Where to relax in Croatia. Where is the best place to relax in Croatia by the sea? Croatia is a fairly conservative country

Every year, an increasing number of tourists from all over Europe and Russia go to Croatia. What do they find attractive in this country?

Croatia can rightly be called unique country. Everyone who comes to these parts finds their own treasure. No wonder holidays in Croatia have been gaining popularity since the reign of Rome, when every emperor considered it necessary to build his summer residence here.

Croatia experienced a real tourism boom in the last century with the creation resort infrastructure, when instead of small fishing villages and seaside towns scattered along coastline, popular resorts appeared.

Most of the large hotels were built during the era of the Republic of Yugoslavia. After its collapse, a large-scale reconstruction of the entire hotel fund was carried out. Now wondering where to relax in Croatia You will receive a lot of interesting offers from hotels of European level. Each major tourist complex has its own restaurant, cafe, equipped beach, SPA complex and sports center.

Where to relax in Croatia for beach lovers

Croatia is recognized best place for connoisseurs of beach holidays. And it’s not surprising, because crystal clear water awaits tourists here. Adriatic Sea- the most salty water in the world, with unsurpassed healing properties. This is probably the best solution where to relax in Croatia with children and improve your health.

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15 most beautiful places in Croatia

With over 1,000 islands, sensational music festivals and dramatic rocky coastlines lapped by pristine Mediterranean seas, is a dreamy summer destination, yet its pristine nature, vibrant cultural life and priceless architectural wonders can be enjoyed regardless of the season.

What to visit in Croatia depends on your specific tastes and interests, as this fascinating little country on the Adriatic coast has everything you could ask for and more. Below are 15 of the most beautiful places this unique, complex nation has to offer.

One of the most famous landmarks in Croatia, national park A UNESCO protected area, Plitvice Lakes is a fairyland of cascading emerald lakes, gurgling waterfalls and lush greenery. Numerous wooden walkways and walking trails throughout the exotic paradise, home to wolves, brown bears and more than 160 species of birds, offer visitors scenic views and excellent photo opportunities.

Stradun, the main street of Dubrovnik

Also known as Placa, Stradun is the city's most famous and beautiful street. Cutting through the Old Town, a 300-metre marble-paved promenade connects the city's eastern and western gates and is lined with elegant historic buildings, many of which house pleasant shops and cafes.

The Pula Amphitheater or Arena Pula, built in the 1st century AD, is one of the world's largest surviving Roman amphitheaters and the best-preserved ancient monument in Croatia. Once used for gladiator fights, the arena is now the center of the city's cultural life, hosting various events, exhibitions and concerts in July, including the Pula Film Festival.

Venetian era monuments, purple lavender fields and the Renaissance harbor, covered with yachts, is Hvar, the sunniest and most glamorous of all the Croatian islands. Situated in the Adriatic Sea, off the Dalmatian coast, Hvar is characterized by green, unspoilt landscapes and small pebble beaches surrounded by tranquil azure seas. Natural delights aside, the town of Hvar attracts travelers with its pedestrian marble streets, chic restaurants and trendy party spots.

Diocletian's Palace covers an area of 31,000 square meters. meters, occupies more than half of the city of Split and is one of the greatest surviving Roman ruins in the world. Currently, around 3,000 people live inside the impressive marble and white limestone complex, which is home to 220 buildings and a variety of bars, shops and restaurants.

Wherever you go cable car to Mount Srd or decide to take a walk between the ancient city walls, admire the beautiful red roofs and bright blue waters Dubrovnik can be best seen from above.

Zlatni Rat Beach, Brac

Strange beautiful beach Zlatni Rat on the island of Brac changes its shape according to the tide and current. The pine, white pebble beach extends into the bright blue Adriatic Sea, making it great place for surfing and kitesurfing.

City of Mali Losinj

Mali Losinj, being an important maritime and shopping center, is the largest island city on the Adriatic. And lies on the lush Croatian island of Losinj, famous for its clean sea air, and has a charming historic quarter and a picturesque natural harbor with elegant pastel-colored Mediterranean architecture.

City of Rovinj, Istria

Lots of steep cobbled streets, charming squares and Venetian-style houses, Rovinj with Italian flair is one of Croatia's most beautiful cities. Floating like an island in the deep blue Adriatic Sea, its lovely Old Town is filled with bars, restaurants and art galleries, and in the harbor glamorous yachts stand side by side with old fishing boats.

Boasting cutting-edge art installations and the most beautiful sunset in the world, Zadar's waterfront is one of Croatia's most unique attractions. Designed by local architect Nikola Bašić and the force of nature, the installation Salutation to the Sun and the adjacent Sea Organ enchant passersby with a fantastic show of lights and sounds.

