The glistening Adriatic Sea that surrounds Croatia has greater than 1,200 islands and islets, which makes it good for a Croatia island hopping journey.
I do know, as I’ve seen most of them in my 20+ years touring Croatia. This information exhibits you how you can island hop just some of the 48 Croatian islands which are inhabited.
There are a lot of islands to select from for exploration, particularly since each packs a heck of a number of appeal, boasts distinctive summer season festivals, and has gorgeous baroque structure and Renaissance church buildings.
Selecting which Croatian islands to go to might be sophisticated if you think about ferry schedules, companies closing within the low season, and native pageant dates; it will possibly appear that making a Croatia island hopping itinerary is not possible. However it’s not with this information.
My information will assist you to decide that are the greatest Croatian islands on your desires and wishes and give you three very totally different itineraries to encourage you about island hopping round Croatia like an area!
Skip Forward To My Recommendation Right here!
3 Day Island Hopping In Croatia Itinerary
This quick itinerary designed for a weekend island hopping round Croatia will take you to a few of the prime islands to go to in Croatia – Krk, Cres, and Lošinj.
All three islands on this quick island-hopping itinerary have been dominated by the Greeks, adopted by the Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, and Austro-Hungarians! Their widespread historical past offers them shared options, although every island is indisputably distinctive.
Overlook about island hopping Croatia by boat this time, and hire a automobile to profit from your quick journey! When most individuals begin to consider how you can island-hop Croatia, ferries come to thoughts, however they overlook that a number of the islands within the Kvarner Gulf are related by bridges.
Day 1 – Krk
Bustling Island With Tons Of Locals
Krk is among the busiest islands within the Adriatic, with virtually 20,000 inhabitants. Should you’re seeking to get an actual sense of what island life is like for the Croatians that decision the Adriatic Sea residence, Krk is the place to go.
Some cities price wanting into as potential locations to remain are Vrbnik, Malinska (which is a metropolis for any foodies on the market!), Baška, which is tremendous widespread in the summertime months because of all of the attractive seashores that encompass the city, and Krk city, which is nestled behind a fortified wall!
A little bit additional out of the way in which is among the lesser-known spots, the 1100-year-old Romanesque Catholic Church of St. Lucy close to the charming outdated city of Jurandvor. The checkerboard sample carved on the church’s bell tower is suspected to be one of many first examples of the Croatian Coat of Arms.
Should you take into account your self a fan of every thing history-related, you’ll even be a fan of the outdated Frankopan citadel within the city of Krk that when belonged to one of many richest households in Croatia.
There are just a few methods to get to Krk Island. You possibly can truly take a small plane from Cut up Airport and land instantly on the island at Krk Airport, and the flights aren’t tremendous costly both! It is a good thought in the event you’re already touring in Croatia and also you wish to save time.
However, assuming you’re renting a automobile as steered, it’s a couple of 45-minute drive away. Krk is linked to the mainland by a big bridge, so you may get there from Rijeka even by bus, taxi, or bike! Alternatively, you possibly can use the native ferry system.
To get off the island of Krk and proceed your island hop in Croatia to Cres, take the ferry line 332 (automobiles are allowed on board!).
Day 2 – Cres
Quaint Cities & Glorious Delicacies
Cres is thought for its quaint cities and huge stretches of oak forest. It’s additionally residence to a inhabitants of griffon vultures that nest on the cliffs across the city of Beli.
If you wish to pattern a few of the island’s best gastronomy, strive the totally different lamb dishes on provide and benefit from the recent seafood. You may additionally discover that in Cres, the locals converse a dialect that sounds sort of Italian, which sounds very totally different from the Croatian spoken on the mainland.
Cities price visiting embody Cres city and Madrač, that are adorned with pastel-colored mansions left behind by the Italians that have been there from the fifteenth century onwards.
