When I first visited Croatia in 2013, it was already popular. Its
beautiful coastline dotted with compact medieval seaside towns, and countless islands made it a popular destination. Split and Dubrovnik were teeming with summer tourists, Yacht Week attracted thousands of people. Who wanted to party in the sun with foreigners (remember those days?), and gourmets indulged in the country’s excellent cuisine.
This popularity has only accelerated and although the number of tourists is down due to the pandemic, Croatia remains one of the top destinations in Europe.
This year I returned and spent most of my time on the Dalmatian coast. As well as exploring small towns, Zagreb’s eclectic museums, impressive national parks, and the country’s burgeoning wine scene. While cities like Split and Dubrovnik are still overrun with crowds during the busy summer months, the rest of the country is relatively untouristy (and much more affordable).
