Home to world-famous landmarks just like the Colosseum, the floating metropolis of Venice, and the leaning tower of Pisa, to not point out all of the attractive alpine nature and scenic shoreline, it is no marvel Italy is essentially the most visited nation on the earth on the minute.
Don’t belief us, belief the numbers.
Culturally-rich, and insanely-popular as it could be, Italy has did not nab one prestigious award:
Recently, the EBD (or European Best Destinations) had been revealed at a tourism fair in Berlin, and in accordance with consultants, Italy does not come wherever close to the highest spot.
This 12 months, it is out with la dolce vita, and in with Život je lijep: life is gorgeous, and it certain feels magical while you’re lounging by a pebbly seaside in Croatia.
Wait… Is This Croatia Yet?
The pearl of the Balkans, Croatia has introduced residence the title of Best European Country to Visit in 2025 on the ITB Berlin truthful, charging forward of long-time favorites like aforementioned Italy, Greece, France, and even Spain.
Millions of individuals flock to Italy yearly for its picture-perfect cities and laid-back residing, and if you have not traveled to Croatia but, you must in all probability know that, in some ways, it resembles the brotherly nation throughout the Adriatic.
Take the charming metropolis of Pula, for example:
A mini Rome by the sea, it’s plagued by historical landmarks, from Roman temples to intact metropolis gates, and it even preserves a big amphitheater that, in contrast to the Colosseum, has not had a part of its elliptical exterior collapse.
Further down the coast in Rovinj, the pastel-hue facades and Romanesque bell towers seem to be a direct continuation of Venice, minus the canals, and over in Split, you may discover a fast-rising summer season hub revolving round a Roman-era palace, now stuffed with service provider outlets and cafe-bordered piazzas.
Of course, let’s not overlook Dubrovnik, in all probability the primary vacation spot in Croatia:
A fortified harbor city hugged by the teal-colored Adriatic, its cobble-paved alleys and imposing turrets courting again to the Middle Ages have featured in your favourite fantasy collection of all time.
GoT followers, the place you at?
Natural Wonders Galore
Croatia’s boundless pure magnificence is one more big draw for vacationers touchdown right here in 2025.
It lays declare to a number of the most lovely pure parks in Europe, together with Plitviče, a sequence of 16 terraced lakes backed by cascading waterfalls that vacant into crystal-clear pure swimming pools earlier than flowing right into a limestone canyon.
It’s fairly an intensive park, comprising a 113-square-mile reserve, and there are a number of picket walkways constructed over the pristine waters, in addition to mountain climbing trails looping across the lagoon.
If you are visiting, be sure to take a look at the beautiful Veliki Slap, a 78-meter waterfall.
Further inland, close to the bustling Croatian capital of Zagreb, Medvednica mountain is traversed with tourist-friendly mountain climbing paths, that result in breathtaking lookouts, and over in a hill-dotted Istria, rolling vineyards and a hilltop Motovun, one of many oldest settlements in Europe, await discovery.
Croatia can also be a world-class seaside vacation spot, with its many islands and over 1,104 miles of shoreline:
What’s Stopping You From Going Island-Hopping?
If it is a enjoyable summer season getaway you have acquired your coronary heart set on, with out packing too many actions right into a single day, the blissful Brač is the place try to be headed: it affords white-pebble seashores, lush nature, and abandoned coves.
For the livelier ambiance and busy nightlife, you possibly can’t go mistaken with a classy Hvar, the next Ibiza on the making—the primary settlement, Hvar Town is a postcard image come to life, with its Spanish fortress and centuries-old dwellings constructed from stone.
On the mainland, a extra offbeat Makarska boasts a palm tree-lined, seafront promenade, culminating in a paradisaical Ramova Beach, and when you’re heading to Dubrovnik, however you are hoping to remain a bit of out of city to keep away from the crowds, Cavtat is that candy spot.
Settled again in Illyrian occasions, it’s now a energetic resort city well-known for its quieter seashores and unique guesthouses, a few of which may be surprisingly reasonably priced:
An entire studio apartment with pool entry will set you again by $72 (for two adults) this spring.
No Longer The Cheap Alternative To Italy, But Hey, It’s Still Bang For Your Buck
Speaking of costs, it has been extensively reported that Croatia is not as reasonably priced as it’d as soon as have been.
That’s solely pure: it is coming off an extended means of societal improvement that began within the early 90s, when it seceded from a then-communist Yugoslavia, and since becoming a member of the European Union in 2013, it is set out on a path of full European integration.
In latest years, this has meant ditching its historic forex, the kuna, and adopting the euro, in addition to becoming a member of the border-free Schengen Zone: what we’re making an attempt to say is that shopper costs in Croatia at present replicate the arguably improved residing requirements of locals.
The poor man’s model of Italy, no extra: vacationers ought to plan on spending round $52 on meals, and $106 on accommodations on common per day vacationing in Croatia, as per Budget Your Trip estimates.
Pricier than it was within the years of Poles, Czechs, and lower-income German households driving down right here as a substitute for a boujee Amalfi Coast, however nonetheless cheap by U.S. requirements.
Oh, earlier than we overlook, this summer season, Americans can fly nonstop to Dubrovnik from Newark, from $986 roundtrip.
Find the most cost effective dates accessible, and ebook your tickets with United Airlines here.
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This article initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed listed here are the writer’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, lodge, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, accepted or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included inside the publish.
