About the history of Croatia
Many tribes passed through the territory of modern-day Croatia from prehistory forward; the country was also ruled in successive periods by the Roman and Byzantine empires as well as the Habsburg Empire. Between the 15th and 17th centuries, the country was under Ottoman rule, despite repeated efforts by the Hapsburgs to take the land. After the First World War, following the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Croatia was incorporated into Yugoslavia. In 1991, with the dissolution of Yugoslavia, Croatia declared its independence.
First: Where is Croatia?
Croatia is on the Balkan peninsula at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe. It is bordered by Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Hungary, and Montenegro.
Let the exploration begin: Croatian cities and islands
Croatia’s cities and islands offer important evidence of a rich culture. Keep reading to explore these amazing places and discover what and where to visit in Croatia.
Croatian capital: Zagreb
The capital and the country’s largest city, Zagreb is a center of culture, art and trade. The city has Baroque-style structures, an orderly urban plan, and spacious and clean streets. In addition, Zagreb has an abundance of green spaces.
Zagreb has a typical continental climate. Well known for winter sports, Zagreb is also known for its colorful spring and summer festivals, such as famous Fasnik in March and the Dance Festival in May.
Most people who visit Croatia usually begin in Zagreb, where there’s plenty to see. Among the impressive sights are Ban Jelačić Square, the Cathedral of Zagreb, St. Mark’s Church, Dolac Market and Maksimir Park.
A meeting of different styles: Split
The second-largest city in Croatia, Split offers a beguiling combination of the modern and traditional accented with the Dalmatian culture. As the city lies on the Adriatic coast, it serves as a transit point for many islands. The highlights of Split include the Diocletian Palace, the Ethnography Museum, the Archaeological Museum, the Split Aquarium and the Temple of Jupiter.
“Hello” from the Middle Ages: Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik, a picturesque medieval city on the Adriatic coast, is among the most popular destinations in Croatia, attracting millions of tourists each year. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is indeed almost an open-air museum, featuring walls and stone streets dating to antiquity. Beautiful Lokrum Island is accessible from Dubrovnik; as well, if you visit the city in the summer, you’ll encounter the delightful Dubrovnik Summer Festival!
Highlights of Dubrovnik include Stradub Street, the Old Town, Sponza Palace, the Franciscan Monastery and Museum, the Dubrovnik Walls, Fort Lovrijenac and Onofrio’s Fountain.
And we must mention that Dubrovnik is among the filming locations for the legendary series Game of Thrones. You can read more on this topic here: Travel along cinematic routes: Game of Thrones film locations!
A port city: Rijeka
Set on the Adriatic Sea coast overlooking the Gulf of Kvarner, Rijeka is the third-largest city in Croatia and also hosts the country’s largest port.
Rijeka is very walkable and its sights easily accessible. We suggest starting from the medieval Trsat Castle and proceeding to the City Tower, the symbol of Rijeka. Other highlights include the Governor’s Palace of Rijeka, the St. Vitus Cathedral, the Roman Archae, the Old Gate and the Capuchin Church.
Feel the island spirit: Hvar
The Dalmatian Coast is world-famous and for good reason. A ferry ride from Split, the lovely Hvar Island welcomes visitors to a scenic idyll featuring natural beauty as well as stone streets and houses, a magnificent sea, peaceful beaches, and an authentic spirit. As well, Hvar is known for its nightlife and sea tourism.
Praise for calmness: Brac
Facing the city of Split, Brac is another prominent Croatian island. Displaying all the beauty of the Dalmatian Coast, Brac is an ideal destination for a peaceful holiday – it is also considered a delightful honeymoon spot. The highlights include ancient ruins and monasteries, as well as turquoise seas and relaxing beaches.
Dining in Croatia
The tantalizing Croatian cuisine bears Slavic, Turkish, Greek, Hungarian and Italian influences as well as regional distinctions. In the coastal areas, seafood and fish are widely consumed, while red meat is more common inland. In general, however, the use of olive oil, garlic, citrus fruits, and spices is common across the entire country.
The highlights of Croatian dining include black risotto, fish stew, fried and skewered lamb, Zagreb-style schnitzel and burek. Croatian peka is also quite famous: this roast dish consists of lamb, squid or fish with vegetables, spices and Dalmatian misan.
Important information
- The capital of Croatia is Zagreb
- The official language of Croatia is Croatian. However, the younger population tends to also be fluent in English.
- The currency of Croatia is the Croatian Kuna (HRK).
- The largest airport in the country is Zagreb Airport, located in the capital.
- Croatia has a temperate continental climate.
- The ideal time to visit Croatia is during the spring.
Transportation in Croatia
Depending on your origin location, you can reach Croatia via sea, land or air. Turkish Airlines operates direct flights to Zagreb and Dubrovnik from Istanbul. To get to Split and Pula, one must transfer from Zagreb Airport.