Subsequent cease? Lošinj! Cres and Lošinj truly was once the identical island, however they’re now separated by an 11-meter-wide canal that was dug out by the traditional Liburni tribe close to the city of Osor. Fortunately there’s a little bit bridge connecting the 2, so it’ll take you simply minutes to get from one prime Croatian island to the subsequent!
Day 3 – Lošinj
Identified For Sunshine & Clear Waters
The island of Lośinj was designated a well being resort in 1892 because of the huge quantities of daylight the island will get annually, the refreshing sea breeze, and clear blue waters.
When you’re on the island of Lošinj, go to the 2 most iconic cities – Mali Lošinj and Veli Lošinj.
In Mali Lošinj, it’s price visiting the Kvarner Palace, which is residence to the Apoksimen Males, an historic Greek statue that’s over 2000 years outdated and carved out of bronze.
Botanists are going to particularly fall in love with Lošinj. There are greater than 1100 plant species and 230 medicinal herbs on the island. If you wish to see a few of the coolest, go to the Backyard of Tremendous Scents.
Different prime sights on the island embody the protected space that’s residence to a big dolphin inhabitants. Hold a lookout for these playful animals as you stroll alongside the shore!
To complete up your vacation, hop again within the automobile and make your means backward till you get to Rijeka!
5 Day Island Hopping In Croatia Itinerary
To maintain it easy, for a 5-day island hopping expedition in Croatia, I’d advocate you prolong the 3-day itinerary and preserve exploring the Kvarner Gulf. Sadly, the automobile isn’t going to be a lot use to any extent further as Rab and Pag, the subsequent islands on the itinerary, are related by foot passenger-only ferries.
Return the automobile in Rijeka, then hop on the ferry to Rab; it takes just below 2 hours, and Jadrolinija and G&V Iadera provide companies. You’ll want to time every thing nicely, as there’s just one ferry per day!
Because you’ve obtained every thing deliberate for the primary three days, let’s bounce straight to day 4.
Day 4 – Rab
Pleasant Locals, Quaint Cities
The cities dotted throughout the island of Rab are quaint and cute, fabricated from up rows of terracotta-roofed homes and rising church towers! The locals are pleasant and easygoing, and in summer season, there are many festivities you may get concerned in too.
Popularized after the go to of King Edward VII and his spouse Wallis Simpson, this island is thought for its nudist seashores, a development that’s rumored to have been kickstarted by the king himself!
Among the finest instances to go to Rab is between the twenty fifth and the twenty seventh of July when the island comes alive in celebration of Rapska Fjera, the oldest and largest medieval pageant in Croatia. Everybody will get dressed up in medieval apparel, and there are craft stalls and workshops on each avenue. The wine isn’t scarce, both!
From Rab to Pag, there’s a foot passenger ferry that arrives in Novalja and is run by Jadrolinija. Once more, there’s just one a day, so don’t miss it!
Day 5 – Pag
Mountainous, Slender, Celebration Island
Pag is mountainous and slender. A lot of the island is made up of sleepy fishing villages, however even Pag has a wild aspect. The city of Novalja, the place your ferry will arrive, is on the bucket record for anybody in Croatia to do some occasion island hopping!
Zrće Seaside is only a quick bus trip away, and it’s club-central! If you wish to let free and occasion Croatia-style, you received’t be wanting choices.
Then again, Pag additionally has quite a bit to supply when it comes to tradition and historical past. It’s fascinating watching the ladies sit exterior on their porches and patiently sew Pag lace, and the Gothic cathedral in Pag city is a appeal.
When you’ve explored Pag, you may catch a bus over the bridge that connects the island to Zadar, bringing your island hopping tour to an finish in one of many coolest and lesser-known cities of Croatia!
7 Day Island Hopping In Croatia Itinerary
In your 7 day island hopping tour in Croatia, I suggest exploring the Dalmatian coast route that begins in cities of Cut up and ends in Dubrovnik, or doing it the opposite means spherical and touring from Dubrovnik to Cut up – island hopping type.
