Croatian hiking towns off the beaten path.
Less-touristed hiking towns in Croatia, for travelers seeking fewer crowds but all the beauty.
Hiking paths climb Mount Saint Elijah above Orebić while the Gacka river threads directly through the centre of Otočac — two of the nine towns on this page that reward the traveler who wants a real base, not just a trailhead. From the Pelješac peninsula to the Lika highlands, these picks range from Slunj on the road to Plitvice Lakes to the cave-and-ridge country around Desmerice in Karlovačka County.
Vrsar
This pocket-sized seaside village on Istria's western coast, Vrsar has a café and restaurant scene that outpunches its size, a historic hilltop centre with t…
Gospić
Gospić, the administrative seat of Lika-Senj County in Croatia's Lika region, took shape as a town during the Military Frontier period in the early 18th cent…
Orebic
Compact port town on the Pelješac peninsula in Dalmatia, Orebić sits directly across a narrow strait from the island of Korčula, with frequent ferry crossing…
Desmerice
A pocket-sized Croatian hamlet south of Ogulin, Desmerice spreads across the slopes of Zagorska Kosa ridge down to the shore of Lake Sabljaci, with eroded ro…
Tkon
This small village on the island of Pašman in Croatia's Zadar County sits in hilly terrain surrounded by vineyards, with a ferry connection to the mainland t…
Otocac
A small Croatian town in the Lika region where the Gacka river runs directly through the centre, Otočac sits in mountain terrain in the northwestern part of…
Slunj
Modest Croatian town where the Korana and Slunjčica rivers meet in mountain terrain, Slunj sits on the main route between Karlovac and Plitvice Lakes Nationa…
Maljevac
This tiny Croatian hamlet in the upland hills of Karlovačka County, Maljevac sits beside the water in rugged inland country, making it a quiet base for explo…
Lokvicic
A tiny Croatian hamlet in hill country, within walking distance of water and close to upland terrain, making it a quiet rural base for exploring a wider regi…