Quick verdict: Croatia is Adriatic coast + 1244 islands + Roman ruins + medieval walled cities. The Mediterranean alternative to Italy + Greece. This guide ranks 15 essential Croatian experiences for 2026.
The 15 best things to do in Croatia
Walk Dubrovnik’s walls
UNESCO medieval walled city. 2km wall walk above terracotta roofs + Adriatic. Game of Thrones King’s Landing.
Visit Plitvice Lakes
16 cascading turquoise lakes connected by wooden walkways + waterfalls. UNESCO. Most photogenic NP in Europe.
Hvar island
Most popular Croatian island. Lavender fields + beaches + nightlife. Adriatic island-hopping start.
Diocletian’s Palace Split
Roman Emperor Diocletian’s 4th-century palace + UNESCO old town. Walking through ancient walls.
Sail the Dalmatian Coast
Catamaran or yacht charter through islands. Hvar + Vis + Korcula + Mljet. Premier Adriatic experience.
Visit Korčula
Marco Polo’s alleged birthplace. Medieval walled town. Wine + olive oil tasting. Quieter than Hvar.
Eat at Konoba (traditional taverns)
Family-run taverns serving Dalmatian cuisine. Peka (slow-cooked meat) + black risotto + fresh fish.
Drive Adriatic Coast
Coastal road through Dalmatian islands. Stunning Adriatic views. One of Europe’s most scenic drives.
Visit Pula’s Roman amphitheater
Best-preserved Roman amphitheater outside Italy. Concerts held in summer. UNESCO worthy.
Wine tasting Pelješac Peninsula
Pelješac peninsula vineyards. Plavac Mali grape specialty (related to Zinfandel). Bike or drive vineyards.
Mljet National Park
Half of island is National Park. Saltwater lakes + St Mary’s Island monastery. Less touristy island.
Vis island hidden coves
Closed to foreign visitors until 1989 (military). Pristine beaches + Stiniva Cove + Blue Cave on Bisevo.
Walking Rovinj
Most photogenic Croatian town. Italian-Venetian heritage. St Euphemia’s Church on hilltop. Northern Croatia.
Game of Thrones tour Dubrovnik
Walk Iron Throne filming locations. King’s Landing in real life. Multiple GoT-themed walking tours.
Snorkel/dive Brač Island
Bol’s Zlatni Rat (“Golden Horn”) beach. Changes shape with tides. Premier Croatian beach + crystal water.
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Helpful Packzup guides
What Is Actually Worth Your Time (And What to Skip)
If you only read that Krka National Park is the place to swim beneath the falls, that advice is now out of date. Swimming directly below Skradinski Buk, the big tiered cascade most day-trippers photograph, has been banned since January 2021 to protect the travertine, so the main reason people once chose Krka over Plitvice is gone. If a dip is the goal, head instead to Roski Slap further upriver, where bathing is still allowed, or treat Plitvice’s quieter Upper Lakes loop as the real walking prize.
The pick most visitors miss is hiding in plain sight in Split. Tour sellers push paid entry to Diocletian’s Palace, but the lived-in core of this 4th-century Roman complex is free to wander: the Peristyle square, the domed Vestibule, the four gates and the open cellar corridor cost nothing. Save your ticket money for the Cathedral of St Domnius bell tower climb if you want a view.
One smart move in Dubrovnik:
- Buy the Dubrovnik Pass, which runs about the same price as the City Walls ticket alone (around 40 euros) yet also covers several museums and 24 hours of city buses.
- Walk the walls right at the roughly 8am opening, before cruise crowds flood the Old Town between about 10am and 5pm.
Frequently asked questions
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Updated 2026. Some links on Packzup are affiliate links.
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Written by
John Morrison is the founder and lead travel writer at Packzup. Over the past decade he has explored destinations across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania — always self-funded, never on a press trip.