Home to over a thousand beautiful islands and a spectacular rocky coast awash by the turquoise blue waters of the Adriatic Sea, Croatia is a destination that appeals to those travelling in luxury.
What to visit depends on your specific tastes and preferences, but with thousands of options, you might need help deciding where to go. To make things easier for you, we’ve rounded up a list of the top luxury destinations in Croatia you need to visit.
Hvar
Home to Venetian-era monuments and purple lavender fields, not to mention a picturesque harbour studded with luxury yachts, Hvar is one of Croatia’s most enchanting islands. Sitting on the Adriatic Sea off the coast of Dalmatia, the island boasts lush green landscapes and idyllic pebbly beaches lapped by azure waters. Hvar attracts well-heeled visitors with its chic restaurants and cosmopolitan bars, making it a top destination for a luxury trip to Croatia. Like the other islands in Croatia, Hvar has many beautiful beaches, where you’ll likely spend most of your days. Dubovica beach is the most famous of these beaches. It’s a gorgeous, secluded bay surrounded by lush olive groves and pine trees. The beach is home to a delightful restaurant serving up the freshest seafood. You’ll also find a beach bar to enjoy some refreshing drinks. To enjoy the most picturesque view of the island, head up to the Španjola Fortress. Overlooking the red-roofed buildings and whitewashed walls of the Old Town and surrounded by the sparkling turquoise waters, the views are nothing short of spectacular! Venture into the nearby Pakleni Islands on a private yacht. The chain of rocky islets has quieter beaches, perfect for relaxing away from the tourist crowd. These beaches are also ideal for swimming, snorkelling, and sunbathing.
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is where most visitors go to Croatia, and it’s easy to see why. The picturesque city’s Old Town has massive stone walls built around the 16th century to protect it from invaders. A stroll through the town will take you to well-preserved buildings, including the Baroque-style St. Blaise Church and the Renaissance Sponza Palace. Since Dubrovnik is one of Croatia’s top tourist destinations, it makes for an excellent base for exploring the beautiful islands in the country. There are some amazing small ship cruises from Dubrovnik, perfect for those looking to explore the country in luxury. Before heading for your cruise, squeeze in time to explore the walled town of Dubrovnik. Book a private sightseeing tour to learn more about the city’s history. Your tour will include a stroll through Stradun, Dubrovnik’s most picturesque street. Stretching through the Old Town, the 300-metre-long marble-paved street connects the city’s eastern and western gates and is home to elegant historic buildings housing restaurants and cafes. Combine your tour with fine dining in one of the spectacular restaurants in the city, such as the Restaurant Panorama, which gives you amazing views of the Old City and the nearby islands.
Zagreb
If admiring grand architecture is your thing, you should pay a visit to Zagreb. Across the city, you’ll find striking Austro-Hungarian buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. To enjoy the city’s best views of the city, take the Zagreb Funicular, which links the Lower Town to the Upper Town. The Upper Town’s Gothic Site is a fun place to stroll around, where you’ll find the beautiful Church of St. Mark. It’s also home to the Ban Jelacic Square, a beautifully paved piazza named after 19th-century Croatian war hero Count Josip Jelacic. At the heart of Zagreb is Ban Josip Jelacic Square, the city’s main urban square marking the intersection of the Upper Town and Lower Town. Here, you’ll find beautiful classic and art deco buildings. At the western end is the main boulevard, the city’s best spot for shopping. Those looking to immerse in the local culture should visit the bustling Dolac Market, with a long line of stalls selling fresh produce. Come as early as possible for the best choice. But even if you don’t plan to shop, the market is a fun place to people-watch.
Split
As Croatia’s second-largest city, Split is a significant connecting point for those island-hopping in Croatia. However, the city deserves a few days of exploring. Consider partaking in bespoke luxury private tours in Croatia, with Split being one of the places to visit. Aside from being one of Croatia’s most affluent cities, it is also one of the most picturesque, best known for the UNESCO World Heritage site of Diocletian’s Palace. Occupying a vast complex of 31,000 square meters, the Diocletian’s Palace is in the Old Town of Split and is one of the country’s grandest and best-preserved Roman ruins. The impressive marble and white limestone complex is now home to about 3,000 people. It’s a fun place to stroll for the day, checking out the over 200 buildings and numerous shops, bars, and restaurants. For fancy dinners, you’ll find the city’s best restaurants by the waterfront with amazing views of the Riviera that you can admire while dining. After your sumptuous dinner, head to one of the city’s stylish cocktail bars for drinks.
Korcula
Korcula is one of the Adriatic Sea’s most elegant islands and a perfect place for sophisticated travellers to savour Croatia’s tastiest wines. Booking a private winery tour is the best way to learn about the island’s winemaking history. Locals have long been producing wines from indigenous grapevine varieties, and you’ll have the chance to try this on your tour. You’ll come across striking marble-clad homes featuring traditional architecture as you stroll through Korcula. The Old Town is home to some of Croatia’s well-preserved ancient sites, including the magnificent St. Mark’s Cathedral. But one of the places that most visitors are interested in is the birthhouse of the world-famous explorer Marco Polo. Historians believe he spent his early years in Korcula before heading to Venice to start his voyage. Korcula also has its share of beautiful beaches for lounging around. The island has many quiet coves and bays to soak up the island’s breathtaking natural beauty. If you love the idea of waking up to the sound of the waves, stay in a luxury villa with direct access to the beach.
