Destinations > Europe > Croatia > Croatia
Islands
Croatia’s coastline features 1185 islands and islets, of which 66 are inhabited. These islands run the gamut, from vacation paradises with pebbled beaches, luxury hotels and fabled nightlife, to tranquil retreats where age-old traditions endure, to remote, wild oases untouched by development. We could never hope to list them all, so we’ve selected a few that are easy to get to, wonderfully varied and well worth a visit.
topKrk
Krk is Croatia’s largest islands and also one of its most popular in summer, featuring a large number of resorts and hotels along its coast. With Rijeka’s airport at its northern tip, and ferries departing from its western shore to the islands of Cres, Rab and Losinj, Krk is a major transportation hub and overall well equipped to handle the influx of tourists. Krk is also famous as the historic center of the Glagolitic language. The Glagolitic alphabet is the oldest known Slavic alphabet, and was invented in the 9th century a means of translating the bible. The oldest preserved example of this script, dating from the 11th century, was found on a tablet in Krk Town, and larger tablet (which, though slightly less ancient, is more celebrated due to its size) was found near Baska.
Krk’s major towns – Krk, Punat and Baska – are found along the southwest coast. Though Punat’s harbor is a favorite with yachters and Baska is a very popular resort town, Krk Town is the largest, the most centrally located, and offers the most to see and do. The medieval walled center is compact and atmospheric, with a Romanesque church, a 12th-century castle, and a string of busy seafront restaurants and bars. Aside from the swanky, newly renovated Hotel Marina in the center, most of the hotels and resorts are located ½ mile or so east of the center – it’s an easy, scenic walk along a beachside promenade from the hotels to the old town.
topCres
Long, wild and sparsely populated, the island of Cres (pronounced tres) is divided into two climate zones. The north, above the 45th parallel, has a continental climate and is largely covered with the Tramuntana forest, a dense, ancient forest of chestnut and oak. The southern half, where most of the settlements are, is in the Mediterranean climate zone. The terrain is rocky, with dry stone walls everywhere. For centuries the main industry was sheepherding, and though this tradition has dwindled, herds of skinny sheep, unique to the region, still roam freely over the island. At the center of Cres is Vrana Lake, nearly 4 miles long and the source of drinking water for both Cres and Losinj.
topCres Town
The island’s main town has a distinctly Italian feel – the pastel-colored palaces and mansions along the harbor were constructed during the 16th century, when the town was the center of local Venetian rule. Compared to the main towns on more touristy islands, Cres Town is rather sleepy, but its maze of streets is charming and it offers plenty of waterfront restaurants and cafes. The best beaches are off Kimen Cesta, just west of the town center.
topBeli
This tiny, 4,000-year-old hilltop settlement is on the northeast coast of Cres, in the heart of the Tramuntana forest. From the village, it’s a short but steep walk down to a lovely pebbled beach. The cliffs around Beli are nesting spots for the endangered Eurasian Griffon Vulture, and Beli’s main attraction is the Eco-Center Caput Insulae, a rescue center dedicated to the vulture’s protection.
Eco-Center Caput Insulae
Beli 4, 51559, Cres Island
Tel: +385 51 840 525
For years, Griffon Vultures and local sheep farmers had a symbiotic relationship – the vultures fed on sheep carcasses, which helped prevent the spread of disease to the flock. These days there are fewer farmers, so the vultures’ food supply is diminishing. Other threats include poisoning of invasive species like boar and deer (which the vultures then eat), and tourist boats which frighten young griffons, who fall from their nests into the sea and often drown. The Eco-Center rescues sick or injured griffons and rehabilitates them, with the goal of returning them to the wild.
