Summer in Croatia

Summer in Croatia was a bliss and it feels like I was there last week, when in reality it’s been almost 2 full months since I’ve returned to Helsinki. Can you believe that there are only 3 days left of August and pretty much after that the Summer is over? I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that I had to pull out my Fall coat and put a scarf on for the first time in a while…

I have been travelling back to Croatia every Summer, so this one wasn’t any different either, yet every Summer holiday I had in Croatia in the past 9 years has been different than the previous one. Each year I have re-descover my love for the old, medieval towns on the Southern coast, beauty of the christal clear, turquoise sea, old, huge pine trees and the never-ending sunshine!

Oh yes, I had tons of sunshine inside of 1 months stay in Croatia and I could feel how much benefit it did to my overall well being. I felt as if the darkness and toughness of the long Finnish Winter has disappeared from my system inside of couple of days just by lounging by the beach and listening to the waves while staring at the gorgeous view that was surrounding me anywhere I looked.

I brought many books with me to this trip and I was planning to read a lot but I simply couldn’t find any concentration to do that while I was at the beach, the peace I’ve felt just by being there was so overwhelming that I felt like my soul was getting “rebooted”.

I’m seriously not exaggerating when I say that Summer in Croatia is the best Summer I could ever recommend to anyone. It’s truly a pure paradise on the earth and there are so many beautiful places such as old cities and breathtaking nature to visit. It is also a place which accommodates all of the ages, from the little babies and toddlers to young people like myself towards the elderly ones. If you want to party – there’re incredible bars and clubs which are hosting some of the best parties I’ve ever been to, every day of the week. If you want to have an incredible foodie trip, you can satisfy all of your munchies in many different traditional and not so traditional restaurants which offer some of the best fish dishes you ever had in your life. If you want to experience the nature there are so many beautiful islands which are well connected with the coast as well as National Parks which are truly out of this world… So preserved and so unique. If you want to have a luxurious retreat or a sailing adventure, Croatia is the place to go, simple as that!

I would like to point out couple of my favourite spots in towns of Sibenik and Split but I give you my word that places like Zadar, Trogir and Dubrovnik are FILLED with gems too, so wherever you decide to go, you will have a blast! 🙂

*Where / what to eat:

You just HAVE to try pizza in Croatia! I swear to you that Italians got nothing when it comes to Croatian pizza. The most delicious pizzas I ever had were in fact outside of Italy, so… Ehm! Anyways, my favourite pizza places in Sibenik are: Solaris Trattoria, Stari Grad and in Split it’s Portas.

After the most important statement had been made :D, I would wholeheartedly suggest you to eat as much fish and seafood as you can because Croatia is one of the places where you’ll get the most prime and freshest catches ever delivered straight to your table and prepared in such a delicious way that you’ll be talking about those dishes for years to come.

My favourite places in Sibenik are: Pelegrini, Stari Grad, Tomaseo and Nostalgija. Yum, yum! Also worth mentioning are Konoba Boba and Guloz.

Something else – For the best ice cream in Sibenik go to Ka Grom and for the best cakes to Life Palace, for the best ice cream in Split and the most amazing cakes ever go to Luka’s. For the best burger go to Bounty and for the best vegan/ vegetarian food in Sibenik go to SHE

Some of my overall favourite places in Split are: Brasserie on 7, Bokeria, Chops and Grill, Bota Sare.

*What to see:

There is so much to see in Sibenik and Split that it would take you a month to check through all of the spots I would like to recommend you to check out but def. do take a moment to find: St.Jacob’s cathedral and fortresses of Sibenik, Dioclecian’s palace in Split, a stroll through both cities’ old towns is a must, visit to National Park Krka and Kornati Islands as well as a walk by the sea promenade in Split are a musts. Also, visiting Market squares in the both cities are where the true core of the community is and you can meet some of the most interesting locals there as well as get the best fruits and veggies, fresh flowers and much more.

*When to go:

I would suggest you to go mid-end of June or end of August to avoid the worst crowds and overpopulated tour guides through the cities, overly booked restaurants and too stuffed beaches… No pleasure in that believe me and you can only get annoyed instead of enjoy the magic of these two wonderful cities.

*Best beach:

In Sibenik it’s Solaris Beach at Solaris Beach resort or any beach in Primosten city. In Split it’s def. popular Bacvice beach. 🙂

*Where to stay at:

There’re numerous hostels, hotels, private apartments, etc. to choose from but I would recommend you Life Palace, D-Resort and Hotel Ivan in Sibenik, DeBelly, Radisson Blu and Adriatic Queen villa.