Famous Landmarks in Croatia
Croatia, is a stunning European country. There are many famous historic landmarks in Croatia. It is located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe on the Adriatic Sea. For information about Southeast Europe, please visit our more inclusive post on the Balkans and Greece.
The Croatian Flag demonstrates the five provinces that make up the country and are represented as symbols on the top of the flag. They are: Dalmatia, Central Croatia, Istria, Kravner and Slavonia.
We visited Croatia twice, once on a cruise in 2022, and a second trip when we spent three weeks traveling around the country. The cruise visit introduced us to Croatia, but the three week trip was when we fell in love with the people and the place.
Why Visit Croatia?
Here are some key points:
- Geography of Croatia: Croatia’s coast lies entirely along the Adriatic Sea. It shares borders with Slovenia to the northwest, Hungary to the northeast, Serbia to the east, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the southeast, and Montenegro, to the south. Italy is its maritime neighbor to the west.
- Cities: The capital and largest city is Zagreb, with slightly more than one million inhabitants. Split is second largest with less that 200 thousand. All other cities are even smaller. However, they all have well preserved historic sites, including old walled towns with narrow streets.
- History: Croatia’s rich history is a tapestry of cultures, conflicts, and resilience. See below for details.
- Culture: Croatia offers a blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. You can explore famous landmarks all over Croatia, such as the ancient walled city of Dubrovnik, marvel at the Roman ruins of Diocletian’s Palace in Split, or relax on the pebbly beaches of the Dalmatian coast. For adventure, hike through the lush forests and turquoise lakes of Plitvice National Park or sail among the hundreds of islands in the Adriatic Sea.
- Demographics: The majority ethnic group is Croats (91.6%), with other minorities including Serbs (3.2%) and others. Religion is predominantly Christianity (87.4%).
- Economy: Croatia’s economy is diverse, with tourism playing a significant role. It joined the European Union in 2013 and uses the Euro as its currency.
History of Croatia:
- During ancient history, Croatia was ruled by various tribes, but ancient Greeks had settled on some of the islands including Korcula and Hvar.
- During Roman times, the Croats settled in modern-day Croatia in the late 6th century, part of Roman Illyria.
- Starting in the 13th century, Croatia was aligned with Hungary, but was also under Venetian Rule during this period.
- Until the 18th century the area was marked by intense struggles between the Ottoman Empire to the south and the Habsburg Empire to the north.
- After World War I and the dissolution of Austria-Hungary in 1918, Croatian lands were incorporated into the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.
- During World War II, the puppet Independent State of Croatia allied with the Axis powers but was defeated in 1945.
- The Socialist Republic of Croatia was formed as part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
- In 1991, Croatia proclaimed independence amidst the dissolution of Yugoslavia. This led to the Balkan Independence Wars of 1991.
Despite the alliance with the Axis powers in WWII, we learned that many Croatians who didn’t support the Nazis were tortured and killed. Here is a monument that we found in Rovinj, that was dedicated to those rejecting fascism.
Famous Landmarks in Croatia That We Visited
Croatia offers a blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. There are famous landmarks all over the country. Here is a summary of our favorites, organized by the various places we visited.
Famous Landmarks in Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is an historic town and has the most famous landmark in Croatia. It is the old city, with the famous Dubrovnik city walls. They have been well preserved despite the bombings from the Balkan War of 1991. Walking the walls is a major tourist attraction in the city. The entrance to the old city is guarded by Saint Blaise, who is the patron saint of Dubrovnik.
While we were touring the old city, we ran across this band. Once they started their parade it quickly got too crowded and we had difficulty getting around. Our one negative with Dubrovnik is that it is a favorite stop of cruise ships and the streets get overly crowded.
We stayed at the Hilton Hotel which is located next to the main entrance to the walled city. This is an outstanding grand hotel. It is five star quality and the staff are very helpful and friendly. If interested please consider booking here, directly with Hilton.
Famous Landmarks on the Nearby Islands
The Dalmation Coast has over 1,000 islands and islets along its rugged coastline, making it a true island paradise. Specifically, the exact number of islands varies by definitions, but it’s an impressive 1,244—one of the most indented coastlines globally!
Korcula
Of all the Croatian places we visited along the Adriatic Coast, we loved Korcula the best.
The wine tour we took in Korcula was fantastic, and the GRK wine that we had became one of our favorites where ever we went in Croatia.
