Croatia offers a wide range of breathtaking views, quaint towns, and medieval charm that will transport you to a different time. If you’re looking for a traditional romantic stroll on an immaculate beach or you’re looking to explore somewhere new with your better half, you can find it in Croatia. There are so many romantic cities in Croatia. Below you will find seven that you should definitely consider for your next romantic getaway.
- Motovun
- Korčula
- Dubrovnik
- Lošinj
- Vis
- Zagreb
- Rovinj
Motovun
The city of Motovun is known for its annual film festival. The Motovun Film Festival is a five-day movie and party extravaganza. International films are screened, art is praised, and the party doesn’t stop. The city becomes a cultural hub full of excitement.
If you and your partner are movie buffs and love the nightlife, this would be a great time to visit this beautiful city so you can get a proper Croatian experience, along with the fun of the festival. The festival typically takes place in late July/early August.
But if you prefer a quieter getaway with your partner, this city still has you covered. Hotel Kastel boasts a Wellness Spa where you can escape for a romantic day of relaxation. After you’ve had time to unwind at the spa, there are plenty of places to take in the breathtaking sunsets Croatia has to offer.
A favorite spot among locals for optimal sunset viewing is from a main eatery and watering hole in town, The Montona Gallery. Not only can you indulge in a picturesque sunset, but you can also enjoy their delicious menu featuring local truffle.
Korcula
While many other islands provide a romantic vibe and plenty to do with your partner, Korcula almost seems as if it was a city imagined by lovers.
During the day, it is an idyllic location for a few Mediterranean cocktails under the palms. You can take in some amazing seaside dining to look over the Adriatic. During the shift from day to night, you will find the town gets quiet, and serenity falls over the island. This medieval town offers winding sidewalks and pathways throughout the city to wander and explore hand-in-hand.
As dusk hits, it is a quiet romantic time to find a good spot to sit and see the lights from the mainland begin to twinkle and turn on. The solitude and quiet that this island offers make it an endearing area to ignite your passion with your partner.
Korcula is often called “Little Dubrovnik” because it has many of the same charms. Both being medieval towns that celebrate the beauty of its old buildings and quaint streets, they possess a magical feeling that swells over the city.
The promenade in Korcula offers impressive views of the sea, and you will find many of their restaurants along this stretch as well. You will notice couples enjoying classic Mediterranean inspired meals all along the water’s edge.
If you and your partner are wine lovers, you will also have to try a bottle of Pošip. It is a dry white wine that is produced right in Korcula and the Pelješac Peninsula region. Take your time as you sip on this local wine and enjoy the city around you.
The theme of this island is to relax, take it all in, and take your time. So, if relaxation and a secluded getaway are on your list for a perfect romantic getaway, Korcula will have a lot to offer you.
Dubrovnik
Experiencing Dubrovnik during the right season is key for a magical trip. While the summers are warm and beautiful, they can also mean streets crowded with tourists and lines to get into many of the attractions you were hoping to see.
So for a romantic getaway where you want to connect with your loved one, spring or autumn is a perfect time to experience the city. Slightly cooler, but still just as beautiful. The charm of this city is what wins the hearts of romantics when they visit. And that charm is put on a superior display when you aren’t dealing with the hustle and bustle of other tourists.
For fans of romantic walks through an old quarter of an ancient town, Dubrovnik is a jewel of a city. The whimsical streets and historic walls will make you feel like you have traveled in time. It is a beautiful city to walk hand-in-hand throughout the winding streets that seem to create a maze around the city.
The area of Stradun in Dubrovnik is magically illuminated in the evenings and throughout the night. There is a golden glow from the landmarks, monuments, and buildings down the street, and you will find it much quieter in the evenings with fewer tourists.
The beauty of this area is undeniable and even Hollywood has taken notice. Part of the reason for the busy tourist season over the summer is not only the weather but the appeal of seeing where some of your favorite movies and TV shows have been filmed.
Dubrovnik is a World Heritage Site and has hosted productions such as Game of Thrones, Star War Wars: Episode VIII, and Robin Hood. If you and your significant other enjoy a good site seeing tour, you can also enjoy taking in some of the filming locations around the city.
Pro Tip: For an extra special day trip, pack a picnic and head to the island of Lokrum, which is only 600m off Dubrovnik’s shores. It is a tiny island with abundant forest and surrounded by the breathtaking turquoise water. It also offers botanical gardens, a 12th-century Benedictine monastery, and natural wading pools around the island. A surprise rendezvous here with your lover will make for an unforgettable day.
Lošinj
The island of Lošinj packs a surplus of charm, beauty, and activity into its beautiful landscape. Its allure for couples is undeniable. The perfect beaches of Mali Lošinj, crystal clear waters, underwater caves, and secret coves for a private getaway all make this a lovers’ paradise.
While few people will tire of the ocean views, exquisite locations to lounge by the water’s edge, or the majestic hidden coves around the island, there is still plenty more to do. Taking a stroll around the old town streets of Veli Lošinj is a charming way to spend any part of your day.
One of the most romantic spots on the island is beside the votive chapel where you enter the bay–the Lanterna Grill. With a lighthouse nearby, ocean views, and unforgettable sunsets, it paints a picture you would typically only dream of experiencing with your partner. It is in a somewhat secluded area between Sun Bay and Čikat cove, making this a magical dining experience.