Visitors to the center can learn about and observe the resident griffons. The vultures are fed 2-3 times a week, which is the best time to see them up close. The center also features exhibits on the biodiversity of the Tramuntana forest and the local culture and traditions. A network of nature trails fans out from the center into the forest, some of which lead to the 7 stone labyrinths the center has built. Maps of the trails are available at the center’s gift shop.
topValun
This pleasant coastal village, with its picturesque harbor tucked within a cove, is best known as the home of the Valun tablet. Hanging just inside the entrance of the Church of St. Mary, the 11th-century stone tablet is notable because it has inscriptions in both Latin and Glagolitic, reflecting the mix of cultures on the island at the time.
topLubenice
As appealing as the other towns on Cres are, none of them can touch Lubenice for sheer atmosphere and panoramic views. Located on the island’s highest point, this ancient stone village was nicknamed “Hibernia” for its relative coldness. Today Lubenice is semi-abandoned, and the residents who remain are active in the old traditions, giving the impression that time here has stopped, The town features more churches than houses, and concerts are frequently held within the churches. If possible, pay a visit to Lubenice in late afternoon – sunsets from the crest of the hill are spectacular.
topPag
With vast stretches that are nearly bare of vegetation, except for a few gnarled shrubs, Pag has a compelling and dramatic starkness. The salty herbs and plants that grow on the island give a distinctive flavor to its signature sheep’s-milk cheese, paksi sir. Pag is also famous for its exquisite lace, still tatted by hand by the island’s residents. The main town, constructed of white marble, is as austere and striking as the island itself.
Despite all this severity and tradition, Pag has recently become a major party location, with huge summer nightclubs drawing big and mostly young crowds. The main party beaches are Caska, Strasko, Trincel and especially Zrce, near town of Novalja, If you’re seeking a quieter experience, there are dozens of hidden beaches along the shores of the bay north of Pag Town. Finding these is both a joy and a challenge – when you do reach one, you are likely to be the only one there.
Pag is connected to the mainland by Pag Bridge, at the island’s southeastern tip. Pag Town is about an hour’s drive from Zadar.
topBrac
A one-hour ferry ride away from Split, Brac Island is best known for its gleaming white stone (from which Diocletian’s Palace was built) and its long, white, pebbly beach, Zlatni Rat, that juts out like a fork tine into the Adriatic. This beach is one of the most beautiful in Croatia, attracting large numbers of swimmers and windsurfers in summer. Bol, the attractive, bustling town where the beach is located, is worth a visit for its Dominican Monastery. Ferries from Split arrive in Supetar, a pretty if unremarkable transit town on the opposite side of the island from Bol. To get to Bol, it’s best to have your own car, as public transport is sparse.
topBol
With its famous beach and its long, tree-lined coastal promenade, this picturesque town is a popular tourist destination.
Dominican Monastery and Museum
This late-Gothic church features ceiling paintings by Croatian baroque painter Tripo Kokolja as well as paving stones (formerly tombstones) engraved with Glagolitic script. The highlight of the monastery museum is Tintoretto’s altar painting Madonna and Child With Saints.
topSkrip
The oldest settlement on the island, Skrip was first founded by ancient Illyrians before being taken over by Romans in the 2nd century. Within the village are remnants of forts and citadels from a variety of periods, including a Roman mausoleum, remnants of an Illyrian wall, and some early Christian sarcophagi. The 16th century Radojkovic’s Tower contains the Brac museum, featuring artifacts from the various periods. Skrip is also the site of the oldest quarry of Brac’s famous white stone.
topKorcula
Quieter than the neighboring islands of Brac and Hvar, Korcula (pronounced kor-chu-la) is a favorite with vacationing families. The first settlers on the island were Greeks, who gave it the name Korkyra Melania, meaning "Black Korcula,” because of its dense pine forests. Korcula is known for its wine – especially the grk dessert wine from the area around Lumbarda – its olive oil, and its enduring local traditions. Centuries-old religious ceremonies and folk dances are still performed on the island regularly. The most famous is the intricate, colorful Moreska sword dance, which normally takes place twice a week in Korcula Town during summer. Korcula has one other claim to fame – it is said that the explorer Marco Polo was born here, and his supposed home in Korcula Town is now a museum.
The beaches on the island are very pretty, if small and rather rocky. You’ll find some decent ones in the coves around Korcula Town and in the nearby town of Lumbarda. However, most visitors head to the beaches around Orebic, on the Peljesac peninsula, which are some of the best in Dalmatia. Orebic is less than 3 miles from Korcula by ferry and makes for an easy day trip.
topKorcula Town
Occupying a U-shaped peninsula, Korcula Town is sometimes called “Little Dubrovnik” for its resemblance to that town. While much smaller than Dubrovnik, it is definitely charming, with well-preserved medieval walls and towers dating from the 14th century, and marble streets lined with beautiful Renaissance and Gothic buildings. The Old Town is notable for its clever design – the streets Korcula were laid out in a fishbone pattern, to protect against sea winds.
