The list below includes some major points of interest in Croatia, places we have traveled to ourselves as well as some places that ares still on our bucket list. Yes, there are places in Croatia outside of our home turf Split, which even we have not visited yet.
Just like the list for Split on this website, this is not a comprehensive collection of places to see. You have probably found a lot of them while searching the web. This is our personal list with our personal recommendations. Any additions to this list by our friends and regular guests are more than welcome.
Istria
Location: largest peninsula in Croatia https://goo.gl/maps/ppj6eebAnoSd1mfW9
Why we like it: Istra has been on our bucket list for ages. Why do we want to visit and recommend to you too? Rolling hills with great hiking and sights (think Tuscany). Home to truffles - yes you are reading correctly. Any bed & breakfast in Istria will serve your scrambled eggs with truffles if you prefer. In the truffles season around November every small town in the inner Istria will host a festival of truffles - visit to Motovun is on our bucket list ( https://goo.gl/maps/bGhCQamna52hot2EA ).
Opatija, Croatian center of Michelin star gastronomy and a target for many foodies is located at the rim of Istria.
Pula town
Location: city on the coast far north https://goo.gl/maps/Sof3zNdtn8hFYm5p7
Why is it interesting: Pula is home to the oldest Roman arena outside of Rome, Italy, still in good shape
Hvar town (mid coast)
Location: on the island of Hvar https://goo.gl/maps/V3nZ6Wc2wG1jfE2r8
Why we like it: Normally Hvar town is an expensive place with all the yachting crowd. But if you know your way around, you will find it to be a charming place for people-watching that has some lower-priced options too. For coffee with the view on the yachts (without yachting prices) go to Crveni Barun (EN: red baron, DE: Der rote Baron, https://goo.gl/maps/hsmC8gSCbgtVhuFW8 ) at the end of the yacht harbor. For best black gnocchi we ever had and excellent pizza (order well done if you like your pizza crispy like we do HR: malo više pečeno ) go to Alviž (pronounced Alvizh or Alvish https://goo.gl/maps/fn5tqYgC2zi3VTnP6 ). Best relaxation and bathing is on the Paklenski Otoci, a group of small islands easily accessible by taxi boats from Hvar for approx. 30-50 Euro for a couple one way. For good local and regional wines in the evening and very reasonably priced, go to Red Red Wine bar in the evening, just 30m away from the yacht harbour. This one we visited each evening during our stay in Hvar and had a great time.
Vis island
Location: island off the coast of Split https://goo.gl/maps/KABC33azxWAqAsHz9 accessible by ferry with or without the car.
Why we like it: Vis was a military zone during the WWII and also afterwards, so mostly inaccessible to the public. Hence it is preserved, not hugely developed, with many parts that are wild and untouched. You will be able to visit a submarine harbor hidden under a small hill ( https://goo.gl/maps/yVPE7EXa973CiCAB9 ) and even swim in it if you fancy. There are also various other military things left to be explored, like an old missile base. There are tours of all the military sites available, just google to find a provider.
There are two main towns on the island, Vis and Komiza, which are both gorgeous. The inland part is also interesting, with a few little villages dotting the landscape. We would recommend stopping at winery Aerodrom (Croatian for airport, as there used to be a military air field there) to try the Plavac red wine and Vugava white wine. Also, head to Stiniva Bay for a very Insta-worthy beach experience. Bring sturdy shoes as the walk down from the road is not for the faint of heart, or book a boat tour that includes the bay.
Any bakery in Vis is a must-do - try Viška pogača as a snack during the day. It is like a focaccia sandwich filled with anchovies and tomato paste with and without sauteed onions. It is a blast on a sunny day for breakfast of after a long walk around.
Trogir town
Location: one of the oldest cities on the coast of Croatia, half an hour's drive north of Split
Why we like it: walk around the old town, the stonework on the cathedral entrance doors and on the beachfront will take your breath away and are great opportunity for selfies.
Restaurant Callebota [EN: callebottah, DE: Kalebotta]
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/4M9QjmBn7h...
Food: Mediterranean veggies, fish and meat
Prices: average price range but great quality, espacially if they offer their lunch special menue
Why we like it: We were there mid January, almost empty town, almost empty restaurant, great food selection, great service, check prices of wine by the bottle and you may be able to get a bottle of the day for the price of 2 glasses
URL: https://calebotta.com/
Ice Cream Parlor next door from Calebotta
Location: if you stand in front of Calebotta it's 5m to the right of the restaurant
Why we like it: best ice cream in town and ultra friendly service, kids normally get all the bells and whistles even if its busy
Viganj
Why we like it: This place is for lovers of wind and water sports. There are several camp sites for caravans, low-key apartments, and excellent wind for kiting and windsurfing. Viganj is our favourite summer vacation destination. That is why we go there at least once each summer.
What to do: Liberan Surf - kite and windsurfing school, which belongs to a friend of Bruno's. The kitesurfing school puts only two students in a lesson together, which means each of them gets more time on the water than in bigger groups.
Website: http://liberansurf.eu/
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/c1kjedviUWNtSLtW9
Restaurants: Čiringito, Ponta, Mašklin
Beach bars:
Restaurants and bars are open only during the high season, mostly mid June - mid Sep. If you are visiting in October, contact the places via social media upfront to ensure they are actually open.
Accomodation: we personally recommend checking if VitaVi apartments is available, great host - also a good friend of ours, offers two extremely clean apartments and very nicely renovated, 7m to the beach, great for drinking coffee on the beach in the morning
Website: http://airbnb.com/h/vitaviapar...
Korčula town / island
If you are visiting Korčula, you should also take a look at the section about Viganj on this page.
Rest of description for Korčula is coming soon ;-)
Ston town
Location: southern coast north of Dubrovnik https://goo.gl/maps/UcQ8H5TbHN61RqKh6
Why we like it: While Ston is fairly small it is one of our favourite places to go to. It has the second largest defensive wall in the world, second in size only to the great wall of China. The wall was built to protect the oldest saline production site in Europe, which you must visit ( https://goo.gl/maps/eLsk4HMP1j5CyAo9A ). Buy some fleur de sel for yourself and as a present to any foodie friends back home - they will love it. Ston is also famous for its oyster farms. Order oysters in any restaurant - in Ston they are the best because they grow them just outside of the city walls.
Dubrovnik town
Location: southern Croatian coast https://goo.gl/maps/YrEs5LwRGY69zY486
Why we love it: Place where Star Wars Rogue One and Game of Thrones were filmed. Visit Lokrum island in front of Dubrovnik where the original iron throne from the series is located and you can sit on it and take a photo - whenever we show off a picture of us on that throne to other people, they can hardly believe it and it is always a huge fun. Although pricey you will want to walk on top of the city walls - the experience is awesome.
For a small break in between sightseeings and for the best view of the sunset find the “Caffe with the best view” ( https://goo.gl/maps/Qfw1wJJCGHQvWF348 ) located just outside of the southern wall of Dubrovnik and accessible through a small door / hole in the same wall. You can also climb down a staircase and have a swim before or after your drink.