Why settle for an in-room movie when you can walk on the set of an epic film? That’s right, Croatia’s Dalmatian coast dotted with high mountains and several islands has recently become the place where favorite epic flicks are filmed. And that’s a major incentive why you should visit some of Croatia’s islands, in addition to it being a place with the best sunset in the world. Here’s a list of the best islands to explore with your family in tow.

1) Island Hvar

If you’re down for some sunbathing, smelling the lavender or wild nightlife as a couple, this is the coolest place to be. To get there, take the Jadrolinija or Catamaran ferry. Coolest things to do here include: 

• Taste the wine – Hvar has the oldest vineyard according to UNESCO.
• Explore culture and history by visiting monuments such as Skor and Tvrdalj renaissance castle in Stari Grad Town
• Enjoy the beautiful Grenada cuisine – fish stew prepared with onion, garlic, and olive then served with potato. 
• Take a boat trip to the Pakleni islands – fun activities here include scuba dives and swimming.

2) Lokrum Islands

Do you love bingeing on Game of Thrones? Well, you’d be glad to know that the popular HBO series was shot in this location too – the Island of Lokrum – which appeared as the city of Qarth in the season two of the show. 

To get there, get a ferry at the old city harbor in Dubrovnik town – it’s just a 15 minutes ride.

Your family can enjoy some of its GOT themed tours: 

• Explore the Old Town, which is the inspiration behind GOT’s fictional city, “King’s Landing.”
• You can visit the Benedictine monastery and the botanical gardens where the garden scenes were filmed. 
• Climb the walls of the city and visualize the bloody battles from GOT
• Get into King Joffrey’s malicious exploits at Lovrijenac
• Track Ayra Stark’s footsteps while enjoying the tour guide’s gossips about the hit series

3) Vis

A couple of hours here and you may forget you’re in the earth – its traditional Mediterranean ambiance makes it the one of the best destionations for a family vacation. Vis island is located further from Croatia’s mainland and has therefore retained its charm. To get there, hitch a boat ride from Split Town.

• Get to know the inspiration behind the fictional town of Kalokari in the flick Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again. Yes, that’s right, the movie was filmed at this rugged charming location – especially the village of Komiza. Explore Jastozera Restaurant that appeared in the film as the Greek taverna then trace Young Rosie and Tanya’s scenes through the paved terrace of Pansion Dionis.
• Explore the blue cave and bathe in the stunning blue light as the water reflects the sun throughout the interior.
• Learn the islands history and its contribution to the resistance movement during World War II at Tito’s Cave.

4) Brač

With its beautiful Zlatni Rat Beach, an iconic array of pine trees and fun games, Brac is no doubt the best family-friendly island in the Dalmatian coast. It’s located just 50 minutes away from Split on a ferry ride. The number one incentive you should head here is the Zlatni Rat Beach has been ranked among the world’s beautiful beaches. The other thing is there are many fun things to do like scuba diving, hiking and numerous activities for young people so here’s what to do in Brac:

• Bond with your family on fishing excursions offered by companies in Bol as you all marvel in the mystery of the creatures. The tours cost 175€ for a single person.
• Get into kiteboarding at Zlatni Rat Beach and enjoy the exhilarating sport in the cool Maestral winds. Kiteboarding lessons cost 840 kunas per day.
• Explore the sacral architecture of Early Christian churches such as The Church of St. Theodore, The Church of St. Martin and more.
• Enjoy mountain biking as a couple to the Vidova Gora summit which offers a pleasant view of the Adriatic Sea and the city.

5) Dugi otok

Best for chilling out and exploring charming traditional villages because it’s not too crowded. It’s home to the Telascica Nature pack which boasts of an iconic array of birds, coastal rocks and the popular Mir – a Salt Lake known for its healing mud.

Fun activities to do here include: 

• Visiting picturesque places such as the Veliki Rat Light House and Strashna cave and immerse into Glagolitic culture.
• Enjoying the Sakarun Beach, which is famous for its shallow clear waters and surrounding pine trees that shield it from the wind.
• Trek the mountaineering path to Mount Orljak for amazing views of the sea. On your way, you will pass lush vegetation and magnificent cliffs.
• Fishing and hiking: Try out your luck for some Tuna fish at the Kornati Archipelago early in the morning followed by afternoon swimming or some scuba diving adventure to experience the mysterious underwater world.

