Croatia

Walking holidays in Croatia

Croatia covers all bases with sparkling white sands, the cleanest waters in the Adriatic, and over a thousand sun-bleached islands to its name. But there’s much more to this sunny Mediterranean spot; think beautiful vineyards, stellar national parks, turquoise-tinted lakes, ancient walled cities, and no less than 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It’s a huge draw for walkers and hikers, too, with well-maintained trails and easy-to-follow paths of varying lengths along its mountains, highlands, and flat plains. 

Visit the old cities of Split and Trogir   

The Dalmatian Coast gets all the love for its beaches, but its historic towns and cities are quite the crowd-pleasers. Fans of HBO show Game of Thrones may already be familiar with Split – Croatia’s characterful second city adored for its palm-dotted Riva waterfront, beautiful peninsula, and show-stealing Diocletian’s Palace which comes with a maze of underground cellars, ancient columns, and 1,700 years of history. You can also visit nearby Trogir – the UNESCO-listed town that rewards with cobbled streets, an iconic cathedral, and interesting Roman, Hungarian, French, Venetian, and Austrian design influences set within its medieval walls. 

Get up-close with natural wonders  

Our walking holidays in Croatia reward with all manner of geological and natural wonders. You’ll love exploring in the foothills of the Biokovo Mountains that rise steeply above Makarska – the cosmopolitan seaside town filled with palm trees, pavement cafés, a pretty promenade, and a half-moon bay. Further attractions include Krka National Park for its gorges, lakes, and waterfalls in the middle of a 200-metre-deep canyon, and Brač’s harbour town of Bol for its Zlatni Rat Beach – the much-photographed, tongue-shaped pebble cape that stretches into the open sea. 

Discover the idyllic Istrian Peninsula 

Managing to stay off-radar and relatively crowd-free, the heart-shaped Istrian Peninsula in Croatia’s northeast delights with vineyard-draped hills, pastel-coloured seaside villages, and a lush green landscape that stretches for miles. Standout cities include Poreč for its collection of Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance palaces (don’t miss the UNESCO-listed Euphrasian Basilica) and Pula for one of the world’s best-preserved amphitheatres. Another superstar is Rovinj – the seafront port famed for its cobbled streets, elegant piazzas, lovely harbour, and Italian vibe.