Croatia is a gorgeous destination with an amazing long coastline that hides away some of the most beautiful places in the world, medieval towns, crystal clear water, beaches, and over 1200 islands. And what better way to explore the most of what this country offers, rather than with an unforgettable gulet cruise! Continue reading and discover the places to visit during cruise holidays in Croatia!
Zadar:
The oldest continuously inhabited city in Croatia.
This historical city has been conquered at some point in time by almost all historical Mediterranean cultures, which is reflected in its unique architectural properties.
It’s not too crowded nor overrun with tourists at its two top attractions – the sound-and-light spectacle of the Sea Organ and the Sun Salutation – a must-see.
Kornati Islands National Park:
Composed of 140 uninhabited islands, islets and reefs covering 300 km2, this is the largest and densest archipelago in the Adriatic.
Due to the typically karstic terrain, the islands are riddled with cracks, caves, grottoes which are mostly barren since there are no sources of fresh water.
The Kornati Islands form four groups running northwest to southeast. The first two groups of islands lie close to the mainland and are known locally as Gornji Kornat. The largest of these islands is Žut.
There are about 300 buildings on the Kornati Islands, mostly clustered on the southwestern coast of island Kornat.
Nature Park Telašćica
Located to the south of Sali at the very end of Dugi Otok (Long Island), is a beautiful natural harbour with islands floating invitingly.
The area is officially uninhabited and popular among those seeking an escape from civilization.
Šibenik
A historic city in Croatia, located in central Dalmatia where the river Krka flows into the Adriatic Sea.
The city’s magnificent medieval heart, gleaming white against the placid waters of the bay.
The stone labyrinth of steep backstreets and alleys are a joy to explore. Šibenik is also an important access point for Krka National Park and the Kornati Islands.
Skradin
A pretty little riverside town with a combination of brightly painted and bare stone houses on its main street and a ruined fortress towering above.
A great place to starting your visit to the Krka National Park. The main attraction of the park is a series of spectacular waterfalls, the largest of which, Skradinski buk, was named after Skradin.
Primošten
A pretty little town that occupies what was once a little islet just off the coast. During the Turkish threat of the 16th century it was fortified – and when the Turks disappeared, the drawbridge connecting it to the mainland was replaced by a causeway.
Rogoznica
A well-protected harbor on a peninsula popular with yachts-people in the know and tourists looking for a quiet hideaway. With its pebbly beaches, tranquility historic streets and some good eating options, it also has one of the best climates in Croatia, with more sunny days per year than most other coastal communities.
Drvenik Mali & Drvenik Veli Islands
This little pair of islands is the northernmost of an archipelago that includes Šolta and Brač, creating a barrier between Split and the open sea.
Drvenik Mali (Little Drvenik), has olive trees, a population of 56 and a sandy beach that curves around the cove of Vela Rina.
Drvenik Veli (Big Drvenik) has secluded rocky coves and olive trees plus a couple of interesting churches.
Trogir
In the 3rd century BC, Tragurion was founded by Greek colonists. The name comes from the Greek “tragos” (male goat).
It is set within medieval walls on a small island, linked by bridges to both the mainland and to the far larger Čiovo Island.
On summer nights everyone gravitates to the wide seaside promenade, lined with bars, cafes, and yachts – leaving the knotted maze-like marble streets gleaming mysteriously under old-fashioned streetlights.
Split
Croatia’s second-largest city, Split, is a fascinating destination to observe modern Dalmatian life first-hand.
Always buzzing, this exuberant city has just the right balance of tradition and modernity. Step inside Diocletian’s Palace (a Unesco World Heritage site and one of the world’s most impressive Roman monuments) and you’ll see dozens of bars, restaurants, and shops thriving amid the atmospheric old walls where Split life has been humming along for thousands of years.
Šolta
This lovely, wooded island is a popular getaway for Split inhabitants escaping the sultry summer heat.
The island’s main entry point is Rogač, where ferries from Split tie up at the edge of a large bay.
A shaded path leads around the bay to smaller coves with rocky beaches, and a small road leads uphill to the island’s administrative center of Grohote, which has a market and shops.
Maslinica is the island’s prettiest settlement, with seven islets offshore, a handful of restaurants, a luxurious heritage hotel and a good choice of private accommodation.
Another gorgeous village is Stomorska, with its pretty sheltered harbour popular with yachties.
Brač
Famous for two things: its radiant white stone, used to build Diocletian’s Palace in Split and the White House in Washington, DC (oh, yes!), and Zlatni Rat, the long pebbly beach at Bol that extends into the Adriatic and adorns 90% of Croatia’s tourism posters.
