Bleisure travel, as a concept of combining both business and leisure travel, is becoming more and more popular. We are connected more than ever, and the lines between work and life are blurring. Usually, bleisure takes the form of business travelers extending their trip to explore the destination and enjoy all kinds of leisure activities.
As one of the most sought-after destinations in Europe right now, Croatia is becoming more and more popular for this kind of travel. There are a lot of things to do in Croatia if your work brings you here, or if you are a freelancer/digital nomad who would like to spend some time in the country. We know that merely sightseeing and enjoying the stunning scenery is not enough. Luckily, Croatia has a lot more to offer (culture, gastronomy, adventure and sports). We bring you our top three destinations for bleisure travel (with accompanying activities):
- Dubrovnik – The “Pearl of the Adriatic”, the most popular and most visited destination in Croatia is a place you must see at least once in your life. It is perfectly suited for business travel, with a wide range of hotels and top-quality service. And in your free time, besides exploring the fairy-tale-like Old Town and enjoying great local restaurants, you can engage in all kinds of activities in Dubrovnik’s surroundings. We recommend taking a funicular ride to Srđ hill to enjoy the breathtaking view of the town’s walls and the Adriatic; wine and olive tasting in the picturesque Konavle region; a boat trip to nearby Elafiti Islands or the island of Lokrum, and, if you have more time to spend in Dubrovnik, visit nearby historical towns in Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, like Kotor and Mostar.
- Split – another enthralling town on the Adriatic coast is Split, the second largest city in Croatia and one of the most unique places to live in the world (as its residents will proudly testify). Inside the remains of the UNESCO-protected Palace of Diocletian (built 295–305 ce), life has continued to flow for almost 2000 years. If you want some leisure time in Split after your business event, you can explore the city’s museums and galleries, relax in a private cooking class, go hiking on the mountain of Mosor and rafting in the nearby Cetina canyon, take a day trip to mesmerizing Krka National Park, or explore nearby sunny islands like Hvar, Šolta, and Brač, for an authentic Mediterranean experience.
- Rovinj – last but not the least is the charming town of Rovinj, located in the equally beautiful Istria region. Due to its excellent accommodation and long-standing tradition of tourism it has been, like Dubrovnik, repeatedly declared the best travel destination in Croatia. Apart from being a gem in itself, it is a great starting point for exploring other parts of the Istrian peninsula. We recommend taking a bike and wine tour in inland Istria, full of excellent wineries, going on a boat trip to Lim Bay for some oyster tasting, embarking on a truffle hunting experience, and visiting Brijuni Islands – another NP with pristine nature where you can unwind. Or just take a map of Istria and make a pick – it is so filled with captivating landscapes and historical towns that you can’t miss.