Cities of Interest in Croatia

Get a real beach holiday started in Barbat, Croatia, as you sail through from the mainland. Barbat is mainly known for its fantastic beaches, but you should also take a closer look at an ancient Greek fortification located on St. Damien's Hill. There's plenty of family-friendly travel at Risskov, so drop by and see if there's a last minute hotel close to the perfect beach holiday in Barbat.

Opatija is located on the Istrian peninsula and is a beautiful seaside resort. Opatija is one of Croatia's oldest tourist destinations, but despite this it is still relatively untouched and has managed to retain its unique charm. Characteristic of the town are its green gardens and parks, the 12 km long promenade named Lungomare and the town's many fountains. The city is a popular tourist destination both in summer and winter due to its relatively stable temperatures. In Opatija there are swimming pools, wellness programmes, casinos, discos and a summer theatre with capacity for 2,000 spectators. There are also short boat trips from the town.

Croatia's third largest city, Rijeka, is often overlooked by many who simply need the city to get to the Croatian islands, or on to Dalmatia.

The city itself has plenty to offer. Shopping in the centre or in one of the two shopping centres, museums, theatres, restaurants, discos and much more. This is the place to go if you need something a little bigger.

This medieval town dates back to the late 14th century and the oldest part of the town was built between the 13th and 14th centuries around the Romanesque church of St. Nikola. In the 15th century, a tower was built as part of the defence of the port, which was often subject to pirate attacks. The tower can still be seen today, as can the town's beautiful church, St Antun Opat Pustinjak, which was built in the 15th century. However, the old church was demolished and a larger basilica was built at the end of the 18th century.

Veli Lošinj is a very charming and colourful small town with a nice atmosphere and still close to nature and the sea. There are many small specialty shops and just as many restaurants offering everything good from the sea, mixed with exquisite Mediterranean ingredients. Finally, visit this little gem of a town and explore the many small streets that wind around the centre of the town.

Ćunski is located 8 km from Mali Lošinj, which is the largest town on the island of Lošinj. Ćunski is built on a hillside, around one of the many defence towers that were built already before the Middle Ages. It is a quiet place in the middle of beautiful and untouched nature, also surrounded by beautiful beaches not far from the town. Take the road past the old Skt. Nicholas Church, which was built in the 16th century and rebuilt and extended again in 1784. Finally, stop by the old olive oil mill, where visitors can learn all about the ancient art of pressing and producing olive oil.

Ćunski is a cosy little town with a nice atmosphere and its charm always manages to win the good recommendations of tourists.

The beautiful port town of Valun is located 14 km southwest of the town of Cres and is almost completely secluded between cliffs and surrounded by beautiful beaches. In fact, there are two very nice sandy beaches at Valun, surrounded by pine forest that can help with some shade when the sun is at its highest. Nearby are small hidden coves if bathers prefer peace and quiet. There are no facilities on the beaches, but there are restaurants, cafés and shops in Valun, just a five-minute walk from the beaches, which are also ideal for families with children.

Go on a summer holiday in the south and visit Mali Lošinj, a very beautiful town with a natural harbour and with beautiful Mediterranean houses and surrounding hills. It is the smallest town on the island of Lošinj and the largest on the island. There is a lot to see and enjoy in Mali Lošinj, and one of the must-sees is certainly a visit to the interesting Apoxyomenos Museum, which houses the unique bronze figure of the athlete Apoxyomenos. Or how about a trip to the historical underwater park in Čikat bay, which offers hidden objects reflecting the island's historical heritage, at a depth of between 5-15 metres?

The island is also known as an aroma spa and there are over 1,200 different plant varieties on the island, so why not stop by the Lošinj Aromatic Garden and learn about the many different species. Take a guided tour and get the full explanation and get lost in a wealth of scents.

Or how about just enjoying a stroll around the beautiful streets, browsing the many small shops that dot the narrow streets. Try one of the city's many restaurants specialising in fresh fish or sample the wide selection of delicious pasta dishes in one of the many cosy pizzerias.

Around the city there are several beautiful beaches, and the area is a known for its beauty, peace and lovely nature. The island is an ideal destination for a beach holiday and family holiday in Croatia.

Novalja has beautiful and well-kept beaches, many restaurants serving local fish and lamb dishes. Try the delicious sheep's cheese produced in Novalje, there is a small shop selling local products, so sample the different flavours and find the perfect cheese.

Potočnica is a small town located on the northwestern side of the island of Pag. It is a small weekend resort, but between two bays with beach. Not many people are familiar with the small beaches, but if a little privacy is nice, try the beautiful waters of the bays near Potočnica.

