There are also some small places you will never see on brochures but will take your breath away. We are bringing you the list of five places with soul in Croatia you should definitely visit!

TROGIR one of the BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN CROATIA

No matter how breathtaking, for some places in the world you never heard of. TripAdvisor has announced Trogir to be one of it! The reviewer states that Trogir is full of character and good restaurants. Someone called it a small Venice once but we believe Trogir is much more lively then Venice. The old part of the town is situated between the island Čiovo and mainland. Čiovo is connected by bridge with old part of Trogir and mainland is also connected by bridge to old town so old town Trogir is basically an island.

Trogir is the town where you will find all you need; from cultural heritage, warm pebble beaches and excellent restaurants for reasonable prices. You will not feel that people are pushy, but relaxed-typical Mediterranean people. It is also a perfect base if you would like to research surrounding areas. It is only 25 km away from Split. Boat lines to nearby islands are very good. You can visit Drvenik, Šolta, Brač and Vis islands. Do not miss to take a boat trip to the island Drvenik. You will be stunned by beauty of its beach Blue Lagoon. Blue Lagoon has crystal see and sandy sea bottom. Looks like a small tropical paradise on Adria.

Trogir also has many beautiful beaches where you can enjoy sports activities: tennis, bowling, water skiing, surfing, and snorkeling. If staying longer you can even take diving lessons and do underwater photography.

To learn more about cultural heritage visit Cathedral of St. Lawrence. It was built for more than three centuries from 13th till 16th century. You can see mixes the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. Climb up to one of many church bells and you will see the beautiful panorama of whole town.

If you come to Trogir this June do not miss biggest medieval fair in Europe – Battle of nations. This is very interesting national team competition in medieval battles with lots of fans all around the world.

Our tip: if you are staying longer rent villa or apartment on Čiovo, you can enjoy better beaches and visit Trogir every day. Our tip is Okrug Gornji, check our beautiful villas and apartments in Okrug Gornji!
If you stay short book some villa or apartment in Trogir.

Did you know: Trogir was named after the word Tragos. Tragos is actually Greek word for goat. When the Greeks firs came to this area they saw the goats on the hill and named the town that way.

KORČULA one of the BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN CROATIA

Like someone once said: Korcula is carved as a beautiful jewel…

Olive trees and vineyards centuries old keep this island away from hustle of modern world. Nothing is worth of hurrying up. Sea air and smell of the pines will just come over you so just slow down and relax. It would be good idea to get someone to remind you when you have to leave.

Korcula is famous for knight game Moreška. Moreška is very interesting sword dance for love, playing in Korčula for more than 500 years.

Besides cultural sightseeing, you can also have a long walks around the island or bicycling. The paths are excellent even for those who did not do it for long time. If you like something more demanding you can also surf, snorkel, or dive. There are more than 200 species of fish and other sea creatures to meet. Kayak could be good option especially if you want to explore many hidden caves around the island. If you decide to visit Korcula later in the year you can help locals with picking olives and grapes and take your own olive oil and vine home with you. You can also rent a car, scooter or boat to explore the whole island.

Island is very close to Dubrovnik so you can take a boat trip every day and make one-day excursion. Korčula you can also reach by boat line from Split or drive through Pelješac vineyards and take a boat in Orebic to drive you just across to Korčula.

You can go to Pupnat and enjoy very nice restaurant there and while in Korcula town do not miss restaurant at Maja and Tonka

Our tip: While there, eat like Croatian and try tuna in white sauce with tasteful Pošip Čara or Grk from local vineyard! Try to visit Čara vinery and try their other vines.

Did you know: Korcula is a birthplace of one of the most famous seaman explorer Marco Polo? His journey on the Slik Road from Europe to Asia lasted around 24 years. Part of that time he spent as a Kublai Kan minister. Inspired by his stories Amerigo Vespuci and Christofor Colombo started their own journey, which culminated by discovering America. Moreover, in Korcula you can visit the birth house of Marco Polo. Historians are still discussing that option, but if you visit Korcula it won’t matter after all!

