Sit back, relax, and embark on a Croatian adventure. With this short guide and interesting facts, we’ll introduce you to your journey and help you discover how special Croatia is—a small country full of natural beauty, rich history, delicious food, and wonderful people…
To begin with, here are a few interesting facts about Croatia that you may not know;
#1 Croatia is the home of world popular dog breed called Dalmatians, specifically from Dalmatia. Dalmatians were originally used for various purposes, including herding and as companions. They are popular as pets today due to their friendly nature and energy.
#2 Croatia has 1246 islands, isles, and inlets for you to sail through. Croatia’s indented coastline is largely due to the submerged Dinarides. Once above sea level, these mountains eroded over time and sank, creating the bays, islands, and peninsulas we see today.
We find this phenomenon quite fascinating so this was an inspiration for our company name: ”Dinaric Adventures”.
#3 Croatia is animal friendly. The last specimen of the Mediterranean seal lives in the Croatian aquatorium.
#4 Croats have a lot of World Heritage items. Croatia has the highest number of UNESCO Intangible Goods of any European country.
#5 Thanks to Croats, you look so good in an official suit. 😊 Croatia invented the necktie. The tie got its name from the French word “cravate”, which comes from the name of Croatian soldiers who served in France in the 17th century. These soldiers wore colorful scarves around their necks, and this style appealed to the French aristocracy, who began to adopt similar fashion accessories. In Croatian, we say “Kravata” (from “cravate”) even today.
#6 Croatia is home of the world’s smallest town called “Hum”
#7 Tesla loved Croatia. Nikola Tesla was born in Croatia in the village Smiljan.
#8 Croatia was the home of the largest Neanderthal community. Croatia has the richest collection of remains of Neanderthal people in the world.
#9 The Pen you hold in your hand, it’s Croatian. Croatian Slavoljub Penkala invented a mechanical pencil, called the Penkala in 1906. Today we call it ”Pen”.
#10 Don’t fear the Dark, use Maglite. The Mag Light was invented by a Croatian named Maglica.
Dubrovnik
…often called the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” is renowned for its stunning medieval architecture and breathtaking coastal views. Lord Byron praised its beauty centuries ago, and today, the Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s also famous as the filming location for King’s Landing in Game of Thrones, with landmarks like Fort Lovrijenac drawing fans from around the world. Whether you’re exploring its rich history or soaking in the scenery, Dubrovnik is a must-see destination.
- Restaurants: Nautika, 360, Proto, Konoba Dubrava, Port 22
- Cafes: Gianni, Gradska Kavana Arsenal, Pupo Bakery
- Souvenirs: Terra Croatica, Medusa, Dubrovačka kuća
Split
… is a captivating city with a rich history of 1.700 years, originating from the palace of Emperor Diocletian, renowned as the best-preserved Roman structure. Once a Roman colony, many parts of the city have retained their ancient charm. It’s a popular destination and one of the most visited tourist spots in Croatia, thanks to its fascinating history and the stunning beaches and islands that are just a stone’s throw away.
Hvar
One of the most famous locations besides Dubrovnik is certainly Hvar. A stunning island with charming towns, villages, fields, breathtaking views, and nature filled with thousands of scents, where lavender, oregano, and rosemary reign supreme. An island of wine, the most photogenic, fairytale-like, unique, wild, pure, and unforgettable, rich in landmarks and heritage—both tangible and intangible—protected by UNESCO. It also boasts the highest number of sunny hours in Europe, the largest square in the Mediterranean, and the clearest recorded seawater. What to say. A place to be.
- Restaurants: Il Porto, Gariful, Konoba Vrisnik
- Cafes: Kava37, Nonica, Dolce di Gariful
- Souvenirs: Šoša
Trogir
Trogir is a stunning coastal gem, a UNESCO-protected town rich in history, culture, and Mediterranean charm. With its maze of narrow stone streets, breathtaking architecture, and a picturesque waterfront, it feels like an open-air museum. Surrounded by the sea, bridges, and islands, Trogir boasts one of the best-preserved medieval old towns in Europe. It’s a town of ancient palaces, Romanesque and Renaissance masterpieces, and vibrant squares filled with life. A place where past and present blend seamlessly, offering an unforgettable experience of Dalmatian beauty, tradition, and warm Adriatic vibes.
- Restaurants: Konoba Trs, Il Ponte
- Cafes: Čokolada
- Souvenirs: Jewelry/coral shop Michel, Lumaro
A Quick Croatian Language School might be handy, so check these expressions out.
Although most Croats speak English, it always makes us happy to hear that you’ve picked up one of our words; we find it charming.
- Hvala (hvah-lah) = Thank you
- Molim (moh-leem) = You’re welcome
- Dobro jutro (doh-broh yoo-troh) = Good morning
- Dobar dan (doh-bar dahn) = Good afternoon
- Dobra večer (doh-brah veh-cher) = Good evening
- Oprostite (oh-proh-stee-teh) = Excuse me
- Bok (bok) = Bye
- Kava (kah-vah) = Coffee
- Čaj (chai) = Tea
- Voda (voh-dah) = Water
- Pivo (pee-voh) = Beer
- Vino (vee-noh) = Wine
- Sok (sok) = Juice
For now, that’s all from us, and we can’t wait for you to discover the rest on your own.
Enjoy the adventure! 🙂