Historic city of Trogir

The historical city of Trogir, surrounded by medieval walls, is located on small island and is a treasure trove of Romanesque, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Charming Italian pizzerias and traditional konobas (local restaurants) jockey for space on its narrow, cobbled streets, while lively sidewalk cafes lure visitors with fresh seafood and frothy cappuccinos along the wide promenade overlooking the Dalmatian coast.

With them crystal clear blue waters, dramatic cliffs and spectacular coves, the rugged islands of Kornati, located close to north coast Dalmatia is a paradise for sailors. Consisting of 140 or so uninhabited islands, it is the densest archipelago in the Mediterranean and one of Croatia's most impressive and unique natural parks.

Stiniva beach, island of Vis

Named best beach in Europe (2016), Stiniva on the island of Vis is a secluded white pebble cove nestled between high rocky cliffs and covered in the clearest turquoise waters you've ever seen.

Situated on a small island in the middle of a lake in Croatia's Krka National Park, the centuries-old Visovac Monastery is a must-see. Apart from its religious significance and a wonderful collection of paintings and archaeological finds, it sacred place, surrounded by tall cypress trees, is an oasis of tranquility and lush vegetation.

City of Motovun

Most people visit Croatia for its undeniable coastal delights, but few know that further inland the picturesque landscapes and rolling hills of Istria's medieval villages are reminiscent of the Tuscany of yesteryear. One such place is Motovun, a quaint walled town perched on a hilltop above beautiful vineyards, truffle-rich forests and the 53km Mirna River.

What you need to know when coming to Croatia for the first time:

In Croatia:

1. I believe it will not be useful to everyone, but first of all, relax, feel the friendly rhythm and keep up with it. If you are used to getting yours with character and pretension, it is better not to go to Croatia, you will not relax and skim off all the cream of hospitality, you will not see natural and human beauty around you, but only the sea - this is an incomplete impression;)

2. Slavic, an accessible and completely understandable language, you can even start speaking in a few days.

3. Mostly holidays in private apartments. Hotels have European stars, and so do the prices. Their territories are small with rare exceptions, often the territories are open, there are not many all-inclusive options and there is no eastern abundance. The apartments do not provide meals; there are equipped kitchens everywhere.

4. There are no private beaches; in some places there are beaches rented by hotels.

5. Very little sandy beaches and on such beaches there is a rather shallow entry into the sea.

6. Partially concreted beaches with slopes into the sea, unknown to anyone, this is the most comfortable and requested by gourmets, lovers of “everything for me” ... and views, and the beach, and the sea.

7. There are no jellyfish in the sea and almost no algae. The Adriatic Sea of Croatia is one of the cleanest in the world.

8. The swimming season starts earlier and ends later in Dalmatia, from Sibenik and further south to Dubrovnik, simply because it is further south and the mountains and islands create a certain climate.

9. Seasonal prices for accommodation, for car rental and even in cafes... during the peak season (July and August) are more expensive than in June and September, and in the off-season you can rent apartments with a monthly price.

10. It is better to book holidays in the region of August 1-15 in advance, even better before the New Year, because... This time is also a vacation time for Italians, who also like to vacation in Croatia.

11. There are very few single-family houses in Croatia, there are even fewer of them near the sea in civilized places with markets, shops, pharmacies, restaurants and this, of course, is more expensive than apartments. Another category is villas, which are of appropriate quality, if there is territory, then with swimming pools and a barbecue area, and even a few kilometers from the sea, they usually cost from 200-300 euros per day (400-700 euros July-August) and above.

12. Holidays in cabins at campsites often happen more expensive than a vacation in the apartments.

13. Russian tourists in Croatia are only 1.5-2% per this moment, therefore, excursions in Russian can sometimes be provided only by hotels and only those that work with Russia.

14. Recreation on yachts and other watercraft. is no less popular than land means, we can say that the forces are equal :)

15. When booking a holiday in an apartment in May and later, it is recommended NOT to buy tickets in advance, but to first find accommodation and adjust to it.

16. IMPORTANT! Children are also people who are also considered for accommodation and are also registered, with the exception of infants up to a maximum of 2 years old. The apartments are all categorized for a certain number of people (this is how taxes are paid) and any other number is fraught with a fine, and inspections are quite common. Those. “The child is 5 years old, he is small, he will sleep in the bed with us” in Croatia it is better not to mean. Yes, cribs for babies are provided in the apartments, not like those at home, wooden ones, but mobile playpens-beds, pay attention to this!

