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Thirty years ago, I fell in love with Croatia's rugged shoreline the moment I saw the crystal-clear waters.I grew up with sandy lakesides instead of tropical waters, so spending hours watching sea cucumbers, small fish, and crabs felt like nothing I'd ever seen or known before.
I've visited Croatia almost every year since then, and it's continued to feel refreshingly authentic — unspoiled, relaxed, and not staged for tourists. Here are four of my favorite places in the country.If you've ever dreamt about sitting on the Iron Throne from HBO's "Game of Thrones," I highly recommend visiting Lokrum Island, which doubled as the city of Qarth in the series.After a short 15-minute ferry ride from Dubrovnik, you can wander the gardens of the Benedictine monastery.There's also a small exhibition commemorating the series, with a replica of the Iron Throne.And if you're not a fan of the show, there's still plenty to do on the island. Don't miss floating in its salt lake , relaxing at one of the secluded beaches, or snapping pictures of the many free-roaming peacocks.Although many tourists flock to Lopar and its sandy beaches, I prefer spending time along the quiet seaside promenade between the towns of Palit and Rab.This promenade is a place for simple joys, like starting your day with a jog, enjoying a delicious breakfast with a view, or taking a refreshing swim. The energy remains high throughout the day as families swim, hunt for seashells, and grab ice cream.The pathway is dotted with little beaches tucked under the shade of pine trees. In the summer, I love relaxing while listening to the rhythmic hum of cicadas, a sound so quintessentially Croatian that I can't imagine the season without it.Located about 30 minutes away from Plitvice Lakes National Park, Rastoke is more than just a quaint little village.With over 20 waterfalls along the Slunjčica River, original mills, a fairy garden, and an eco museum, visiting Rastoke is like taking a step back in time.My kids loved visiting the fairy garden, which featured a variety of hidden fairy sculptures. Meanwhile, I enjoyed walking along a boardwalk to explore the waterfalls.Perched at the top of a plateau overlooking Modro Jezero — which is located in a sinkhole — is the town of Imotski.I recommend starting your trip with a visit to the Blue Lake Viewpoint. When water levels are high , you'll find people swimming.But the fun doesn't stop on the rare occasion that the lake dries out. In fact, it's tradition for the empty crater to become the stage for a soccer game between the teams Vilenjaci and Vukodlaci .I also enjoy visiting the Topana Fortress, which is located at the town's highest point, and the nearby Crveno Jezero , which is in a sinkhole, too, and boasts unreal views.No matter where you go in Croatia, I'm sure you'll be hungry to return for more — I know I am.This story was originally published on December 21, 2025, and most recently updated on March 30, 2026.
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