Walk the 13th-century city walls in Dubrovnik – the real-life King’s Landing from Game of Thrones – and explore the Diocletian’s Palace in Split, before venturing over to the Istrian peninsula to see the best-preserved Roman ruins outside of Italy in Pula. Or perhaps you’d rather head to the often-overlooked capital city, Zagreb, for museums, green parks, street art, cafe culture and stunning Austro-Hungarian architecture.

Croatia’s natural beauty wows visitors time and again. The spectacular Adriatic coast is full of islands, rocky bays and inlets perfect for a spontaneous swim. Large islands like Hvar and Korcula lie alongside tiny, uninhabited islands with pristine sandy beaches – discover as many as possible on a sailing trip along the coast. Head away from the Adriatic for extraordinary national parks – Krka and Plitvice Lakes National Parks offer turquoise-coloured lakes and epic waterfalls. 

Croatian cuisine varies by region; seafood dominates the coast, as expected. Hearty meat dishes pair with home-made pasta, with crni rizot (black risotto) being a popular delicacy. Wine lovers should head to Istria or Dalmatia, where vineyards are plentiful.

To see the best of the coast, join our eight-day Coastal Croatia Epic Trip. Starting in Split, you’ll wind your way south – with stops in Vis, Korčula and Lumbarda on the way. After exploring a former Yugoslav military base, a speed boat trip out to secluded coves and a wine-tasting session, you’ll finish in Dubrovnik with a tour of the Unesco-listed Old Town.