Find your perfect apartment in Korcula…

CAVTAT one of the BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN CROATIA

If you want to enjoy beauty of Dubrovnik but avoid its hustle then stay in Cavtat. It is close enough to visit Dubrovnik whenever you wish (only 18km). Bus lines are excellent so you can catch a bus every hour. In summer you can also take a boat cab to drive you directly to the old port. Dubrovnik Airport is also about 15 minutes away by car.

Dubrovnik is real pearl of Adriatic which makes so many people wanting to visit it, so it can be crowded. As we all want to fill our batteries before going back home we recommend Cavtat instead. If you look south from Dubrovnik port you will see tiny town growing from the stones. One glimpse will explain you its Croatian name – to blossom.

Antique name for Cavtat was Epidaurus, so yes, it was Roman colony too but it is founded by Greeks in 4^th century BC. Do you ever wonder why Romans and Greeks loved this area so much? Well, you will have to come and check it out yourselves. We promise you will not be disappointed.

In city center you will find everything you might need, from post office, pharmacy, bars and really good restaurants. Walking on the long sea front promenade that circles peninsula is great way to breathe some fresh sea air and finally to spend some quality time with your family or friends.

Cavtat also offers different possibilities as diving or kayaking around small islands in front. Adrenalin park St. Ana offers variety of activities like zorbing, spin roller, motto cross, squad, but also riding.

In background of Cavtat in hills, you will find number of rural tourism households. Dishes are prepared on most traditional ways and all waiters are dressed in national costumes too. This could be nice one-day trip if you decide to have a long walk around. The hosts will welcome you with homemade brandy with herbs. Of course, it is not polite to reject them so make sure to have a solid breakfast before tasting it. It is really quite strong so locals are often amused by grimaces that tourists make on first sip. Every Sunday morning at 11 am you can visit CIlipi and see traditional folk dancing too.

From Cavtat you can easily visit neighbour countries Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro to get the better picture about this region.

Our tip: Visit restaurant Monković, located a bit outside the town. It is beautiful rural place offering local specialties. It is situated in traditional mill on the bank of river Ljuta. Definitely try homemade Lamb under the bell link

Find perfect apartments or villas in Cavtat!

SKRADIN one of the BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN CROATIA 

Skradin is a typical small Dalmatian town whose traditional houses are built in Venetian style. You really want to see how people in Dalmatia lived long before the tourism? Then this is where you need to go.

Basically is built on Romans founds. Archaeological findings as gold rings, bracelets and necklaces, show that mostly high-class citizens of Roman Empire lived there. Now days Skradin offers variety of cozy family restaurants and small shops with unique handmade handicrafts. Definitely make sure to bring one home with you.

While in Skradin also make a trip to National Park Krka and visit its seven tuff waterfalls. This national park got its name by River Krka and it is only few kilometres away from Šibenik, and 80 km away from Split. These cascade waterfalls are unique in Europe and more than worth to be seen. Take a boat tour to small island of Visovac. There you will find monastery where Franciscan monks lived for more than 500 years. You will be impressed by waterfall Skradinski buk. It is rally unique and beautiful – real small wonder of nature.

While driving on a highway to Split, stop on a highway stop by Krka and just turn around. You will see Skradin in its full beauty. And it will take you off your feet. It is the picture you can see in movies only.  But only until you visit Skradin. On Krka you will also see lots of mills.

Our tip: visit family vinery Bibich and try their excellent vines. This vinery is situated on hills of Skradin. First grapes were planted by owner’s grandfather and now the young owner gives his best to preserve family heritage. His efforts are really remarkable so some of those vines you can also buy in the USA. 

Did you know: Hydro power plant on Krka river was built only three days after first world hydro power plant on Niagara waterfalls.

KOMIŽA one of the BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN CROATIA

Vis has been a central military base for over 40 years. This calm period helped preserving all its natural beauties. International environmental organization World Wildlife Fund declared Vis as one of the 10 best-preserved islands in the Mediterranean. Vis is a real unspoiled treasure among numerous Croatian islands.

