3 Croatia Honeymoon Destinations
While parts of Croatia have begun to take off as travel hotspots, overall it continues to fly under the radar as a coastal paradise speckled with awe-inspiring fortresses. The allure of this underrated honeymoon spot knows no bounds. Whether you prefer to spend time together lounging on a beach or touring charming old towns, these Croatia honeymoon destinations have you covered. To top it all off, you’ll be able to end each night with a romantic dinner over some of the best wine and seafood in the Mediterranean.
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1) Mainland Dalmatia
The mainland of Croatia’s Dalmatia region is home to some of the country’s most popular destinations, such as Dubrovnik and Split. These cities skyrocketed to fame after they were featured as filming locations for Game of Thrones, and they’ve continued to entice visitors with the charm of signature red-roofed buildings and shimmering blue waters. It’s the perfect place to cap off a wedding that was, hopefully, not very red. Dip your toes in along golden shores or charter a yacht for the day and skim along the waves to the Elaphiti Islands.
When you want to escape the bustle of a city, you can venture to the Peljesac peninsula for local wine tastings and delightfully fresh meals in tiny fishing villages. If you’re a fan of oysters, they’re a must-try delicacy here. While this area could be easily summarized in a day trip, it’s worth spending a couple of nights to thoroughly explore the quieter scenery, whether that means strolling along fortress walls or tucking yourselves away in secluded coves of pebbly beaches. For the couple itching for an outdoors adventure, consider conquering the summit of Sveti Ilija together. From here you not only will be able to take in the many islands of Croatia spread out below, but if it’s a clear enough day you may also see Italy across the Adriatic Sea.
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2) Dalmatian Islands
The Dalmatian Islands have everything you could want in an island honeymoon and more. Hvar, Korčula and Brač are the three most popular islands, thanks to their abundance of gorgeous beaches and delightful stone towns. There are a plethora of other islands to choose from, ensuring that the two of you will be able to balance your honeymoon with activities to suit both your interests. But if you’re looking to celebrate amidst lively nightlife, a few nights on Hvar are a must. Glitzy and glamorous but still seeping with old town charm, this island is becoming somewhat of an answer to France’s St. Tropez.
For a truly unique experience, spend some time on Vis, a former military base that has only been open to tourists since 1989. This helped to preserve the area, leaving much of its natural beauty intact. Relatively popular with day-trippers looking to check out Stiniva Bay or the Blue Cave, staying overnight here is less common and will allow you more freedom as the sun sets.
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3) Istria
If you’ve been amazed and astounded by Italy, Istria is calling for you. Just like in Tuscany or Piedmont, you can have a romantic outing of wine tasting, olive oil tasting or truffle hunting through a luscious green landscape. If you really want to marvel upon another impressive colosseum, Pula can provide that for you. If you miss the colorful coastal towns of the Cinque Terre, allow the city of Rovinj to lure you in. And if you’ve missed Italy so badly that you’re dying to spend any small amount of time there again, Venice is reachable in a day trip.
As enticing as the similarities may sound, Istria still has its own Croatian flavor, from more iconic red roofs to an intricate overlap of histories on display. The region is home to an abundance of small towns, each with their own personality, that you can set out on day trips to. Or you can use the peninsula as a base for aquatic excursions to Lim Fjord or the Brijuni Islands. If thrill-seeking is your love language, there no shortage of options, whether you wish to paraglide over the countryside or rappel down into mysterious caves. Though sandy beaches are harder to come by here, this diversity of other activities Istria has to offer makes it one of the ideal Croatia honeymoon destinations.
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