Are These The 13 Best Tiny Croatia Villages And Towns?

There is so much more to Croatia than the major tourist destinations. We suggest you add one of these tiny villages and towns to your list.

Small Towns & Villages In Croatia

There is so much to Croatia beyond the major tourist destinations. From the majestic City Walls of Dubrovnik to the coastal towns of Istria, the stunning waterfalls of Plitvice National Park, and the historic heart of Split, Croatia’s star attractions are well-known. Of course, those popular places are popular for a reason.

However, we strongly encourage you to get off the beaten path and visit some of the smaller places in this fascinating country. Below, you will find an overview of tiny Croatian villages and Towns—sometimes impossibly small—that you should consider adding to your itinerary.

Conscious travelers shouldn’t limit themselves to the star attractions. These less-explored, untouched, tiny places offer the most memorable experiences. They offer a different view of life in Croatia, and visitors can experience a more authentic lifestyle often undisturbed by tourism. A comprehensive perspective of any country, especially a historical place like Croatia, consists of all types of landscapes, every kind of urban environment, and as many human interactions as possible.

This is why we recommend that you visit at least one of these teeny-tiny places in Croatia:

1. Hum

I will introduce you to the teeny tiny town of Hum. Despite reading (and hearing) repeatedly that Hum is listed as the Guinness Book of Records holder for being the world’s smallest town, I can not find proof. Nor can I find any other town in the world so small—either way.

Hum (pronounced who-m) is located in central Istria, approximately 2.5 hours drive from Croatia’s capital, Zagreb. When I last wrote about this medieval hilltop town, I thought it had 21 inhabitants (2011 census), but it seems that between 2011 and 2016, there was a baby boom. There are now 27 people who call Hum home – including four little ones.

I always shout about how safe Croatia is for kids and how we love that part of our life here. But this little town must be the quietest and safest place to live with children. That is if you discount the cobblestone streets. Of which there are just two. Yes, only two streets.

2. Jelsa

While Hvar Island may be one of the most visited islands in Dalmatia, you can still escape the crowds. This tiny town is located in the middle of the island’s north coast, neighbored by the two highest mountains on the island—Hum and St. Nikola. Surrounded entirely by hills and pine forests, this sheltered—almost hidden—coastal town features a welcoming atmosphere and oozes historic charm.

Although there may not be any impressive Renaissance architecture like in the town of Hvar, it makes up for that with its cozy squares, lush parks, and narrow alleyways. Nearby, several sweet swimming spots offer refuge from the hot summer sun.

3. Konavle Near Dubrovnik

Located south of the Pearl of the Adriatic – Dubrovnik is Konavle. This area is a popular holiday destination among many travelers due to the pristine Adriatic Seas and the mighty Snijeznica Mountain of the Konvale Valley.

Are you wondering where to visit Croatia beyond the major cities like Zagreb, Split, Rovinj, and Dubrovnik? Consider Konavle! It attracts thousands of day-trippers who visit the local wineries and other cultural sites.

4. Usče, Komin

Some of Croatia’s smaller towns can be just as interesting as their bigger brothers but don’t get the plaudits they deserve. This is true of the small village of Komin, located in the Dubrovnik-Neretva country area.

This town may be small, but it is famous for being the site where many old Roman coins were found back in the early 19th century. Aside from that, we’re talking about a charming town, but one area within the town which is famous for other reasons is Usče.

Kite-boarders flock to Usče during the summer months because the conditions here are legendary. Located at the mouth of the Neretva River, the combination of shallow and flat waters with mild temperatures means that you can kiteboard here to your heart’s content. Don’t know how? That’s okay; there is a kiteboarding school here so that you can have a great time learning!

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5. Vukovar

When visiting popular destinations in Croatia, it’s easy to merely focus on the capital and the coastal cities, which are full of summer fun, but what about the other Croatian towns to visit in this beautiful country?

