Must See

Dubrovnik

Within the thirteenth-century city walls is the jewel in the crown of Croatia. Overlooking the Adriatic Sea, the city of terracotta rooftops is today a World Heritage Site, but was, until 1808, an independent state. Highlights of the city include the Franciscan monastery (home to Europe's oldest pharmacy), the Memorial Room to the Dubrovnik Defenders (located in the Sponza Palace), the Rector's Palace, and the many baroque churches.

Istria

The largest peninsula on the Croatian coast, only a stone's throw from Italy, has become one of the country's main tourist destinations. The region was settled by the Romans in the fifth century BC and interesting sites remain, such as the well preserved Arena in Pula (see below), which still hosts summer concerts and film festivals.

Kornati Archipelago

This archipelago of 150 islands spread over 300 square kilometres, is located in central Dalmatia, south of Zadar. Virtually uninhabited, the islands display a harsh, rocky landscape practically devoid of vegetation. Many intriguing sights can be found within this area, and tourists may take day trips or stay in simple, renovated stone cottages.

Porec

The Istrian town of Porec was built on a small peninsula, and dates back to Roman times. The city plan still shows the ancient Roman structure, and the main streets (Decumanus and Cardo Maximus) are still preserved in their original forms. Marafor is a Roman square with two temples attached; one of them, erected in the first century AD, is dedicated to the Roman god Neptune.

The Euphrasian Basilica, rebuilt in the 6th century under the Byzantine Empire and bishop Euphrasius, is the most important historical site in Porec. The most striking features of this UNESCO World Heritage Site are its mosaics, dating from the 6th century, which are considered amongst the finest examples of Byzantine art in the world.

Pula

Located at the southern tip of the Istrian peninsula, Pula (also known as Pola), is known for its mild climate, tame sea, and unspoiled nature. It is also renowned for its many surviving ancient Roman buildings, the most famous of which is its 1st century amphitheatre, locally known as the Arena. This is one of the best preserved amphitheatres from antiquity and is still in use today during summer film festivals. The city's old quarter of narrow streets, lined with Medieval and Renaissance buildings, are still surfaced with ancient Roman paving stones. Other highlights include the 1st century triumphal arch, the Arch of the Sergii and the temple of Rome and Augustus.

Sibenik

Located in central Dalmatia where the river Krka flows into the Adriatic Sea, Sibenik is worth visiting for its 15th-century UNESCO-listed Cathedral of St James alone, built in both Gothic and Renaissance style.

As the Old Town was not built by the Romans or the Venetians, it features some uniquely Croatian architecture.

Split

Split is the second largest city in Croatia, and is situated on a small peninsula on the eastern shores of the Adriatic Sea. The economic and cultural capital of Central Dalmatia, the city was founded in the 3rd century AD by the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Its historic centre lies within the walls of Diocletian's Palace - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can see some fine examples of early Croatian religious art at the Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments, or marvel at beautiful 20th-century Croatian sculptures in the city's Me?trovic Gallery.

Trogir

The tiny medieval city of Trogir was founded by the Greeks in the 3rd century BC. It's now a World Heritage Site loved for its beautiful Venetian Gothic stone buildings. Trogir's medieval core, surrounded by walls, comprises a preserved castle and tower and a series of dwellings and palaces from the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods.

Zadar

The chief city and port in Northern Dalmatia is the historic centre of Zadar, its current structure gained uring the time of Julius Caesar and Emperor Augustus, when the town was fortified and the city walls with towers and gates were built. Stroll around its narrow cobbled streets, drink coffee on a ruined Roman Forum and listen to classical recitals in the ninth-century Church of St Donats - a monumental round building built in the pre Romanesque style.

Zagreb

On the bank of the River Sava sits this historical city, a labyrinth of cobbled streets dating back to the Middle Ages. Dolac, a colourful open air market and the main square below Upper Town provide the hustle and bustle for a city full of fine monuments and buildings. Maksimir park provides the relaxation, and is one of Europe's first planned parks, with lakes, pavilions, and sculptures, from as far back as 1794.

There's also numerous museums, which reflect the history, art and culture not only of Zagreb and Croatia, but also of Europe and the world. These include the Mimara Museum, which houses a rich collection of painting, sculpture and ceramics; the Museum of Arts and Crafts, which traces Croatian craftsmanship through the centuries; and the Mestrovic Atelier, where visitors can enjoy the dramatic sculptures of Ivan Me?trović.

Just north of Zagreb, you'll find the undulating hills and vineyards of Zagorje, which has been a favourite site for castles and other country houses of Croatian and Hungarian rulers since the 12th century.

National Parks

Croatia boasts a number of national parks, including the following:

• Kopacki Rit Nature Park: a vast expanse of wetland near the border with Serbia, frequented by myriad migrating birds and well away from the tourist crowds.
• Krka National Park: named after the river that has sculpted a picturesque canyon, and famed for the islet of Visovac (home to a Franciscan Monastery) and its spectacular Skradinski buk (Skradin Waterfalls).
• Mljet National Park: situated on the green and unspoiled island of the same name. The park boasts two interconnected saltwater lakes, dense forests, and the exquisite St Mary's Island and Benedictine Monastery in the centre of the larger lake.
• Plitvice Lakes National Park: a UNESCO World Heritage tree-shrouded wonderland of 16 turquoise lakes and waterfalls that has become one of Croatia's premier tourist attractions.

Islands

• Brac: the third largest island in the Adriatic (and the largest in Dalmatia). Highlights include the resort of Bol in the south of the island, which boasts one of the few sandy beaches in Croatia - the Zlatni Rat (Golden Cape).
• Cres: one of the northern islands in the Kvarner Gulf, which can be reached via ferry from the island Krk or from the Istrian peninsula. The island is famous for its colony of Griffon Vultures, the historic settlement of Valun and laid-back Cres Town.
• Hvar: promoting itself as "the sunniest spot in Europe," with 2,715 hours of sunlight a year, Hvar is also renowned for its rugged coastline, excellent wines and lavender fields. Hvar Town, a Venetian settlement, is built around a picturesque harbour presided over by a hilltop fortress. Its large public square is open to the sea, and during the tourist season, the port is filled with large yachts.
• Vis: the furthest inhabited island of Croatia. The island is an excellent base for diving, with shipwrecks and the ethereal Blue Grotto to explore.