It’s little wonder that Croatia has seen a steady rise in interest from excited travellers, thanks to its cheap flights and hotel deals. Over the last few years, Croatia has received even more attention as its city Dubrovnik also acts as the site of the popular King’s Landing, the capital of the Seven Kingdoms. But don’t be fooled into thinking that that’s the only stunning tourist destination that Croatia has to offer. Thrones, dragons and zombies aside, here are five more breathtaking stops you don’t want to miss out on when you’re looking for cheap flights to Dubrovnik or the best places to visit in Croatia.
Šibenik
Šibenik is a must if you’re a history buff. The Krka river flows through it, into the Adriatic Sea. But most importantly, the central church in Šibenik, the Cathedral of St James, is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Built completely from stone, it was worked on by a succession of architects between 1431 and 1536. The long construction period is reflected in its various architectural styles, mainly Gothic and Renaissance. Also, Šibenik has four fortresses, with the most visited and easiest to get to being St Michael’s Fortress. Only a couple of kilometres from Šibenik is Krka National Park, where visitors can swim in natural pools with waterfalls, and spend a day amongst nature while enjoying a picnic.
How to get there: 1.5-hour bus journey from Split Airport.
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Hvar
Hvar is the sunniest Croatian island, with more than 2,600 hours of sunlight per year! It’s known as the crown jewel of the northern Adriatic, which is probably why numerous members of Hollywood’s elite love to head here for a luxurious escape. Besides swimming in its surrounding crystal clear warm waters, visitors can also choose to take an easy 20-minute hike up to the island’s fortress, constructed in the 13th century, which was used by locals to seek refuge from an attack by the Ottoman Turks in 1571. Come nightfall, it’s wise to note that the town becomes quite the party place with notable clubs like Kiva Bar and Carpe Diem.
How to get there: 1-hour bus journey from Split Airport, then 1-1.5 hours via ferry or catamaran to Hvar.
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Split
Definitely one of the most visited destinations in Croatia, the most famous attraction in Split is undoubtedly Diocletian’s Palace. It covers 31,000 square metres and takes up more than half of the city’s Old Town. It is by far one of the best-preserved Roman ruins today. Another reason why Split attracts so many visitors is owing to its convenient proximity to the surrounding islands. Taking a day-long island-hopping tour is highly recommended here, where, depending on the organiser’s itinerary, you’ll get to visit four to six stops for beaches, eating and snorkelling. Split is also known for its vibrant nightlife and music festivals, the most famous of which being Ultra Europe.
How to get there: Fly to Split Airport, or an 8-hour train ride from Zagreb.
Cheap Flights from New Zealand to Split, Croatia
Brač
Head to Brač, officially the largest island in Dalmatia, for one of the most stunning beaches that you’ll land your feet on. The Zlatni Rat beach shoreline morphs according to the change in tides, which means that during low tides, you’ll be able to explore further out onto the sand bed and immerse yourself even more with aquatic life. The white pebble beach is lined with pine trees, making it a picturesque hot spot for cheap water activities like kitesurfing and surfing. A fun fact to tell your friends back home is that most of the white stone used to construct Diocletian’s Palace in Split was transported directly from the island itself!
How To Get There: 1-hour bus journey from Split Airport, then 1 hour via ferry or catamaran to Brač.
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Rab
The North remembers! Did you know? Due to Rab’s ideal location – in the Kvarner Gulf and surrounded by numerous islets – the municipal council declared it a tourist destination and summer resort as early as 1889! This place caters to those who love a good hike on their holiday, as the island’s name itself is derived from the Illyrian word ‘arba’, meaning ‘forested’or ‘green’. A quarter of the area consists of forests, where nature lovers can venture on foot or on bicycles. For those who prefer taking a stroll through time, Rab Town brims with historical buildings, dating back to the 13th century. Old town walls are still visible in some places; the central street running through Rab Town contains well-preserved 15th century buildings, leading up to the Town Loggia, built in 1509. For breathtaking views of the sea, be sure to descend the 26-metre high Bell Tower.
History buffs are sure to delight in the old churches, like St Mary’s Church (11th century) which was built on the site of a previous church, even incorporating some of the same materials in its construction. The Church of St John is amongst the oldest, most likely dating to the 6th or 7th centuries, whilst the Church of St Andrew has the oldest bell tower on the island, built in 1181!
How to get there: 1-hour bus journey from Split Airport, then 1-1.5 hours via ferry or catamaran to Rab.