Hvar Island
Hvar is a lot like Mykonos in Greece, home for the rich and famous, meaning the prices for everything is high. Seriously, it isn’t quite there yet, but it is working hard at getting there. We stayed at a very nice hotel, Hotel Podstine, with a beautiful view. The hotel was located about twenty minutes from downtown, and it is a spectacular walk which we enjoyed every afternoon. Hvar’s downtown is likely, fun and sophisticated, We went in early June, which was a great time to go. If you try to go in July or August it will cost you a fortune, and it will be much more crowded.
Famous Landmarks in and Near Split
Split is the second largest city in Croatia after the capital, Zagreb. The most famous landmark in Split is Diocletian’s Palace. However, there are other Famous Croatia Landmarks in and around Split.
The palace was built as the retirement home of the Roman Emperor Diocletian who was the last of the pagan emperors. The size of the palace is enormous and forms the old town of Split which is clearly the center of the city.
Next to the Diocletian Palace is the town’s green market. It is an enormous market and is open every day. Here are two of our favorite places in the market.
During our visit to Split, we stayed at the AC Marriott Hotel. It is the tallest building in all of Croatia, and was used to host the Croatia Futbol Banner to kick-off the 2024 European Championship. Unfortunately, they lost game one to Spain, 3-0. The banner also blocked our view of downtown until late afternoon.
Mestrovic Gallery
While in Split we visited the Meštrović Gallery. It is the best art museum in Split and is dedicated to the sculptor Ivan Meštrović. Many of his finest works are on display at the museum. Meštrović was a supporter of the concept of a united Yugoslavia. Not surprisingly, the gallery, which was his home, is located just down the street from Marshal Tito’s home in Split. As a result of his support for a united Yugoslavia, he was imprisoned by the anti-Yugoslav Ustase Nazi puppet government during WWII.
Surprisingly, his most famous work, “The Bowman and the Spearman,” shows two Native American Warriors on a horse and is located in Grant Park in Chicago. However here are some of our favorite works from the gallery. The bust in the middle is a self-sculpture.
Trogir
Trogir is a short boat ride or drive from Split. The centerpiece of the town is the Cathedral of St. Lawrence. The Cathedral is over 700 years old and drips with history. The Bell Tower took over 200 years to build and is a textbook lesson in Dalmatian architectural styles: traditional Gothic at the bottom, Venetian Gothic in the middle and Renaissance at the top. The Kamerlengo Fortress, pictured below, is also worth a visit.
The Blue Lagoon: Most places we visited on the Dalmation Coast have brilliant, clear waters. However, after our boat trip visit to Trogir, we visited the Blue Lagoon which had just incredibly clear waters. On our boat trip we met a group of young teenage girls from the Netherlands. Here they are having a great time.
Island of Solta, Village of Maslinica
As part of our boat trip tour to Togir and the Blue Lagoon we also visited one of the great small islands off the Dalmatian Coast, Solta and the village of Maslinica. It is a small fishing village only reachable by boat. It had a great vibe and made us want to return for a little longer.
Island of Brac
The Island of Brac is the closest island to Split. Unfortunately, we didn’t get there on this visit, but it is high on our bucket list when we return.
Krka National Park
A little more than an hour from Split is the Krka National Park. It is an absolutely beautiful park with wonderful waterfalls, well worth the trip. Nature lovers will find Krka to be certainly worth visiting as Krka is a wonderful quick visit while spending time in Split. Okay, it is second to Plitvice Lakes National Park (see below), but clearly worth taking the short trip from Split.
On our first visit to Split, we were on a cruise, and only had a few hours to spend in Split. So, we spent the day visiting Krka and unfortunately missed the Diocletian’s Palace and all the other great sites in Split. However, it was a good decision. as we got to visit the Palace and the other famous landmarks in Split, Croatia on our return trip in 2024.
Famous Landmarks in Zadar
Zadar is a beautiful place to visit despite being a small peninsula. It is the northern most point on the Dalmation Coast. It sits just south of Croatia’s highest mountain range which forms a natural border with the northern Istria Peninsula. The best known famous landmark in Zadar, Croatia is the Sea Organ, which is built into the side of the sea wall and makes beautiful music from the wind and incoming waves.
