Summer hot spots: Croatia dreaming

At this point Tenerife is so 5 years ago. Croatia is all the rage, mostly because it's still largely undiscovered and prices haven't caught up with the new surge of tourism hitting this small Eastern European country's coasts. Fronting the Adriatic, Croatia has a lot going for it, especially for holidaymakers planning a beach escape on a small budget. Where should you go, what should you do? We've done the homework for you, take a look!

Zagreb

Culture hot spot by day, sulty seductress by night. Zabreb is a two-faced gem with a lot to reveal if you stick around long enough. There are two parts of the city, the Upper Town which is more medieval and the Lower Town which is more Austrian-looking than you’d expect.

Sidetrip: for history-lovers it's worth renting a car and heading norht a bit to Varaždin, the old capital of Croatia. Baroque architecture has never been finer!

Split

Sea-side city, Split is a much more laid back city than Zagreb, something you’ll notice right away. It’s the largest city on the coast and is the best hub for reaching the Dalmatian islands. Check out the Diocletian’s Palace before you leave.

Dubrovnik

Once an independent city-state, Dubrovnik is quite grande. The locals are proud, the city beautiful. It’s a very special place, named the “Peal of the Adriatic” by Lord Byron. Take a few days to admire the marble streets and the indredible Baroque architecture. The best beaches are outside the city limits.

Whether you’re looking for a beach holiday, something a little different or a culture stop, Croatia has a lot up its sleeve at a fraction of the price. For an even cheaper trip, book your flights for September when the usual summer traffic has gone back home. As soon as you land in Zagreb, it's a good idea to hire a car. It'll be much easier to explore the country with your own set of wheels.

Image: 96bot / Flickr cc.