From Dubrovnik to Zagreb, not to mention Split and its enchanting coastline, Croatia has sumptuous places to discover. But it would be a shame to be satisfied with the continent. Croatia is the country of a thousand and one islands (1,185 to be precise!). Deserted coves, amazing seabeds and island lifestyle await you for a stay where nature and culture will be at the rendezvous. Petit Futé offers you its selection of the 10 most beautiful Croatian islands, especially in summer!
N° 10 - Hvar
Only an hour's boat ride from Split, Hvar attracts celebrities from all over the world to moor their private yachts. Cocktails and jet-set parties are therefore part of the island's daily routine. Yet Hvar has much more to offer. Don't miss, for example, Stari Grad, the oldest city in Croatia, founded by the Greeks in 384 BC. To escape the hustle and bustle of the city of Hvar, head to Jelsa and its small secret beaches.
No. 9 - Losinj
Located in the Gulf of Kvarner, between Istria and Dalmatia, Losinj is a real postcard setting. With its clean air, pleasant climate and lush vegetation, it is one of the main resorts for health and wellness tourism. The village of Veli Losinj will fill your eyes with it. Its colourful villas along its seaside promenade give a jovial image of this city where life is good. The smile and the welcome of the inhabitants will go straight to your heart!
N° 8 - Lastovo
In South Dalmatia, opposite Korcula, Lastovo Island offers an unparalleled change of scenery. Closed to foreign tourism, like the island of Vis, until the end of the 1980s, Lastovo remains an island to be discovered. To the south, Skrivena Luka is the ideal place to see the richness of the underwater world. Here you can admire the Struga lighthouse, the oldest in the Adriatic, which offers a magnificent view of the coast. Don't miss the village of Lastovo for its chimneys, all different and typical of the region
No. 7 - Cres
The largest island in Croatia and the Adriatic, Cres enjoys a privileged natural environment and is home to one of the purest waters in Europe, in Lake Vransko Jezero. Connected to the island of Losinj by a swing bridge, you can admire on its coasts communities of dolphins living in freedom. The small village of Lubenice, located on a cliff above the sea, is a real fortress that testifies to the beauty of Croatian rural architecture. Its unique panoramic view of the sea and Sveti-Ivan Creek will leave you speechless.
No. 6 - Rab
With its rocky expanse to the east and its abundant vegetation to the west, Rab is an antithetical island that satisfies all travellers. Lovers of idleness will be delighted since here, and it is quite rare in Croatia, there are fine sandy beaches, especially in Lopar. The city of Rab, on the other hand, is located on its rocky promontory and inspires visitors to stroll and stroll through its narrow and fresh streets. Rab is one of the most visited islands in the Adriatic
No. 5 - Pag
Half of the island is almost desert, the north is covered by vineyards and the south by salt marshes... Pag is an island where nature is still queen, as evidenced by the many sheep that graze quietly to produce the famous sir paski cheese. Take a tour of the island's typical small villages such as Kolan or Povljana and its seaside church. Partygoers will enjoy the north and the beach of Zrce, Croatian Ibiza.
N° 4 – Korcula
Korcula is certainly one of the most beautiful cities in Croatia. Located on a peninsula, it has preserved its ancient charm behind its 14th century ramparts. But Korcula is also a wonderful island which, despite the rise of tourism, has preserved its natural beauty. There are wild coves and amazing places like the Vela Spila cave, above the town of Vela Luka, which contains remnants of human history.
No. 3 - Screws
Due to its greater distance from the mainland, the island of Vis is certainly the most authentic of the Croatian archipelago. If you are looking for beautiful coves, hiking trails and picturesque villages linked to millenary traditions, this is the ideal place! Closed to foreigners during the period of Socialist Yugoslavia, from 1943 to 1989, the island derived from this autarchy a model of independent living based on fishing and crafts that you will discover during your stay. More than just visiting Vis, you have to live it!
No. 2 - Mljet
Mljet is the jewel of the Croatian archipelago. This tiny island, only 35 km long, has a huge national park to the west and a lake in the centre. On a small picturesque islet, you can admire the famous Benedictine monastery: it is the symbol of the island. Here, nature is king since more than 70% of the territory is covered with forest, so the possibilities for hiking are endless. Homer tells us that Ulysses would even settle in Mljet, forgetting Ithaca for several years... A mythical place for travellers!
N°1 - Brac
Surfers and water sports enthusiasts of all kinds will be thrilled! Brac is the ideal spot for those looking for wind, sun and gigantic waves. Zlatni Rat beach is certainly one of the most beautiful in Croatia, its long strip of sand that flows into the sea inspires photographers from all over the world. On the coast, you will also find many subtropical gardens that will allow you to escape the summer heat.