This itinerary will take you to a few of the greatest Croatian islands that appeal to massive crowds within the excessive season, like Hvar, and to a lot of smaller islands that aren’t as well-known, like Brač, Korčula, and Mljet, with the bonus of a day on Vis Island.
This 7 day itinerary will will let you discover the islands off the coast of Dubrovnik and make your means alongside the Croatian islands accessible from Cut up. You’ll be doing every thing by boat too, which solely provides to the journey!
Day 1 – Vis
Island For Nature Lovers
Between 1950 and 1989, Vis served because the Yugoslav Nationwide Military base, and no foreigners have been allowed on the island. Now it’s open to all!
Simply off the shore of Vis is the unbelievable blue cave of Biševo. Be sure you take a ship tour to this distant cave that lights up in vivid blue hues earlier than you allow the island!
There are some cute cities on the island too, nevertheless it’s actually the cave that attracts guests in. Cities price staying in embody Vis City (which is the place ferries from Cut up arrive) or Komiža.
Getting from Cut up to Vis isn’t too sophisticated. There are just a few choices from the ferry terminal to Vis City. Jadrolinija runs a year-round ferry, and the corporate Krilo runs a year-round catamaran. Keep in mind it’ll be the longest of your ferry rides – it takes two and a half hours!
The largest drawback you’ll have is leaving the island. Within the peak summer season season, there is only one ferry per day within the afternoon from the Vis ferry port to Bol on Brač Island. TP Line runs it, however low season, there aren’t any ferries in any respect, so your solely choice is to ferry again to Cut up after which catch one other ferry from there to Brač Island.
Day 2 – Brač
Elevated Island That’s Much less Touristy
Inhabited because the Neolithic age, this lengthy and slender island is much less touristy than a number of the opposite islands, regardless of being the most important of the central Dalmatian Islands, which makes it an excellent vacation spot for much less social vacationers.
It’s residence to the very best mountain of any of the Adriatic islands, the Vidova Gora (which stands simply 780 meters above sea degree and might be climbed in a brief hike) and it even has its personal airport! Nevertheless it’s nonetheless much less fancy than Hvar.
Speckled with olive groves that have been planted by the Greeks a whole bunch of years in the past, the island produces a considerable amount of olive oil and has a quintessentially Mediterranean really feel to it.
The principle city is Supetar, which can even be your entry and leaving level to and from the island. It’s a handy place to remain the evening, too, so that you don’t have to maneuver all of your baggage round. However strive and take a look at the medieval city of Skrip, too in the event you get the time!
Extra in a seaside lounging temper? Head to the Zlatni Rat seaside, it will get a little bit crowded in excessive season, nevertheless it’s one in every of Croatia’s greatest sandy seashores, and there’s some nice snorkeling simply off the shore.
One other wonderful thing about stopping over in Brač for an evening is that you just’re only a 30-minute ferry trip the subsequent day to your subsequent vacation spot, the well-known island of Hvar!
Day 3 and 4 – Hvar Island
One Of The Greatest, Most In style Islands
One of many greater islands, the island of Hvar has an excellent deal on provide which is why it’s price spending two days right here to get an actual sense of the totally different sides of this superior island.
All through its historical past the island was dominated by the Illyrians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Croatians, Venetians, Austrians, French, and Italians – so its tradition and heritage are very various.
The native islanders are tremendous pleasant and welcoming, which makes every thing extra enjoyable!
Should you’re in Croatia to occasion, keep in Hvar City. It’s a little bit dearer than a few of the different widespread cities, like Stari Grad, and Jelsa, nevertheless it’s additionally greater and busier so there’s far more environment!
A few of the most well-known golf equipment on the island embody Carpe Diem, Splash, Hula Hula Seaside Bar, and Falko Seaside Bar – get able to boogie the evening away!
