Off the Beaten Track in Croatia

Peljesac Peninsula

The Peljesac Peninsula is famous for its wine and food, most notably oysters. Just 30 miles north of Dubrovnik, it’s filled with magnificent scenery, including a rugged coastline with pebble beaches and mountains while tranquil villages still retain their fortification walls. The village of Ston boasts Europe’s longest walls and the world’s second-longest. Built in the 14th and 15th centuries to help protect the area and its lucrative salt pans, they stretch for nearly 3.5 miles and include several fortresses and towers. Like the walls in Dubrovnik, they can be walked, providing awe-inspiring views. Many Croatia private tours include the chance to taste fresh oysters straight from the sea on a boat in Mali Ston Bay. Family-run wineries offer tastings too.

Risnjak National Park

Located in the mountainous north, Risnjak National Park is only about 27 miles from the town of Rijeka. It’s one of the few places in Europe inhabited by endangered lynx and the scenery is breathtaking with nearly a dozen named mountains, including Veliki Risnjak rising over 5,000 feet. Not surprisingly, it’s a great place to hike, with numerous trails, including the one that will bring you to the top of Risnjak for a spectacular panoramic view. For a shorter trek, you might take the 2.9-mile Leska Educational loop trail near Delnice. The relatively easy route is ideal for mountain biking and birdwatching too, taking an average of around 75 minutes to complete. Mountain bikes and helmets are available for rent.

Cres

Solta

Pula sits at the southern tip of the Istria Peninsula in northern Croatia. It’s most famous for its 1st-century AD Roman amphitheater. The Pula Arena is surprisingly well preserved and the only one in the world that has retained all three Roman architectural orders and four side towers. It’s also home to the 1st century BC Roman Forum, now a piazza, and Hercules Gate, dating from the same period. Its seaside location also draws many to enjoy the picturesque beaches that range from pebble stretches to those with golden sands. The clear turquoise water is popular for swimming and a wide range of watersports, including diving, jet skiing, and water skiing. Kayaking and snorkeling can be enjoyed in some spots as well.

Zagorje

Despite being missed on lists of Croatia’s most beautiful places, Zagorje is like a dream. Many have compared it to walking into a fairytale with lush hills, forests, castles, vineyards, scenic trails, and thermal springs. Relax at spas with thermal water for soaking and enjoy the thrills at modern waterparks with slides and waves. There are multiple castles but the most popular and fairytale-like is Trakoscan, standing on a hill like a postcard while surrounded by a forest park with a lake that’s ideal for picnics along its shores. The Krapina Neanderthal Museum offers unique exploration built in the form of a cave where visitors enter a labyrinth to discover everything from the planet’s first hominids to the ancient habitat of Krapina protohumans.

Dugi Otok

Dugi Otok translates to Long Island and it’s one of Croatia’s most stunning. Located southwest of Zadar, about an hour and 45 minutes by ferry, it boasts unspoiled nature with secluded coves and tranquility for escaping the crowds. Telascica Nature Park is a great place to stroll while exploring its many rare and endemic plant species while Sakarun Beach near the island’s northern tip boasts white pebbles that glisten in the sun, backed by pine trees for shade and edged by crystal-clear turquoise water. The bay is known for its remarkable visibility for snorkeling and diving among the rich sea life. Soothe hunger pangs afterward in the village of Sali with its outstanding eateries serving fresh seafood.

Osijek

One of Croatia’s largest cities, Osijek is a cultural hub in the eastern region that few visitors ever seem to get to. Perhaps that’s because it’s a long distance from the sea, near three international borders, the countries of Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia. But base yourself here and you can easily explore four countries in one trip. Wine enthusiasts can enjoy tasting and touring in the Slavonia wine region, known for its high quality whites while the town itself boasts a charming medieval historic center, focused around a lovely square. There are opportunities for riverside walks, enticing museums, pretty parks, and lots of festivals, especially in the summer, with Osijek Summer Nights worth planning a visit around.

Omis

The small town of Omis has a rich history that can be seen in the 13th-century Mirabella Fortress and the 15th-century Starigrad Fortress that towers above, offering spectacular views. A famous pirate town prosperous during the Middle Ages, they were built to protect it from invaders. But most visit Omis to enjoy its wealth of outdoor adventures like floating trips on the Cetina River. The water has a surreal aquamarine hue while surrounded by magnificent scenery with tranquil stretches ideal for a relaxing float along with some small rapids providing a bit of a thrill. It’s surrounded by a beautiful, rugged canyon that stretches some 62 miles, bringing opportunities for a wide range of other activities, including hiking, canyoning, and ziplining.

Varazdin

The highly underrated city of Varazdin is located about an hour’s drive north of Zagreb on the Drava River. The main reason to visit is its incredible history that can be seen in the 14th-century fortress which displays a variety of artifacts donated from some of the city’s most prestigious families. The 16th-century Town Hall is one of Europe’s oldest and there are some impressive churches like Varazdin Cathedral, one of the most significant early Baroque sacral buildings in northern Croatia, constructed in the mid-17th century. Lisak Tower is the only surviving part of the historic walls while the Varazdin City Museum is focused on the history of the town from the Counts of Celje to the modern age.

Vrsar

Vrsar is a small coastal village, located between Rovinj and Porec. Its Old Town sits on a hilltop and is lovely to stroll with narrow streets and alleyways following the typical medieval layout. There’s something to discover around nearly every corner like the Church of St. Martin and its bell tower, rising over 130 feet for panoramic views. Romance-seekers are drawn here to follow the footsteps of famous Giacomo Casanova, master of seduction/writer/adventurer who visited during the mid-17th century. There are also idyllic beaches with vibrant turquoise waters popular for swimming and watersports. This is a great place to take a dolphin-watching tour, with the sunset dolphin-watching excursions particularly memorable, enhancing the adventure while providing spectacular photo-ops.