SMALL TOWNS OF CROATIA

Croatia has it all! From quaint seaside towns to charming towns in the country side. One of my favorite things about visiting Croatia is the variety of landscapes. A drive along the coast consists of views of small towns as well as panaroamic views of various islands. Whereas a drive through the North includes a mix of lush rolling hills and mountains. However, throughout the entire country you’ll find some of the most adorable towns!

After spending over a month in Croatia, Max and I have visited a ton of incredible towns. I absolutely love exploring lesser known towns. As such, Max and I made it our mission to find the cutest towns in Croatia. While we visited a number of places, I’ve narrowed it down to the best of the best.

You can visit the towns listed below on a trip to Istria, Zagreb, Split, or Dubrovnik. These areas are full of amazing activities but, my favorite thing to do is head to the small towns nearby.

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Located in the Istria Region of Croatia, Rovinj is a little seaside gem. A quick stop in Rovinj wouldn’t be complete without exploring the Port and Old Town. Cafes and colorful buildings fill the port which also offers a picturesque view of town. While you can wander the town for hours, make sure to head to St. Euphemia Cathedral. From the Cathedral, you can climb the Bell Tower for an impressive view of town. If you happen to visit Rovinj during peak season, don’t miss an opportunity to swim in the Sea! There are a ton of rocky beaches lining the coast of Rovinj.

Location & Getting There: As I mentioned, Rovinj is in the Istria Region of Croatia. Therefore, Rovinj is a great base on a trip to Istria! You can also take a day trip to Rovinj from surrounding cities in Istria such as Pula and Porec. These cities are well connected by bus.

Perched on a hill in Northern Croatia, Motovun is captivating! To reach town, you can either drive a portion of the way or take the stairs. We drove however, there’s supposed to be 1000 steps! The streets of Motovun are filled with Truffle everything! From shops selling local truffle products to restaurants offering unique truffle dishes. It would be wrong not to indulge a little! Aside from wandering around town, you can walk the medieval walls. If you’re looking for a different experience, go truffle hunting! You’ll find many tours offered in the area.

Location & Getting There: Motovun is also in the Istria Region of Croatia. The town is a must on a trip to Istria as it’s drastically different from most towns in the region. Unfortunately, there aren’t any buses to Motovun so the easiest way to get to Motovun is by renting a car.

Sibenik is a seaside town along the Adriatic Coast but, it’s unlike most coastal towns! Built on a hill along the coast, the town is one of a kind. Strolling through town, you’ll come across the Cathedral of St. James. Around the corner from the Cathedral, is the main square in Sibenik. If you want to see Michael’s Fortress, there’s a staircase next to the main square that leads to the fortress. It’s a short walk so you can even hit the fortress on a quick trip to Sibenik. If you have a little more time you can also visit St. Nicholas Fortress and Barone Fortress. But for the best view of Sibenik, walk the coastal pathway to Banj Beach.

Location & Getting There: Sibenik is an easy trip from Zadar or Split. It takes an hour to travel to Sibenik from both Zadar and Split. Buses leave frequently for Sibenik making it a must!

Trogir is a quaint little seaside town! The town is technically an island as a bridge connects Trogir to mainland as well as the large island of Ciovo. The town of Trogir is super small so it’s easy to explore within a few hours. Kamerlengo Fortress is a staple in Trogir as it overlooks the sea offering spectacular views of town. Along with the fortress be sure to visit St. Lawrence Cathedral as well as the promenade. Most importantly, set aside plenty of time to wander the charming alleys of Trogir!

Location & Getting There: Since Trogir is a quick 30 minutes from Split, it’s one of the most popular day trips from Split. It’s also a great alternative to Split. The two cities are well connected by bus and ferry. Buses are inexpensive and leave frequently. It takes an hour to ferry between Split and Trogir. Ferries are less frequent off season.