Some of many hidden tunnels that army built around the island are tourist attractions now days available to visit.

If active holiday is only option for you, visit Komiža on Vis island. You can choose between caving, scuba diving, paragliding, hiking, rock climbing, or just having a long walks.

If you like diving there are number of location with sunken planes, sailing ships, submarines, and warships to explore around the island.

If hiking is your choice, Vis also has number of caves as Queen’s Cave filled with stalactites and stalagmites. This cave is named by Illyrian Queen Teuta who ruled in the 3rd-2nd centuries BC. It is one of the most beautiful parts of the island of Vis. Another cave was used as headquarter of Marshall Tito while hiding from Germans in 1944.

Do not miss to visit Blue Cave on island of Bisevo. As the sun penetrates into the cave through a gap see inside gets beautiful silvery-blue colour. It is one of world’s most beautiful natural phenomena. On small island Ravnik next to Vis you will find similar one called Green Cave.

Tired of action just take a quick shower and take your place in restaurant on the beachfront. Komiža is well known for excellent restaurants offering seafood, fish and especially lobsters. Lobster house restaurant where you can choose your own lobster is very interesting. So pick your catch of the day and enjoy local vine Vugava. Authentic stuffed bread called Pogača (link) will be delicious with any meal you chose. Also visit interesting restaurant Fabrika in Komiža.

Did you know: In Sand Pedro, USA lives 10 times more native born inhabitants from Komiža then in Komiža. Because of the Vine disease at the beginning of 20 century lots of people were forced to emigrate. If you add their children and grandchildren to the number, it could reach 20-25 thousands of people.

HUM one of the BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN CROATIA

Smallest town in the world

Can you imagine the town with less than 20 inhabitants and only two streets? You can find one on green hills of Istria. According to legend, Hum was built from the remaining stones of the towns that giants built in the valley of the river Mirna.

Narrow stone streets, small squares, churches and massive walls will tell you the story. Try to visit interior of one of the houses and you will want to take it home with you!

The most interesting way to reach Hum is through the Glagolitic Alley, a road marked by stone monuments. Each stone represents one letter of the Glagolitic alphabet.

While there definitely try famous Fuži with truffles and delicious vine Istarska Malvazija.

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In the north of the country, you will find more meat dishes, as pork, chicken, turkey and veal. However, Istrian and Dalmatian cuisine will present you something else. Traditional Dalmatian cuisine is based on fresh fish and seafood, olive oil, season vegetables and variety of wild herbs. Laurel is almost inevitable, as well as rosemary, basil, sage, parsley and garlic. The most often dressing for the meals and salads is virgin olive oil and Adriatic Sea salt. Most of the meals have only few ingredients, herbs, Adriatic salt and olive oil. Unpretentious but inspiring are the best words to describe it.

Croatian cuisine is a melting pot of the best from Italian, Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman and domestic cuisine.

If you drive through Croatian coast from Istria on the North to the Cavtat and Konavle on the South, you will notice lots of olive trees and vineyards. This route will make you try fabulous vines and dishes with high quality olive oil. Try to take a drive from Hum in Istria where you can try Fuži with truffles, then to Skradin where you will be served with variety of fresh fish. Continue to Trogir and you will try the best shrimps ever. In Komiža on Vis island try famous stuffed bred under the bell, and on Korcula island their extraordinary white wines. To try Croatian red wines visit Pelješac peninsula and order a glass of Dingač or Postup. In each meal you will taste salt and olive oil produced on traditional ways.

Do not bother to ask for organic food. All you will get is answer that everything here is traditional and therefore organic in the best way. Maybe your meal won’t be served in the nicest porcelain plates and you won’t be served by waiters with French manners – but the food and vines you will try will make a mence.

Our tip: Next time when visiting Harrods in London, look for Croatian Extra Virgin Olive Oil with golden leafs. This oil is of course eatable, but due to its price (£750), usually used only as a final décor to the dish. It is the only Croatian product you can buy at this world’s famous shop – but only for now.