The two main centers, Supetar and Bol, are quite different: Supetar is pleasant if unassuming, while Bol revels in its more exclusive appeal.
It’s the largest island in central Dalmatia, with several quaint towns, sleepy villages and a dramatic Mediterranean landscape of steep cliffs, inky waters and pine forests.
The tough living conditions meant that a lot of people moved to the mainland for work, leaving the interior almost deserted. Exploring Brač’s stone villages is a lovely experience.
Hvar
The island’s hub and busiest destination, Hvar Town is estimated to draw around 20,000 visitors a day during high season.
There are several good restaurants, bars, and hotels here, but thanks to the island’s appeal to well-heeled guests, the prices can be somewhat inflated.
Visitors can wander along the main square, explore the sights on the winding stone streets, swim at the numerous beaches or pop off to the Pakleni Islands to swim – but most of all they come to party. Hvar’s reputation as Croatia’s premier party town is well deserved.
Šćedro
An island in the Adriatic Sea with an area of 8.36 km2, off the south coast of the island of Hvar, opposite the settlement of Zavala.
The name comes from “štedri”, meaning charitable in old Slavonic because the island offers two deep, well-protected coves.
The island is very fertile, and has a milder climate than Hvar and, thanks to night dew, was even used to grow grain.
A Dominican monastery was founded in the Bay of Mostir together with a hospice for sailors, which was abandoned in the 18th century. There is an old quarry at Stare Stine, and gypsum from the island was used in the Baroque chapels of Hvar cathedral. Around 30 people live on the island in summer.
Vis
Of all the Croatian islands, Vis is the most mysterious – even to locals.
The furthest of the main Central Dalmatian islands from the coast, Vis spent much of its recent history serving as a military base for the Yugoslav army, cut off from foreign visitors from the 1950’s right up until 1989. The isolation preserved the island from development and drove much of the population to move elsewhere in search of work, leaving it underpopulated for many years.
Vis has its own distinct grape, Vugava, that’s been cultivated since ancient times. You can also taste some of the freshest seafood here, thanks to a still-thriving fishing tradition.
Korčula
Rich in vineyards, olive groves and small villages, the island of Korčula is the sixth-largest Adriatic island, stretching nearly 47km in length.
Oenophiles will adore sampling the local wine. Arguably the best of all Croatian white wines are produced from Pošip grapes, which are only grown here.
Dense woods led the original Greek settlers to call the island Korkyra Melaina (Black Korčula).
Coves and small sandy beaches dot the steep southern coast, while the northern shore is flatter and more pebbly.
Ston
Ston was a major fort of the Ragusan Republic (medieval Republic of Dubrovnik) whose defensive walls were regarded as a notable feat of medieval architecture.
The town’s inner wall measures 890 metres in length, while the Great Wall outside the town has a circumference of 5 km. The walls extend to Mali Ston (“Little Ston”), a smaller town on the northern side of the Pelješac and the end of the Bay of Mali Ston, notable for its mariculture.
Don’t forget to taste fresh oysters grown in the area.
Lastovo
One of the most remote and undeveloped of Croatia’s populated islands, little green Lastovo sits in quiet isolation south of Korčula and west of Mljet.
The main attraction is Lastovo Town, a striking collection of stone houses and innumerable aged churches clinging to a hillside in the interior.
Like similarly far-flung Vis, the island was used as a military base during the Yugoslav era and was closed to foreign visitors. Now that it’s open for business it has become a favourite destination for yachties, who moor in its tranquil small bays.
Mljet
One of the most seductive of all the Adriatic Islands.
It’s an unspoiled oasis of tranquillity that, according to legend, captivated Odysseus for seven years. We’re sure he didn’t regret a moment.
Much of the island is covered by forests and the rest is dotted with fields, vineyards and small villages.
The western tip contains Mljet National Park, where the lush vegetation, pine forests and spectacular saltwater lakes are exceptionally scenic.
Elafiti islands
The Elaphiti Islands or the Elaphites is a small archipelago consisting of several islands stretching northwest of Dubrovnik, in the Adriatic Sea.
The Elaphites have a total land area of around 30 square kilometres and a population of 850 inhabitants. The islands are covered with characteristic Mediterranean evergreen vegetation and attract large numbers of tourists during the summer season due to beautiful beaches and pristine scenery.
Zaton Veliki bay
A tourist resort on the Dubrovnik Riviera, with 12 restaurants raising the dining quality in this small area, watersport venues, and an uphill hiking path to the village of Podbrezje.
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