Long gone are the days when Dubrovnik used to be one of Europe’s best-kept secrets. Since it featured as ‘King’s Landing’ on Game of Thrones, and since it went Insta-famous, the fortified city has nearly been engulfed by the crowds.
It now ranks among some of the most overtouristed places in the Old Continent, up there with Venice, Santorini, Barcelona and the like, and sooner or later, the appeal would wear off.
Thankfully, Dubrovnik is not Croatia’s only medieval gem by the sea: these 4 alternative spots are just as pretty, and though they aren’t exactly crowd-free—like everywhere in the Adriatic nation these days—they still feel far more laid-back:
Korčula Town
Dubbed a ‘mini Dubrovnik’, Korčula Town is the capital of the namesake island. Picture a walled settlement dating back thousands of years, with traditional Dalmatian houses and Romanesque churches, but no big cruise ships lining the harbor, nor jam-packed piazzas.
If you’re wondering what to see around town, start with St. Mark’s Cathedral, built in the 15th century: whether it’s walking down the atmospheric nave or climbing the belfry for views of the townhouses and the turquoise Adriatic, it will take your breath away.
Korčula Town also lays claim to being the birthplace of Marco Polo, and disputed as they may be, you can visit the local Marco Polo House. This is one of Croatia’s many paradisaical islands, after all, and some beach time is due: for scenic pebbly strips hugged by crystal-clear seas, try Banje Beach.
Nin, Croatia
A tiny town on the North Dalmatian Coast, Nin is situated on a small islet, approximately 500 meters across, connected to the mainland by a stone bridge.
It’s somewhere you go primarily for relaxing, experiencing a more bucolic side of Croatia, and slowly soaking up the culture.
Small as it may be, Nin is mighty: as one of the oldest settlements in all of Croatia, it has no shortage of amazing sights, from the older-than-time Church of the Holy Cross, sometimes referred to as the smallest cathedral in the world, to a ruined Roman temple.
The town itself is incredibly picturesque, with winding pathways leading to cafe-bordered squares, and if we’re being honest, there’s genuinely no better beach setting in Dalmatia than Nin Lagoon: it has a long, sandy beach, which is rare to see in Croatia, and it’s never that crowded somehow.
Rovinj
Something that many people may not know is that, prior to Croatia’s integration, this stretch of the Adriatic had been under Venetian rule for centuries. Yes, as in the floating city over in Italy—and if we’re talking faithful daughters of Venice, Rovinj would certainly be up there:
It has no canals, sure, but the architecture is indisputably Venetian. Instead of the usual ochre-stone houses with green shutters that are so common in Dubrovnik or Split, Rovinj is colored a delicious pastel, and the sole-standing bell tower is clearly reminiscent of St Mark’s Campanile in Venice.
Contrary to its parent city, however, Rovinj continues to fly under the radar for most. Although popular, with open-air cafes and pebbly beaches teeming with people in the high season, it’s a lively, welcoming, and busy place, rather than overwhelming or suffocating.
Pula
A 40-minute drive from Rovinj, Pula is the crown jewel of Istria, and as it has been rightfully dubbed by Travel Off Path, ‘Rome by the Sea‘. With a Roman arena, nearly-intact temples, and undeniable Italian vibes, it’s easy to see where the comparisons stem from.
Pula’s top tourist attraction is, without a doubt, its monumental ‘Colosseum’, which unlike the arena over in Rome, has not had its elliptical shape partially-damaged—we know there’s only one Colosseum, so let’s not get too technical here.
It’s a must-see site for History lovers, and even if you’re not particularly enthusiastic about the Roman Empire, you can appreciate the fact it has none of the actual Colosseum’s huge lines. Plus, it hosts concerts and film festivals in summer! How cool?
The arena is Pula’s centerpiece, but it’s far from being its only landmark: don’t miss out on the 1st-century Temple of Augustus, the commemorative Arch of the Sergii, erected around the same time, and Kaštel, an imposing hilltop fortress overlooking the town.
Vinicius Costa
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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