Explore Croatia

Plitvice Lakes is one of Croatia’s most memorable natural landscapes, where forested paths weave between turquoise lakes, cascades and wooden walkways. The scenery changes with the season, from lush spring greens to autumn colour and winter frost. Visiting rewards an unhurried pace: the beauty comes from the sequence of water, limestone, woodland and constantly shifting viewpoints rather than a single dramatic stop.

Dubrovnik’s Old Town offers one of Croatia’s most striking urban experiences, with pale stone streets, historic walls and views toward the Adriatic. Walking through its lanes reveals churches, squares, stairways and everyday corners beyond the famous panoramas. Early morning or later in the day can make the atmosphere feel especially rewarding, when the architecture and sea light take centre stage.

In central Split, Diocletian’s Palace is not a closed monument but a living part of the city, threaded with homes, cafés, shops and narrow passageways. Roman structures sit beside later medieval and modern layers, making the area feel both historic and immediate. Exploring on foot is the best way to notice courtyards, stone details and how daily life continues inside an ancient urban framework.

Peka is a much-loved Croatian way of slow-cooking meat, octopus or vegetables under a heavy domed lid covered with hot embers. The method produces tender textures and deep, roasted flavours, often with potatoes absorbing the cooking juices. It is usually associated with leisurely shared meals rather than fast dining, making peka as much about the rhythm of the table as the dish itself.

Crni rižot, or black risotto, is a distinctive Adriatic dish coloured and flavoured with cuttlefish or squid ink. Its dark appearance is dramatic, but the appeal is in the savoury, briny depth that reflects Croatia’s coastal cooking traditions. It is commonly found in seaside restaurants and works especially well for travelers who want to taste a dish closely connected to the Adriatic.

Pašticada is a slow-cooked beef dish strongly associated with Dalmatian home cooking. The meat is prepared in a rich sweet-and-sour style, often with wine, aromatics and dried fruit, then served with gnocchi or another simple accompaniment. Its layered flavour and long preparation make it feel celebratory and comforting at once, offering a deeper taste of Croatian food beyond grilled seafood and quick coastal classics.

Zagorski štrukli is a comforting pastry dish from northern Croatia, made from thin dough filled with fresh cheese. It can be boiled or baked, with the baked version often finished with cream for a soft, rich texture. The dish is simple rather than showy, which is part of its charm: it offers travelers a taste of Croatia’s inland cooking and the country’s strong tradition of cheese-filled dough dishes.

Plavac Mali is one of Croatia’s best-known red wine grapes, especially connected with the sunny slopes and islands of Dalmatia. Wines made from it are often full-bodied, with ripe dark-fruit character and a distinctly Mediterranean feel. Tasting Plavac Mali is a useful introduction to Croatian wine because it links the glass directly to dry coastal landscapes, stone terraces and a long regional wine culture.

Malvazija Istarska is a signature white grape of Istria and an excellent way to discover another side of Croatian wine. Depending on the producer and style, the wines can feel fresh, floral, citrusy or more textured. A glass pairs naturally with Istrian seafood, pasta and lighter dishes, while the vineyards themselves reveal the region’s gentle hills and strong connection between food, wine and landscape.

Istria is widely known for truffles, and joining a truffle-hunting experience adds a memorable layer to the region’s food culture. Trained dogs search wooded ground for these prized fungi while local guides explain how they are found and used. Even without a hunt, tasting truffle dishes in Istria connects travelers with the inland landscape, small towns and a culinary tradition very different from Croatia’s coast.

Klapa is a traditional style of multipart singing from Dalmatia, usually performed a cappella or with very light accompaniment. The close harmonies create an intimate sound that can feel especially powerful in stone streets, churches and small public squares. Hearing klapa offers travelers a cultural experience rooted in voice, community and the coastal identity of southern Croatia rather than in a staged spectacle alone.

Pag lace is one of Croatia’s most recognizable textile traditions, associated with the island town of Pag. The intricate handwork is created with needle and thread, producing delicate geometric patterns that require patience and precision. Seeing the lace up close reveals the skill behind a craft that can look almost weightless from a distance, and it offers a quieter cultural counterpoint to Croatia’s beaches and historic cities.