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Home to world-famous landmarks like the Colosseum, the floating city of Venice, and the leaning tower of Pisa, not to mention all the gorgeous alpine nature and scenic coastline, it’s no wonder Italy is the most visited country in the world at the minute.
Don’t trust us, trust the numbers.
Culturally-rich, and insanely-popular as it may be, Italy has failed to nab one prestigious award:
Recently, the EBD (or European Best Destinations) were revealed at a tourism fair in Berlin, and according to experts, Italy doesn’t come anywhere near the top spot.
This year, it’s out with la dolce vita, and in with Život je lijep: life is beautiful, and it sure feels magical when you’re lounging by a pebbly beach in Croatia.
Wait… Is This Croatia Yet?
The pearl of the Balkans, Croatia has brought home the title of Best European Country to Visit in 2025 at the ITB Berlin fair, charging ahead of long-time favorites like aforementioned Italy, Greece, France, and even Spain.
Millions of people flock to Italy every year for its picture-perfect towns and laid-back living, and if you haven’t traveled to Croatia yet, you should probably know that, in many ways, it resembles the brotherly country across the Adriatic.
Take the charming city of Pula, for instance:
A mini Rome by the sea, it is littered with ancient landmarks, from Roman temples to intact city gates, and it even preserves a large amphitheater that, unlike the Colosseum, has not had part of its elliptical exterior collapse.
Further down the coast in Rovinj, the pastel-hue facades and Romanesque bell towers seem like a direct continuation of Venice, minus the canals, and over in Split, you’ll find a fast-rising summer hub revolving around a Roman-era palace, now filled with merchant shops and cafe-bordered piazzas.
Of course, let’s not forget Dubrovnik, probably the number one destination in Croatia:
A fortified harbor town hugged by the teal-colored Adriatic, its cobble-paved alleys and imposing turrets dating back to the Middle Ages have featured on your favorite fantasy series of all time.
GoT fans, where you at?
Natural Wonders Galore
Croatia’s boundless natural beauty is yet another huge draw for tourists landing here in 2025.
It lays claim to some of the most beautiful natural parks in Europe, including Plitviče, a chain of 16 terraced lakes backed by cascading waterfalls that empty into crystal-clear natural pools before flowing into a limestone canyon.
It’s quite an extensive park, comprising a 113-square-mile reserve, and there are several wooden walkways built over the pristine waters, as well as hiking trails looping around the lagoon.
If you’re visiting, make sure you check out the stunning Veliki Slap, a 78-meter waterfall.
Further inland, near the bustling Croatian capital of Zagreb, Medvednica mountain is traversed with tourist-friendly hiking paths, that lead to breathtaking lookouts, and over in a hill-dotted Istria, rolling vineyards and a hilltop Motovun, one of the oldest settlements in Europe, await discovery.
Croatia is also a world-class beach destination, with its many islands and over 1,104 miles of coastline:
What’s Stopping You From Going Island-Hopping?
If it’s a relaxing summer getaway you’ve got your heart set on, without packing too many activities into a single day, the blissful Brač is where you should be headed: it offers white-pebble beaches, lush nature, and deserted coves.
For the livelier atmosphere and busy nightlife, you can’t go wrong with a trendy Hvar, the next Ibiza on the making—the main settlement, Hvar Town is a postcard picture come to life, with its Spanish fortress and centuries-old dwellings built from stone.
On the mainland, a more offbeat Makarska boasts a palm tree-lined, seafront promenade, culminating in a paradisaical Ramova Beach, and if you’re heading to Dubrovnik, but you’re hoping to stay a little out of town to avoid the crowds, Cavtat is that sweet spot.
Settled back in Illyrian times, it is now a lively resort town famous for its quieter beaches and exclusive guesthouses, some of which can be surprisingly affordable:
A whole studio apartment with pool access will set you back by $72 (for 2 adults) this spring.
No Longer The Cheap Alternative To Italy, But Hey, It’s Still Bang For Your Buck
Speaking of prices, it’s been widely reported that Croatia is no longer as affordable as it might once have been.
That’s only natural: it’s coming off a long process of societal development that started in the early 90s, when it seceded from a then-communist Yugoslavia, and since joining the European Union in 2013, it’s set out on a path of full European integration.
In recent years, this has meant ditching its historical currency, the kuna, and adopting the euro, as well as joining the border-free Schengen Zone: what we’re trying to say is that consumer prices in Croatia currently reflect the arguably improved living standards of locals.
The poor man’s version of Italy, no more: tourists should plan on spending around $52 on food, and $106 on hotels on average per day vacationing in Croatia, as per Budget Your Trip estimates.
Pricier than it used to be in the years of Poles, Czechs, and lower-income German families driving down here as an alternative to a boujee Amalfi Coast, but still reasonably-priced by U.S. standards.
Oh, before we forget, this summer, Americans can fly nonstop to Dubrovnik from Newark, from $986 roundtrip.
Find the cheapest dates available, and book your tickets with United Airlines here.
Vinicius Costa
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
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