When visiting Croatia try to taste as much of domestic food, because, after all, pizzas and stakes you can order anywhere.

Remember to combine this top Croatian dishes with wines from most famous vineyards in Croatia on Pelješac or Istria peninsula!

Fuži with truffles  - for most delicate gourmands- one of the best Croatian dishes

The best way to start your meal is to order Istrian Prosciutto and cheese as a starter. Then order Fuži with truffles. Of course, do not forget to add a glass of wine. Appreciation for truffles started in Roman age centuries ago. Common belief says that truffles are grown as the result of God Jupiter throwing a lightning to an oak tree.

Istrian truffles are among most expensive in the world, with white truffle leading on the list. The best ones grow in deep oak woods of Istria under the oak trees. Specific soil gives them unique aromas and scents that makes them highly appreciated in the gastronomy all over the world. Istrians usually serve them with Fuži – homemade pasta in an Istrian way.

Our tip: Enjoy the best Istrian Fuži with truffles at restaurant Stari podrum in Momjan while sipping white wine Malvazija Kozlović. To the Kozlovic wine basements is only a short walk away through green forest of Istrian hills. You can also try authentic ones in traditional restaurant Humska konoba in the world’s smallest town Hum, in heart of Istria. To remind you: Hum is listed as one of five places in Croatia with soul on our list.

Did you know: Truffles grow 10-30cm underground, which makes them almost impossible to find. It is not possible to plant white truffles at all. Most efficiently way of finding them is with help of special trained dog or even a pig. These two animals are best known for their subtle sense of smell.

Octopus under the Bell – you will love it- -one of the best Croatian dishes

Octopus is like a sea chameleon. It can change its colour – from red to grey, yellow, dark and dark-green and the arms can reach a length of 3m. When octopus feels danger it simply discharges black liquid that muddies the water and creates the opportunity for escape.

It can be prepared on many different ways, even as a cold salad but octopus under the bell is a real treat!

Main ingredients are octopus, potatoes, only a drop of olive oil and wild herbs. Everything is slowly cooked in a cast-iron or earthenware pot. Must be prepared in a fireplace but covered with a bell with hot coals. This kind of baking will colour the potatoes in purplish colour and make them juicy and soft. Delicious aroma spreads as soon as the bell is removed. Order some fresh seasonal salad with it, and do not forget to breathe while eating.

Our tip: Enjoy amazing octopus with potatoes cooked under the bell with a glass of rose Saint Hills from Pelješac, take a deep breath and say thank you Croatia!

Tasting a glass of rose Saint Hills in Tavern Galija while watching boats sailing into the Cavtat harbour could be a perfect end of your day. Cavtat is also on our list, so do not miss to read more about Cavtat.  After reading more about Cavtat next step is to book you apartment there, isn’t it? Search for best apartment in Cavtat!

Did you know that octopus is the only food that is even better after freezing and which is not to be eaten fresh? When frozen before cooking, it is softer and juicy.

Black risotto – Croatian way of making rice- – one of the best Croatian dishes

Croatians do not like rise so much. Nevertheless, try to serve black risotto to the greatest rise hater – he will not only eat it but also ask for more. Cuttlefish or squid are one of the main ingredients here. Its ink gives a unique black colour to the rice but also a delicious taste. Near the end of the cooking process, cuttlefishes’ ink sacs are poured over the rice colouring it. For even better flavour grate some cheese over, pour a glass of local Pošip wine and enjoy!  If you love food, the sea food especially, you will fall in love with this black risotto!

Our tip: Order one at famous restaurant Kapetanova Kuća in Mali Ston right on the entrance to Pelješac  Peninsula. This time eat like Croatian and ask for more! While in Ston take a moment to stop by and check how the salt is being collected in one of the oldest Salt pans in Europe.  The process and the shape of pans are just the same for almost 7 centuries. You can also try fresh oysters just picked from the sea. Also, take time to check out our private apartments in Dubrovnik area.

