Our Favorite
Vacation Towns
Every town in Croatia has its own charm. The truth is, there isn't one "best" town in Croatia. Some travelers fall in love with vibrant cities. Others prefer quiet villages or seaside communities. The best choice is the one that fits your travel style. These are vacation towns that captured our hearts.
Zagreb
Our Favorite European Capital
We've visited several European capitals, but there's something special about Zagreb that keeps drawing us back.
The city has an incredible energy that's both lively and relaxed. Tkalčićeva Street is lined with cafés and restaurants where people gather well into the evening, while the city center comes alive with outdoor dining, music, and conversation.
Beyond the atmosphere, Zagreb is wonderfully walkable. Historic landmarks like St. Mark's Church and Zagreb Cathedral sit alongside artisan boutiques, jewelry shops, and bustling shopping streets. Getting around is easy thanks to the city's tram system, and we've always felt comfortable exploring—even after dark.
Why we love it: It perfectly blends history, culture, food, and everyday Croatian life.
AT A GLANCE:
Best For:
Foodies, Culture, Nightlife, Shopping
STAY:
2-3 Nights
MUST DOS:
Tkalciceva Street, St. Mark's Church, Dolac Market, Zagreb Cathedral, Upper Town
GETTING AROUND:
Walkable City, Easy Tram System to Navigate
WHERE TO STAY:
Hotel Dubrovnik
Rovinj
Our Favorite Coastal Town
Rovinj captured our hearts almost immediately. Its colorful waterfront and winding cobblestone streets filled with artisan shops and places to explore give this coastal town a charm all its own.
The Riva is lively with waterfront restaurants and cafés, making deciding where to eat part of the fun. We especially loved the evening Green Market, or tržnica, which adds to the energy of the town well after a day at the beach.
Rovinj is also a great place for travelers who want to get out and explore. Along the waterfront, you'll find excursion vendors offering boat trips, island excursions, dolphin-watching cruises, and other ways to experience the surrounding coastline and Adriatic.
And everywhere you look are reminders of Rovinj's Venetian past—from its architecture to the colorful homes that seem to rise directly from the water.
Why we love it: Rovinj is a beautiful vacation town—beaches, dining, shopping, excursions, history, and fun filled Riva to come back to at the end of the day.
AT A GLANCE:
Best For:
Foodies, Coastal Charm, Excursions
STAY:
2-3 Nights
MUST DOS:
Riva, Dining, Excursions, Day Trip to Venice
GETTING AROUND:
Walkable City Town, Cars not Permitted
WHERE TO STAY:
Grand Park Hotel
Bol, Brac Island
Our Favorite Island Town
Bol may be a small island town, but it's home to one of Croatia's most famous beaches—Zlatni Rat. Yet the beach is only part of what made us fall in love with Bol.
We loved the waterfront restaurants, great food, and beautiful south-facing views across the Adriatic. But one of the best parts of staying in Bol was how easy it was to explore more of Brač.
Rent a car and make a day of discovering the island—drive to Milna, continue on to Supetar, then travel across the island back to Bol. Along the way, you'll discover small coastal towns, hidden beaches, and beautiful views you might otherwise miss.
And when you're ready to explore beyond Brač, ferry access from Bol to Hvar makes visiting another island easy.
Why we love it: Amazing beach, beautiful scenery, delicious food, and the perfect balance of relaxation and exploration.
AT A GLANCE:
Best For:
Beaches, Island Hopping, Scenic Drives, Water Sports
STAY:
5-7 days
MUST DOS:
Zlatni Rat, Vidova Gora, Waterfront Dining, Milna, ferry to Hvar
GETTING AROUND:
Walkable Town, Beaches Walking Distance, Beach Tram
WHERE TO STAY:
Private Accommodations
Kaštela
Our Favorite Place For Relaxing
Kaštela is where we can truly unwind.
This welcoming beach town offers calm mornings, crystal-clear water, and a long waterfront perfect for leisurely walks. Families gather along the beaches, paddleboards glide across water that's often as smooth as glass, and cafés slowly fill as the day begins.
One of our favorite memories is hearing the church bells ring in the morning and again in the evening—a simple tradition that somehow captures the rhythm of life here.
With excellent restaurants, private accommodations, a beautiful beachfront hotel, and Split only minutes away, Kaštela makes an ideal home base for exploring Central Dalmatia.
Why we love it: It feels like the Croatia we've always imagined—relaxed, welcoming, and effortlessly beautiful.
AT A GLANCE:
Best For:
Families, Relaxation, Day Trips
STAY:
7 Nights - 2 weeks
MUST DOS:
Morning and Evening Swims in the Sea, Day Trips to Split & Trogir
GETTING AROUND:
Walkable Town
WHERE TO STAY:
Private Accommodations or Hotel Stacja
Croatian Adventurers Booking Tips:
Best to Book accommodations directly with a Hotel.
Use Booking platforms that offer a cancellation policy.
Finding the Right Place to Stay
The right accommodations are about more than finding a beautiful room—location, amenities, length of stay, and whether a hotel or private rental fits that part of your trip can completely change the experience. We've traveled Croatia as just the two of us and with our entire family, staying everywhere from a single night to two weeks, and can help you find the right combination for your Croatian adventure.
