Why Croatia is worth the journey

Croatia is a country in south-eastern Europe, with a long coastline on the Adriatic Sea, green hills and forests inland, and old towns with Roman, medieval and Venetian history. This site looks at what makes it worth visiting, how the war of the 1990s affected it, and how it recovered and changed.

Why Croatia is beautiful to visit

Sea and islands

The Adriatic coast is long and varied, with clear water, pebble and rock beaches, and more than a thousand islands and islets. Many are reached by ferry.

History in stone

Towns such as Dubrovnik, Split, Trogir and Poreč have walls, palaces and churches that have stood for centuries. Several are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Nature

Inland, national parks such as Plitvice Lakes and Krka protect lakes, waterfalls and forest.

Food and daily life

Coastal cooking leans on seafood, olive oil and local wine, while inland dishes are heartier. Cafes and markets are central to everyday life in towns and cities.

Explore this site

• Coast and islands: the Adriatic shore and its islands.
• Inland and cities: Zagreb, Slavonia, national parks and historic towns.
• The war years: 1991 to 1995 and what they meant for visitors.
• Recovery: rebuilding after the war.
• How tourism changed: from the 1990s to today.
• Planning a visit: practical advice.