Vukovar is situated in eastern Croatia and is known for several things. First, it is the country’s largest river port and sits where the Danube and Vuka Rivers meet. Second, it is the site of a bloody battle in 1991, known as the Battle of Vukovar. Third, and I think the most amazing, is the Vučedol Dove! 

The Vučedol Dove is Croatia’s most significant individual archaeological finding. It was found in 1938 in Vučedol near Vukovar and made between 2,800 and 2,400 BC. It is a ceramic model of a bird on three legs, made of baked clay, and 19.5 cm high. It is dark in color and decorated with white ornaments in the form of a bow and necklace and wavy, zigzag lines on the wings. Just a note, though: the original Dove can be found at the Archaeological Museum in Zagreb.

The confluence of these two rivers means natural beauty in abundance, and if you’re a wine lover, there are loads of wineries a short drive away. This all makes Vukomar one of the absolute best places to go in Croatia if you’re looking for Croatia destinations away from the coast and major cities.

6. Labin

One of Istria’s hidden gems, the photogenic hilltop town of Labin, lies just inland from the resort town of Rabac and the rest of the Kvarner Gulf. It is perched 325 meters atop a hill and beautifully overlooks the coast only three kilometers from the Adriatic Sea.

Founded as a Roman settlement in the 3rd century AD, then known as Albona, which means “town on a hill,” Labin used to be encircled by fortified walls. Only short sections of these ancient walls survive to this day. Labin is an overwhelmingly charming town characterized by winding, narrow streets, cobbled alleyways, several art galleries and museums, and pastel-colored buildings. It’s everything you expect from an Istrian town—essentially a perfect mix of Rovinj and Motovun, two of the most popular tourist towns on the Istrian peninsula.

Other highlights include the Mining Museum, which exhibits Labin’s long history as a mining town, and the Fortica Fortress, which offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding rolling countryside and the sea in the distance.

7. Rastoke

If you like a change of scenery and want an alternative to the bustling historic cities and pebble beaches of the coast, consider a day trip to Rastoke, the historic core of the town of Slunj. Located along the road that connects Zagreb and Plitvice Lakes National Park, Rastoke is the ideal place to take a break from driving.

The beauty of this town is its location at the place where the Slunjcica River splits up into many branches, which then flow into the Korana River. This results in a multitude of small waterfalls and cascades, similar to those at Plitvice Lakes National Park, yet smaller and less numerous. However, the difference between the park and the town is that Rastoke consists of a centuries-old village filled with historic watermills. Rastoke is sometimes referred to as “the small lakes of Plitvice” for this reason.

When visiting the Rastoke area, we recommend that you don’t skip the source of the Slunjcica River. Located about 5 kilometers south of Slunj, the spring is a small lake at the end of an underground karst river. There’s a beautiful hiking trail from the old town of Slovin, just a few hundred meters from Rastoke, to the source of the Slunjcica River. The trail is just over 7 kilometers (2.5 hours) one way, so you should dedicate an afternoon to this excursion. On the way, you’ll enjoy gorgeous riverside scenery, woodland passages, and charming bridges.

Rastoke is unique because it combines beautiful nature with historical buildings. It’s exceptionally picturesque and small enough to visit in a couple of hours—truly the perfect stopping point between Plitvice Lakes and Zagreb.

8. Kumrovec

Situated along the Sutla River in the far northwestern corner of Croatia, on the border with Slovenia, Kumrovec village is home to no more than 270 people. The municipality has just under 1,600 residents. It’s a teeny tiny place indeed. So, “What on earth is there to see in Kumrovec?” you may wonder.

Well, the town’s main feature is that it’s the birthplace of Josip Broz Tito, the army commander who later became the founder of communist Yugoslavia. The house where Tito was born, nothing fancier than a basic peasant home, was converted into a museum during his lifetime. In the decades after his death, the surrounding buildings were renovated and reconstructed. It’s also considered to be the best museum village anywhere in Croatia.

