GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!WithGoGuide
GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!

5 Popular Destinations in Croatia with GoWithGuide's Private Tours

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by GoWithGuide travel specialist:Peter S.

Last updated : Sep 23, 20228 min read

Travel Tips

Croatia is located on the Adriatic coast, at the crossroads of some of Europe’s greatest historical empires - including the Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and Austro-Hungarian. The history of civilization goes back nearly three thousand years in Croatia, and the country boasts countless historic towns and sights as well as scenic rural landscapes, dreamy beaches, and picturesque islands. Indeed, there are so many popular destinations in Croatia that narrowing the list down to just a few is really more a matter of personal preference than a popularity contest.

To give you a flavor of Croatia’s various sightseeing offerings, we suggest the following five as a starting point for planning your holiday. To make the most of your experience in each sightseeing destination, we recommend connecting with a private guide who will be able to take away the stress of planning out the details and who will make your Croatian experience unforgettable!

Split

Split is Croatia’s second largest city and the largest on the Adriatic coast. Its history dates back to Roman times, and it is one of Croatia’s most popular tourist destinations.

Have you ever wondered where Roman Emperors went when they retired? At Diocletian’s Palace you can find out. The “retirement home” was built in 305 AD for Emperor Diocletian. The town grew up around the palace, and many of the buildings remain preserved to this day. The area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it was also used for some scenes in Game of Thrones, such as the cellar where Daenary kept her dragons. Within the palace is the 7th century St. Dominus Cathedral, the oldest Catholic cathedral in the world Split’s Old Town also makes for a delightful day excursion. Walk the cobblestone lanes between the old buildings and check out the green market, then stop in at some of the excellent wine bars and restaurants. Follow up a scrumptious meal with a pleasant stroll past palm trees on the Riva Promenade with the Adriatic to one side, and the classical buildings of Spit on the other. The walk is particularly beautiful in the evening when the town lights up.

For those who love wine, why not take a tour of the Putalj Winery located just outside of town? Walk through the expansive vineyards and spend an evening tasting some of the best wines in Croatia (reservation required). There are also walking tours up Marjan Hill from where you can see a spectacular view of the town and the sea, or you could head down to Kasjuni Beach instead to enjoy the sun, surf, and sand. Whether you’re a Game of Thrones fan or not, a visit to the Klis Fortress is well worth it too. The fortress has stood strong through various battles, and has that classic old castle look. No wonder it was chosen for the location of Meereen in Game of Thrones. There’s even a museum with costumes and swords from the show. Split is a great sightseeing location in Croatia and it also makes an excellent leap-off point to some of our other recommended popular destinations.

Dubrovnik

One of Croatia’s most famous tourist destinations, Dubrovnik is known for its spectacular walls. They are said to be the best example of medieval fortifications in existence today. These quadrilateral-shaped limestone walls run nearly two kilometers (1.2 miles) around the town and protected the city against several sieges over the centuries. Dubrovnik’s Old Town is home to medieval, gothic, Renaissance, and baroque buildings, as well as the fantasy-like towers and fortresses that protected the city. Cross the stone bridges and walk under the drawbridge archways of the Ploce and Pile Gates, walk through history in the museum at the Rector’s Palace, sample the local cuisine, or ride the cable car up Srd Mountain rearing up behind the city. 

Overlooking the Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik also has dozens of boat tours ranging from kayaking tours to to 16th century wooden ships. There are also snorkeling tours, day-trip vineyard tours, and trips to nearby scenic locations. These include the Elafiti Islands, Montenegro, the old town of Mostar, and the Kravice Waterfalls in Herzegovina. 

Hvar

The coastal town of Hvar is a popular destination for treating oneself to high class eating establishments and cocktail bars, or letting it all hang loose in a dance bar. This is the place for beach parties and getting down and groovy with that holiday nightlife. During the day, you can take the trek up the slopes behind the city to the Tvrdava Fortica, a medieval fortress that was originally built as a citadel in the 6th century, which was in turn established upon the remains of an ancient settlement from before 500 BC. 

The town is located on the Island of Hvar, which is known for its mild winters and summers, making it a popular destination anytime of year. The countryside is bountiful with olive trees, vineyards, and beautiful fields of lavender. Travelers can take in historic sites, relax on Hvar’s sandy beaches, or explore the island’s rich Mediterranean nature. Hvar recently celebrated 140 years of organized tourism and is considered one of the top ten most beautiful islands in the world.

Pula, Istria

The Istria Region of Croatia is simply packed with so many places of interest and beauty that it’s difficult to choose just one spot. The region is home to quaint medieval towns perched above the Adriatic, family-run taverns and wineries, and secluded fishing villages and beaches. It is also considered a gastronomic tourist destination for the avid foodie. Devour delectable dishes of seafood and truffles, and savor the meat of the boskarin, a native species of ox. 

Pula is the largest city in Istria. The main attraction is the Roman amphitheater known as the Arena. It is one of the best preserved amphitheaters, and is nearly a rival for Rome’s infamous Colosseum. The city is also known for wine-making, fishing, and shipbuilding. 

Pula’s menu of things to do is diverse, including kayaking and mountain biking tours, snorkeling, and private tours in the local countryside. While in town, you may wish to head underground and visit the galeries souterraines Zerostrasse: a system of underground tunnels built as bomb shelters in the early 1900s. You can also marvel at the Roman floor mosaics that were exposed during a WWII bombing of houses around the Chapel of St. Maria Formosa. The most popular example is a tile mosaic illustrating the Punishment of Dirce, a tale of how Amphion and Zethus punished Dirce by tying him to an enraged bull. Don’t forget to try some of the local catches and wines to top off your day!

