Quite a number of folks are planning extended trips around Croatia when they come to our wedding next year, so I thought I’d put together a quick reference to help everyone make their travel plans. I’m including all the places we’ve been, plus a couple extras too. For each place that we’ve visited, you can click through to read more comprehensive information about the location.
Because this post is first and foremost intended for my friends and family coming over for the wedding, I’ll be using Crikvenica as the starting-off point for frame of reference. But others will find this post a great place to start when it comes to planning a trip around Croatia. Bear in mind also that Croatia is a small country, and driving times are relatively short compared to U.S. standards. (For reference, Croatia is about the size of West Virginia.)
Crikvenica – Milos’ hometown of Crikvenica (pronounced tsreek-ven-eet-sah) has started to become a second home for me. It’s located on the north-western seaside, quite close to the Istrian peninsula. The town has beaches upon beaches all up and down its length. It’s also home to a number of excellent dining establishments. (Click HERE for a full list and review, but some faves at a glance: Burin, Zrinski, Domino, and Kantunic.)
Near Crikvenica:
Rijeka – The closest large city to Crikvenica is a busy port town, with an extensive history of ship-building. It’s located about 20 minutes away if you take the highway (vs. staying on the sea-side road.) Lots of restaurants, shops, and bars. (Our favorite restaurant is Spagho, located near the marina area. Highly recommended!) A busy student town, Rijeka is a great place to go for nightlife. (During winter, we head to Rijeka almost every weekend.) It’s also the location of the world’s third largest Carnival celebration (after Rio and Venice.) Located right next to Rijeka is Opatija, an historically popular resort town.
Krk – The town of Krk is located on the island of Krk. It has an impressive fort/castle and a charming old town. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring its narrow pedestrian streets and walking along its shoreline. (Plus, there were adorable kitties all throughout the town!) The perfect combination of old world charm and exquisite blue waters. Lots of beach areas too.
Heading west from Crikvenica (towards Italy, on the Istrian Peninsula):
Motovun – Built on a hill rising up from a picturesque valley, Motovun is a great destination for a day trip into Croatia’s past. It’s located inland in the heart of the Istrian peninsula. Be ready for some climbing, as you will need to walk up the little streets to the peak of the hill to fully explore the town. You’ll be rewarded with not only an interesting look into history, but fantastic views as well.