Yes, you read that right; 2023. As the British summer holidays draw to a close, school bags get packed, and parents begin to contemplate Christmas, our minds are already casting covetous glances at next year’s big plans.
Perhaps it’s escapism or a coping mechanism, considering the winter of discontent predicted here this year, but in the IDEAL household, the Skyscanner is already open and the search bar populated with enquiries far flung.
We’ve only one destination on our minds next year; Croatia. With its affordable flights and accommodation, gorgeous cuisine, stunning vistas, and relatively untouched charm, The Land Of A Thousand Islands has so much going for it.
If you’re on the same page as us (you are, we’re both on this one, at IDEAL), then you’re probably wondering how best to populate your Croatian itinerary. Here’s how; our 6 of the best places to visit in Croatia in 2023.
IDEAL For Sailing: The Dalmatian Islands
How does a luxury Croatian cruise sound? Well, aside from the clumsy alliteration, it sounds rather special, don’t you think? Indeed, the Croatian Adriatic coast, comprising the Istrian Peninsula (Istra), Kvarner Gulf, and Dalmatia (Dalmacija), has become hugely popular in recent years as a sailing destination and it’s easy to see why.
The extraordinary beauty of the Dalmatian Coast, in particular, and its thousands of adjacent islands, attracts well-heeled visitors from all over the world each year, keen to explore them by boat and appreciate the views from a seafaring vantage point.
If you’re keen to do the same, then start your cruise from the Port of Split, Croatia’s second largest city. From here, it’s a less than two hour journey on the water to the islands of Hvar and Brac, and a little longer to the gorgeous Korcula, all of which are stunning and unique in their own way. We’re stopping off at Hvar for a quick drink next, in fact…
IDEAL For Acclaimed Croatian Wine: Hvar
Hvar, known as the Queen of the Croatian Dalmatian islands, mixes serene beauty and sophistication with a vibrant, revelrous nightlife. Could there be a more perfect mix?
Here, the local wine is exceptional. In fact, Hvar is the island of Croatian wine, with the strong sun and wind combining for ideal grape growing conditions and the production of quality wine. The island is home to the oldest Plavac Mali (an indigenous grape to the Dalmatian region) vineyard in the country, perfect for raising a glass in picture-perfect surrounds.
Hvar is equally famous for its lavender, which thrives due to the island’s year round sunshine. You can find lavender flavoured ice cream pretty much everywhere on the island, its floral and herbaceous flavour just lovely when the weather is heating up. To see the purple fields for yourself, rent a scooter and follow the island’s lavender scented trails… You might even find a lavender flavoured wine during your visit!
IDEAL For Adventures: Velebit Nature Park
Mount Velebit is Croatia’s largest mountain range, and its surrounding national park (stretching for over 2’000 km²) makes for an incredible destination for a whole host of adventure sports, both on terra firma and in the park’s wild, fast moving, and unpredictable rivers.
Not for the faint of heart, the wild river kayaking route down the Zrmanja River is framed on either side by gorgeous forest and punctuated by rapids and waterfalls, showing visitors a very different side of Croatia – and one that’s UNESCO protected as a World Biosphere Reserve – compared to the more familiar images of harbours and sailing boats you’ll traditionally find in travel magazines.
Don’t worry if this sounds a little terrifying; there are some more sedate stretches, particularly at the beginning of the course, with no experience strictly necessary. You do need to know how to swim, though. The route concludes in the picturesque Muskovci village, where a change into dry clothes and a hearty feed awaits!
IDEAL For A City Break With Beaches: Split
We’re heading back to the coast now, enjoying a scenic two hour drive south from Muskovci and making for Split, the best place in Croatia to combine a city break and some beach time.
Bacvice is the closest beach to the heart of the old town and perhaps the best swimming spot in all of Split. While its shallow waters get pretty busy on hot, humid days, that also means it’s a place full of life, youth and spirit.
Here you’ll see people playing Picigin, a traditional ball game that was born in Split. It’s played in shallow water and while we’re not well versed in the complex rules, the aim is to stop the ball from touching the water, and you’ll find people doing so with acrobatic flair.
If you’re keen to continue that people watching, take a stroll down Split Riva, just a kilometre from Bacvice. This promenade, which lies on the south side of the Diocletian palace, is perfect for a morning coffee or sunset stroll. Lined with palm trees and benches, cafes and restaurants, and looking out over the peaceful turquoise waters of the bay, it’s as close to heaven as you’ll get on land.
IDEAL For Cosmopolitan Culture: Zagreb
We couldn’t visit Croatia without checking out its capital Zagreb, though this isn’t simply a box ticking exercise. The country’s largest city is a vibrant, modern place with plenty of cultural clout and historical intrigue.
Nominally divided into the historic upper town and the more modern lower town, the former is where you want to head for twisted, cobblestone streets and gorgeous medieval architecture, much of the most intricate and interesting of which is focused around Jelačić Square. It’s here that you’ll find many of the city’s best restaurants, too.
Don’t leave the city without checking out Tkalčićeva Street, a charming strip where locals go to unwind after dark with a rakija or two.
IDEAL For Seafood & Sunsets: Dubrovnik
Speaking of restaurants and bars, Dubrovnik, famed for its enchanting Old Town encompassed by mediaeval walls and the stunning backdrop of the Adriatic Sea, is arguably Croatia’s culinary capital.
The cuisine here is a blend of Balkan, Italian and Mediterranean influences, and the city is a seafood lover’s paradise. Here, you’ll find platters of grilled or fried seafood piled high in nearly every restaurant; the calamari and lightly floured then fried whitebait in this part of the world is arguably the best you’ll find just about anywhere.
Dubrovnik’s sunsets aren’t exactly bad, either, and if you can get a table at one of the restaurants overlooking the Adriatic, then you’re in for a treat. Restaurant 360º is Dubrovnik’s only Michelin starred restaurant and boasts panoramic views which give it its name; dine on some seafood and catch a sunset here, and you may well feel like your life (or, at the least, your trip) is complete.
And that feels like a great time to end our tour of Croatia. We’ll see you there next year?