Like much of Dalmatia, the island of Korcula became part of the Venetian empire in 1420. Under Venetian rule it became known for its stonework. Many of the buildings in Korcula Town bear intricate and distinctive carvings dating from this period. Korcula is also known for holding some of the most elaborate Holy Week celebrations in Croatia, featuring processions, ceremonies and traditional costumes. You might come across a religious procession at other times of the year as well – feel free to (respectfully) join in.
Veliki Revelin Tower
The main entrance to the old city was built in the 14th century. The original wooden drawbridge was replaced in the 18th century by the grand stone staircase seen here.
St. Mark’s Cathedral
Dominating the main square, this 15th-century Gothic-Renaissance cathedral features ornate carvings on its façade and bell tower, and a Tintoretto altarpiece within the interior.
Abby Treasury of St. Mark
Located in the 14th century Abby Palace, the treasury includes a fine collection of 15th and 16th-century Dalmatian paintings, along with liturgical objects and period furniture and jewelry.
topHvar
Hvar is the sunniest island in the Adriatic, with over 2,700 hours of daylight per year. Long famous as a health destination, it is now a mecca for the international party set, with a handful of five-star hotels and resorts and some of the best nightlife in the Adriatic. Those looking for a quieter experience will enjoy the many hidden coves and beaches, the tiny offshore islands, and the verdant lavender fields that cover much of Hvar. And while upscale dining is plentiful, you’ll find excellent food at much more affordable prices at the local konobas (simple, family-run cafes).
topHvar Town
As a transportation hub and location of most of the island’s best hotels and restaurants, Hvar Town is busy and vibrant, especially in the summer months. Most visitors come to sun, swim, and party at the nightclubs, but there are also some interesting historic sights in and around the town.
Trg Svetog Stjepana
Hvar Town’s main square is the largest in Dalmatia, and one of the most beautiful. Flanking the square is the Renaissance Cathedral of St. Stjepan, with its iconic bell tower, and the Bishop’s Treasury, which features embroidered robes, silver chalices, 13th-century icons, and other religious objects.
Arsenal and Renaissance Theater
Built in 1611, the arsenal was once used for repairing war galleons and storing food. On the first floor is a Renaissance Theater, which opened in 1612 and is reported to be Europe’s oldest communal playhouse. The theater was still staging plays up until 2008, when it closed for renovation.
Benedictine Monastery
The nuns here are renowned for their unique, traditional craft (practiced only by them) of making lace from dried agave leaves. The museum displays ancient examples of the intricate lace – souvenirs of lace can be bought directly from the nuns.
Franciscan Monastery
Founded by grateful sailors who were rescued from shipwrecks, this monastery celebrated its 550th anniversary in 2011. The refrectory contains coins, nautical charts and other historic artifacts, as well as the 16th-century Last Supper, a striking, near-life-sized masterpiece attributed to Matteo Ingoli. The adjoining church, Our Lady of Mercy, also contains several fine examples of religious art.
Spanjol Citadel
Dominating the hillside above Hvar Town, this fortress was built by the Venetians in the early 16th-century, on the site of a medieval castle. The ramparts offer spectacular panoramic views of the town and its harbor. Inside the citadel is a small museum displaying amphorae found offshore, and an atmospheric dungeon.
Pakleni Islands
Named for paklina, the resin once used to coat boats and ships, these islands just offshore from Hvar Town are popular destinations for swimming, diving and snorkeling.
topStari Grad
Stari Grad means “Old Town” and in fact it is said to be the oldest settlement in Croatia – Greeks founded a colony called Pharos here in 384 BC. Today, it’s a quiet, cultured, and leisurely town built around a horseshoe-shaped harbor. The main sight of importance here is Tvrdajl, the fortified mansion built by the 16th-century poet Petar Hektorovic.