6) Island of Silba

Island of Silba is situated in the Zadar archipelago, south-east of Island Mali Losinj, between the neighboring islands of Olib in the East and Premuda in the West. Island of Silba if full of Mediterranean vegetation and aromatic herbs. You can enjoy in pleasant vacation in the untouched nature.

No vehicles are allowed on Silba. This is why Silba is an ideal place for families with children and for relaxation and meditation. 

Along the Silba coast, there are countless smaller and larger beaches ideal for swimming and sunbathing for the whole family. The children at Silba quickly learn to swim and dive because the seabed is full of plants and animals and that is very interesting for children and adults also. Isn’t it?

So if you decide to spend your vacation at this beautiful island, we guarantee that you will have great time and that you will come back again next year.

7) Mali Lošinj

If you choose Mali Lošinj as your family holiday destination, both you and your youngest ones will have plenty of opportunities to have fun and learn something new.

5 things to do on the island of Lošinj:

• Dolphin Watching Tour  – The Lošinj archipelago is a habitat to about 200 bottlenose dolphins. Dolphin Watching Tour lasts for 3 hours and it is designed for max 12 persons. In case you do not see the dolphins, you get the possibility to go one more time for free.
• One museum, two islands, three buildings – The Lošinj Museum has three locations, in Mali Lošinj, Veli Lošinj, and in Osor, and it keeps historical, archaeological, ethnographical, and art collections.
• Theme viewpoint Providenca – Theme viewpoint Providenca combines the 300 m long educational trail Apsyrtides and a viewpoint bar with local specialties.
• Lošinj’s Fragrant Garden – The Garden hosts over 250 wild aromatic plants. In the evening, from 18:00 to 23:00, visitors can taste homemade food products. It is a small but very beautiful garden.
• Museum of Apoxyomenos –  it is a must see in Lošinj. It’s focused on a single exhibit, an ancient Greek statue discovered in Croatian sea about 20 years ago. The statue was under restoration in Zagreb for several years and looks nothing like what had been in the sea. The story of Apoxymenon is presented in a very innovative and approachable way that it can be interesting for everyone.

Croatian islands, with their Mediterranean charm and modern world glamor, offer unique cultural and fun-filled activities worth experiencing with your family. When are you coming?

You enjoy living your life to the fullest, spending every day as if it is your last and trying out new things that will stay in your memory for a lifetime. As a real adrenaline lover, you surely don’t want to settle for a peaceful vacation on the beach, resting under the sun and doing nothing for a week. No, that’s definitely not your type of holiday.

That’s why we prepared an awesome list of destinations in Croatia that offer the best active vacation, with lots of fun and wild activities to do and things to experience. So here it goes, 6 destinations for a vacation to remember!

1) Dubrovnik

For the fans of the famous Game of Thrones series, the filmmakers shot scenes in Dubrovnik, which has fantastic forts. It is a good place to go for sea kayaking and swimming in the blue waters. Apart from watersports, climb Mt. Srđ on foot and explore the view of the city around it. If you cannot manage the hike, there are cable cars to take you to the mountaintop easily and fast.

2) Split

As one of the best places in Croatia for adrenaline addicts, Split is a couple of hours away from Dubrovnik. It offers thrilling experiences for a one-week holiday and even longer. For example, enjoy rafting on Cetina river, as you marvel the breathtaking scenery. One mistake you should never make is going on an adventure without a camera. The river has a 50m waterfall, cliffs as high as 180m for cliff jumping, and rapids for canyoning if you are courageous enough.

Have you been longing for a ziplining escapade? Omiš Zip Line across the Cetina river will abate the desire. It offers a massive distance of 2100m to guarantee you quite an experience, as you dangle in the air above the river. Maybe you have never ziplined before, do not worry. The place has professionals to acquaint you with the sport. Omiš is known for rock-climbing as well.

The other place to find zip lines is Crikvenica. It is 500m long, a distance you cover in 30seconds starting with 35m above sea level. The destination is great for beginners considering it is shorter than the zip line in Split.

3) Istralandia Adrenaline Water Park

Adrenaline lover or not, Istria will take your breath away. Along with some of the most beautiful beaches it offers throughout the entire coast, Istria also has many exciting adrenaline and water parks for you to enjoy.

As you make a list of places to visit in Croatia for an adrenaline pump, make sure you include Istralandia in Brtonigla. It is a large adrenaline water park in Istria with pools, a lazy river, and water slides. It is the perfect place for a family vacation, as it has sections for both kids and adults. Swim in the lazy river to relax, sunbathe, and then go to the water slides for a session of a lifetime. Loosen up and enjoy the exuberance the park has in store for you.

