Island-hopping in Croatia

Croatia has become a destination of choice for young travelers as it offers everything that makes it perfect for beach bunnies, island hoppers, history buffs and party lovers alike, from natural and cultural attractions to outdoor activities and events — the best summer has to offer!

With 1244 islands, Croatia is a perfect choice for island-hopping; the ideal summer experience, full of excitement, multiple ports of call, and getting to know new destinations. You can start from many main ports on the mainland and create itineraries depending on the length of stay desired and your particular interests. Visiting the Croatian Adriatic islands is an excellent way to take in the amazing seascape and visit numerous towns and villages along the coast.

Many potential itineraries, from the north of the Adriatic to the south, offer endless possibilities along the way. For example, if you choose to start from Split, before taking off you can first visit hotspots in the region such as Makarska, with its endless beaches, or climb up Biokovo, where a skywalk awaits you with a breathtaking views of the coastline, the Adriatic, and the islands.

After embarking from Split, your first stop could be the island of Brač, where either a trip to Zlatni Rat beach in Bol or a climb up Vidova gora is a must-do. The Blaca Hermitage (Pustinja Blaca) is an eco-museum located on the southern side of Brač on a steep cliff, and was originally built as a monastery in the 16th century. A unique feature of this museum is its isolation; it can be reached from several directions, but only on foot.

Island-hopping could take you farther, to the island Hvar, just south of Brač and one of the most popular islands in Croatia, with great bars and famous clubs offering great nightlife. While there, check out the Pakleni islands just off Hvar, a popular summer destination for boaters and one-day visitors.

The next stop could be Korčula, known as the home of Marco Polo and famous for the medieval towers and walls fortifying its harbor. While on Korčula, you can try surfing and kiting; the Pelješac channel, a narrow channel between the Pelješac peninsula and Korčula island, is famous among windsurfers and kite surfers due to the local northwesterly wind, called Maestral, which appears in the channel mainly during the summer season.

Whether it is theater, film or music festivals, or traditional chivalric events such as the Sinjska Alka on the mainland or the Korčulan Moreška, numerous cultural and open-air festivals make the Croatian cultural offer particularly attractive. In addition, countless music and film festivals and summer events across Croatia can round out your trip in the best possible way.