Croatia is entering a new phase in the development of health and wellness tourism, as a major investment cycle brings new and revitalized thermal resorts, wellness facilities, and year-round experiences to destinations across the country.
The developments support Croatia’s broader tourism strategy of strengthening year-round travel, increasing the quality and value of the visitor experience, and encouraging travelers to discover more of the country beyond its traditional peak summer destinations. More than EUR 121 million in funding has been allocated specifically to infrastructure supporting health and wellness tourism, with these investments identified as important for reducing seasonality and supporting tourism development in continental Croatia.
The timing also reflects a wider shift in traveler priorities. According to the Global Wellness Institute, global wellness tourism expenditure is projected to grow by 9.1 percent annually and reach approximately $1.38 trillion by 2029.
“Wellness tourism is not new to Croatia: thermal springs, health resorts, and restorative travel have been part of our tourism tradition for generations. What is changing today is the scale and quality of the offer. These investments allow us to combine that heritage with contemporary wellness, nature, gastronomy, and hospitality, while also strengthening Croatia as a year-round destination and encouraging visitors to discover more of the country beyond the peak summer season,” says Leila Krešić-Jurić, director of the Croatian National Tourist Board in North America.
A New Generation of Thermal Wellness
Across continental Croatia, several major projects are transforming established thermal destinations and introducing a new generation of health, wellness, and recreational experiences.
• Thermal Hotel Wrello, Stubičke Toplice: Recently opened in the Zagorje region following an investment of more than $19 million, Thermal Hotel Wrello is a new four-star property combining contemporary accommodations with thermal wellness, covered pools, and medical rehabilitation. The development also places a strong emphasis on sustainability, including renewable-energy solutions, more efficient water management, and cooperation with local food producers.
• Daruvarske Toplice: One of Croatia’s longstanding thermal and rehabilitation destinations reopened this summer following a $22 million modernization. The investment included upgraded and expanded facilities, renovated pools and new sports infrastructure, further strengthening Daruvar’s position within continental health and wellness tourism.
• Wellovar, Bjelovar: Officially opened on September 30 following a $46 million investment, the new geothermal sports and recreation complex is one of the largest recent investments of its kind in Croatia. The 13,000-square-meter complex features five indoor and five outdoor pools, including an Olympic-size pool, creating a significant new year-round attraction in continental Croatia.
• Hotel Minerva, Varaždinske Toplice: A EUR 35.8 million comprehensive reconstruction of Hotel Minerva is in its final stages. The project will reposition the property as a four-star health and spa hotel and includes renovated accommodation, outdoor pools, and supporting infrastructure within one of Croatia’s established thermal destinations.
• Topusko Spa: A $40 million renewal of the historic Topusko thermal complex is also nearing completion. The project brings together new wellness and spa facilities, modern pools, renovated accommodation, sports and family facilities, parks, and conference spaces, with a focus on year-round health, wellness, and leisure tourism.
Together, these projects demonstrate the scale of Croatia’s current investment in thermal and health tourism and the growing role the sector is expected to play in diversifying the country’s tourism offer.
Where Thermal Wellness Meets the Adriatic
Croatia’s wellness story extends well beyond its continental thermal towns. Along the Adriatic, regions such as Kvarner have a long tradition of health and wellness tourism shaped by the Mediterranean climate, clean air, sea, and distinctive natural landscapes. Lošinj, in particular, has been associated with health and restorative travel for generations, while the wider region combines wellness hotels and spa experiences with islands, gastronomy, outdoor activities, and coastal living.
This combination gives Croatia a particularly flexible wellness proposition. A wellness experience does not need to be the sole purpose of a trip. A couple traveling for a honeymoon or romantic escape can add a spa or restorative stay to an Adriatic itinerary. Active travelers can combine hiking, cycling, or other outdoor experiences with recovery and wellness treatments. Families can incorporate thermal pools into a broader cultural or nature-focused holiday, while premium travelers can combine wellness with fine dining, boutique hotels, and Croatian wine regions.
Rather than treating wellness as a stand-alone hotel amenity, Croatia offers the possibility of incorporating wellbeing naturally into a broader journey through the country.
Wellness Beyond the Summer Season
Croatia’s renewed health and wellness offerings also support a slower and more regionally diverse way of experiencing the destination. Many of the country’s thermal resorts are located away from the most heavily visited coastal centers and operate throughout the year. This creates opportunities to travel during spring, fall, and winter and to combine wellness with experiences such as wine and gastronomy in Zagorje, cultural exploration in Zagreb and other historic towns, rural experiences, cycling, walking, and visits to Croatia’s natural attractions.
This direction is closely aligned with Croatia’s broader sustainable-tourism goals. Public investment in health and wellness infrastructure is specifically intended to contribute to reducing seasonality, increasing tourism value and stimulating tourism development in continental regions.
For North American travelers, this creates another reason to look beyond the traditional summer itinerary and discover parts of Croatia that may be less familiar internationally.
Easier Access from North America
Croatia has also become increasingly accessible to travelers from the United States. In May 2026, United Airlines launched the first scheduled nonstop service between New York/Newark and Split, providing direct access to Central Dalmatia and complementing the airline’s existing seasonal Newark–Dubrovnik service.
Combined with Croatia’s growing year-round tourism offer, the improved connectivity makes it easier for North American travelers and travel advisors to build itineraries that connect wellness, coast, culture, gastronomy, nature, and continental Croatia within a single trip.
