The Peristyle, the central courtyard of Diocletian's Palace in Split
Country guide

Things to do in Croatia

Split is the natural base on the Dalmatian coast – a Roman palace you can actually live inside, and Croatia's most-visited waterfalls both within a short drive.

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Cities
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Experiences

Split, Croatia's second city, is built directly around the ancient palace a Roman emperor retired to – making it one of the only places in the world where people still live and work inside a 1,700-year-old imperial residence. Dubrovnik, further down the coast, is a different kind of old city entirely – a medieval walled fortress that was never taken by force in four centuries of standing.

Beyond the cities, Krka National Park's and Plitvice Lakes' waterfalls are the standout day trips, with the wider Dalmatian coast and islands within reach for anyone staying longer. Inland, Zagreb gives a different side of the country entirely – a working capital rather than a coastal resort town.

Arriving from Slovenia? See our Slovenia & Croatia itinerary for the classic overland route linking Ljubljana, Zagreb, Plitvice, Split and Dubrovnik.

Choose a city

CroatiaSplitA Roman emperor's retirement palace that became a city, within day-trip range of Croatia's best waterfalls and its most famous walled city.6 experiences→CroatiaDubrovnikA medieval walled city that survived earthquakes, a real siege, and centuries of Ottoman pressure without ever being taken.1 experience→CroatiaZagrebCroatia's capital, built from two medieval hilltop towns that only merged in 1850 – and the closest big city to both Plitvice Lakes and Slovenia.6 experiences→

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Late spring and early autumn give warm weather without the peak-summer crowds and heat that build up in Split and at Krka National Park through July and August.