Let’s face it, you never knew much about Croatia other than the conflict going on during the Balkanization of Yugoslavia in the 1990s and those 2 great cello players. However, if you’re a big fan of the HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones, then you’ll easily recognize many of the locations. As an avid history enthusiast of the Roman Empire, I knew many former Emperors resided there and had elaborate palaces. Croatia is one of the most exciting places to visit right now and is relatively easier on the budget compared to Western Europe. Castles, palaces, stunning countryside, delicious food, incredible coastal towns, and an active nightlife, this place has everything you want in a vacation. I was only in Croatia for 7 days so I had a day at most in each of the cities I visited.
I flew into the capital, Zagreb, and within 20 minutes I was in Upper Town section where all the great cultural and historical sites are. Put on a good pair of sneakers and be prepared to do a lot of walking because parking is a hassle and everything is pretty close to each other. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs to choose from. My hostel was right next to the astronomic observatory and just a few minutes walk gives you a great view of the city. One of the funnier places I visited was something called the Museum of Broken Relationships! An uneventful museum that has many items that remind you what its like to have your heart broken, the museum is good for a quick laugh and postcard. The main iconic site to see is the Zagreb Cathedral. You can’t miss this impressive piece of architecture and it’s really worth going inside. There are a lot cool shops and markets surrounding it too if you want to pick up a quick souvenir.
One of the main reasons for my trip to Croatia was to see the world famous Plitvice Lakes National Park. An UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is one of the most impressive natural landscapes I’ve had the pleasure to witness. I first saw this on an episode of Rick Steves’ Europe on PBS and knew I had to come here. As a photographer, I knew the images would be stunning with the clear blue water against the limestone rock. The national park is comprised of numerous lakes that are connected by waterfalls. The designers of the park have made wood walkways alongside the entire lake and its perfect for hikes and suitable for small children too. The first thing you notice is how clear the water is. You can see the fish up close since they don’t fear being around people. Fishing and swimming is not allowed to ensure the pristineness. There are also a number of hiking trails to choose from. I ended up taking the longer trail and nearly hiked the entire lake system in the summer heat. Due to the size of the lakes, there are small ferries that will take you the main areas. I recommend spending at least 2 days here. There are so many different paths to take and waterfalls to enjoy that you have to see them from various vantage points to truly appreciate the beauty.
Right next to Plitvice Lake is a great restaurant specializing in traditional and authentic Croatian dishes called Licka Kuca. The food was delicious and the service was good. One thing to pay attention to is to make sure the hotel you book with has air conditioning. I noticed a lot of the establishments I went to did not have it and I’d book elsewhere if I knew.
My next stop was in the coastal town of Pula. This old Roman town is best known for its Roman amphitheater known as The Arena. Built in the first century C.E., The Arena was finished under Emperor Flavius. I wanted to see this because I’ve seen The Colosseum in Rome and wanted something to compare it too. Although nowhere near in size of The Colosseum, The Arena is still a great experience and walking along seats and sands makes it easy to imagine being a rowdy spectator or a fighting gladiator. The other sites to see in the Old Town of Pula are Hercules Gate, Temple of Augustus, and Triumphal Arch of the Sergii. Pula is a very small town and not much else to see so I was only there for a day.
My third stop was in the central Dalmation coast city of Split. As I mentioned before, I enjoy reading history of the Roman Empire and knew that Split was the home of Emperor Diocletian’s Palace. The significance of Diocletian in Roman history is that he was the only Emperor to willingly give up his title and power. Completed in the 3rd century C.E., this UNESCO World Heritage Site is medieval and historic. Its absolutely amazing walking through the palace and seeing all the tiny shops and actors dressed as Roman soldiers walking around. Two things you must absolutely see are the dungeons and the bell tower of the Cathedral of Saint Domnius. The view from the top is worth the steep and narrow staircase you need to take. There are so many restaurants and nightclubs to choose from and you must take advantage of the seafood here.
Split is the place to be if you are a Game of Thrones fan. Lots of scenes from Season 2 were filmed here. Diocletian’s Palace, Klis Fortress, and The Water Mill located on the Zrnovica River are all here in Split! Klis Fortress was about 20 minutes away by car and really cool to see because it sits atop of the mountain and gives you great photo shots of the entire coast. I only spent 1 day in Split but 2 days should be the proper amount of time to see all the main hot spots.
The last city on my Croatian vacation was the famous city of Dubrovnik. The main attraction is Old Town and an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Otherwise known as King’s Landing for you Game of Thrones fans this city has an exciting vibe. The first thing you notice is the city is walled off and can only enter through selected gates. The most famous one is the western Pile Gate and closest to the bus stops. It’s a great introduction as you walk through history. There are too many must see places to visit inside Old Town so just set aside 6 hours walking everywhere inside. Try and go up top and walk the famous City Walls to get a birds eye view of those below. The City Walls closes in the early evening so make sure you plan accordingly.
While there you must take a walk along the Stradun or the Placa. It’s a limestone walkway and great place to stop by the numerous restaurants and shops and just people watch. I also spent a day island hopping. I had heard about these famous and isolated islands and if relaxing and working on your tan is a priority then I suggest doing this. I went to four islands but my favorite was Lopud. I spent 2 days in Dubrovnik and think the proper amount would have been 3.
The end of my night in Dubrovnik and Croatia ended with taking a cable car up to Mount Srd. You have the option to walk up it too but I just paid the small fee. The scene from up top will give you a spectacular view of Old Town and with the city lights on it looks even better at night. Croatia is a beautiful and historic country. The people were extremely kind and easy going. If you’re a solo traveler, female, or concerned for your family’s safety there was very little crime and I felt completely safe here.
Happy traveling.
