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UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Croatia
Croatian World Heritage Sites · UNESCO sites in Croatia map · historical landmarks in Croatia
Croatia has 11 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List — 8 cultural and 3 natural inscriptions, inscribed between 1979 and 2017. This map of UNESCO sites in Croatia covers every listing, with a short description, the inscription year and the nearest airports — the fastest way to see the country's most important historical sites and landmarks in one place.
Croatian World Heritage Sites range from Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe onwards; Historical Complex of Split with the Palace of Diocletian was the country's first inscription, added in 1979; Venetian Works of Defence between the 16th and 17th Centuries: Stato da Terra – Western Stato da Mar is the most recent, listed in 2017; recurring threads across the list include volcanoes nature.
3 inscriptions are transnational, shared with neighbouring countries: Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe, Stećci Medieval Tombstone Graveyards and Venetian Works of Defence between the 16th and 17th Centuries: Stato da Terra – Western Stato da Mar. Start with Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe, Episcopal Complex of the Euphrasian Basilica in the Historic Centre of Poreč and Historic City of Trogir, then use the map above to plan a route between the rest.
- Sites
- 11
- Cultural
- 8
- Natural
- 3
- First inscribed
- 1979
Sites on the map
Flying in
Airports closest to the most sites in this country.
- SPUSplit3 sites
- PUYPula2 sites
- ZADZadar2 sites
- SOBSármellék1 site
- DBVDubrovnik1 site
- BWKGornji Humac1 site
Keep exploring
All 11 sites in Croatia
List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Croatia
Every inscription with its year and category. Open a site for its story, map location and nearest airports.
| Site | Year | Type | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of EuropeThis transnational property includes 93 component parts in 18 countries. | 2007 | Natural | This transnational property includes 93 component parts in 18 countries. |
| Episcopal Complex of the Euphrasian Basilica in the Historic Centre of PorečThe group of religious monuments in Porec, where Christianity was established as early as the 4th century, constitutes… | 1997 | Cultural | The group of religious monuments in Porec, where Christianity was established as early as the 4th century, constitutes the most complete surviving… |
| Historic City of TrogirTrogir is a remarkable example of urban continuity. The orthogonal street plan of this island settlement dates back to… | 1997 | Cultural | Trogir is a remarkable example of urban continuity. The orthogonal street plan of this island settlement dates back to the Hellenistic period and it… |
| Historical Complex of Split with the Palace of DiocletianThe ruins of Diocletian's Palace, built between the late 3rd and the early 4th centuries A.D., can be found throughout… | 1979 | Cultural | The ruins of Diocletian's Palace, built between the late 3rd and the early 4th centuries A.D., can be found throughout the city. The cathedr. |
| Old City of DubrovnikThe 'Pearl of the Adriatic', situated on the Dalmatian coast, became an important Mediterranean sea power from the 13th… | 1979 | Cultural | The 'Pearl of the Adriatic', situated on the Dalmatian coast, became an important Mediterranean sea power from the 13th century onwards. Alt. |
| Plitvice LakesSixteen turquoise lakes spilling into one another. | 1979 | Natural | Sixteen turquoise lakes spilling into one another. |
| Plitvice Lakes National ParkThe waters flowing over the limestone and chalk have, over thousands of years, deposited travertine barriers, creating… | 1979 | Natural | The waters flowing over the limestone and chalk have, over thousands of years, deposited travertine barriers, creating natural dams which in. |
| Stari Grad PlainStari Grad Plain on the Adriatic island of Hvar is a cultural landscape that has remained practically intact since it… | 2008 | Cultural | Stari Grad Plain on the Adriatic island of Hvar is a cultural landscape that has remained practically intact since it was first colonized by Ionian… |
| Stećci Medieval Tombstone GraveyardsThis serial property combines 28 sites, located in Bosnia and Herzegovina, western Serbia, western Montenegro and… | 2016 | Cultural | This serial property combines 28 sites, located in Bosnia and Herzegovina, western Serbia, western Montenegro and central and southern Croatia… |
| The Cathedral of St James in ŠibenikThe Cathedral of St James in Šibenik (1431-1535), on the Dalmatian coast, bears witness to the considerable exchanges… | 2000 | Cultural | The Cathedral of St James in Šibenik (1431-1535), on the Dalmatian coast, bears witness to the considerable exchanges in the field of monumental arts… |
| Venetian Works of Defence between the 16th and 17th Centuries: Stato da Terra – Western Stato da MarThis property consists of 6 components of defence works in Italy, Croatia and Montenegro, spanning more than 1,000 km… | 2017 | Cultural | This property consists of 6 components of defence works in Italy, Croatia and Montenegro, spanning more than 1,000 km between the Lombard region of… |
Frequently asked questions about World Heritage in Croatia
- How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there in Croatia?
- Croatia has 11 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 8 cultural and 3 natural.
- What was the first World Heritage Site in Croatia?
- Historical Complex of Split with the Palace of Diocletian was inscribed in 1979. The ruins of Diocletian's Palace, built between the late 3rd and the early 4th centuries A.D., can be found throughout the city. The cathedr.
- What is the newest World Heritage Site in Croatia?
- Venetian Works of Defence between the 16th and 17th Centuries: Stato da Terra – Western Stato da Mar, inscribed in 2017. This property consists of 6 components of defence works in Italy, Croatia and Montenegro, spanning more than 1,000 km between the Lombard region of Italy and th.
- Which sites in Croatia are natural World Heritage Sites?
- 3 of the 11 listings are natural: Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe, Plitvice Lakes and Plitvice Lakes National Park.
- Which UNESCO sites in Croatia are easiest to reach?
- Each site page lists the closest airports with distance, so you can pick the gateway city first and work outwards. The "Flying in" panel on this page shows the main gateways for Croatia.
- What are the main historical sites and landmarks in Croatia?
- The 11 UNESCO-listed sites above are Croatia's internationally recognised historical sites and landmarks, starting with Historical Complex of Split with the Palace of Diocletian (1979). Each entry links to a full page with a map, photos and travel notes.
- Is there a map of Croatian World Heritage Sites?
- Yes — the map on this page plots all 11 Croatian UNESCO World Heritage Sites; click any marker to open that site's page.