Croatia is notorious for its gorgeous beaches, cheap holidays and its array of Roman architecture. However, that’s not all it has to offer for new visitors, single travellers or last-minute tourists. It offers extreme adventure to those who don’t have a lot of down-time, allowing visitors the chance to see the country’s music city without missing out because of those busy schedules. Over the last couple of years, it’s popularity has more than doubled, seeing the number of arrivals in Croatian accommodation jump from 8.2 million in 2006 to 18.6 million in 2018 according to Statista. While this could be due to Game of Thrones using Dubrovnik as one of its backdrops for the city of King’s Landing, it is also due to its easy accessibility, vast and unique landscapes and welcoming approach to new cultures and people.
This year Rijeka, Croatia’s third-largest city, has graciously been named European Capital of Culture of 2020, sharing this title with Galway in Ireland. This has jumpstarted a frenzy of tourism, including solo holidays, showcasing the city’s diversity and history. The Guardian has reported that Rijeka received ‘over one million overnight stays’ from adventurous Brits who wanted to visit the city and the popularity is predicted to only increase. Since being selected for the title, Rijeka has created a culture and arts programme that will be at the centre of its celebrations for the year. The Rijeka 2020 campaign aims to introduce its ‘distinctive features to Europe, while at the same time placing current European cultural and social issues at the forefront’. With events such as exhibits, conferences and festivals happening throughout the year it is a unique experience that should not be missed.
Whether you are thinking of visiting Croatia on one of our single traveller holidays for its beaches or its cultural cities, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Croatia’s increased popularity has allowed the country and its cities to thrive as many more people choose to visit, making it one of 2020’s must-visit city destinations.
