UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Croatia in pictures

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Croatia! Croatia is one of the most beautiful European countries, led with its amazing Plitvice Lakes that have probably be seen by all the people around the globe. It is also a country which is very popular among summer holidaymakers as they can find amazing crystal clear sea here enhanced with some of the best beaches in Europe.

In addition, it has a great and interesting history and nice, romantic, medieval towns, thousands of islands, national parks and much more. If you haven’t been to Croatia yet, it is better to start with some beach holidays. However, if you want to find something interesting around that beach, check this list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Croatia, so you won’t miss any important place on your Croatian vacation!

List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Croatia

1. Plitvice Lakes National Park

Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of two Croatian Natural inscriptions in UNESCO World Heritage List. It is known worldwide for the lakes, waterfalls and amazing natural beauty admired by more than 1,000,000 travelers every year. The total area of almost 300 square kilometers is protected as a national park since 1940 and as a UNESCO Site since 1979.

Plitvice Lakes National Park, UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Croatia by jidanchaomian

2. Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe

Former UNESCO inscription known as “Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and the Ancient Beech Forests of Germany” was extended in July 2017 and now stretches over 12 European countries including Croatia.

The forests around two nature reserves Hajdučki kukovi and Rožanski kukovi in the Northern Velebit Natinal Park and forest in Suva draga-Kimenta and Oglavinovac-Javornik in Paklenica National Parks.

Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe

3. Historical Complex of Split with Diocletian’s Palace

Split is number one of summer holiday destinations in Croatia not only thanks to its sea and beaches but mainly because of its medieval appearance. It is located in the southern part of the country and its historical Diocletian’s Palace, built in the 3rd-4th centuries AD is a part of UNESCO since 1979.

Diocletian’s Palace, Split, UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Croatia by Ballota

View of Split city center, port and Diocletian’s Palace, UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Croatia by E.coli

4. Old City of Dubrovnik

Croatian southernmost city and travelers’ hotspot is none other than Dubrovnik. Founded in the 7th century AD, Dubrovnik remained intact and well preserved for centuries which is why it became UNESCO Site already in 1979.

Dubrovnik city center, UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Croatia by Glen Scarborough

Streets of Dubrovnik, UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Croatia by markow76

5. Episcopal Complex of the Euphrasian Basilica in the Historic Centre of Poreč

With 8,000 residents, Poreč is the largest and most visited tourist resort on the Adriatic shoreline, it also has the largest accommodation capacity. Its exceptionally valuable historical monument, Euphrasius Basilica became UNESCO Site in 1997.

Ciborium, Euphrasian Basilica, Poreč, UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Croatia by zolakoma

Poreč, UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Croatia by Yacht Rent

6. Historic city of Trogir

Trogir, situated on an island close to the mainland, is one of the jewels of the Dalmatian coast. The ancient town and port of Trogir is connected by one bridge with the mainland and by another one with the island of Čiovo. Inscribed on UNESCO List in 1997, Trogir offers great opportunity to turn centuries back.

Trogir, UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Croatia by Hervé

Trogir old town, UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Croatia by Nick Savchenko

7. Cathedral of Saint James, Šibenik

Šibenik is an important center of tourism with many excellent monuments. Its Cathedral of Saint James has become UNESCO Site in 2000. It is one of Europe’s most beautiful buildings built entirely of stone in the late Middle Ages (1433 – 1555). It is 39 meters long and 32 meters high.

Šibenik with the cathedral, UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Croatia by Yacht Rent

St James Cathedral in Šibenik, UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Croatia by Zoran Knez & Dražen Radujkov

8. Stari Grad Plain, Hvar

East of the city of Stari Grad (Hvar Island) you can find the fertile plain known as Starigrad Polje. It stretches all the way to Jelsa and Vrboska villages.

In 2008 this plain has been inscribed on UNESCO List, thanks to well-preserved Greek Ager – an allotment of farmland to the immigrants after the colonization of the island by the Greeks 2,500 years ago.

The foundations of the ancient Greek watch-tower Maslinovik overlooking the Stari Grad Plain, UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Croatia by Chippewa

9. Stećci Medieval Tombstones Graveyards

Stećci Medieval Tombstones Graveyards includes 30 places comprising several cemeteries in more than four countries including Croatia (the other being Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia). Their origin dates back from the 12th to 16th century.

Stećci (or medieval tombstones) are carved from limestone and feature a wide range of decorative motifs and inscriptions. Although the majority of these graveyards can be found in Bosna and Herzegovina, two of them are in Croatia – one between Split and Makarska and the other to the south of Dubrovnik.

Stecci, Croatian medieval tombstones, near Imotski, UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Croatia by Modzzak

Have you already been to Croatia? Which of the mentioned UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Croatia have you visited so far? Let me know below in the comments.