Croatia’s top cities are literally teeming with fascinating sights, with the capital in particular offering an exceptionally impressive selection. A total of six World Heritage sites can be found across the country, giving prospective visitors an idea of the richness of its sightseeing attractions. Whether it’s architecture or archaeology that lights your fire, Croatia is sure to impress.

Dubrovnik
Situated in Croatia’s far south, Dubrovnik is a coastal city that is among the country’s most popular visitor destinations. A wealth of historical sights are on offer, including St John's Fort and Fort Revelin, St Saviour’s Church, the old Franciscan church and the Onofrio’s fountains. The magnificent Sponza Palace, built in late Gothic and Renaissance styles, is a must-see with few visitors not in awe of its 16th century architectural splendour. Literary buffs should be sure to include a visit to the house of Croatian author, Marin Drzic.

Pula
Situated at the tip of the Istrian peninsula, Pula is city with strong Italian influences, having previously belonged to Italy. There is still an Italian minority within the city’s population and language and other cultural aspects are evident in many areas. The city has a variety of interesting sights on offer with it Roman amphitheatre providing the highlight. The Arena, as it is known, is a well-preserved Roman structure that dates back to the 1st century AD, with some additions having been made by the Flavian emperors in 69-96 AD. Visitors can take an audio tour of the Arena, which includes access to its subterranean caverns. Also of note is the nearby Venetian fortress, a star-shaped structure dating back to the 17th century and the 13th century Franciscan church, with its impressive statue of the Madonna with Sleeping Child. The city’s Archaeology Museum gives visitors a deeper insight into its Roman history, as well as exploring aspects of Egyptian history through an impressive collection of artefacts from ancient Egypt.

Split
The largest city in the Dalmatia region was built around one of its most famous landmarks, the Diocletian palace (the residence of the Roman emperor Diocletian and now a UNESCO World Heritage site) and there are still various other examples of its Roman history around the old centre. Visitors are permitted entry to the palace and can view its fascinating excavated lower sections as well as notable features such as the four gates: Porta Aurea, Porta Argenta, Porta Ferrea and Porta Aenea. Other Roman sites of interest in the city include St Duje's cathedral, Jupiter's temple and the ancient city of Salona, which includes an amphitheatre, basilica, cemetery and various other well-preserved structures. The city’s Archaeological Museum continues with the Roman theme, while the Galerija Meštrović shifts to more aesthetic territory with its selection of works by Ivan Meštrović, the country’s most famous sculptor.

Zagreb
Zagreb is the country’s capital city and is a destination crammed with fascinating historic structures and sites of great aesthetic beauty. The Kaptol and Gradec districts are the old parts of the city and the places to head to be assured of some decent sightseeing material. The cathedral, located in Kaptol, is one of the highlights, offering visitors some stunning architecture hailing from the 13th to the 15th centuries. Of major historical interest is the old Stone Gate, the remains of an 18th century structure built on the same site as the original medieval gate that served the same purpose. The churches of St Catherine’s and St Mark’s are well worth seeing, the latter especially for its interior designed by Ivan Mestrovic, the country’s most celebrated sculptor.

Discover the art of Croatia. If you are passionate about aesthetics then make the effort to familiarise yourself with the country’s contribution to the global art scene through the works of its most celebrated artists. Notable venues include: The Museum of Contemporary Art,the Croatian Naive Art Museum, the Miroslav Kraljevic gallery and Gallery of Modern Art in Zagreb; the Museum of Modern Art in Rijeka, the Zilic Gallery in Petrinja, the Bukovcan gallery in New Marof City, the Ca’ Bon Gallery in Motovun and the Galerija Balen in Slavonski Brod. Split’s Ivan Mestrovic Gallery is un-missable with its collection of works by Croatia’s most famous sculptor.

Imbibe a glass or two of rakia. Considered the national drink in Croatia and other Slavic countries, rakia is a spirit made from fermented fruits and with a taste not dissimilar to brandy. Though its regular volume is 40 per cent, the stuff brewed locally can be between 50 and 60 per cent and the variation known as prepecenica, which is double-distilled, can be in excess of 60 per cent proof. Enjoy but drink with caution!

Set off on the Roman trail. Croatia’s collection of Roman remains is among the most impressive in the world with palaces, theatres and amphitheatres among the remains to be visited. Cities such as Pula, Split and Salona are home to well-preserved Roman structures, which make for fascinating viewing and awesome photo album material.

Spend a day museum-hopping. Actually if you visit Zagreb, a single day won’t be anything like enough, as it is the city with the largest collection of museums per square foot in the world. You can draw up a shortlist, however, of those that interest you most and devise an itinerary accordingly. The most popular museums in the city include: the Archaeological Museum, the Croatian Natural History Museum, the Technical Museum, the Museum of the City of Zagreb, the Arts and Crafts Museum, the Ethnographic Museum and the Mimara Museum.

Visit some of UNESCO’s finest. The agency responsible for identifying some of the world’s most outstanding sites of cultural or natural importance has bestowed World Heritage site status on six locations in Croatia. The Historic city of Trogir, the Old city of Dubrovnik, the Episcopal complex of the Euphrasian Basilica in Porec, the cathedral of St Jacob in Šibenik, the Plitvice Lakes and the Palace of Diocletian.