Then again, in the event you’re attempting to get away from the crowds then head to one of many small fishing villages on the island and revel in some solitude. Prime decisions embody Vrboska, Milna, and Sveta. You would possibly have to take a taxi to get there when you arrive on the port, however the beauty of islands is that nothing is ever too far-off!
Nature lovers, remember to try one of many lavender fields and go on a hike as much as the Spanjola Fortress.
Wherever you resolve to remain it’s price visiting the principle historic websites, just like the Stari Grad plains, that are a UNESCO World Heritage Web site and the Hvar theatre which was constructed in 1612.
From Hvar to the subsequent island in your Croatian island hopping itinerary, is the island of Korcula, it’s only a one-and-a-half-hour ferry trip from Hvar City.
Day 5 – Korčula
In style Island Identified As Little Dubrovnik
Korčula City has outdated metropolis partitions working alongside the sting of the Croatian coast and is considerably paying homage to Dubrovnik, incomes it the nickname “little Dubrovnik,” however fortunately there are significantly fewer folks round!
There are cute medieval squares, rows of terracotta-roofed homes, and quaint church buildings all around the outdated city. Oh, and do you know it’s rumored to be the birthplace of none aside from Marco Polo?
Should you’re visiting in high-season see if you may get a Korcula Yellow Taxi ticket; that means, you may hop on and off at 4 of the principle sights with ease and save money and time!
The following day, catch a fast half hour ferry from Korčula port to the Pomena port on Mljet island. Warning: there are not any ferries in winter, and in excessive season, there is only one per day! So don’t miss it if it is advisable keep on schedule.
Day 6 – Mljet Island
Small Island – 1000 Inhabitants
The little island of Mljet is residence to as few as 1,000 folks. It’s tranquil and ideally suited for nature lovers and avid hikers that wish to try one of many much less done-up islands and hike to the well-known Odysseus Cave.
Half of the island is a Nationwide Park, which encompasses two inland saltwater lakes (Veliko and Malo Jezero) in addition to dense Mediterranean vegetation.
On Mljet, the hardest resolution will likely be whether or not you spend the day climbing, kayaking, snorkeling, or studying and sunbathing on a sandy island seaside!
The following day, get up early and catch the ferry from the Sobra port in Mljet to Dubrovnik, it takes simply an hour to an hour and a half which will likely be a reduction in the event you are likely to get seasick!
Day 7 – Dubrovnik and Lokrum Island
Croatian Hub + Uninhabited Island
Dubrovnik is among the hottest cities in Croatia, it has an extended historical past that dates way back to the seventh century so historical past buffs will likely be particularly enchanted by the outdated metropolis partitions (which you’ll be able to tick off your UNESCO World Heritage Web site guidelines!) lined with eating places and factors of historic curiosity.
Dubrovnik will get very busy in the summertime, as cruise ships loaded with passengers and vacationers flock in, however there’s an excellent motive folks come to Dubrovnik – it’s attractive.
You could have just a few choices in your final day – you may take the cable automobile up Mount Srd for nice views, relax within the metropolis and catch your breath, or in the event you’re decided to see as many islands as doable then now we have a deal with in retailer for you.
Only a 15 minute ferry trip away from Dubrovnik’s port and also you’re on Lokrum Island! It’s one of many many uninhabited islands within the Adriatic Sea, which reeled me in due to the inland saltwater lake and nudist seaside! There are additionally the crumbled ruins of an outdated Benedictine Monastery you may discover.
CROATIA ISLAND TOUR FAQ’s
Is one week sufficient to island hop in Croatia?
Whilst you can positively get an excellent island journey in throughout a 7 day journey, we’d advocate pairing it with some mainland exploration. Two weeks in Croatia is right if you would like island and mainland experiences.
What are the very best islands in Croatia?
Within the prime three are Rab, for prime cultural pageant, Korčula for unmatched appeal, and Hvar! Hvar is the very best Croatian island to remain on general, in the event you’re in search of every thing from lonely fishing cities to larger cities with nightlife. We additionally love Mljet, Vis and Korcula!