4) Kornati National Park

Kornati National Park is stunning with over 80 islands to offer you all the adrenaline fun you are looking for. The islands are perfect for scuba diving, snorkeling, and swimming. Dive with fish, as you get past beautiful reefs, corals, and sea sponges and swim in the vast blue waters for excitement.

5) Makarska

In Makarska, you can enjoy numerous fun activities such as paragliding, windsurfing, hiking, rock climbing, and biking. Its pebbly beaches are going to take your breath away! After a long day of shooting up your adrenaline levels, head to the bar for a drink, and have a delicious meal at one of the many restaurants.

6) Zadar

Bungee jumping is another exciting activity adrenaline junkies will appreciate in Croatia. You can experience the big jump at Maslenica Bridge in Zadar. It gives you over 50m height for the adrenaline rush you’ll enjoy. After you have had enough of this spot, you can go to the 40m high Šibenik Bridge too and have a blast once again!

Another great activity for adrenaline lovers is at the Zadar Airport – skydiving. You’ll get to enjoy the aerial view of the world beneath you from 3352m above the ground.

Being an adrenaline addict says a lot about your personality. You are a courageous person, not afraid of taking enormous risks for the sake of having fun. It is what differentiates you from other people. Croatia is a worthwhile destination for an adrenaline junkie like you. The six places we have covered are an example of areas you should definitely visit on your trip to Croatia!

Istria is the most developed region in Croatia and it has the perfect combination of beautiful coastal locations and inland greenery. Istrian peninsula is a great place to visit during the whole year because there is always something fun to do. During the winter, you can enjoy the truffle search but if you want to enjoy Istria to its fullest, you should definitely visit in the summer and enjoy the many beautiful beaches Istra offers. The coast of this peninsula is 540 km long so there’s an abundance of all kinds of beaches, from family beaches, dog beaches to pebble and concrete beaches… You’ll even find nudist beaches here and there.

Istrian beaches provide pleasure to adrenaline junkies, tourists with pets and families with little kids. Everyone can find the best beach for their needs.

Take a look at our list of the best beaches in Istria and make sure to visit at least one of these on your Istria vacation.

Bijeca Beach in Medulin

Bijeca is located in Medulin which is one of the best touristic locations in the Istra. Medulin beauty is in a 1 kilometer long beach that offers various activities to its visitors. Bijeca is one of the few sand beaches in Istria. This sandy beach is ideal for older people and kids because it has a shallow water which means you can walk for almost a hundred meters and still won’t need to swim. It is also a great place to test your skills in “picigin”, a traditional Croatian game played in the sea in which you have to keep the ball above the water and do anything possible to not let it fall in the water.

As many other Istrian beaches, Bijeca beach offers lots of extras to the visitors. You’ll find fast food bars, restaurants with local food, shops, disco bars and much more.

Lanterna – Green Peninsula

Laterna is located between Novigrad and Poreč. The green peninsula is a modern touristic village with lots of apartments and hotels. Lanterna is named green peninsula because of the green forest that spreads around the whole peninsula. Lanterna has many activities to offer so you can enjoy different activities like water skiing, windsurfing and riding a water bike.

If you are looking for a place that will give you the best relaxation but also has many fun and adrenaline-inducing activities, then Lanterna is the right choice. The green forest will give you all the stress relief you need, while water activities will not let the boredom set in!

Koversada beach in Vrsar

Koversada is one of the biggest nudist beaches in Europe. The nudist’s tradition of this beach started in 1961, and since then people from all over Europe come to enjoy the sun completely naked.

This piece of heaven on Earth has everything a nudist needs… Restaurants that offer local food, cocktail bars for party lovers.
If you’re visiting with your family, parts of the beach are ideal for children. There’s also a part of the beach where dogs are allowed so your furry best can enjoy as much as you.

Amarin Beach in Rovinj

Amarin beach is a part of the Amarin camp located on the north side of Rovinj. This beach has pebble and rocky surface and it is ideal for families with kids and dogs. It has a lot of playgrounds for the kids and offers on-water activities which will keep your little ones active. If you have a dog that’s fine too! There’s a part of the beach where your furry best friend is allowed too. Amarin will surprise you with its crystal clean sea that is a joy to swim in.

Crveni Otok (The Red Island)

If you are searching for an isolated place for your summer vacation then Crveni Otok is an ideal location for you. There is no other way to get to the Red Island other than a boat. A short 15-minutes boat ride will take you to this heaven on Earth. You’ll have a fantastic time sailing on the boat and experiencing the Adriatic sea from a different angle.

