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Cottages in Croatia

Want to explore Croatia in an authentic way? Stay in one of our self-catering cottages in the countryside. They are always situated in nature and away from the crowds. So, stay with us and find yourself amazed by views of the sea, mountains, forests, and fields. There are eight national parks and eleven protected regional nature parks spread all across the country. Those areas harbour beauty beyond comparison!

What should you expect when staying in Croatia’s nature?

The varied Croatian landscape consists of grasslands, hills, lakes, densely populated mountain areas, rocky coastline, islands, forests... For such a small county with a size of slightly over 55.000 km2, that’s quite impressive! You can rent a Croatian cottage with a view of the lowlands, near the sea, or higher in the mountains. Combinations are also possible, and one of the regions where you can do it is Kvarner. But first, let's see what these different landscapes have to offer.

The lowlands

The green lowlands are the predominant landscape and make up for half of the total area. Ramble in the countryside to discover a sensational palette of seasonal colors in the fields and gentle hills. Don’t rush and soak in the atmosphere of this warm-hearted place! It’s where you can really come to peace with nature.

The highlands

You can also choose to stay high in the mountains, where you can feel absolute freedom and wake your senses with the frosty air. We have a variety of hilltop cottages and holiday homes that are in the mountain areas. The beautiful towering mountains of Croatia are mostly situated in the interior of the country, with peaks soaring to over 1.500 meters. The highest peak Dinara (1831m) is located in the Dinaric Alps, a mountain that spreads across the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The impressive coastline with dazzling beaches

As for beaches, they are the pinnacle of the natural experience in Croatia. The notorious Croatian coastline covers an area of over 5.800 km making it one of the longest coastlines in the Mediterranean. What is more important, this Adriatic Sea coastline harbours the cleanest beaches in all of Europe! If you’re travelling in the summer, you should definitely pay a visit to one of the sandy or pebble beaches, and swim in crystal clear blue waters.

Or just book a seaside cottage and have the beach on your doorstep. Take a swim in the water or just snooze in the shade in your garden. Let yourself experience what the Dalmatians call 'fjaka' - a nice lazy mood of utter contentment. What a better place to experience this than with a view of the jagged coastline, blue waters, undulating white waves… And to finish this marvelous scene - the sun melts at the sea creating a jaw-dropping vista that can quicken the pulse of anyone.

The caves

Next to the impressive coastline, Croatia is also famous for its caves. Did you know that there are more than 10.000 caves around the country? As impressive as it is, there are only 40 caves open for visitors, so we wouldn’t recommend individual visits without an official accompaniment. Don’t let this dissuade you from exploring the ones that are open. Otherwise, you’ll miss witnessing interesting geomorphological phenomena like sand dunes and erosions. Travel by boat or go hiking in one of the Croatian caves to enjoy incredible views of blue waters, cave decorations, and the remains of extinct cave bears.

The islands

The variety of Croatian landscapes doesn’t end here. The country has an archipelago of more than 1.200 islands in the Adriatic Sea, more than enough for all the beach lovers. This large number makes up for a diversity of islands - from completely empty and secluded islands, with just one lighthouse, to islands that are a lively summer destination filled with bars and luxury night clubs. As you’ve probably guessed, most Croatian islands have no people at all. A whole 80% of them, to be precise.

Still, the islands are often home to a variety of animals like deers of dolphins. Rent a boat and travel around to explore the wildlife on land and underwater! A famous island with many yacht owners is Hvar. Described by many as the ritz, it’s a luxury place where rich people love to spend their time. If you feel like you’d prefer to go back to basics with a natural experience, go southwest of Hvar Town and find the Pakleni archipelago with isles covered in pine woodlands. The biggest of those is Sveti Klement, where you can explore the Mediterranean flora going through the naturalistic tiny paths.

Explore the flora and fauna during your stay in nature

The wide diversity in landscape ensures that there is a variety of flora and fauna in this country. Among the many densely forested areas bears, wolves and some rare bird species can be found. During the summer the mountain meadows are completely colored with protected flowers and plants, including the orchid and edelweiss. The Croatian flora is mainly characterized by cypresses, olive trees, and lavender, but there are more than 3.000 unique plants in specific places like the Velebit mountain and Kvarner islands.

Birdwatching holiday

The diversity of landscapes is also reflected in the bird species. For a birdwatching holiday, it is best that you visit Croatia in the spring and autumn seasons when there is an abundance of European migratory birds. The country is an important entry point for the birds travelling to a warmer place before the cold winter starts. In the autumn there is a remarkable abundance of birds - those that prepare to leave for the African continent, and the ones that reached Croatia after travelling from the north. Among the species that you can encounter are the hoopoe, Eurasian hobby, little ringed plover, nightingale, European bee-eater, the spotted sandpiper, and more. Note - prepare for an early morning when the birds are most active. Spring is the other season when bird experts can have a privileged experience (also beautiful weather). You can book a happy Easter holiday with celebrations and activities in nature! Actually, it’s a national joy when the beautiful stork comes back to Croatia to nest.

National Park Plitvice Lake

If you’re a person who’s fascinated by water landscapes, you won’t be disappointed with a holiday in Croatia. The country has a lot to brag about, especially when it comes to waterscapes. One particular place you should visit the National Park Plitvice Lake. With its clear blue lakes and natural dykes that have emerged into caves and waterfalls, it’s a paradise to be around. The backdrop of turquoise waters and green tree leaves of the forest creates most of the extraordinary scenery. The bird population in the park is also quite rich. There are hawks, owls, cuckoos, herons, wild ducks, and more. There are also 70 different species of butterflies that appear in the warmer seasons. Other animals that you can observe are the deer, fox, badgers, martens, and if you manage to catch a glimpse of the rabbit with its quick movements. Although it rarely happens, you can also encounter bears, lynx, wolves, and wildcats.

Activities to do when staying in a cottage in Croatia

Due to the location of the country and the different states that once ruled over Croatia, the culture has been strongly influenced by many others. It’s still wonderful to see how each state managed to keep its regional traditions alive to this day. This is not only found back in the kitchen but also in the many old buildings that are full of history. You could for example visit the Roman Amphitheater of Pula, the historic complex in Split and Dubrovnik’s Old Town. It is located on the Dalmatian Coast. For more cultural experiences you can also visit the region of Istria. It offers a great combination of historical sites and hidden natural beauties like the Škarlina park and Mramornica Cave.

As for the outdoor adventures that are possible in the nature of Croatia, you already have an idea that the list is just endless. From water-based adventures like snorkeling, scuba diving, and swimming with dolphins, you can also go paragliding, mountaineering, and mountain biking. Other activities that can be fun for the whole family are long hikes, camping in the forest, rafting in one of the thrashing streams, or just a relaxing picnic by the river. If you’re travelling alone, then pick a peaceful and quiet place close to your cottage and meditate in the sun.

Weather in Croatia

Croatia is blessed with a favourable climate and four seasons that are easily distinguished. Summers can be extremely hot with up to 40°C, but you can find a remedy with a drink in the bar. Of course, the easiest decision is to just cool off in the water. Likewise, in the winter it also gets pretty cold. If it’s your Christmas or New Year holiday, then pick a cottage with a fireplace and/or sauna, where you can easily get warm after an active day of skiing. Before booking, you can take a look at all of your accommodation options, including b&b housing, and pick the most suitable home for your Croatian holiday.

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