CULTURE AND TOURISM

In the cultural geography of Europe, Croatia holds a unique position. It is a border and at the same time a link between four cultural areas: the north-central European, the southern Mediterranean, the west European, and the east European. Thus Croatian culture encompasses and influences of all these cultural regions. Attracting tourists and visitors since the early 14th century, the country has since become one of the leading central European tourist attractions. Croatia offers the world a long and scenic coastline, many nature reserves, hot summer weather, and a rich historical and cultural heritage. The country has seven national parks, of which the most famous is Plitvice Lakes, part of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) World Heritage trust. Other tourist attractions include Croatia's more than 1,000 islands, and many towns dating from the Roman or medieval eras. Dubrovnik, named the "pearl of the Adriatic" by English poet Lord Byron, is one of Croatia's main tourist attractions, and one of only three European cities ranked as a World Heritage Site of zero category by UNESCO in 1977.

Some Popular Croatian Tourist Areas

Zagreb - the capital city of Croatia and the country's political, intellectual, and cultural center. The city celebrated its 900 anniversary in 1994.

Pula - the ancient city near the southern tip of Istria, known for its 2,000 year old amphitheater.

Split - the regional capital of Dalmatia, famous for its palace built by the Roman Emperor Diocletian in the third century.
 
 

Dubrovnik - the best preserved walled city in the Mediterranean. A medieval aristocratic republic from the 12th-19th centuries, the city is rated one of the three top cultural monuments in Europe by UNESCO.

Osijek - the regional capital of Slavonia, featuring the Croatian National theater, fine baroque buildings, and museums.

Opatija - a tourist mecca on the northern Adriatic since the time of the Habsburgs, known for its well-tended parks, small botanical gardens and cozy restaurants and hotels.
 

Porec - famous as the most visited place in Istria, known for its hotel settlements, the Blue and Green Lagoons, and the islet of St. Nikola nearby.
 

Just as Finland has been called "the country of a thousand lakes", Croatia is known as "the country of a thousand islands." Here are just a few:

Brijuni - an archipelago of 14 islands off the coast of Pula, boasting Roman and early Byzantine architecture and scattered in the magnificent exotic flora.

Korcula - island birthplace of Marco Polo, contains museums showcasing the island's stone masonry and art heritage.

Kornati - the largest archipelago in the Mediterranean, with 110 scarcely inhabited islands and islets, known as a national park and a sailing and diving paradise.
 
 

Mljet - island containing pine forest and two salt water lakes, one with an island of its own.

Rab - island with Romanesque belfries, lovely beaches, pine forests and medieval architecture.

Losinj - a long island with sub-tropical vegetation, forested with tall pines. Due to its exceptionally mild climate, Losinj has long been known as a health resort.

Hvar - because of the mild climate, this island has long been a winter as well as a summer resort. Traditionally, if winter temperatures fall below freezing, lodging is free.

For more information on tourism visit Croatian National Tourist Board - Hrvatska turisticka zajednica page.