Visit local beaches on the island and take a relaxing walk through one of the many paths on the Island. Red Island is ideal for people who are seeking relaxation from everyday worries and those who want to connect to the nature and enjoy the soothing sound of peace and quiet. For those of you who enjoy meditating, there are spots marked with stones which make the perfect meditation location.

Katoro Beach near Umag

Katoro beach is located four kilometers from Umag, a city known as a home to many big tennis tournaments. Katoro beach has a combination of concrete, pebble, and rocky parts. It is a family oriented beach ideal for little kids who are learning to swim.

Katoro beach provides many activities for the tourists such as volleyball on the sand, minigolf, tennis and table tennis. Kids can have fun on children’s playground while the parents relax drinking coffee in the bar located only a few steps from the beach. Shops with swimming equipment are located on the beach so you’ll have everything you need right there on the spot.

Katoro beach is probably the best concrete beach on the west side of Istra so make sure to take a swim there it if you’re vacationing nearby!

There are many more beautiful beaches in Istria but these ones are especially worth a visit. One thing you don’t have to worry about when vacationing in Istria – you’ll find stunning beaches in every corner.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

If you enjoy learning about history and people that made a big mark in creating the world we live in today, then you’ll love our list of the most important Croatian historical figures. If you’re also traveling to Croatia, even better! You’ll find a lot of interesting places with rich history to visit on your trip.

Nikola Tesla

Nikola Tesla was born in a village Smiljan in the region of Lika. He was an exceptional inventor, electrical engineer, and physicist. Most famous for developing the alternating current (AC) electricity supply system, but his work also brought to advance in things like wireless communications, lasers, x-rays, radar, lighting, robotics, radio, remote control and much more.

There are at least 278 patents issued by Tesla in about 26 countries we know to exist. Many of Tesla’s patents were developed and approved in the United States and Canada. But many of his inventions were never put into a patent protection.

Visit Tesla’s birthplace—Smiljan, see the Nikola Tesla Memorial Center. The easiest way to get in Smiljan is the A1 highway and take the Gospić exit.

Ruđer Bošković

Ruđer Bošković was born in Dubrovnik. He developed a precursor of atomic theory and made many contributions to astronomy, including the first geometric procedure for securing the equator of a rotating planet from three observations of a surface feature and for computing the orbit of a planet from three observations of its position. He also discovered the absence of atmosphere on the Moon. He was a philosopher, diplomat, poet, physicist, theologian, mathematician, astronomer, geodesist, and an archeologist. He has operated in many areas of science, but his most crucial contributions are related to mathematics, hydromechanics, theoretical astronomy, geometry and analogous interpretation of all known natural phenomena.

In 1950, the Institute for Scientific Research in the field of Atomic Physics was founded in Zagreb. After Ivan Supek had proposed being invited to Ruđer Bošković, the institute soon changed its name to “The Ruđer Bošković Institute.” The institute has a multidisciplinary character: it employs 550 academics and students from the fields of experimental and theoretical physics, chemistry and materials physics, chemistry, molecular biology and medicine, environmental and marine research, computer science and electronics.

Marco Polo

We are sure you know the game Marco Polo. But do you know who Marco Polo was? He was a Venice merchant, writer, traveler, and explorer. He was known as one of the first European who left a detailed description of his travels. The exact place of his birth is still unclear and a subject of speculation. Most historians agree he was born in Venice, but some chronologists and researchers claim Marco Polo was born in the town of Korčula on the island of Korčula.

His father Nikola and uncle Mateo were the traveling merchants and ambassadors of the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty. On one of their voyages to China, they took the 17-year-old Marco Polo. When Marco returned home, he was captured in the naval battle between Venice and Genoa. During his months of imprisonment in Genoa, he has shared his travel experiences with his cellmate, Rustichello da Pisa. He wrote Marko’s stories in a book titled “Million”, better known as “Marco Polo’s Travel.” The book has enabled the Europeans to get to know the Middle East, India, China, and Japan and it inspired many future researchers, including Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand Magellan.

Nikola Šubić Zrinski

Nikola Šubić Zrinski was a Croatian nobleman and army leader and one of the most celebrated heroes of Hungarian and Croatian history. He was a prominent soldier, a member of the noble Zrinski family and the statesman. He pointed out early, in his 21st year in defense of Vienna in 1529. Car Charles V. awarded him with a horse and gold.

