Researching the best Croatia landmarks?
Croatia is the perfect travel destination if you’re looking for a mix of historical landmarks and stunning natural scenery.
If you are looking for a holiday destination with lots to see and do, then Croatia should be at the top of your list!
From Dubrovnik’s medieval city walls to Plitvice Lakes National Park’s thundering waterfalls and ancient monasteries to towering castles, there are plenty of Croatia landmarks to see and they’re some of Europe’s best.
Here are some of the country’s most famous landmarks and historical sights.
List of Landmarks in Croatia
- Dubrovnik Old Town – A UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Zlatni Rat Beach
- Krka National Park
- St. James Cathedral
- Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Korčula Town
- Pula Arena
- Fortica fortress Španjola
- Salona Roman Ruins
- Zagreb Cathedral
- Fort Lovrijenac
- Sea organ and Salutation to the sun
- Trakošćan Castle
- Ilok vineyards
- Diocletian’s Palace
- Funicular in Zagreb
- Osijek Fortress
- Kopački Rit Nature Park
- Krapina Neanderthal Museum
- Rastoke
- Blue Cave Vis
- Vukovar Memorial Center
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Most Famous Croatia Landmarks
Croatia is a stunning nation with many interesting sites to see. There is something for everyone to enjoy, from the magnificent beaches of Dubrovnik to the commanding walls of Fort Lovrijenac.
The Old Town of Dubrovnik is one of the most well-liked tourist locations and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This picturesque town is full of historic buildings and winding streets, offering breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea.
Another popular lafamousis Zlatni Rat Beach, which is known for its unique shape and turquoise waters.
Visitors can also enjoy hiking through Krk National Park or exploring the Roman ruins of Salona. No matter your interests, you will surely find indeed amazing landmarks to explore in Croatia.
#1 Dubrovnik Old Town – A UNESCO World Heritage Site
Dubrovnik is a southern coastal city and the most attractive Croatia landmark. Its extensive history and well-preserved buildings have made it a popular tourist destination. In 1979, the old town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Points of interest include the city walls, which were built in the 11th and 12th centuries and are almost 2km long. Other notable landmarks include Rector’s Palace, Franciscan Monastery, and Dubrovnik Cathedral.
Visitors can also take a cable car up to Mount Srđ, which offers stunning views of the city and its surrounding area.
#2 Zlatni Rat Beach
Zlatni Rat Beach is one of the most famous landmarks in Croatia. The beach is located on the island of Brac, known for its beautiful white sand and crystal-clear water.
Visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and windsurfing at the beach. There are also many restaurants and cafes nearby, making it the perfect place to spend a day in the sun.
#3 Krka National Park
Points of interest in Croatia within the park are the Skradinski Buk, Visovac, the hiking trail and locations Stinice – Roški slap – Oziđana cave, Krka monastery, waterfalls, and other beeches, and souvenir shops.
The national park is full of animal and plant life, and its connectivity, whether on foot or by bicycle, gives a unique charm to the overall experience. All visitors to the park are allowed to swim in designated places, but it is forbidden to disturb the area’s ecosystem in any way.
#4 St James Cathedral
St James Cathedral is the most famous cathedral in Croatia. It is located in the city of Šibenik, on the Adriatic coast. The cathedral was built in the 15th century and is considered one of Southern Europe’s finest examples of Renaissance architecture.
The cathedral is known for its unique blend of Gothic and Renaissance styles and beautiful sculptures and reliefs. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous landmarks in Croatia.
#5 Plitvice Lakes National Park
Plitvice Lakes National Park is the most popular attraction in Croatia, attracting many visitors throughout the year. The Plitvice Lakes was the first National Park in Croatia, declared back in 1949 and has been under UNESCO protection since 1979.
Most of the park is covered with forests, some with grasslands, and only 1% with lakes, which are the most attractive to tourists. As many as 16 of them are home to numerous animal and plant species that you can observe from a safe distance.