Just north of Split lies the town of Šibenik, a town with an interesting history and a charming town centre and monuments dating back to the 11th century. There are plenty of interesting sites in the city so why not start with the Cathedral of St. Jacob, or ´Sveti Jakov´, which is one of the more important Renaissance buildings in Croatia, built back in 1434 until the mid-16th century. The first part was built in Gothic style and the last part, including the dome, in Renaissance style. The cathedral is protected behind the walls of the fortress, in the Old Quarter and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Šibenik's four fortresses are very exciting attractions and all have incredible views, start your visit at the oldest fortress, which is St. Michael's Fortress, built in the 11th century, then there is also St. Michael's Fortress. John. The Barone Fortress was used for scenes in the fifth season of Game of Thrones and was an important part of the defence against the Turks in the late Middle Ages. St. Nicholas Fortress has its entrance at the St. Ante Canal and is very well preserved and an interesting visit.

Also take a trip to the medieval garden, ´Srednjovjekovni vrt samostana sv. Lovre', a lush green oasis where hundreds of different herbs and medicinal plants grow. There are also figs and pomegranates, take the walk along the four areas that the garden is divided into, and finish at the fountain in the middle.

Banj beach is also an option and it has won several awards for water quality and activities, so remember to bring your swimwear. Otherwise, take the kids under your arm and visit the Aquapark, which is just 5km from the city centre.

Šibenik is a wonderful little town and it's hard not to be captivated by its charm and exciting history.

The town is well protected by the island of Ugljan and is a small provincial town of about 80,000 inhabitants. Its 3,000-year history has also marked the town, where the old town in particular shines, having been rebuilt and restored after the war. Less than 20 years ago, Zadar, like so many other towns in the area, was a sad part of the war that was unfolding in the Balkans. Outside Zadar will continue to bear the sad testimony of, among other things, warning signs about mines. But the city has had a turbulent history, being subject to the Romans, the Byantine Empire, Venice, the Ottomans, Austria and Italy, which actually ruled the city until the end of World War II, after which it became part of Yugoslavia.

Take a ride on the mini train that runs through the old town, starting and ending at the 9th-century Church of St Donatus, located next to the Roman Forum. The many alleys and winding streets also house several shops. But there are newer sights too, like the famous sea organ, where the lapping of the waves forces air up into the organ pipes, which return the favour with soft and slightly mournful sounds from the sea organ on the stone pier. Experience a sunset accompanied by nature's own organ sounds, an incomparable experience in the light of the large light sculpture, which with a diameter of 22 metres shines far and wide and also acts as a gathering point for the town's inhabitants.

Down at the ferry terminal there are daily departures to Ancona in Italy.

In the 12th century, Vrana belonged to the Knights Templar, which means that the town's history also includes exciting and mysterious stories of hidden treasures. It was here in Vrana that the Knights Templar had buried one of their greatest treasures, joking just some of the town's inhabitants, there are different opinions about where, but all agree that it is buried nearby.

Vrana is already mentioned in the 9th century and thus has a long and interesting history to tell. The city housed the first embassy to the Vatican, which attracted the rank of priest, and later developed into an important political centre at the end of the first millennium AD.

Visit the Benedictine monastery or the Vrana fortress, and also take the opportunity to stop by the beautiful Vrana lake, Vransko jezero.

Take a holiday in Croatia with Risskov and discover Biograd na Moru, a small town with a beautiful harbour located in the northern part of Dalmatia in Pasman Bay, 25 km south of Zadar. The town is known for its lovely and varied beaches, which form part of the small peninsula on which the town is situated with a number of small surrounding islands. However, the town also spreads over the mainland and is now home to around 5,700 inhabitants.

The city's marina has over a thousand berths and is open all year round. There are also several national parks in the area, start with Paklenica or Telascica, which are a very special experience. Discover Croatia with Risskov and go on a cheap summer holiday south with the whole family. Find a last minute hotel with Risskov.

Novigrad is the Croatian Portofino, a place that the sea has helped to push into the mainland, creating a beautiful fjord surrounded by small stone houses, a hilltop fortress and a small fishing port. Despite its small size, it's a town with plenty of interesting history. It was here that the Hungarian Queen Elizabeth, wife of Louis I of Anjou, was imprisoned along with her daughter Mary. During her captivity, the Queen embroidered a clerical cloth, which is still preserved in the local church. The Novigrad Sea is actually a deep bay, with a beautiful view, and a great place to relax and enjoy the local wine and olives and of course gastronomy, rich in fish.

The town of Vela Luka an interesting excursion destination. The town offers many historical sights, such as an archaeological collection and the church of St. Joseph church. The marina is also a popular place for a walk, and you can see boats and ships sailing by. Also try the town's various restaurants serving delicious dishes such as fresh fish and seafood. You can also go on a hike in the cave of Vela Spila, known for its prehistoric findings dating back 20,000 years.

If you're holidaying on the beautiful Croatian island of Korcula, the town of the same name is a popular place to visit. You'll find it in the north-east of the island, where historic city walls with fine old watchtowers surround the old town. You can visit, for example, the Cathedral of Sct. Marco, the city museum in the former town hall, or the house that is said to have belonged to Marco Polo. Picturesque Korcula also has a rich selection of seafront restaurants and cafés that are well worth trying.