Hvar is adorable to say the least! It’s the most breathtaking island with amazing views of the Sea. With so many beaches along the island, it’s an excellent summer destination. The beaches tend to be rocky but beautiful. I recommend spending 2-3 days on the island however, if you’re pressed for time it can be done in a day. The best view of Hvar is from the Spanish Fortress and therefore it should be at the top of your list. You can take a taxi to the fortress but if you’re active it’s a quick hike from town.

Location & Getting There: Located between Split and Dubrovnik, the Island of Hvar is an easy stop on a trip to Croatia. Ferries run daily connecting Split and Dubrovnik to Hvar.

Korcula Town is a walled city on the island of Korcula off the adriatic coast. Like Dubrovnik, entering Korcula Town feels as though you’ve entered the medieval times. While Korcula is gorgeous, the town also offers panoramic views of the Peljesac Peninsula. Korcula as well as the Pelijesac Peninsula are most well-known for wine. As such, a trip to Korcula wouldn’t be complete without wine tasting. You can either visit wineries on your own or book a tour. If you don’t have time to go wine tasting, visit one of the many wine bars in town. My favorite was Bokar. If wine isn’t your thing, head on a tour to Mljet National Park! I recommend spending two days in Korcula as this allows plenty of time to drink wine and explore.

Location & Getting There: Similar to Hvar, Korcula is an island located between Split and Dubrovnik. The island is a perfect stop on a trip to the Dalmatian Coast. Ferries run daily connecting Split – Korcula – Dubrovnik.

If you’re looking for a charming seaside town, head to Cavtat! Restaurants line the waterfront of Cavtat offering an amazing view of the Sea. A few hours in town will be plenty as it’s pretty mellow. Among the most popular things in Cavtat are St. Nicholas’ Church and Racic Family Mausoleum, and Monastery of Our Lady of the Snow. Aside from wandering around, the main activity is soaking in the views!

Accommodation: I recommend staying in Dubrovnik since it’s the closest major city. One of my favorite hotels in Dubrovnik is Guesthouse Rustico located in the heart of old town.
Location & Getting There: Located 30 minutes South of Dubrovnik, Cavtat is a perfect town to visit from Dubrovnik. There is a local bus connecting Dubrovnik and Cavtat. There is also a ferry connecting the towns. Cavtat can be explored in a few hours!

A handful of islands make up the stunning Elaphiti Islands. A visit to the islands makes for an unbelievable experience. The islands are vastly different from one another yet are full of charm. From Dubrovnik, you can take a day trip to the Elaphiti Islands. Most tours will make a stop in Kolocep, Lopud, and Sipan where you’ll have free time to explore. During this time, you can either explore town or relax at the beach.

Accommodation: I recommend staying in Dubrovnik a number of tours leave from there. One of my favorite hotels in Dubrovnik is Guesthouse Rustico located in the heart of old town.

Location & Getting There: As I mentioned, the Elaphiti Islands are a popular stop on a trip to Dubrovnik! There are a number of tours from Dubrovnik to the Islands. The tour is approximately 8 hours stopping at three islands throughout the day.

Hidden in the countryside of Croatia, Varazdin is a completely different experience. The Old Town is a fairytale complete with a medieval castle in the background. There’s a walking path along a lush green hill surrounding the castle. Follow the path for the most picturesque views. From there, end your walk by strolling through the streets of Old Town. If you happen to visit in December, don’t miss Advent in Varazdin. The town transforms to a winter wonderland complete with an ice skating rink in front of the castle!

Location & Getting There: Located in Northern Croatia, Varazdin is best visited on a trip to Zagreb! The trek takes about an hour and a half making for a long day. Buses between Varazdin and Zagreb are frequent. But, the easiest way to visit Varazdin is by having a rental car.

While I love visiting the larger cities in Croatia, finding hidden gems is my favorite! I’ve been so impressed with the little towns lining the coast as well as the quaint towns in the countryside. I highly recommend carving out time to visit the small towns!

Safe Travels,

Sarah :)