Everyone’s heard of Dubrovnik, Split, and Hvar. And while they’re stunning (Game of Thrones doesn’t shoot just anywhere), Croatia has a wild side that still flies under the radar. A secret Croatia.
We LOVE Croatia here at Cerca and have written about it more than one occasion… it does, after all have some of the best food in the Mediteranean. We even dive into the more bizarre and often hilarious aspects of Croatia’s identity in our latest podcast episode, MisInfoNation: Croatia, out today. It’s part cultural exploration, part absurd travel comedy—and you can listen now right here.
This is the guide to the lesser-known, deeply local, and totally magical corners of Croatia—where you can find empty beaches, family-run konobas, and experiences that feel like a secret whispered just to you.. And while they’re stunning (Game of Thrones doesn’t shoot just anywhere), Croatia has a wild side that still flies under the radar. This is the guide to the lesser-known, deeply local, and totally magical corners of Croatia—where you can find empty beaches, family-run konobas, and experiences that feel like a secret whispered just to you.
We dug deep across coastlines, forests, mountaintops, and sleepy stone towns to bring you ten of Croatia’s best-kept secrets. So grab your daypack, ditch the crowds, and discover the real Croatia—one incredible bite, beach, and backroad at a time. Welcome to Secret Croatia
Secret Croatia: 1. Lastovo Island – A Time Capsule in the Adriatic
Tucked deep in the southern Adriatic Sea, Lastovo is one of Croatia’s most remote inhabited islands—and blissfully so. A designated nature park, this island is all pine forests, starry skies, and dramatic cliffs. No flashy beach clubs here. Just olive groves, sleepy villages, and the kind of quiet that feels like a luxury.
What to do: Rent a bike and explore the island’s 46 churches and chapels. Swim in hidden coves like Saplun Beach or take a boat to the Blue Cave. Visit the 17th-century Lastovo village for its iconic stone chimneys.
What to eat: Fresh lobster at Konoba Triton, served harborside in Zaklopatica Bay, paired with local white wine. Or try pod pekom (slow-roasted meat or seafood under a bell lid) made the old-fashioned way.
Insider Tip: Lastovo hosts one of the country’s quirkiest traditions—the Poklad carnival, involving mock pirates, fire, and centuries of local storytelling.
Secret Croatia: 2. Hum – The Smallest Town in the World (That Happens to Make Great Brandy)
Located in the heart of Istria, Hum claims to be the world’s smallest town—with just 20-something official residents and a whole lot of charm. Surrounded by rolling hills and ancient beech woods, it feels like you’ve stepped into a medieval painting.
What to do: Wander the cobbled streets, admire ancient Glagolitic inscriptions, and hike to nearby Kotli, a fairy-tale abandoned village with waterfall-fed pools.
What to eat: Don’t miss the brandy. Hum is famous for biska, a mistletoe-infused rakija that locals swear by for all ailments (real or imagined). Try it at Humska Konoba, with a plate of homemade Istrian pljukanci pasta.
Insider Tip: The Glagolitic Alley between Ročinj and Hum is a fascinating open-air monument trail honoring Croatia’s ancient script.
Secret Croatia: 3. Susak Island – The Sandy Anomaly
Croatia isn’t exactly famous for sandy beaches—except for Susak. This tiny island in the Kvarner Gulf is made almost entirely of sand, with golden coves, pastel houses, and a quirky history that includes mass emigration to New Jersey.
What to do: There are no cars, so rent a bike and cruise the trails between Donje and Gornje Selo villages. Swim at Bok Bay or Spiaza Beach, then hike to the striped lighthouse.
What to eat: At Konoba Barbara, try grilled calamari and island-grown herbs. Wash it down with homemade wine served in plastic jugs.
Insider Tip: Locals have a distinct dialect and traditional dresses worn only on holidays—complete with multi-layered skirts and knee-high socks.
Secret Croatia: 4. Kamačnik Canyon – A Hiker’s Hidden Paradise
Near the town of Vrbovsko in Gorski Kotar, Kamačnik Canyon is a lush, mossy, Tolkien-esque escape far from the salty coasts. A wooden boardwalk runs along an emerald river, dotted with waterfalls and quiet glades.
What to do: Follow the 3 km trail along the Kamačnik River, perfect for families, photographers, and birdwatchers.
What to eat: Grab lunch at Bistro Kamačnik, where trout caught from the river is grilled and served with foraged mushrooms and fresh mountain cheese.
Insider Tip: Combine with a trip to Lokvarka Cave or Risnjak National Park for a full day of wild beauty.
Secret Croatia: 5. Ston – Oysters, Salt, and the Great Wall of Croatia
Located at the gateway to the Pelješac Peninsula, Ston is a culinary gem hiding behind medieval walls. It’s home to Europe’s oldest active salt pans and the best oysters in the Adriatic.
