, while Zagreb is Croatia’s capital metropolis, it doesn’t obtain the identical variety of guests because the extra standard cities of Split and Dubrovnik.

Zagreb is standard through the winter months, due to its Christmas markets and festivities; nevertheless, customer numbers dwindle in the summertime.

But this huge metropolis boasts much to attract tourists year-round. Here you’ll discover outlets, museums, parks and eating places at each flip.

Notable points of interest embody Zagreb Cathedral with its twin spires and St Marks Church, which was constructed within the thirteenth century.

Boasting extra museums per sq. foot than every other metropolis on the earth, Zagreb is named a metropolis of museums, so taking time to discover as many of those are potential is an effective way to spend the day on this fascinating metropolis.