What’s one of the simplest ways to island hop in Croatia?
Except you could have your individual crusing boat you’ll need to depend on the native ferries. This generally is a drawback exterior of the height season as many routes cease working! You may get to a few of the islands by automobile, too, as we’ll see, so that they’re an excellent choice in the event you’re going island hopping in spring or autumn.
Can I island hop with a bunch tour?
Completely! For many who don’t need the effort of planning the small print of an island hopping journey in Croatia, a great deal of group excursions can be found.
What are the preferred island hopping routes in Croatia?
There are two principal routes island hoppers lean in direction of when island hopping in Croatia. The primary explores the Dalmatian islands and takes you from Cut up to Dubrovnik (or the opposite means spherical). The second takes you thru the archipelagos within the Kvarner Gulf alongside the northern shoreline.
When is the worst time to island hop in Croatia?
The worst month to go island hopping in the summertime is August. It is because throughout the nation, workplaces shut in August, and all of the locals flock to the Adriatic coast to go island hopping themselves! This makes every thing dearer as excursions and lodging get booked out, and site visitors will increase even on tiny island roads. Total, the worst season to go island hopping is in winter when the temperatures drop and plenty of companies shut as a result of there are few vacationers.
When is the very best time to island hop in Croatia?
Whereas summer season is extra widespread, arguably the very best time to go is late Could and early June when every thing begins opening up for the height summer season season, however there aren’t a number of vacationers, and costs are decrease. One other nice time to go is early September to mid-October. You’ll have to do a bit extra planning, nevertheless it’s an particularly ideally suited time to come back crusing.
Are you able to island hop utilizing ferries in Croatia?
Sure. There’s a community of ferries that conveniently runs between the islands. These ships are actually not glamorous sailboats, to say the least, nevertheless it will get you to the islands at a really inexpensive fee, permitting you extra time (and cash) to discover the islands! The Croatian ferry fleet consists of automobile ferries, basic passenger ships, and catamarans. They join the mainland to the islands, present service between the islands, and even transport passengers between Croatia and Italy – making it good for planning your Croatia island-hopping itinerary.
Can I take my automobile on the ferry?
If you wish to carry a automobile onboard the ferry, the worth will likely be increased, and it’s important to notice that the automobile ferries don’t function on all routes, and you will have to e-book early in peak season.
Do it is advisable e-book ferries upfront?
Within the low season, you do not want to e-book upfront; you may e-book that day. However within the peak summer season season and in case you have a automobile, you’re suggested to e-book upfront.
That are the Kvarner Islands?
There are a lot of, however the preferred are Krk, Cres, Lošinj, Pag, and Rab. These islands are discovered between the mainland cities of Rijeka and Zadar.
That are the Dalmatian islands?
Once more, there are a whole bunch. However the principle islands price placing in your bucket record are Brač, Hvar, Korčula, and Mljet. These islands run alongside the shoreline between Dubrovnik and Cut up, two of Croatia’s hottest cities.
What are the main ferry operators in Croatia?
You may get smaller ferries between islands which are shut collectively, however the largest ferry operators are Krilo and Jadrolinija.
When is the very best time to go island hopping for festivals and tradition?
Sadly, totally different islands have completely totally different pageant dates, so that you’ll have to verify for particular person islands. Total, although, June by to September are the very best months for festivals. Some price mentioning embody the Hideout Pageant on Pag in July, the Za Križen Easter weekend procession in Hvar, the Korčula Sword Dance Pageant carried out from June to September, the Rapska Fjera medieval pageant on Rab in late July, and the Brač Movie Pageant in August on, you guessed it, Brač Island.
Word: A few of this data was supplied by Toccara & Sam from ForgetSomeday.com. You can try their Croatia web page for extra of their ideas.
