The Easiest Way to Experience Croatia

 

If you want the flexibility to see Croatia’s major coastal cities plus island hop to incredible destinations, without unpacking your bags a dozen times, then you should book a cabin on board a shared sailing vessel.

 

You might notice that we’re avoiding the term ‘cruise’, and that’s because these boats are really more like mega-yachts, offering a deluxe experience that lies somewhere between a cabin charter and a typical cruise. The compact geography of the Croatian coastline and islands provides the perfect setting for small ships that hold a maximum of only 38 passengers or so, allowing them to easily move around the area.

 

These mega-yacht itineraries offer the easiest and most economical way to discover this part of the Adriatic. The second thing to be aware of is that these journeys really do sell out fast. Small-ship Croatia itineraries often sell out by January for the next summer season, so the time to book is in the fall/winter season, about 6-9 months before you want to travel. The good thing is, deposits are very low to hold your space on board.

 

 

And by now you’re probably wondering just where will a Croatian cruise take you? You don’t have to be restricted to touristic hotspots like Dubrovnik, Split and Hvar – small-ship vessels are able to navigate into smaller harbors to show you more gems along the coast and its chain of archipelagos. The most common choice is to book-end a cruising program with a city stay in Split or Dubrovnik to maximize your trip.

 

There’s a lot of beauty and unspoiled charm squeezed into Croatia’s coastline (about 1,100 miles on the mainland). You may hear Croatia referred to as the “land of over a thousand islands”, although the exact number is debatable. There are about 78 true islands (as opposed to islets or rocks and reefs), and less than 50 islands are inhabited. There’s plenty of opportunity in a cruising itinerary to discover unspoiled beaches, natural beauty, and the rich cultural heritage of the country’s most celebrated towns.

 

Here are 14 ports of call in Croatia’s Adriatic (besides Split and Dubrovnik) and what makes each one unique:

 

1. Opatija

 

This town on the northern coast is known as the birthplace of Croatia’s coastal tourism, where high society came to vacation in its beautiful setting during the 19th century.

 

Photo by Paul Siewert on Unsplash

 

 

2. Cres

 

Croatia’s biggest island is a natural paradise offering plenty of old city walls, Renaissance-era churches and palaces to discover.

 

Photo by Morton1905 on Flickr

 

 3. Lošinj 

 

Connected to Cres by a bridge, the island of Lošinj was Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz-Josef’s favorite resort escape; it has a reputation for vitality partially owing to a rich and varied flora, and was the Mediterranean’s first protected marine area for dolphins.

 

Photo by Ante Hamersmit on Unsplash

 

 

4. Rab

 

This idyllic island can be recognized by the four bell towers rising from its medieval town, has its own traditional cake, and offers many sandy beaches in addition to the standard rocky beaches of the Adriatic.

 

Photo by Boudewijn Boer on Unsplash

 

5. Zadar

 

This northern Croatian city offers a picturesque old town, historic ruins, and the quirky Sea Organ and Sun Salutation installations that harness the beauty of nature.

 

Photo by Sun Pixel Photography on Pexels

 

6. Kornati Islands

 

The archipelago of Kornati is a cluster of over 100 islets, islands and reefs, mostly uninhabited and exhibiting a raw and untouched natural beauty.

 

Photo by Ivica Džambo on Pexels

 

 

 7. Šibenik 

 

The lovely medieval town of Šibenik, used in Game of Thrones filming, is an access point for Krka National Park, where you can encounter the magnificent cascading Krka Waterfalls.

 

Photo by Tom Wheatley on Unsplash

 

 

8. Brač

 

This island is most known for its stone quarries, and the beach of Zlatni rat at Bol has been rated one of the most beautiful in the world.

 

Photo by Ivica Džambo on Pexels

 

9. Hvar

 

Hvar island is known for having the area’s most hours of sunshine in the year, boasts an impressive UNESCO heritage, and is an excellent destination for lively nightlife.

 

Photo by Geio Tischler on Unsplash

 

 

10. Vis

 

The remote Adriatic island of Vis should definitely be on your list if you like wine tasting, and it was host to several filming locations from the Mamma Mia sequel.

 

Photo by Håkon Grimstad on Unsplash

 

 

11. Korcula

 

Korcula is one of Croatia’s most verdant islands, abundant in vineyards, olive groves and charming villages where age-old traditions are alive and well (some claim Marco Polo was born on this island, once part of the Venetian Republic).

 

Photo by Lidija Divjak on Unsplash

 

 

12. Mljet

 

The incredibly green and tranquil island of Mljet has a national park covering its entire northwestern corner, and many say this is where both St Paul and Odysseus were shipwrecked.

 

Photo by Bruno Wolff on Unsplash

 

 

13. Peljesac Peninsula

 

This is the longest peninsula in Dalmatia and is full of natural bays, coves and beaches where one can enjoy the natural beauty and sip some excellent wines.

 

Photo by Ammar Sabanovic on Unsplash

 

 

14. Ston

 

As part of the Dubrovnik Republic, this historic town was fitted with medieval bastioned walls, about 4 miles long, and is known in the culinary world for its fine oysters.

 

Photo by jbdodane on Flickr

 

We can help you choose from a variety of 7-night deluxe small-ship sailing itineraries – focusing on the north or south, or offering an overview of the whole Croatian coast. Pick the places above you’d most like to see and give us a call so we can match you with the best cruise for you. If you have more than a week to explore, we can also customize a “Land and Sea” itinerary just for you!