Plitvice Lakes

With Croatia’s rich treasury of medieval towns, stunning  islands, and fascinating historic landmarks,, it can be easy to overlook some of the breathtaking natural scenery of the Adriatic hinterland. The Plitvice Lakes are Croatia’s most famous area of natural beauty. 

The limestone bedrock of the region is largely responsible for this magnificent chain of sixteen  turquoise lakes connected by travertine waterfalls cascading between lush beds of moss. The limestone not only gives the lakes their stunning color, but minerals from the rock leach into the waters and create the gentle, pastry-layer tufa mounds at the end of each lake where the waters splash down to the next pool. Wooden walkways keep your feet dry, and paths lead off into forests of beech, spruce, fir, and pine. You may also see scores of butterflies flitting above the lush greenery. The area was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 because of the magical beauty of the waterfalls.

Conclusion

Croatia is a veritable cornucopia of sightseeing and travel delights. Our five suggestions above are brimming with things to see, do, and try.

As a traveler, your time will be limited and you will be without a doubt hard pressed to narrow down your choices. Our GoWithGuide specialists are ready to help you prepare to get the best experiences possible wherever you choose to visit. And don’t forget, you can always arrange to come back for more later on!

Photo source: pixabay.com and unsplash.com

Dubrovnik Tour Guide - Ana B.

Ana B.

GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!5.00 / 5
(2 reviews)
Croatia

Dear travelers, I’m a local certified guide for Dubrovnik and its surroundings. I’m in love with history, languages, gastronomy, and travels. I'm also mum of two little kids so I don't have a lot of free time :) but when I do, I enjoy reading, trying new recipes, doing yoga and pilates. My work experience includes guiding in Dubrovnik (old town, city walls, cable car, island Lokrum), Elafiti islands, the island of Korčula, Pelješac peninsula, Konavle Region. Our country is small but has a lot to offer and I always do my best to present it in the best way, to balance information and interesting facts about the history and everyday life. Looking forward to meeting you ! Salut, Je suis une guide local certifiée pour Dubrovnik et ses environs. Je suis passionnée par l'histoire, les langues, la gastronomie et les voyages. Je suis également maman de deux petits enfants, donc je n'ai pas beaucoup de temps libre :) mais quand j'en ai, j'aime lire, essayer de nouvelles recettes, faire du yoga et du pilates. Mon expérience professionnelle comprend le guidage à Dubrovnik (vieille ville, remparts de la ville, téléphérique, île de Lokrum), les îles Elafiti, l'île de Korčula, la péninsule de Pelješac et la région de Konavle. Notre pays est petit mais a beaucoup à offrir et je fais toujours de mon mieux pour le présenter de la meilleure façon possible, en équilibrant les informations et les faits intéressants sur l'histoire et la vie quotidienne. J'ai hâte de vous rencontrer !                                                                                                                                  

Sibenik Tour Guide - Sonja R.

Sonja R.

Croatia

hi, my name is Sonja Licenced tour guide, information provider, I have a master's degree in tourism. I speak English, German and Italian, and I have basic knowledge of Slovak, Polish and Czech languages. I promised my dear guests that I would learn Norwegian, so I'm working on it. I like stories and legends, meeting new people and cultures and passing on the culture of my region to people who want to know it                                                                                                                                 

Dubrovnik Tour Guide - Darko Š.

Darko Š.

Croatia

Dear travellers, My name is Darko and I was born and raised in Dubrovnik, where I have spent my whole life, so I can say that I am a true Dubrovnik local. Since 2004 I have been working in tourism and as a real outdoor person I can say that being a licensed tourist guide in Dubrovnik County gives me the chance to say that all of these historical sites, landscapes, nature that used to be my playground are my office today !!! If you are interested in exploring my hometown area, it's tradition, history, culture, food, landscapes, off te beaten paths and much more on a completely private tour, created just for you and your travel companions, please feel free to contact me. I will be happy to meet you and show you my hometown area on the way just a true local can... See you in Dubrovnik !!!                                                                                                                                 

Split Tour Guide - Joško Z.

Joško Z.

Croatia

Hello, My name is Joško (pronounced:Yosch-ko) and I am a Licensed Tour Guide by Ministry of Tourism in Croatia, with expertise in the Region of Dalmatia. I was born and raised in Split, the capital and centre of this region, where I live still today.I specialized in active and cultural small group travel, privately guided and custom designed tours through Dalmatia, the oldest and most beautiful region of Croatia. My experiences in tourism, formal education, and authentic knowledge of the amazing Dalmatian Coast and it’s rich surroundings have led me to turn my passion into my profession. I graduated from the University of Economics in Zagreb, Croatia in 2001, with a University degree in Tourism Studies. I also graduated on History Studies from University of Split. Since 2002, I have been guiding and creating customized tours in Croatia and during this time I have enjoyed partnering with several US and European travel companies. I truly believe a Croatian destination will always be gorgeous and fascinating and I simply love of being an ambassador of my beautiful country with visitors.As an experienced Tour Guide that gives an insider’s perspective and as a resident of the region that has plenty of local lore to share,it will be my pleasure to make your vacation time in my country joyful and memorable for a years to come. I am also very happy and proud to show you my hometown and region through the eyes of locals and to consistently provide the type of experience a recent guest described as “I just returned from the Croatia trip yesterday and I have to say I feel as though I am looking at the world through new eyes. It was the greatest experience of my life.” I am looking forward to hear from you and hope to see and host you here in Split. Živjeli (Cheers)!!! Joško                                                                                                                                 

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