17. In Istria and Kvarner there are more hotel holidays, in Dalmatia holidays in apartments.

18. Driving cars is possible with a Russian license. Fines for traffic and parking violations are quite high.

19. Almost everywhere in use bank cards, with the exception of newsstands, souvenir shops, markets, most coffee shops and payment for transport not at train stations. Rubles are not accepted anywhere.

20. Prices in shops and restaurants on the islands, if they are not connected by a bridge to the mainland, are usually more expensive.

21. Products High Quality, pay attention to the labels: “domaće”, “hrvatski proizvod”, “hrvatska kvaliteta”, “mlijeko hrvatskih farmi”, “meso hrvatskih farmi”.

22. People often ask about sanatoriums for the treatment of the respiratory tract... Sanatoriums in Croatia can be counted on the fingers of one hand and they are not all at sea. There are places on the coast where nature heals, so come and breathe the sea, pine trees, it is important to change the altitude above sea level, and this means the presence of mountains is important. Asthmatic diseases are also treated over time.

23. If you expect to travel by car from island to island or to the mainland quite often, consider the cost of ferries - quite expensive.

24. Croatia, although small on the map, has a coastline of more than a thousand kilometers, not counting the islands, so count on your strength, thinking over a route every day in a new place - it’s very tiring.

25. If you have insurance with Schengen coverage in Croatia, you will NOT be served, because Croatia is not yet in Schengen.

26. There is a very low crime rate, but during the season, like everywhere else, there are “guest performers,” so keep your purses, documents and phones with you, be careful!

27. Croatia is a very hospitable country; private accommodation services here have been polished in their quality for decades and you can always be sure that you are welcome guests. They will always help you solve problems during your stay, as well as brighten up your holiday with their attention and courtesy. Those who do not need extra attention are recommended to stay in hotels.

28. You can’t even imagine how much there is to see in this small country with a thousand islands.

From personal experience requests :) I definitely missed something, I feel... I’ll add it later :) The author of the text is Yulia Shevaleva.

Croatia is an amazing and picturesque country with excellent ecology, cuisine and recreation. It opens for tourists beaches among pine trees and rocks, the cleanest Adriatic Sea, treatment on mineral springs, of which there are 20 in Croatia. There is also, however, one, a deposit of naphthalan - medicinal oil!

The capital of Croatia is medieval most beautiful city Zagreb It contains unusual beautiful palaces and magnificent cathedrals, small cozy cafes and charming parks that captivate with their nature.

In Croatia great amount resorts The Istrian peninsula is famous for its incredible views of the Adriatic Sea and its fairly close location to Italy, where the main dishes are fish and seafood.

For those who appreciate the romance of the Middle Ages, there is the city of Pulu, where the Temple of Augustus and the ancient Roman amphitheater Arena are located, the city of Rovinj and the island of Krk with a national park and a canyon in it. Medulin is attractive to young people. There are conditions and opportunities for diving, having previously obtained special permission. Those who prefer a relaxing holiday and older people should definitely visit Lovran. Those who care about their health should go to Opatija.

Central Dalmatia is ideal for a holiday with children, and for a family holiday you should visit Tucepi or the resort of Baska Voda. Prestigious resort Makarska is also where there are luxury hotels, SPA centers and restaurants. There are discos in Sibenik.

The excellent Dingač wine is produced in Southern Dalmatia. Oysters are grown here, and there is picturesque nature all around: circles of islands and mountains.
In Croatia there is also ski resorts, which are quite attractive in price and are well equipped. The most popular resorts are Sleme and Platak.

You should visit this beautiful country in May and September. In July and August there are too many tourists and therefore there are no beaches free seats. Comfortable enough but cool for swimming in April and May. But for diving best time It is considered from May to October.
In general, Croatia is quite a sporty country. Almost everyone large hotels there are courts, basketball, volleyball courts and even football fields.

The country's currency is HRK - Croatian Kuna, and you should come to Croatia with dollars or euros. Smoking in the country is prohibited in all public places, but there are specially designated trash cans at the entrances to the beach. A fine is paid for violating the rules.

Going to Croatia, we didn't really know much about the country. Facts from Wikipedia, numerous texts in the spirit of “charming streets”, “clean sea”, “delicious seafood”, delights, descriptions of excursions. I wanted a clear and reliable comparison of cities with each other. Why go to Istria and not Dalmatia? Why is Makarska so much better than Krk that more tours are offered to the first city? How many days to spend in Dubrovnik and how many in Rijeka?

Therefore, we decided to go on an exciting road trip and see everything Largest cities coast, the island of Krk (connected to the mainland by a bridge and located some 50 kilometers from Opatija), Zagreb and the Plitvice Lakes and Krka national parks.

We personally visited every city we write about,
tried to visit different beaches everywhere,
they were brutally stupid, trusting the guidebook, and ended up in two or three towns that were “not ours at all,” and left the very next day.

