Find the best beaches in Croatia

There’s much more to Croatia than its glittering Adriatic coast.

You don’t need to jet off to Croatian islands like Hvar and Brač to see the country’s best beaches. Coastal towns run the length of Croatia, and while they may not look like the coastal destinations in Mexico or surf havens in California that you typically equate with a beach town, they bring European charm and elegance to the concept of a town that’s centered on a stretch of coast, and whose identity is in some ways shaped by that fact. For scenic beaches accompanied by stunning architecture and non-sunbathing activities ranging from hiking to bar-hopping, these are the Croatia beaches and beach towns to visit on your next trip to Croatia.

Croatia has vibrant cities, tumbling waterfalls and rolling vineyards.

With 2500 miles of coastline and close to 1200 islands, Croatia's sun-drenched credentials are impressive – and that's before you add its troves of Roman and Venetian-era architecture, Unesco sites of cultural and natural heritage, and gorgeous nature parks, mountain ranges, lakes and rivers.

Even the most committed of culinary explorers often find the truffle an acquired taste. Part nut, part mushroom, part sweaty sock, the subtle but insistent flavour of this subterranean fungus inspires something approaching gastronomic hysteria among its army of admirers. Nowhere is truffle worship more fervent than in the Croatian province of Istria, a beautiful region where medieval hill towns sit above bottle-green forests. Summer is the season for the delicately flavoured white truffle, but it’s the more pungent autumnal black truffle that will really bring out the gourmet in you. A few shavings of the stuff delicately sprinkled over pasta has an overpowering, lingering effect on your tastebuds.

Travel for 20-somethings is more accessible and exciting than ever before. Thanks to cheap flights and the proliferation of sites like Couchsurfing and Airbnb, it's never been easier to explore the world. But where are the best places to travel in your 20s? We asked our readers, and here are the results.

With its breathtaking beaches, dramatic sunsets and palm-fringed ports, Croatia certainly isn't short of romance and beauty. In fact, you voted it one of the most beautiful countries in the world making it pretty much perfect for a honeymoon you'll never forget.

Sibenik Croatia is the next tourist hotspot. And it's thanks to a new luxury hotel. Richard Mellor explores the city. The information in this article is taken from The Rough Guide to Croatia, your essential guide for visiting Croatia.

Serbia is a buzzy and boisterous country, compact enough for visitors to sample both Belgrade’s urban hedonism and the gentler pace of the smaller towns or national parks – and it’s one of Europe’s most affordable destinations to boot. Grittier than its neighbour Croatia, it is nevertheless an integral part of any backpacker’s Balkan tour. Here is our pick of the best things to do in Serbia.

This feature has been made possible by Cheapflights.co.uk, where you can search and compare cheap flights from 1000s of airlines, travel agents and travel sites.

Independent travellers have made camping Croatia popular. So there's a new generation of small, family owned sites springing up on the Adriatic coast. Services like WIFI are widely available. A mix of location and atmosphere define the best sites. And campgrounds on South Dalmatian Islands are now the top choices.

Zagreb Croatia has dubious honour of being underestimated twice. Once it was shunned by travellers for a lack of beaches. Then it was ignored by city-breakers bound for Prague or Budapest.