The Istrian Peninsula
Through the 20th century, the Istria region was fought over between Italy and Yugoslavia. At one time it became the personal playground of President Tito, before falling to Croatia in 1991 after the conclusion of the Serb-Croat conflict. Aside from history, Istria is best known for its magnificent food and wine. While in Istria we visited a number of famous places.
Rovinj
Rovinj, situated on the north Adriatic Sea in Croatia, is a charming town with a rich history. Of all the places we visited in Croatia, Rovinj was our favorite. We particularly liked the Bed and Breakfast, Villa Tuttorotto where we stayed. The staff there was fantastic.
Here are some highlights:
- Rovinj Old Town: Explore narrow cobblestone streets, admire the baroque Church of St. Euphemia, and unique museums. We visited the Casa Della Batana. This museum is dedicated to the traditional wooden boat known as the batana, which reflects Rovinj’s maritime heritage and the everyday lives of local fishermen.
- Colorful Houses: The picturesque old town features colorful houses and stunning views of the sea and nearby islands.
- Beaches: Relax on pebbly beaches and enjoy the pleasant climate.
- Island Day Trips: Take a boat to nearby islands like St. Andrew, known for its lush forest and historic castle.
- Bilingual Town: Rovinj is officially bilingual (Croatian and Italian), reflecting its cultural heritage.
- Dinner or Drinks on the Rocks: We have traveled all over the world, but we have never had a dinner or drinks this close to the ocean and breaking waves.
If you wish to learn more about Rovinj and taking a boat trip or other activities, please visit TripAdvisor.
Istria Wine Country
Istria is well known as one of the top european wine regions. While there we visited the Clai Vineyard which makes excellent white and red wines. We had their and other Istria wines wherever we went in Northern Croatia.
Famous Landmarks in Pula
Pula is a short, less than an hour, trip from Rovinj. Pula is the largest city in Istria and is more of an industrial town than most other places in Croatia. Nevertheless, there are plenty of historic sites in Pula. It has a number of famous landmarks in Croatia.
The Pula Arena is an ancient Roman Amphitheater, also known as the Pula Colosseum. It is one of the best preserved Roman Arenas in the world. It once hosted gladiator contests and animal hunts. It’s a symbol of Pula and a popular venue for concerts and events. Also, it has an amazing collection of Roman artifacts including thousands of pottery jugs used to store all sorts of liquids
Famous Landmarks in and Near Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital and largest city in Croatia. Unlike all the previously mentioned famous places, Zagreb is in land and not on the Aegean Coast.
The Capital: Zagreb
Our final city we visited in Croatia in 2024 was Zagreb. Unlike the other cities, Zagreb is inland. However, it is the largest city in Croatia with approximately one million residents, And, it is the Capital. It has some remarkable architecture.
The Cathedral and the other churches are spectacular. Many of them were closed as they were still recovering from an earthquake in 2020. Importantly, of all the churches, St. Mark’s Church in St. Mark’s Square is definitely worth a visit.
The National Theatre is Zagreb is one of the most famous landmarks in Croatia. It is truly a beautiful building. Not surprisingly, there are a number of buildings in this yellow color and they are all spectacular.
Unfortunately, when we visited Zagreb, unlike the Mestrovic Gallery in Split, the gallery in Zagreb was closed, Nevertheless, we found some of his stunning sculptures on the streets of Zagreb. The sculpture of Nikola Tesla was one of many Teslas we found in the city (sculptures, not cars). Importantly, the Well of Life sculpture located in front of the National Theatre is perhaps one of his greatest, along with the Bowman and The Spearman located in Chicago’s Grant Park.
Statues of Famous Croatians
There are over a dozen statues spread around town at various restaurants of famous Croatians. During our walking tour across the city we got to see most of them. Here are some of our favorites. Robin is with, Drazen Petrovic, Croatia’s most famous basketball star, and with NikolaTesla.
Paul is with Marco Polo. It is controversial if he is really from Croatia. While in Korcula, we saw his supposed birthplace.
Museum of Broken Relationships
Museum of Broken Relationships is a fairly unique place to visit. However, we didn’t have time to get there, but it was a place we really wanted to visit. While many of the broken relationships are about two people, there are a few other strange relationships. Robin was particularly interested to see the exhibit from the person who, like her, was gluten free and had a broken relationship with pizza,
Plitvice Lakes National Park
There is not much we can say about Plitvice National Park, other than the waterfalls are world class. Perhaps the pictures tell the full story.