Let's share all this.

Prelude: about us

To begin with, a lyrical digression. Have you ever arrived at a place that someone praised and thought: “God, what did they find here?”

So a little about us.

we traveled by car together: me and my beautiful beloved,
we are about 30 years old,
we are online freelance entrepreneurs, one of those who are always not at work, but always with a laptop,
to Croatia our best sea holiday I was in Greece. If you had a good time on the islands of Kos and Corfu, we are on the same wavelength. Croatia is also suitable for those who like Italy.

A couple of years ago we were disappointed in hotel holidays. Staying in good “fives”, we practically did not take advantage of any of their advantages.

Lazy all-inclusive is not for us: we spend a maximum of 3-5 hours on the beach, and the thirst for activity begins.

Hotel meals have always been a waste of money: we missed breakfast, skipped lunch on excursions, dined at different local establishments, each time in a new one.

We tried out the luxurious infinity pool in the “five” in Corfu once – for a selfie. In other hotels, sometimes they didn’t even find a pool for 10 days of vacation. How, well, how can you exchange this gorgeous, clear, clean water for something chlorinated and over-chlorinated?!

Food: we eat healthy, so shrimp, fish steaks, squid, octopus, greens, vegetables are our everything! For breakfast – definitely buckwheat!

The beach of the town of Vrbnik on the island of Krk is loved and recommended by locals.

Delicious seafood – everywhere, but the oysters and fish were especially good at the Lim Fjord restaurant on the coast of the Lim Fjord, between Rovinj and Porec, and at the Frankopan restaurant in the city of Krk.

Lima Fjord: it's worth going on an excursion here for beautiful nature and delicious seafood.

Beautiful Old Town (in order of priority): Dubrovnik, Split, Zadar, Sibenik, Rovinj. There are no ugly or uninteresting towns on the Adriatic coast, but if you want to see the very best, go here.

The most beautiful cities Croatia - in Dalmatia. The photo shows the Split embankment.

Both the Old Town and good beaches, and clean sea, and delicious seafood: Dubrovnik.

Dubrovnik is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

To have the beach and the Old Town nearby: all except Pula and Rijeka. There is a beach near the Old Town, but it is not very large and convenient: Rovinj, Trogir, Dubrovnik. There is a city beach, but it is crowded: Split. The water is like this (it stagnates a little and with greenery): Sibenik.

The most amazing beach in the city center is in Zadar. There is a beach, a promenade, and Old city, and a lot of water activities, and two unique miracles of technology: a sea organ and a “greeting the sun” installation.

The sea and the active rhythm of life in a big city: Dubrovnik, Split, Rijeka (but we do not recommend the latter for a sea holiday).

Calm sea holiday, silence: Umag (Istria), Volosko (near Opatija, Kvarner Bay), nearby - Crikvenica, Vodice (near Sibenik), Vrbnik (Krk). It is quiet here and at the same time a stone's throw from larger cities.

A special place in the suburbs of Pula – Premantura, park and beach Kamenjak

Hotel lazy holiday: Porec, Dubrovnik. There are many hotels in Croatia, but not every city has five-star hotels. There are strong fours in Porec. There are many good luxury hotels and chain brands in Dubrovnik. But in general, to be honest, Croatia is not a country for lazy rest in the all-inclusive style and there are very few hotels operating according to this system

To see more interesting things: cities with good opportunities for beach holiday close to the most interesting places regions: in Istria - Rovinj, in the Kvarner Bay area - Opatija, in Dalmatia - Split.

Opatija is one of the strategic points on the map of the Croatian coast. From here it is convenient to get to largest cities region and country.

Strategically correct route to continue to be surprised in every new city: from Umag to Dubrovnik. This way you will get maximum pleasure and impressions “increasingly”, with the maximum in Dubrovnik.

A strategically correct route for active sightseeing and, in the end, lying down like a seal on the beach: from Dubrovnik to Umag.

Features of the climate. If you like it to be hotter and the sea to be warmer, go to Dalmatia. The most southern cities– Dubrovnik, Split. If you need to improve your health, but get as little sun as possible, go to Istria: here the temperature of both air and water is 5 degrees lower than in Dubrovnik and Split. At the same time, in the area of Pula, Porec, Rovinj, the most unique beach areas are concentrated, located in coniferous parks. The thick shade from the pine trees that reach the water allows you to relax and not get sunburned, even while on the beach in the hottest sun. Therefore, there are many families with small children and women “in interesting position" Locals sometimes complain that the weather in Istria is unstable, there are cold currents, but we vacationed here in June, when the sea temperature was 25 degrees and the air temperature was 30. And it was very comfortable!

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