Croatia boasts a host of outdoor and indoor leisure activities, ranging from the active and adventurous to more sedentary and cultural pursuits for visitors of every age and taste.

The Adriatic coast is famous for the quality of its' yachting, diving, para-sailing, sea kayaking and virtually every other variety of water sport. The beaches are more frequently pebbled rather than sandy, but the sea is refreshingly clear and largely unpolluted. Scuba diving certification is available in Zagreb as well as at multiple dive centers on the coast. Yacht charters are available all along the coast, ranging from self-captained sloops to fully staffed luxury motor yachts.

For the nature lover, Croatia has many protected wilderness areas with marked hiking trails and beautiful views. One of the more popular is The Plitvice Lakes National Park, which is situated in 195 km of forests, lakes, and meadows. There are hiking trails along the waterfalls and lakes. The color of the lakes depends on the plankton density; they range from a dark blue to a vivid emerald hue. The park was established in 1929 and is on UNESCO's World Heritage List.

Croatia has over 200 museums, galleries, and museum collections, as well as 60 ecclesiastical collections, more than sufficient to satisfy the most ardent of art aficionados! The ancient architecture in Zagreb and Dubrovnik is striking, and tours of historic buildings and districts are available.

Zagreb is the main cultural center of Croatia. With 18 theatres and 12 concert halls it offers a variety of cultural activities. Opera, concert, ballet, and theatre performances are presented regularly.

Football and basketball are very popular throughout Croatia, and there are many local teams with an enthusiastic fan base.

Excellent skiing is available in nearby Slovenia and Austria, although there are some smaller local ski resorts in the mountains north of Zagreb.

Cinemas, bars, discotheques and night clubs are all available in the larger towns and coastal tourist areas.