You may have heard a considerable amount about Croatia from friends and family, or read about the country in the travel sections of the newspapers. (It is, after all, featured pretty regularly!) You may also keep hearing about how Croatia is a "hot destination" or that you should "get there before the crowds go". We'd say that the former quote has been uttered for several years now, whilst in the latter case we'd say that the country is already very popular - there's plenty of holidaymakers that enjoy the country year in, year out!

But, if you've never been, why should you go? Continue reading for some of our reasons:

We recommend going to Croatia if you...

...want crystal clear waters...
Everyone always marvels about the wonderfully clear water, and if you're the type to enjoy a relaxing beach-side holiday with the occasional dip in the Adriatic, then Croatia may be for you! The one thing to point out is that the country is not that well known for its sandy beaches...BUT there are some sandy beaches all along the coastline if that's really important to you! The majority of beaches are of the pebble-y kind, and you can even find your own little bit of deserted coastline for the ultimate in relaxation.

...are into sailing or want to go on a cruise holiday...
I may be biased, but I honestly think Croatia is one of the best countries for a sailing/cruise holiday! With over 1,000 islands and ample coastline, it's the perfect place for a holiday where you can stop off at numerous ports and resorts, sampling the local cuisine and taking in sights. (With plenty of dips into the aforementioned crystal clear waters along the way, of course.)

...want something different to Spain, France or Italy...
If these are the usual countries you go on holiday to, why not consider Croatia? Most people say Croatia is on par with them, but generally a bit cheaper! (Note: Some people might expect bargain basement prices, but the country is - unfortunately - not quite at that level any more! Overall, however, we would still say it's cheaper than it's more famous Western European counterparts AND just as nice.)

...are a history or sightseeing buff...
Some of Croatia's best known sights are truly astonishing, although with the country's fascinating history and mix of Roman, Greek, Croatian, Venetian, Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian rule over the years, it is hardly surprising! From the wonderful Old Town in Dubrovnik, to the fantastically well-preserved Roman amphitheatre in Pula, to Roman Emperor Diocletian's Palace in Split there is plenty to see and do. Don't forget that Croatia also has seven entries on UNESCO World Heritage List.

...are into nature...
You may have heard of the wonderful Plitvice Lakes National Park which - if you get the opportunity - is definitely a must-see. But it's only one of eight National Parks in Croatia (and there's also a number of Nature Parks, which are separately defined) which are great for hiking in, enjoying the flora and fauna and taking in the landscapes.

...would like an active holiday...
Croatia is gaining a reputation as something of an ideal place for an activity holiday. We've already mentioned sailing, but what about a holiday based around cycling, kayaking or hiking? Or those a whole host of other activities or sports (skiing, even!) that you can take part in.

...want a city break, but something different to Prague/Budapest/Warsaw...
Give Croatia's capital, Zagreb, a go! Plenty to see and do, with numerous cafes, restaurants, bars and clubs to enjoy in the evenings.

...are looking for the next big thing on the festival scene...
Croatia is getting something of a reputation as a music festival destination, with quite a few festivals (Garden Festival, Electric Elephant, INmusic Festival) already well established and attracting some big name acts and DJs. If you've done all the usual music events, see what Croatia has to offer: Festivals in Croatia.

...are any age, travelling in any kind of group (or solo!) with any kind of budget, wanting any kind of holiday... (!)
Okay, so that just about covers everyone! But in fact, holidays in Croatia allows for a much wider variety that some people think. It's great for families, solo younger travellers or mature travellers. It can be done completely on a budget - staying in private rooms, travelling around by public transport - or there's the opportunity to go all out and stay in five-star luxury. Many companies now offer complete package deals to Croatia, but it's also easy to organise a holiday completely by yourself. (Tip: use this website!)

...don't want to miss out... (!)
Croatia may be more popular than you might think. Summer months often see more than one million people enter the country each weekend. And we're sure you've heard at least one friend, family member or acquaintance raving about the place - it's time to try it out for yourself!

But what about the war?
"Don't mention the war!" as a well-known Torquay hotelier would say. No, in all seriousness - if I'm honest, I'm actually quite surprised that some of the less well-respected travel writers still refer to the war in Croatia. We're not trying to downplay it's significance at all - but it did take place in the early 90s (1991-95) and, nearly fifteen years after it's end, there's no hint of trouble or strife in the region. Any destinations that were damaged during the war (such as Dubrovnik) were swiftly restored and repaired quite promptly back then, so you'll not see any suggestion that a war was fought in this beautiful country.

Go on, we've convinced you, haven't we?!
If we've managed to convince you to visit Croatia, check out our guide to When to Go and Where to Go, and then our list of the Top 10 Destinations in Croatia for some ideas of where to holiday!

Don't forget, we also have the Visit Croatia Travel Forum on which you can also ask any travel questions, and we'd also be more than happy to help if you email us at webmaster@visit-croatia.co.uk.