Looking for reasons to travel to the Adriatic Coast?
Look no further!
Croatia to me was more picturesque than I could've ever imagined ... think fairytale castles, blue lagoons and sunsets - all in one.
There was something sensational around every corner, even if you're just visiting Croatia for a city break it's the type of country that will leave you accidentally stumbling across jaw-dropping national parks, dramatic coastlines and sky stabbing mountains.
This is going to be something of a more photo-heavy post because I think sometimes you just need to appreciate the sheer beauty of the coastal country without getting swept up in what to do's and what not to do's... let alone the history of it all.
I will, however, make sure to name each location so you’ll know where/when to visit and also have a sense of what to expect before you do.
Croatia is an incredible place and to start off with I was worried I had 'hyped' it up to the extent it wouldn't live up to my expectations.
I couldn't have been more wrong - it surpassed them!
Dubrovnik. The fairytale city that hugs the Adriatic coast.
Take a walk up Fort Lovrijenac (make sure to buy a Dubrovnik City Pass - as the entrance fee is included in it) and admire the view!
The High Point on the city outskirts makes for the perfect bird-eye viewing.
Let the sunny orange rooftops and salty sea air whisk you away!
Turning away from Dubrovnik City on the other side of Fort Lovrijenac you will find this picture perfect cove also known to locals as Beach Sulic.
With crystal clear water this makes for a fantastic swimming spot to cool down from the Hot Croatian sun.
Be warned - it can get busy so try to avoid it during the high-points of the day (I visited at around 4pm and it was perfect).
Wonder around the cobbled streets of Dubrovnik's old town and allow the narrow side streets to act as 'air-conditioned' passageways.
Fresh fish is a must in Dubrovnik, plenty of eateries large and small in the old town catch their food straight from the Adriatic Sea - it can be more pricey but it's definitely worth a few extra 'squid'! :)
Hire kayaks and take part in one of the most popular Dubrovnik Activities.
Paddle past: Island, the city walls and visit dramatic caves and shelving coastlines!
Take a walk around the wall of Dubrovnik and allow the colossal size of the walls to really sink in.
Aim to walk around them at the start of the day (8-9am) to avoid crowds, it takes around 90 minutes to comfortably complete the walk; ensure to bring water - there are cafes along the way however the large majority only take cash so make certain you bring some spare kunas!
While your ambling along, see how many 'holes in the walls' you can spot!
The walls of Dubrovnik weren't high enough for you? Take the cable car above the city during sunset. It truly is a sight to behold.
Split. Architectural Extravagance.
The hustle and bustle never stops! If you take any advice take this - wake up early!
If you're looking for quieter photos or prefer to explore privately sunrise is your new best friend.
By 9am the city is heaving! So the early hours of 6/7am are your best bets.
Whilst everyone else is running crazily around relax after your sightseeing at a brunch bar (Split truly has these in abundance).
Diocletian's Palace.
Or rather the underneath of it!
Don't miss this when you're in split. It's an immense feat of engineering under the cobbled streets.
Visit after lunch for a much needed escape from the sun's scorching rays!
Some of you may recognise it from Game of Thrones where Daenerys' kept her dragons!
Need a break from sight seeing?
Head down to Joe's Beach Bar - it is slightly more pricey but in my opinion definitely worth it.
Of all the beaches we visited this one comes up trumps each time.
With a beautifully sheltered beach, plenty of comfortable sun loungers/ beds and reasonably priced food and drinks; it truly is the perfect place to relax during the day.
Make sure to stay for the sunset! You cannot find a better place to watch it.
Island hopping; an absolute essential for anyone visiting Croatia.
We used Split as a base as I felt it was more of a gateway destination that allowed us to continue our travels and hop from island to island.
The views we encountered were truly spectacular.
The Blue Cave, is a waterlogged sea cave located in a small bay called Balun, on the east side of the island of Biševo.
This is the entrance.
Yep you read that right ... we had to enter through here.
After squeezing through the gap in a little fishing boat I think you'll agree with me that it was without a doubt worth it!
Plenty of tour operators departing Croatia offer a full day tour that includes the blue cave. We went with Mayer Charter and they were fantastic.
Vis Island.
Fun fact: Mamma Mia 2 was filmed here!
Visit the the blue lagoon of Drvenik and Krknjasi islands, perfect for snorkelling and swimming in.
It is without a doubt the clearest water I've ever seen in my life.
Think the Maldives but in Europe!
As it's situated in between two islands it's never overly busy as the only way to reach it is by boat.
This is why tour guides/operators usually include it on their itinerary lists so that tourists don't miss out.
However, even with the flocks of tourists the volume of the bay is large enough to comfortably hold everyone.
Grab your snorkels and explore - just watch out for the sea urchins!
Back in Split and stumbling out into the Krka National Park, we went with Booker and couldn't have asked for a more flawless experience!
The park can be extremely busy so I would recommend visiting in Late May/Early June or Late September, otherwise it does feel too crowded.
The park is overall signposted extremely well, with a beautiful preservation of the wildlife.
But the waterfalls.. now that's definitely one for the bucket list!
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