Where Croatian Politicians and Zagreb Residents Spend Their Summers
While ministers juggle work duties with holidays on the Adriatic, Zagreb.info readers reveal their favorite destinations, from Istria to southern Dalmatia.
While ministers juggle work duties with holidays on the Adriatic, Zagreb.info readers reveal their favorite destinations, from Istria to southern Dalmatia.
The summer months are traditionally a time for annual vacations, and Croatian politicians are no exception, although many of them spend their days off working. While some choose famous villas and festivals, others plan a quick dip in the sea between meetings. Meanwhile, readers of Zagreb.info have shared their favorite spots along the Croatian coast, revealing a diversity of destinations that never cease to delight them.
The President of the Republic has opted for a more relaxed version, attending festivals on Hvar and traditionally vacationing at Villa Kovač on that island, reports Dnevnik.hr. On the other hand, the Prime Minister spent the weekend before August 2, 2026, working in Imotski in the company of ministers, but soon plans a real vacation at Villa Costabella. He casually described his plans for staying in Kvarner: "As for food, I'll go to the store in Opatija, to the market, buy something, cook it, and that's it. I love coming here; my late uncle lived in Rijeka, I have many friends, and it's very convenient, I love being here."
Ministers are not idle either. Some of them spent Saturday in Slavonia and Sunday in Imotski and Uštica. Minister of Social Work Alen Ružić revealed his plan for the rest of the day: "We're off to a working meeting with the municipal head, then back to Zagreb, and I hope I'll manage to jump into the sea in my Rijeka before dark!"
Minister of Foreign Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman announced that most ministers will interrupt their vacations due to state obligations. "The next government session will be held on August 20, but most of them will interrupt their vacation to go to Knin and the Sinjska Alka," he said. The government session is scheduled for August 20, 2026.
Minister of Agriculture David Vlajčić has not yet decided whether to vacation on the coast or in Slavonia. "We're always at work; that's our job," he stated, adding: "We'll see next week; we have some protocol activities in Dalmatia, and that's a vacation!"
Minister of Justice Damir Habijan believes that rest is necessary. "Saying 'someone doesn't need a vacation,' that you just work and don't need to rest, I think that's unrealistic. You need to rest a bit and step back as much as you can given the job; it's not a classic vacation like we might sometimes want," he said. Minister of Defense Ivan Anušić plans a dynamic vacation: "I'll be at the Adriatic in two or three places; I won't be stationed in one place."
Parliamentary representatives have been on vacation since mid-July, spending their free time in various ways. According to Dnevnik.hr, Miro Bulj spends time in the garden, while Ivana Kekin recommends summer reading. Marijana Puljak toured Scotland and England with her family, and Sanja Radolović, besides visiting municipalities, also relaxes at concerts.
Zagreb.info asked its readers which destination they prefer for summer vacation on the Adriatic, and the responses showed that favorites exist along the entire coast. One reader singled out "Rab, Korčula, and Cavtat," while another briefly said: "Crikvenica and Dramalj."
Some chose Dalmatian towns, so one reader wrote "Šibenik," and another "Makarska." Combinations were also popular: "Makarska and Rab," "Lovran, Baška, and Rovinj." Love for Istria and Kvarner was highlighted in comments like "Always beautiful Istria!" and "Kvarner and Istria!"
The island of Murter caused particular excitement. "Jezera on Murter, I warmly recommend everyone to visit; you'll be thrilled!!!" wrote one reader, while another added: "Betina, Murter island." Enthusiasts of more remote islands chose "Lastovo and Vis," and one reader has been vacationing in the south for years: "From Pelješac to Cavtat, I've been vacationing here for years and I'm thrilled."
Some couldn't single out just one place. "We visit everything, and we can say everything is beautiful, but the most beautiful place in the world is Croatia," said one reader, while another highlighted a simple criterion: "Where there's a nice beach and greenery nearby for shade."
