10 Fabulously Fun Things to do in Croatia

Are you struggling with ideas about where to spend your summer vacation? Croatia is an ideal summer vacation spot. Located on the Adriatic Sea across from Italy, it is one of the most beautiful seaside escapes. Add a weekend in Rome to enhance your trip with history and delicious food for a spectacular holiday.  Rome for a 3 day weekend

Brela is a small coastal town between Split and Dubrovnik.  We stayed in a friend’s apartment which is a common way to vacation in Croatia. Brela has several hotels and a hostel as well. Many people speak English, but we were often mistaken for Germans because not too many Americans visit this beautiful gem of a town. Here are some of the my most fabulous things to do in Croatia.

1.  Swim

The water in the sea is crystal clear and seems more salty than any water I have ever been in which makes it perfect for spending hours simply floating or snorkeling.  I brought goggles and loved swimming and watching fish swim 8 feet below me.  The ocean floor was visible since the water was so clear.

2. Rent a boat

It is very easy and not too expensive to rent a small motor boat for an hour. The sea is calm and vast and there are not many boats along the small towns. The views of the landscape and villages from the water are beautiful.

3.  Take a fishing picnic to the islands

From Makarska, a neighboring town, we took a fishing boat called the Makarski Jadran to visit a few islands.  The crew, dressed as pirates, caught large sardine type fish and served us lunch.  We stopped in Vrboska and Jelsa on the island of Hvar then spent some time at the beach Bol on the island of Brac, known for kite and wind surfing.

4.  Hike

The path along the sea in Brela is flat.  However, it is difficult to hike this trail since the water is so clear and enticing, you feel you must keep stopping to take photos. Venturing away from the sea for hikes past a local market and along the mountainside was a nice way to start the day. The countryside is beautiful and I always felt safe.

5.  Visit the waterfalls

We took a bus trip to the Krka waterfalls. Hiking trails around the falls lead to the large beach area. There is also a full restaurant that serves beer and lunch. I was impressed that at the park and on our boat ride that the meals are served on regular plates with silverware.  No excessive plastic or paper waste in Croatia.

6.  Eat well

First of all the produce is so fresh and tasty. Definitely buy some from a local vender. Ice cream or gelato is everywhere and a popular treat for the early evening when everyone goes out to stroll.  The seafood is fresh and plentiful too. A popular meal here is the mixed grill. It is basically an assortment of savory grilled meats. The wine was unimpressive but they make good beer in Croatia.

7.  Sit in a cafe

People love to sit in cafes and drink espresso. You can stay at a table for hours and it is perfectly acceptable, which is a good idea when it rains on a summer afternoon. Don’t be surprised to have people smoking cigarettes near you as this is perfectly acceptable.

8.  Visit an old town or castle

The history of Croatia is complicated in that it has been taken over by multiple entities throughout the years. We visited a castle in Trogir which had awesome architecture and was now used for cafes and shops.  We also visited Split and Diocletian’s palace  which was built in 295 AD.

9.  Walk the promenade

The towns we visited had a lively social hour between 5-7. People dress up and leave their beach clothes at home. Everyone walks around. Children and adults both enjoy eating ice cream or gelato. The paths are busy with crowds strolling about.  Dinner can be eaten later.

10. Watch the sunset

The sun sets over the sea and each night was more stunning than the last.  Gazing at the rocky coastline and beautiful clear water  was a perfect way to end each day.

I would love to go back and visit Croatia again. On a cold winter day I like to recall how awesome it was to swim in the Adriatic Sea.