Nikola was the complete hero during the Defense of Siget, and his heroic act got impressed by the whole of Europe, and because of that, they called him Leonid. The Ottomans have lost over 30,000 troops in the Battle of Siget, for which they had nothing but to give up on the invasion of Vienna and Europe. Today Nikola Šubić Zrinski is celebrated as one of the distinguish Croatian. On the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Siget, a bronze statue was elevated in Čakovec. It is about 3 meters high and set beside the Zrinski Castle. Visit Čakovec the city of Zrinski family and learn more about this hero and his family. The city is in northern Croatia, around 90 kilometers north of the city of Zagreb.

Ivan Meštrović

Ivan Meštrović was born in Vrpolje, but he spends his childhood in Otavice. He was the notable Croatian sculptor, architect, and writer. His art has been compared to Michelangelo and A. Rodin. He lived and worked in many European centers of art such as Rome, Paris, London, Geneva.

Some of his famous artworks:

• The Bowman and The Spearman (also known as Equestrian Indians), Chicago, USA
• The Monument to the Unknown Hero, Belgrade, Serbia
• Gregory of Nin (Grgur Ninski) at the Church of the Holy Cross, Nin, Croatia
• Gregorius of Nin, at the Golden gate entrance to the Diocletian Palace, Split, Croatia
• Croatian History, Zagreb, Croatia
• The Winner, Beograd, Serbia
• Visit The Meštrović Gallery in Split at Šetalište Ivan Meštrović or The Meštović Atelier in Zagreb placed in Upper Town and explore his magnificent artworks.

Ban Josip Jelačić

Josip Jelačić was the ban of Croatia, Dalmatia, and Slavonia, part of Jelačić noble family, general and one of the most prominent politicians in the 19th century.

He is one of the most important politicians in Croatia’s complete history, who has called the first Croatian parliamentary elections. As an army leader, he had a notable victory against the uprising during the Revolution in Hungary in 1848.

He was accomplished to merge Dalmatia and the Krajina region into Croatia, a goal that had long eluded the country. Under Jelačić’s leadership, the Sabor allowed the participation of elected and hereditary representatives. He abolished feudalism although the peasants remained poor for many more years.

The stirring monument to Ban Josip Jelačić on Zagreb’s main square testifies to the reverence in which Josip Jelačić was and is held.

Ivan Gundulić

Ivan Gundulić was famous Croatian baroque poet, lyrist, and the playwright. His family was known from 13th century, and its members were doing different State-administrative tasks in Dubrovnik. His plays were usually about mythological and literary topics with accentuated scenography, ballet and music and as such a custom scene. The most common verse of Gundulić’s works is eight, and the stanza is a quatrain.

Some of his preserved works are: „Suze sina razmetnoga“ (Tears of the Prodigal Son), „Dubravka“, „Arijadna“ i „Pjesni pokorne kralja Davida“.

Ivan Gundulić has gained literary glory for his life and had at that time received the status of a canonical writer of older Croatian literature.

Faust Vrančić

He was a polymath, philosopher, lexicographer and bishop from Šibenik. He spoke at least seven languages fluently.

His masterwork – Machine Novae contained 49 large pictures depicting 56 various technical inventions, projects and constructions (bridges, exploitation of watercourses as propellant). His most famous works were: parachute, wind turbine design, construction design of modern suspension bridges and cable-stayed bridges. He was the author of a five-language dictionary.

Josip Juraj Strossmayer

Josip Juraj Strossmayer was a bishop, theologian, politician, initiator, and sponsor of the most important national cultural, educational and scientific projects in modern Croatian history.

He is significant in that under his patronage he built the building of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts.

Strossmayer also founded the Croatian University and built the Jesuit Cathedral. He believed in the literacy and education of the people, and he also built schools, libraries, and readers.

He was respected far beyond his borders and rightly takes the honorable place on the pages of the newest Croatian history.

Marija Jurić Zagorka

Marija Jurić Zagorka was a Croatian journalist, novelist, and dramatist. She was the first female journalist and one of the most renowned Croatian writers of all time. Although she was a great writer, she attends a complete women’s rights’ advocate.

She was forced to write anonymously, under pseudonyms that hid her gender because back then, women’s place was at home, as housewives, and Zagorka fought against that. The exact number of her novels is unknown, it is presumed that she wrote around 35, and 11 of her novels were published in Croatian. Lamentably, none of her novels have been translated to English.

If you want to know her better, visit her apartment in Zagreb at Dolac Street, take a tour of the locations where she worked and learn more about the pioneer of female journalism in Croatia.