#6 Korčula Town
One of the most famous places on the Dalmation coast is Korčula Town, on the island of Korčula. The town is known for its Venetian architecture and for being Marco Polo’s birthplace.
There are many things to see and do in Korčula Town, including visiting the old city walls, the Cathedral of St. Mark, and taking a boat ride around the island.
#7 Pula Arena
Built in the 1st century, it is one of the oldest monuments in Croatia, but it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful. It was created as an arena where gladiators fought in the beginning. Later, it was used for knight games and fairs, and today it is used for film festivals, operas, concerts, etc.
The tourist attraction is open for visits throughout the year and attracts admiring glances with its elliptical shape with an axis as long as 130 meters. A miracle of construction in the heart of the city of Pula!
Pula is also home to one of the best christmas markets in Croatia.
#8 Fortica fortress Španjola
The Venetian-era fortification on the island of Hvar, Fortica, or “Spanjola,” was constructed at the start of the 16th century and renovated in 1579. The fortress now holds a collection of artifacts from antiquity and the middle ages, including amphorae.
You will experience an incredible panoramic view of the town of Hvar, its surroundings, and the Paklin Islands, in addition to witnessing the original architecture.
#9 Salona Roman Ruins
The ancient Salona is hidden in the shade of a town named Solin. Once the capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia and the largest archaeological park in Croatia. Imposing walls with towers and gates, a forum with temples, an amphitheatre, and cemeteries with Salonitan martyrs testify to its greatness.
According to legend, a city with over 60,000 inhabitants and the birthplace of Emperor Diocletian. Wandering through this empire of ruins is an evocative journey into the age of emperors, gladiators, and Christian martyrs.
#10 Zagreb Cathedral
One of the most popular historical sights is Zagreb Cathedral. The cathedral was built in the 11th century and is one of the most important landmarks in Croatia. It is also one of the most popular tourist destinations in Croatia.
The cathedral is located in the city center of Zagreb and is surrounded by many other historical buildings. Visitors can also tour the cathedral inside and see the beautiful architecture and artwork.
#11 Fort Lovrijenac
St. Lawrence Fortress is also known as the Gibraltar of Dubrovnik because it dominates the sea landscape. It has a triangular shape with three levels and is 37 meters high.
The fortress was built several times, and its present appearance was given to it by Juraj the Dalmatian in the 15th century. And in just three months because the people of Dubrovnik heard that the Venetians wanted to build on the rock their fortress and thus control Dubrovnik.
The people of Dubrovnik carved the inscription “Non bene pro toto libertas venditu auro” or, in translation, “Freedom is not for sale, even for all the treasure in this world” on the entrance to the fortress.
#12 Sea Organ and Salutation to the Sun
The well-known tourist summer destination is the location of a pretty new attraction. Actually, two are next to each other, and both were built only a few years ago.
Next to the sea itself, on the Riva, you can enjoy the unique “singing” of the sea through the Sea Organ, an impressive staircase designed to create sounds from the impact of waves. Stand next to them, listen to what nature wants to tell you, and relax all your thoughts.
When you’re done, continue a little further to Salute the Sun, the spot from which the best sunrises and sunsets can be seen. Expect big crowds in the summer months.
#13 Trakošćan Castle
The most beautiful castle in Croatia, Trakošćan, is surrounded by buildings next to the castle, a lawn, and a park forest, making it an ideal “escape” from the city centres into a beautiful natural environment.
It was created at the end of the 13th century as part of the defence system, and today it is owned by the state, which, through the museum inside, informs visitors about its historical importance.
Its corridors and the furniture that adorn it will delight you with their design and preservation, and they present the noble life of that time. The castle consists of a low and a high ground floor and the first and second floors and is open daily for visits.
View More Stunning Castles in Europe >>>
#14 Ilok vineyards
Croatia is full of places that grow local varieties of wine, there are some from the islands of Pelješac, Istria, Zagorje, etc., but still in the far east, more precisely in the town of Ilok, their creation provides a unique experience.
