11+ Most Instagrammable Places in Croatia for the Perfect Photo
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Looking for the most Instagrammable places in Croatia? You’re in the right place!
Croatia is one of the Balkan countries that gets the most tourists in the region. With its 1000-km coastline, a plethora of pretty islands, the old towns of Split and Dubrovnik, and the fabulous national parks, it offers a lot.
I have put together the top Instagram spots across Croatia, and by no means is this a complete list but just a taste to spark your wanderlust.
We started our 2 weeks in Croatia flying into Zagreb. After a quick detour to Slovenia for a couple of days, we made our way down to Plitvice Lakes and then to Split.
There was enjoyable time spent on the islands of Hvar and Vis. And then we did a memorable road drive from Split to Dubrovnik.
Keep reading to learn all about the most Instagrammable places in Croatia.
At a Glance: Photo Spots in Croatia
Most Instagrammable Places in Croatia
Dubrovnik
If I had to pick just one place in all of Croatia for Instagram shots, it would definitely be Dubrovnik. The orange-roofed buildings, the gleaming Adriatic Sea, and the thick solid walls around the old town are just gorgeous.
I have been to several Game of Thrones locations around the world, but there is nothing like the King’s Landing in real!
Adriatic Sea and Old Town view from the walls
One of the most enjoyable activities to do in Dubrovnik Old Town is to walk the walls. These are thick walls, up to 25 metres high.
Walking the length of these 1940-metre walls gives you the best views of the old town with its orange-roofed buildings and the gleaming Adriatic Sea.
There are too many Instagrammable places on these heritage walls to recount, including views of Lovrjenac Fortress, Revlin Fortress, etc.
You can take a tour of walking these walls or do it yourself. But do wake up early in the morning to get better weather and fewer crowds.
From up the Srd Hill
Take the cable car up on Srd Hill for breathtaking views of Dubrovnik.
While walking the walls gives you an up-close-and-personal feel of the town, the view from the top of Srd Hill offers a panorama taking in the entire town and the bejewelled blue waters next to it.
The evening cable car ride will offer you sunset views, which, in my opinion, is the best time.
Placa Street
Placa or Stradun Street is the main open urban area of Dubrovnik’s old town. There are several historic buildings around Place Street in Dubrovnik. It stretches from Pile Gate (the western entrance to the old town) to the Old Town’s port.
The street has been completely pedestrianised for almost 50 years and acts as the main local promenade in Dubrovnik.
It is always busy during the day. But we had an early morning flight, so this is the view of the Place we got at 450 am.
Makarska Riviera
If you have been to the picturesque Amalfi coast in Italy but wanted fewer crowds and a cheaper destination, Makarska Riviera is for you. This is a 60-km stretch down the South Dalmatian coast.
We crossed this route while on a road drive from Split to Dubrovnik. You will see the sun glinting over the unending blue waters of the Adriatic Ocean on one end and a mountain range towering over on the other end.
Ston
Ston is an underrated town in Croatia. It is famous for the Ston Walls, the longest in all of Europe. These walls are also nicknamed the ‘Great Wall of Europe.’
If you make an effort to climb the Ston walls, you will see the town and the salt pans laid out beneath you.
The Walls of Ston are a series of defensive stone walls, originally more than 7 kilometers long (today, a 5.5-kilometer-long wall links Ston to Mali Ston). We stopped at Stop en route from Split to Dubrovnik.
Plitvice Lakes National Park
Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO Heritage site, was one of the highlights of our Croatia trip. This gorgeous, lush area has many interconnected lakes, waterfalls, and walkways.
The lakes are renowned for their distinctive colours, with varying shades of green and blue. You have to explore both the Upper and Lower Lakes in this area to get the best views.
Upper Lakes, Plitvice Lakes National Park
Being a popular destination, you need to plan ahead where to stay and which route to take to avoid crowds within Plitvice Lakes.
