Croatia's Best Cities for a Short Break

With the summer season truly behind us in Europe, thoughts, and travel become focused on short stays in destinations; city breaks over a long weekend, or a quick mid-week getaway. If you think Croatia is a sun, sea, and summer destination only, you couldn't be more wrong.

The country has a wonderful mix of coastal and inland cities that offer travelers the chance to relax and explore at their pace without losing time in huge traffic queues as in some of Europe's largest cities.

We've put together a rundown of Croatia's best city break destinations, where to stay, and what to see and do, from north to south. All of the cities have airports less than an hour's drive away that either has international flights all year round or regular domestic connections via Zagreb.

Osijek

Best for: Something different

Stay: Boutique Hotel Tvrđa, Hotel Osijek

Do: Kopacki Rit Nature Park, Erdut region wineries, Dvorac Eltz, Đakovo Ergela (stud farm), Tvrđa fortress, Museum of Fine Arts Osijek

Transfer: A 20-minute drive from Osijek airport

Zagreb

Best for: Being where the action is

Stay: Esplanade Zagreb Hotel, Canopy by Hilton, Hotel Capital, Hotel Jagerhorn

Do: Museum of Broken Relationships, Zagreb 80s Museum, Mirogoj Cemetery, Maksimir Park, Dolac Market, Zrinjevac Park, Museum of Contemporary Art, Church of St. Mark, Museum of Illusions

Transfer: A 30-minute drive from Zagreb airport

Rijeka

Best for: Exploring Istria

Stay: Hilton Rijeka Costabella, Hotel Bonavia Plava Laguna

Do: Torpedo Museum, Livade truffle hunting, Motovun, Hum, Groznjan, Rovinj, Aura Distillery, Kozlovic Winery, Kabola Winery

Transfer: A 35-minute drive from Rijeka airport

Sibenik

Best for: Easy access to nature

Stay: Amadria Park,  D-Resort Sibenik, Heritage Hotel Life Palace

Do: Krka National Park, Kornati National Park, Nature Park Vransko Lake, Cikola Canyon, Skradin, Bibich Winery, Sladic Winery

Transfer: A 50-minute drive from Split or Zadar airport

Split

Best for: Culture lovers

Stay: Briig Boutique Hotel, Hotel Cornaro

Do: Marjan Forest Park, Cathedral of St. Dominus, Diocletian's Palace, Salona Roman ruins, Klis Fortress, Mestrovic Gallery, Archaeological Museum

Transfer: A 30-minute drive from Split airport

Dubrovnik

Best for: Couples

Stay: Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik, Hilton Imperial, Hotel Lero

Do: Guided walking tour, Red History Museum, Lokrum or Lopud island, MoMA, cable car on Srdj hill

Transfer: A 30-minute drive from the airport

For more information on land tours or city break itineraries in Croatia, get in touch with the friendly and professional team at Adriatic DMC.