With a tradition of 1,800 years, it can be said that the people of Ilok have perfected their recipe, and the suggestion for you is to visit the wine cellars of the Ilok Cellar company. Their Traminac, Graševina, White Pinot, Rhine Riesling, and Chardonnay are world-renowned varieties and have won accolades such as Decanter, International challenge, Citadelles Du Vin, Vianlies Internationales, and many others.
#15 Diocletian’s Palace
Diocletian’s Palace is one of the landmarks in Split and exactly whpreciselyneed for an interesting historical education. It was built during the Roman Empire around the year 300 for the emperor Diocletian.
In fact, it was the emperor’s summer residence and the luxurious villa where he came on vacation together with his guards, who watched the surroundings from the watchtowers. It has been on the UNESCO list of world cultural heritage sites since 1979.
#16 Funicular in Zagreb
The funicular is already an iconic place to discover the city of Zagreb, which connects the Lower and Upper Town.
It is one of the shortest cable railways in the world, only 66 meters long, and is legally protected as it has retained its original appearance and construction. It can accommodate 28 passengers and is open all year round.
#17 Osijek Fortress
Osijek offers a handful of attractions to visit, among which the famous Osijek Fortress stands out. In its history, it was one of the most modern military fortifications built in the Baroque style.
Today, it is an indispensable part of the tourist offer of the city, which you can start sightseeing in the best way.
#18 Kopački Rit Nature Park
Kopački Rit is a floodplain created by the action of the Drava and Danube rivers. The terrain is suitable for developing special animal and plant species. The park’s trademark is the beautiful white lilies that “swim” on the water and the Siberian iris, which is extremely rare on European soil.
As for animals, birds are absolutely the most represented species. As many as 293 of them are found within the park. Storks, herons, ducks, pheasants, and other birds are a little natural paradise for those who love them.
#19 Krapina Neanderthal Museum
The so-called Krapin proto-human. Homo sapiens neanderthalensis was discovered in 1899, when nearly 1,000 fossil human bones were found, representing one of the largest collections of Neanderthal human bones.
Due to its importance, the museum area is protected as the first natural paleontological monument in Croatia and included in one of the richest Paleolithic habitats of Neanderthal man in Croatia and Europe.
#20 Rastoke
Locals explain Rastoke as a “game of nature” that played with the waters of the river Slunjčica, which flows over the rocks into the river Korana, creating many waterfalls, rapids, small lakes, and cascades.
In history, Rastoke was a place where grain was milled and inhabited by peasants, and today people from all over the world come to witness this unique “game of nature.”
#21 Blue Cave Vis
The cave is located on the island of Vis, which is famous for its dramatic cliffs and crystal-clear waters. Visitors can take a boat tour to the cave, where they will see the amazing blue light that shines through the water. The light is caused by a combination of sunlight and reflection from the white sand bottom of the cave.
#22 Vukovar Memorial Center
In the early nineties of the 20th century, Croatia was engulfed in war, and Vukovar, a city in the far east of the country, was the most affected by it. He defended himself heroically for three months until November 18, 1991, when he fell under the aggressor’s rule.
Later, in the liberation of the entire country, he was also returned under Croatian law, but with significant human and material losses.
In memory of his victim, there is a Memorial Center in the city, with which many Croats have a special relationship.
FAQ’s
Among Croatia’s most popular tourist destinations is the city of Dubrovnik. A well-preserved medieval city, Dubrovnik is known for its stunning architecture and historical landmarks. The city’s walls, which date back to the 13th century, are a must-see for any visitor.
The most famous landmark in Zagreb is undoubtedly the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary, which is located in the Old Town district. The cathedral is one of Croatia’s most important religious buildings and a popular destination for domestic and international tourists.
Croatia is a country with a rich history and culture, and its landscape is dotted with countless landmarks that reflect its diverse heritage. UNESCO has recognized this by designating several Croatian sites as World Heritage Sites. These include the Historic City of Dubrovnik, the Plitvice Lakes National Park, and the Cathedral of St. James in Šibenik.
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