Often touted as the ‘new this’ or the ‘new that’, Croatia is in fact a dream destination in its own right. Just take a look at its coastline: 1,778 kilometres of crystalline waters, remote islands, hidden coves, glitzy beaches and traditional villages.
With city heritage, island escapes and national parks, Croatia works equally well for beach holidays, city breaks or touring itineraries.
Stay in Dubrovnik to walk the Old Town walls, explore its UNESCO streets and swim straight from the stone harbour steps.
Over 1,000 islands shape the coast—head to lively Hvar, the unspoilt Pakleni Islands or the peaceful Elafiti Islands near Dubrovnik.
Istria’s coastal towns, vineyards and truffles make it a great choice for relaxed stays with good food and easy exploring.
The Dalmatian Coast is known for its seafood and wine – try oysters in Ston and well-crafted reds from the Pelješac Peninsula.
Images of glittering waters and white-pebble beaches framing stone-clad towns with terracotta roofs are instantly recognisable. The island-speckled coastline is indisputably the main attraction, drawing in travellers from all around the world, who come to bask in glorious sunshine, sample authentic cuisine and enjoy all kinds of cultural and active adventures.
At the country's southern end you’ll find Dubrovnik, one of the finest walled cities in the world, whose UNESCO-listed old town is punctuated with marble streets and Baroque churches. Add the rolling vineyards and olive groves of Istria, the waterfront bars of heavenly Hvar, historical delights such as Diocletian’s Palace in Split and the beautifully preserved first-century Roman amphitheatre in Pula, the secluded coves of islands like Korcula and natural wonders like the Plitvice Lakes and you’ll soon understand why Croatia has emerged as the Balkans’ star attraction.
July and August offer the warmest weather – great for sailing and swimming – but bring crowds and higher prices, especially in popular places like Dubrovnik. May, June, September and October are therefore ideal months to visit, when crowds are thinner and cooler temperatures allow for hiking and other outdoor pursuits. In Istria, September sees the start of the grape harvest while October is truffle month, with truffle-trumpeting events held every weekend across the region.
Situated in its own sheltered bay with stunning sunset views off Hvar’s west coast, this Relais & Châteaux resort offers 53 spacious rooms, suites and villas, all with sea-view terraces, super comfy beds and wooden, custom-built bathtubs; some suites even come with their own heated plunge pools.
Hotel Dubrovnik Palace sits serenely on the seafront between fragrant pine forest and the turquoise waters of the Lapad peninsula, just a few minutes’ drive from Dubrovnik’s medieval Old Town.
This adults-only, ultra-luxury hotel enjoys a fabulous waterside location, set into a hillside on the Istrian coast, just a 15-minute walk from Rovinj’s picturesque old town. Warm, earthy tones dominate the guestrooms, all of which have balconies with sea views and Croatian artworks specially commissioned for the hotel. The views from the higher Executive and Deluxe Rooms are particularly impressive.
Perched on a cliff overlooking sheltered Miramare Bay, Hotel Bellevue boasts sweeping views of the Dalmatian coastline from almost every window. Effortlessly cool, contemporary and chic, this state-of-the-art seaside retreat is only a few minutes from Dubrovnik’s magnificent 6th-century Old Town.
Among the select few Relais & Chateaux properties in Croatia, this elegant country retreat is the embodiment of rustic charm and modern luxury. Inside its historic walls, guests are met by understated glamour, residential-style rooms and innovative cuisine, while outside is a vision of vineyards and olive groves.
As featured on the BBC’s Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby, Grand Park Hotel Rovinj sees elegant contemporary architecture set against centuries-old woodland in a blissful coastal location. It offers fabulous views across the bay to Rovinj’s old town, perhaps best enjoyed from the rooftop pool, or when looking through Europe’s biggest single glass window.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cut sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis