Croatia Ideas for your next holiday

See a Concert on the Ancient Stage

Pula Arena is the contemporary of the Roman Colosseum (the 1st century AD), and much better preserved than the latter. In its better days the amphitheatre could accommodate 20,000 spectators, now 5,000. In times of Roman Emperors it was used for gladiator fights and in the Middle Ages – for knight tournaments. Today, it serves as an open-air stage for operas, ballets, sports competitions and festivals. Once a week, from mid-June to mid-September, gladiator fights are recreated as part of Spectacvla Antiqva. 

Pula Arena has been a concert venue for major performers: Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Andrea Bocelli and Elton John, just to name a few. And the calendar for the following summer is full of events. On 21 June 2023, there’s a concert of Simply Red; on 27 and 28 June 2023 – that of Robbie Williams; on 8 and 9 August 2023 Imagine Dragons present Mercury World Tour programme. And on 14 August 2023 Eros Ramazzotti gives a concert as part of Battito Infinito – World Tour. The amphitheatre hosts grand festivals including Pula Music Week – a unique summer event that brings together big names of house and techno music with a 360 degrees show experience. Spectacular fireworks mark the beginning of Pula Film Festival welcoming you to watch movies under the stars in one of the most beautiful surroundings in the world. 

Last year, Pula Arena was modernised by the architects of SKIRA, helmed by Dean Skira, with cutting-edge illumination. The same bureau stands behind the Lighting Giants which transform the night landscape of Uljanik Shipyard to honour the centuries-old shipbuilding tradition in Pula. Lights in over 16,000 colour combinations are projected onto the cranes and reflect in the sea. 

Complete your stay in Pula: explore sea caves or set out on a sunset or full moon kayak tour, feel the thrill of wakeboarding or water skiing, sailing or windsurfing, play golf or ride a horse. 

Visit the Islands of Kings and Presidents

The Brijuni archipelago, 6 km from Pula, is made up of 14 islands. There was an official residence of Josip Broz Tito, and he stood for protecting the area: its forests, wildlife and monuments. There he welcomed political leaders: kings and queens, presidents and shahs, and delegations from hundreds of countries. The park has kept its appeal for modern celebrities and high society. And its activities match with the ambience. You can play golf on an 18-hole course that marked its 100th anniversary last year, snorkel, follow educational trails on land and underwater, thus exploring cultural and historical sites. Visit the old-timer of the park – the olive tree that at the venerable age of 1,600 still bears fruit.    

The Brijuni is only one of the many options for yachtsmen in Croatia. For instance, you can take your boat to the Pakleni (Paklinski) Islands with centuries-old pines, the turquoise sea and quiet beaches – a perfect day trip from Hvar. Or Korčula, famous as a birthplace of Marco Polo, with well-preserved Old Town, family-run vineyards and a number of sandy beaches. Or Mljet with two saltwater lakes and a Benedictine monastery. And to appreciate the diversity and beauty of the country, opt for a scenic helicopter tour. 

Discover Deep-Rooted Practices of Winemaking on Hvar

The sunniest European island and the swankiest Croatian resort, Hvar has millenia-long farming practices. They were established 2,400 years ago when the Ionian Greeks from Paros colonised this area, founded the town of Pharos, now known as Stari Grad, and started to develop a nearby plain for growing mainly olives and grapes. The Greeks divided the territory into rectangular plots, installed rainwater collecting cisterns and watchtowers, remnants of which remain to our days. The cultivation practices, used over centuries, have become a model of European farming. For this reason the landscape, known as Stari Grad Plain, is protected by UNESCO. You can visit it on a walking or cycling tour, taste the local produce, observe small chapels that used to provide respite to farmers. A modern addition is a small airstrip for tourist sightseeing flights and skydiving. 

Also, don’t leave out lavender fields (late May – mid-July). Its harvesting is marked by the Lavender Festival in Velo Grablje. Another notable place on Hvar is Jelsa. It’s the first International Dark Sky Community in Southern Europe, which means perfect conditions for stargazing. 

Spend a Night in a Lighthouse

At the beginning of the 19th century 48 lighthouses were built in Croatia. Twelve of those have been turned into accommodation for tourists seeking a stay with a difference. So you can spend a night with a view over Italy and Slovenia, choose the oldest or the tallest or the most remote lighthouse. Or the most luxurious one, which is a Vis Lighthouse. Located on Host Island, several minutes by speedboat from Vis, it is a truly unique destination for family retreats (pets allowed) or a honeymoon. There you even have a stunning jacuzzi with a view. Not to mention the equipped beach and the latest technologies inside. 

Vis is the southernmost Croatian island. It will enchant you with meticulously restored Venetian palazzos, small squares and a seaside open-air cinema. Albeit small, the island is very hilly, and its trails can get to the 500-metre height for the breathtaking views. The highest peak of Hum (587 m) is located on the western part of the island, above the authentic fishing village of Komiža. On the mountain lie Tito’s caves where he and his partisans stayed secretly for several months during the Second World War. Enjoy numerous beaches of Vis, including sandy ones, observe the vineyards on the terraces of Komiža and taste local white wine from Vugava grapes. In the evening, visit a restaurant or have a party at Fort George. A carefully restored 200-year-old British fort is one of the locations of Ultra Europe. It has outdoor facilities for dinners, weddings or dances with live music or DJ sets as a background. 

Join the International Crowd of Festival-Goers

The 10th edition of Sonus Festival takes place from 20 to 24 August 2023 on Pag Island bringing together techno stars from around the globe. The location is Zrće Beach, dubbed as the party capital of Europe. The beach also hosts Hideout Festival (25–29 June 2023) and Fresh Island Festival. 

Get a Vantage Position

Among Croatian lookout points, one of the most beautiful is Vidova Gora on the island of Brač. From the highest mountain on the Adriatic islands you can see the town of Bol and the famous Zlatni Rat Beach with a sandbank jutting for 600 metres into the sea. The mountain is home to a cave monastery, Blaca Monastery and Hermitage, founded in 1551. The place is abandoned today but has an impressive collection of 12,000 books, maps, notes, a telescope, piano and other exhibits. 

Another viewing platform is Fortica (Spanish Fortress of the 16th century) on Hvar. And don’t forget about Dubrovnik’s Srd Hill with the views over the Elafiti Islands. You can get there on foot or by cable car. Its upper station, 405 metres above sea level, has three terraces with binocular telescopes, a panoramic restaurant and an amphitheatre. 

For a spectacular event, rent St. Michael’s Fortress on Šibenik. The fortress is almost a thousand years old and now serves as an open-air theatre, offering views over the Adriatic and the town.