Those who have been to Croatia know that this is a real tourist gem, a rare combination of breathtaking picturesque landscapes, amazing nature reserves, lakes and rivers, and also cities where time seems to have stood still.
Croatia is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, located on the shores of the Adriatic Sea and one of the most beautiful coastlines in Europe that meets a clear blue sea. Croatia's landscapes include a variety of hundreds of small islands, some of which are inhabited, and these are fascinating gems. Croatia is characterized by a wealth of history, architecture at its best, hospitable locals, and fine cuisine.
Visitors to the country will enjoy a rich variety of accommodation options including hotels and vacation apartments, from price levels that suit every budget to luxury hotels, resorts for families with children including water and amusement parks and even spa resorts for healing vacations.
Indeed, Croatia is a perfect destination for any type of vacation and recreation, including a rental car trip, an organized trip, extreme trips, and diving and sailing vacations.
So if you are still undecided, it is time for you to decide to fly to Croatia this summer and you are guaranteed a unique experience that you will remember for a long time.
Where to visit in Croatia - at a glance
Let's start with the Plitvice Nature Reserve - this is a huge reserve that covers 195 dunams of wooded hills, including 16! Turquoise lakes into which tongues of waterfalls slide from a great height and are a unique and spectacular sight to watch while walking on wooden bridges and boating.
Another interesting nature reserve is the KERKA reserve located in the central part of the Croatian coast. The reserve has amazing landscapes that include 17 waterfalls, the height difference between which reaches 47 meters. This reserve also has spectacular hiking trails and the possibility of taking a spectacular boat cruise.
And if you want to see a nature reserve consisting of an archipelago that is about 150 years old!! Dense islands and reefs in the Adriatic Sea jump to the Kornati Nature Reserve. The islands have the appearance of the surface of the moon, built of light limestone rocks, which have been formed over thousands of years. On cruises from the nearby towns you can go to these beautiful islands and there you can walk, swim, snorkel and enjoy the peace and quiet.
It's worth visiting the Croatian coastal cities that are lively kite cities that kiss amazing beaches, we mention the cities of Split, Opatija, Pula, Zadar, Šibenik, Trogir and Rovinj.
A visit to Split, the second largest city in Croatia, will bring you together in pine groves. You can feel the sound of the sea waves to the sounds of Dalmatian songs playing among the stones of the city. The squares, streets, restaurants and cafes are bustling with activity and the city enjoys a comfortable and sunny climate. It is worth visiting the palace of Emperor Diocletian from the Roman period and leaving the city for trips to the Makarska Riviera and the islands of Brač and Hvar.
When visiting the coastal city of Pula (PULA) you will find roots from the Roman period and the highlight of the city is the Roman amphitheater which in its heyday entertained tens of thousands of spectators in battles between gladiators and is now used for various concerts and shows. The combination between the clear sea and the surrounding landscapes have made the city a recommended and popular tourist destination. Pula is also famous for its wine industry (which is definitely recommended to be tasted), fishing and shipbuilding. Among the attractions that the city offers: diving to ancient shipwrecks, bicycle tours and rock climbing.
Visitors to the city of Zadar will notice that it sits on a cliff overlooking the Adriatic Sea and the small islands scattered near the city. The war that took place in the area in the early nineties of the last century is slightly visible, but most of the city has been renovated and restored, thus preserving its special charm. In the city you will find museums, churches and hiking trails and a trip inside the city and on its boardwalk and this makes the visit a pleasant and tasty experience. Don't miss out on tasting the famous cherry liqueur produced in the area. It is also recommended to visit the Church of Saint Donatus and the Museum of Christian Art and Archeology located in the Benedictine monastery opposite the church. In Zadar you can also enjoy lovely bathing beaches located along the promenade.
The town of Rovinj (ROVINJ) lies on a small and peaceful peninsula. One of the main buildings in the town is the cathedral, built in 1736 and with a sixty-meter tower that is considered the tallest building in the Baroque style that can be found in Croatia. The wooded hills that surround it and the islands located off its shores earned the town the title of the most beautiful town on the Istrian peninsula. It is recommended to visit the bustling fishing port and be impressed by the fishermen and their craft. It is also worth visiting the local aquarium where a large collection of fish of various species is displayed.
It is impossible not to mention Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, which is a cultural center and baroque atmosphere, colorful markets, multiple green areas, water fountains, museums, theaters and high-class restaurants. The city manages to preserve its unique character over the years and visiting it guarantees a real experience.
Dubrovnik, located in the southern part of Croatia on the coastal strip, is not to be missed and is truly a pearl on the Adriatic Sea. The city is partly surrounded by an ancient wall, houses with red tile roofs that add a special charm to the spectacular view of the city that was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A walking tour of the city will meet you with a picturesque view of narrow alleys, buildings that have been preserved from the Middle Ages, a Franciscan monastery where one of the houses is located The oldest apothecary in Europe, churches, monasteries, palaces, squares paved with marble, and more, it is not for nothing that many parts of the series "Game of Thrones" were filmed in Dubrovnik.
If you are a lover of islands, then Croatia offers you hundreds of small and cute islands, each of which is a lovely gem in itself. One of the islands worth visiting is the island of Korčula. which is considered the largest and most beautiful of the hundreds of islands in Croatia. The island can be reached by ferry that leaves from Split or Dubrovnik. On the island you will find picturesque houses from the Middle Ages, magnificent churches, a magnificent palace from the Renaissance period, and also the house of Marco Polo, the famous traveler from the 13th century.
One of the other islands out of many others worth visiting is the island of Miletus, the southernmost of the large islands of the Adriatic Sea. You can find the national park in the center of which are two saline lakes surrounded by slopes covered with a magical forest. On the island there are sailing, cycling or hiking routes. You should have lunch at the Benedictine monastery that sits in the middle of a large lake.
And we haven't even talked about the wine, the cuisine and the locals:
Croatia is not only landscapes, beaches and excursions, it is also a delicious cuisine that combines Mediterranean flavors and traditional recipes. Croatian cuisine produces delicious dishes that are hard to find anywhere else in the world and can satisfy almost any palate. The cuisine includes plenty of fresh vegetables, lots of fruit and herbs, fresh fish and seafood straight from the well-known Adriatic Sea.
The Croatian wine also excels in its quality and is definitely worth a taste and a long sip, and you will even find it successfully competing with French and Italian wines. The Croats who live there are usually kind and hospitable, a trait that reminds us Israelis of the joy of life and generosity, so you can feel comfortable opening a conversation with them and helping them if necessary.
So go ahead, jump to travel in Croatia this summer and enjoy a dream vacation that is all about experience.
How do you get to Croatia?
Croatia has a number of airports, including the central and modern one located in the capital city of Zagreb. Another airport is located in the resort city of Dubrovnik. There are other airports in the cities of Split, Pula, Zadar and Rijeka.
Starting in May, the Croatian national airline operates direct flights from Ben Gurion Airport to Zagreb, and flights to Dubrovnik are also planned later in the season.
The flights leave the country several times a week and are offered at attractive prices and with no extra charge for luggage.
The flights on Airbus planes are modern and comfortable and the take-off and landing times allow full utilization of the vacation days.