Why Look Beyond the Crowds in Croatia

Croatia is one of Europe's most visited summer destinations, but the crowds are not evenly distributed. Dubrovnik's old town, the Blue Cave on Biševo, and Plitvice Lakes on a Saturday in July are genuinely overwhelmed. Yet Croatia has over 1,200 islands, hundreds of kilometres of Adriatic coastline, three UNESCO World Heritage Sites outside Dubrovnik, and a diverse hinterland that most visitors never see. The good news: the best of Croatia's lesser-known places are not difficult to reach. Vis is a short catamaran ride from Split. Šibenik is on the main coastal highway. The Istrian hill towns are 30 minutes from Poreč or Rovinj. Mljet is a ferry from Dubrovnik. None of these require exotic logistics — only the decision to go somewhere that is not on every travel influencer's list. This guide focuses on places that are genuinely beautiful, historically or naturally significant, and substantially less crowded than the headline destinations. All information is based on 2026 conditions.

Istrian Hill Towns: Motovun, Grožnjan and the Interior

The Istrian interior is one of Croatia's most overlooked regions. While the coast draws the crowds, the hills behind Poreč and Rovinj are covered in vineyards, olive groves and truffle forests, dotted with medieval walled hilltop towns. **Motovun** (population ~900) sits on a conical hill at 277 metres, its 13th-century Venetian walls intact. The views from the walls over the Mirna river valley are extraordinary. Motovun hosts the Motovun Film Festival each July. Truffle hunting in the Mirna valley is the town's main industry — the Zigante tartuf shop sells one of the world's largest ever recorded truffles (1.31 kg, found 1999). A truffle pasta lunch costs €15–20. **Grožnjan** (winter population ~80) was largely abandoned after the Istrian exodus of the 1950s–60s and repopulated from the 1960s onwards by artists and musicians. It is now a UNESCO-protected artists' colony. **Hum**, 20 km from Grožnjan, claims to be the world's smallest town with walls — population 21, one church, and a medieval gate. The Glagolitic Alley nearby is a 7-km outdoor sculpture path commemorating the ancient Glagolitic script. All three are within 30 minutes of the coast and make excellent half-day excursions from Poreč, Rovinj or Pula.

Mooi maar minder druk: Kroatië's verborgen parels voor 2026

Voorbij Dubrovnik en Plitvice heeft Kroatië eilanden, middeleeuwse steden en nationale parken die net zoveel magie bieden — met een fractie van de drukte. Deze gids behandelt de beste.

Smart Croatia