When stating that oysters are one of the most famous aphrodisiacs, the question Did you know is completely unnecessary here.

Viška pogača – bread stuffed with sea- – one of the best Croatian dishes

Pogača is domestic stuffed bread. It is based on salted fish as anchovies, olives and herbs. Its tradition goes centuries back to the times when Greeks came to Vis Island. Following tradition, it should be baked under the baking bell.

If you visit Vis without trying Viška pogača you will regret it for sure since this is one of the most interesting authentic Croatian dishes!

There is no room for frozen fish from supermarkets, as fishing is more than tradition for Vis inhabitants. The coexistence of the man and the see is unbreakable here.

You can eat magnificent Viška pogača on island of Vis and only few restaurants outside the island. If not visiting Vis, definitely try one at Uje bar in Split. Komiža on Vis island is one of our 5 places with soul in Croatia, so read more about Komiža. In case you decide to visit Split we are sure we can offer you wonderful apartments in Split.

Our tip: Due to its saltines, skip ordering just a glass of vine. Rather ask for a bottle of good domestic one. Red vine Vugava will just glide through you throat. One Greek writer wrote that wines from Vis were the best ones he had ever tasted. His name is of no importance here, but those vines…

Did you know: Another version of this bread is one with tomatoes added making it similar to pizza, but better. While having a bite just imagine eating pizza Napolitana in 3^rd century in small Mediterranean island city ruled by the Greeks. Just like eating part of culinary history, isn’t it?

Buzara with shrimps – Simply delicious! One of the best Croatian dishes

It is a wonderfully, beautiful and messy dish. It is made from Adriatic shrimps stewed in a tomato and white wine sauce.  Buzara represents slowly cooked tomatoes and garlic with herbs, and olive oil in lot of water, bit of white wine and various types of seafood. Because of its simple preparation, it is most appreciated dish among fisherman.

Buzara can be done with other seafood too, but Buzara with shrimps is something special. Once you try it this way, you will never choose another one.  Shrimps are true gem of the sea, top delicacy for everyone, even ones who do not prefer seafood on their plate, so don’t miss it! It is served in a large bowl with lots of soup. Do not be surprised when waiter brings you bib for adults and another smaller bowl with water and lemon. You will need it to clean your hands, as dinner set is useless here. Do not finish eating meat from the tails only. The meat in the head of shrimp is even more juicer.

 Out tip: Do not feel embarrassed to dip your bread in buzara sauce. It is delicious! Also, if you wanted to propose your love one, wait till she is finished eating buzara. When we say it is messy – trust us.

At Frankie restaurant in Seget Donji near Trogir you will find the best Buzara with shrimps you can get! More about beautiful town Trogir. Visit our website to find cozy apartments in Trogir.

Did you know that frequent meals of shrimp and other seafood can have positive effects on mood and avoid depression?

Roasted Lamb under the Bell - For those who love meat- – one of the best Croatian dishes

To prepare food under the bell is most appreciated way of cooking in Croatia. Moreover, lamb is one option. Forget eating it any other way, taste of roasted lamb under the bell simply cannot be compared. Lamb and vegetables are baked with bit of oil and some herbs under the lid. Fireplace fire melts herbs and meat juices together creating specific aroma. Not completely cooked or roasted, but just perfect. Before this you won’t need any starter. Just ask for some seasonal salad and “pogača” bread. Make it complete with local red wine from Pelješac peninsula – Postup Donja Banda. It will just melt in your mouth.

Out tip: Make a phone order before coming to restaurant. Preparation time is about 2h so this way you will avoid starving while waiting. Do not worry, it will not be weird, locals do it all the time. You just make sure to come hungry enough!

We recommend you to visit restaurant Monković close to the most southern town in Croatia on our list – Cavtat. Find beautiful apartments in Cavtat or in Dubrovnik area!

Did you know that fireplace used to be the central point of every home? It was the place where meals were prepared and where family would gather. It was also the warmest place in the house in winter.

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