When considering where to stay, you will see a lot of options with spas and relaxing services that are ideal for a couple’s vacation. The majority of the hotels on the island boast at least a few of these amenities:
- Aromatherapy
- Body Scrubs
- Croatian Kinesiology
- Pilates
- Yoga
- Thalassotherapy
After the full spa treatment, you will be ready to take on all that this romantic island has to offer, or maybe you’ll be ready to lounge side-by-side in the Croatian sun for the rest of the day. Either option will leave a lasting impression of the island on you but being pampered is the theme when you stay in Lošinj.
Vis
The island of Vis will not always be at the top of tourism lists or travel sites. But it offers a paradise for couples looking to get away from it all. With only about 3,000 regular inhabitants, it is far less populated than other areas around the country.
If you’d like to get an idea of how beautiful it is in your mind, Mamma Mia 2 was filmed there. Yes, those perfect waters and idyllic sandy beaches featured in that movie that were meant to portray Greece, were actually around the island of Vis.
Aside from the insanely pristine beaches, you will also find some amazing seafood restaurants for a romantic dinner, 17th-century architecture to marvel at, and a magical journey through smaller islands and crashing blue water to reach the island.
Kut is one of the most popular areas where many people will opt to stay. It was beautifully built by the Venetians in the 17th century, and the architecture shows off their style and elegance. Kut is made up of a series of courtyards, balconies lining the street above your heads, and whimsical staircases heading up into the hills beyond the streets.
It is one of the most romantic areas to walk around, which is perfect since most people don’t drive around this area anyway, giving it a quiet and romantic vibe throughout the area. You can walk from place to place and experience all of the amazing cuisines they have to offer (mostly Italian and heavily based on fresh seafood).
Many of their restaurants are built within the ruins of historic palazzos, making it feel like you were in a romantic movie in a surreal location.
Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital of Croatia, in its northwestern region. Do people typically think of capital cities as having many romantic opportunities, filled with attractions, history, and tours? Sure. But they aren’t always the most breathtaking for a romantic trip with your lover.
Zagreb is different. Underneath the typical tourism of the capital, you will find some of the most darling areas to stroll, eat, relax, and have date nights with your partner.
Strossmayer square is placed right in the middle of uptown Zagreb. It is a beautiful park that many seem to forget about. It could be considered the city’s “lover’s lane”, for its tree-lined pathways and romantic atmosphere where you forget you are in the city. This 19th-century promenade is the perfect place for a romantic daytime stroll as you sip on a cup of coffee from one of the city’s many coffee or tea shops.
For a movie date-night, you can take in a viewing at the Tuškanac Summer Stage for an outdoor experience that you will never forget. This theater seems to be carved right out of the nature around it, giving it a beautiful spot among the trees that will keep you occupied enjoying the view before the movie even begins.
If you haven’t had enough walking, you can take it away from the city and enjoy a romantic walk from the top of Jurjevska just before dusk to catch a perfect sunset together. If you’re ready to pop the question, this is an ideal location and time of day to set the mood.
Rovinj
Old romantics will have a field day in the city of Rovinj. It appears to be ripped out of the storybooks with watercolors of the French Riviera or parts of the Italian coastline. They have an adorable old town area with cobbled alleyways that will make your heart melt. Rovinj offers all the old town charm you can imagine with its traditional trademarks.
As if this city doesn’t already sound cute enough, it is overlooked by the steeple and impressive architecture of the Church of St. Euphemia. The beauty of the village and area around the church is matched by its exteriors and interiors.
Traipsing around Rovinj will give you a quiet and classic experience of Croatia that you won’t experience in many other places. The old town elegance is met with modern restaurants, galleries, and wine bars.
Regional delights such as truffle and fresh seafood can be found all around town for an exquisite dining experience for your date night. Aside from all the best seasonal seafood, you can eat, you can also indulge in some oysters from nearby Lim Fjord for a classic aphrodisiac.
The entire town seems to be untouched by modern urban styles and flavor, so it leaves you yearning for true connections and romance.
Tips for Your Romantic Croatian Getaway
While every city and every island of Croatia has a unique ability to steal your heart in different ways, they do all share many similarities. The number one being the view. The views from any of these cities will never be forgotten by you or your partner. See below for other things that are true for all seven cities:
- Be on the Lookout for Hidden Coves – Croatia’s islands are covered with hidden coves and forgotten caves. While you explore new beaches or take boat rides around the turquoise water, always keep an eye out for some of these hidden gems where you can steal some private time with your partner.
Pro Tip: There are private boat tours available throughout many of the islands as well, so depending on the area you are staying in, keep an eye out for those tours which can help you find some of these covert caves
- Live Like a Local – One of the most romantic ways to experience Croatia is to settle into the town you are staying in. Croatia is covered with old town areas filled with people offering their villa or home on Airbnb or Vrbo. Finding a private villa or a charming old home in these areas will make for a romantic home away from home when you come back from a day of exotic bliss with your partner.
The Romance of Croatia
Croatia offers such a wide range of different types of beauty that it can’t be ignored when you consider your options for a romantic break with your partner. It’s not always a country that people will automatically think of when they think of romance.
But the beauty of its cities and beaches, along with the authenticity of its old town streets, will leave you feeling like you just stepped out of a romantic movie that you and your partner were co-stars in.
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