We accessed Upper Lakes easily from Entrance 2 of Plitvice National Park. We decided on Route E; this 5.2 km walkway gives an intimate feel of the forest, waterfalls, and lakes from close.
Lower Lakes, Plitvice Lakes National Park
We bought tickets for consecutive days to explore both the Upper and Lower parts of Plitvice Lakes. It can be easily explored in a day, but we wanted to do the 8-km loop at our own pace with a child in tow.
We accessed Lower Lakes easily from Entrance 2. For the best view, we climbed the broken path next to the tallest waterfall in Croatia, Veliki Slap.
This led to a secret path that ended in an uncrowded spot, from where the entire view of Lower Lakes was beneath us.
Diocletian Palace, Split
We loved our brief stay in the old town of Split as well. It is quite an experience to live in the Diocletian Palace. This is a living city, its narrow streets packed with people, cafes, restaurants, bars, and boutique stores.
There is a remarkable ancient Roman courtyard in the heart of the Diocletian Palace. Sitting on the steps in the Peristil, sipping a lemon beer or a glass of wine, and enjoying the summer buzz would be my top experience in the old town of Split.
Croatia is home to over 1,000 islands that are easy to get to. Exploring these islands on a family holiday will leave you with memories to treasure for the rest of your life! But with over a thousand to choose from, it can be daunting to decide where to go.
You will need to research some of the best Croatian islands to visit with the family. We covered a visit to Hvar and Vis islands on our trip to Croatia, and I can point you out to the top Instagrable spots on these islands.
Fortica, Hvar
Hvar has been tagged as one of the most beautiful islands not just in Croatia but all of Europe. Fortica is a 13th-century fortress built high on a hill that offers panoramic views of the coastline and Pakleni islands near Hvar.
Even if you are not culturally inclined, a visit to the Fortica is absolutely recommended just for the panoramic views.
Little coves in Hvar
Renting a car in Hvar town for a day to explore the island would be my second recommendation for this island. There are lovely towns of Stari Grad, Jelsa, and Vrboska to be explored, where you can have a lovely meal.
Along the drive, you will find little coves. Park the car and go find a peaceful cove with blue water lapping to it. Swim, relax, and take shots worthy of Instagram.
We found this cove right at our boutique Hotel, Little Green Bay. This classy property is built at the edge of a cove with startling green water.
Old Town of Vis
Vis Island is not only the furthest inhabited Croatian island but also has an interesting history. Home to only 3000 residents, this island has an authentic feel, and I would recommend it if you want to get away from glitzy islands to get an idea of the local life.
The old town of Vis is really picturesque, and we got the best sunsets while on this island.
Mount Hum, Vis
The best view on Vis island, I believe, is from Mount Hum, which is the highest point in Vis. We took a Military tour with a local guide, explored a nuclear bunker, Tito’s House, and climbed Mount Hum as part of the tour.
From 1950 until 1989, Vis served as the Yugoslav National Army’s base, out of bounds to foreign visitors. It still has the air of an unspoilt paradise.
You can walk to the top of Mount Hum by yourself, but I would suggest getting a local guide for the Military Tour and to get information on the unique history of Vis Island.
Upper Town, Zagreb
Folks visit Croatia for the medieval towns of Split and Dubrovnik and its natural sites, including islands and parks.
So Zagreb doesn’t get its fair share of travellers. But I do recommend spending at least one day in Zagreb and exploring the Upper Town on foot. This is one of the most Instagrammable places in Croatia.
Zagreb’s Upper Town is a series of streets that stretch between 2 hills. It is the oldest part of Zagreb, with 17th and 18th-century buildings lining narrow, winding streets. Zagreb’s most photographed site is St. Mark Church in Upper Town.
This church is from the 13th century, but its multi-coloured roof was constructed in 1880.
Final Thoughts: Croatia Instagram Spots
Well, there you have it! This post was all about the most Instagrammable places in Croatia. Whether you only visit one of these spots or many of them, you’re truly in for a treat.
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