Now, the town of Kumrovec is a superb example of what a 20th-century Zagorje village looked like. The Ethnological Museum, as it’s called, encompasses eighteen historic village buildings, with permanent exhibits displaying artifacts and furniture.

9. Škrip

The Island of Brac is one of the many stunning Dalmatian islands, and nowhere is the rich culture and long history of the island better visible than in Škrip. This is the oldest village on the entire island, known to have been inhabited since as early as 1,400 BC. It later became a Roman mausoleum.

Škrip lies on the hills on the island’s central north coast and is surrounded by a landscape of stone, brush, and woods. Once a defensive tower, the Radojkovic Tower now houses a fantastic museum exhibiting the town’s remarkable history. There are Roman tombstones, historical artifacts from various eras, and sea charts.

10. Rakalj

Some people call Istria the best area to stay in Croatia, and there is plenty to support that claim. This northerly peninsula is a well-visited part of Croatia, but one part that doesn’t receive the tourist interest it deserves is Rakalj.

Rakalj is just a small town, but it certainly packs a punch in terms of beauty. Located on Rasa Bay’s west bank, Rakalj is on the southeastern coastline of the Istrian region and is handily close to Pula – ideal for a day trip!

Rakalj has an interesting history and is known for its links to traditional pottery and fishing. If you’re looking for beaches in Croatia, definitely take a closer look at Rakalj! 

Some of the must-visit sites include the 18th-century Baroque church, the ruins of the old castle, and the Church of St Agnes, which dates back to 1495. There are also many walking trails so that you can explore the area on foot, or perhaps you can visit one of the secluded beaches, where you can chill out in total peace and quiet!

In essence, Rakalj offers history, scenery, and plenty of outdoor activities without the huge number of tourists seen in other neighboring Istrian towns.

11. Gradac

Often overlooked by travelers on their way from Split to Dubrovnik, the coastal village of Gradac is an old fishing settlement on the southern end of the Makarska Riviera in Dalmatia. Inhabited since Roman times, the area still has many features that showcase its long and rich history, including the Chapel of St. Pasquale.

However, Gradac’s greatest drawcard is its gorgeous pebble beaches, which are characteristic of the Dalmatian coast. With its shallow, clear, and calm waters, this is a perfect place to sunbathe if you have small children. It’s ideal as a stopping point on the journey between Split and Dubrovnik; the village is located roughly halfway between both cities.

12. Čigoč

Situated in the heart of Lonjsko Polje Nature Park, the largest wetland area in Croatia, and even in the whole Danube basin, Čigoč may be less known but is a destination well worth visiting. The wetlands are huge floodplains, turning into lakes during winter floods. They provide a habitat for various plants and animals, most notably birds.

What makes Čigoč such an interesting place to visit is that it’s home to a large population of storks. These iconic black-and-white birds like to nest on the roofs and chimneys of the town’s houses, attracting visitors from all over the country. The storks are such an essential part of the town that the EuroNatur Foundation designated Čigoč the first “village of storks” in Europe.

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13. Karlobag

Home to about a thousand residents, Karlobag is a teeny tiny town on the central Adriatic coast of Croatia. It’s considered to be the northernmost town in Dalmatia. Situated at the foot of the Velebit Mountains and straddled by the waves of the Adriatic, the town is exceptionally scenic.

Sunbathing and swimming options are plentiful, but Karlobag’s main attraction is the mountains behind it. The Velebit Mountains are a World Biosphere Reserve, the only one in Croatia, offering great outdoor adventure opportunities. Numerous hiking trails crisscross the landscape, while boaters and fishermen have a blast on the area’s rivers. In the evening, you can wind down in the town’s many excellent restaurants and busy bars.

Croatia Towns & Villages FAQS

Phew, so many small places to explore – and that’s not even half of them!

Which one captured your attention in all of the Croatian villages and towns?