What to do: Walk the Ston Wall, a 5.5 km-long defensive barrier that rivals China’s—minus the tourists. Visit the salt works and kayak the Mali Ston Bay.
What to eat: Oyster platters at Bota Šare, followed by black risotto and a glass of Dingač wine.
Insider Tip: Visit in March for the Oyster Festival, when locals shuck, grill, and sing their way through mountains of mollusks.
Secret Croatia: 6. Zavratnica Bay – The Fjord You Didn’t Know Croatia Had
Just north of the island of Rab, Zavratnica Bay is a narrow, fjord-like inlet that’s more Norway-meets-the-Mediterranean. With towering cliffs and translucent water, it’s one of Croatia’s most cinematic swimming spots.
What to do: Hike the coastal trail from Jablanac to Zavratnica or take a kayak into the bay.
What to eat: Pack a picnic, or dine nearby in Karlobag at Tamaris, a seaside tavern serving lamb and anchovies grilled over open fire.
Insider Tip: Look for the wreck of a German WWII transport ship beneath the surface—visible even without diving.
Secret Croatia: 7. Grožnjan – The Hilltop Town of Artists and Jazz
Grožnjan is the kind of place you stumble upon and never forget. This Istrian hilltop town was nearly abandoned in the mid-20th century before artists moved in, transforming it into a haven of creativity.
What to do: Explore dozens of art studios, take a jazz workshop, or visit during the Jazz is Back! BP festival in July.
What to eat: Try truffle-infused gnocchi at Bastia, paired with local Teran wine and live saxophone in the background.
Insider Tip: The town’s 14th-century Venetian loggia offers views straight out of a Renaissance painting.
Secret Croatia: 8. Nin – Salt, Sand, and Sacred History
Just north of Zadar, Nin is Croatia’s oldest royal town and often missed by travelers rushing toward the islands. Its lagoon location gives it long, sandy beaches and therapeutic mud baths.
What to do: Visit the Church of the Holy Cross—dubbed the smallest cathedral in the world—and take a salt-making workshop at the Nin Saltworks Museum.
What to eat: Indulge in šokol, a cured pork delicacy unique to Nin, and grab lunch at Konoba Branimir in the heart of the old town.
Insider Tip: Queens and kings were crowned here in the early medieval era—local legend says Nin chose the ruler, not the other way around.
Secret Croatia: 9. Mljet National Park – The Island of Legends
Mljet is what happens when myth, forest, and saltwater meet. According to legend, this is where Odysseus was held captive by the nymph Calypso. Today, it’s one of the greenest and least developed of Croatia’s Adriatic islands.
What to do: Hike or bike through the national park, kayak on saltwater lakes, or visit the 12th-century Benedictine monastery on St. Mary’s Island.
What to eat: Konoba Herc, near Polače, serves octopus under peka with ingredients harvested within a few kilometers.
Insider Tip: The lakes are saltwater but feel freshwater thanks to a narrow connection with the sea—perfect for swimming and paddleboarding.
Secret Croatia: 10. Žirje – The Adriatic’s Final Frontier
The farthest-flung inhabited island in the Šibenik archipelago, Žirje is Croatia at its most off-grid. With less than 100 permanent residents, minimal development, and ancient dry-stone walls lining its hills, it’s ideal for unplugged adventurers.
What to do: Rent a bike and cruise through olive groves and fortress ruins. Swim in hidden bays like Stupica Vela or Muna.
What to eat: The island’s few konobas serve what they catch—try grilled dentex or squid ink risotto at Kod Spavalice.
Insider Tip: Bring cash—there are no ATMs and spotty WiFi, but that’s part of the charm.
Final Note: Keep It Secret, Keep It Sacred
The magic of discovering a lesser-known beach, an empty hiking trail, or a family-run konoba that doesn’t even have a website is something truly rare. And like all rare things, they deserve to be cherished, not trampled. That means treading lightly, asking questions, listening more than talking, and honoring the communities who’ve protected these spaces for generations.
Part of being a good traveler is knowing when to share—and when to savor something quietly. Post the memories, not the coordinates. Praise the experience, but leave some mystery. If a destination feels like a dream, don’t wake it up with an Instagram stampede.
At Cerca, we believe travel should be transformative—for the visitor, and for the place itself. That means traveling with intention, curiosity, and a willingness to keep the magic alive, even if it means not tagging the location. So take your photos, have your moments, and leave the place just as enchanting as you found it.
Tag @CercaTravel with your off-the-beaten-path Croatian finds—we love a hidden gem. Just maybe keep the GPS coordinates to yourself.
Read: Island Hopping in Croatia.
Spotify: Subscribe to MisInfoNation Podcast.
