Travel Guide
Mediterranean Paradise: 5 Unknown Croatian Islands Named Best To Visit By Travel Experts
Apr
Croatia is a country of many islands- over 1,000 to be somewhat exact- and you’re likely to have heard of a trendy Hvar, an up-and-coming alternative to Ibiza, the resort-filled Krk at some point, or the idyllic Brač and its white-pebble beaches at some point.
Croatian islands are nowhere near Greece’s level of popularity, but they’re getting there, and every passing year feels busier than the last one.
If you’re dreaming of an idyllic Mediterranean summer island-hopping around the Adriatic nation, your options aren’t limited to the top 3 most popular:
According to the experts at Condé Nast Traveller, these are 5 practically unheard-of Croatian islands you can hop around this summer, with cheaper prices and almost no crowds:
Dugi Otok
Literally called the ‘long island’, Dugi Otok lies off the coast of Zadar, and it’s best known for its natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere, boasting diverse landscapes, including sea cliffs and serene bays bathed by turquoise seas, and pleasant temps year-round.
Its main attraction, Telašćica is a coastal preserve lined with secluded coves, including a handful of naturist spots, and if you’re here primarily for swimming, you should know the white-sand Sakarun routinely features on lists of Croatia’s most beautiful beaches.
Other landmarks include the Veli Rat Lighthouse, one of the tallest in the country, and the quaint Sali, the largest settlement, where houses are built from stone, and a seafood main and some local wine will set you back by around $15.
Vis
Vis is distinguished for being the most remote island in Croatia: it is the farthest one from the mainland, and you can only reach it by boat, usually from the bustling port city of Split, which only adds to its unspoiled character and historic charm.
From Vis Town, the picturesque capital, to the sleepy fishing village of Komiža, there’s plenty of sightseeing opportunities, not to mention the numerous beaches: Stiniva, for instance, has little to no crowds, and its seas are of the turquoise-most blue.
Speaking of blue, Vis is a popular day trip for Split-based guests thanks to its Blue Cave, or Biševo, where the water seems to almost glow in an ethereal-like blue light, and its rich Vugava white: if you’re a wine lover, a tour of the ancient wineries costs only $60.
Rab
For the culture buffs out there, you might want to check out Rab, a tiny island accessible from the port of Stinica, revolving around a tiny Rab Town: the main settlement, it is dotted with Romanesque bell towers and criss-crossed with medieval, cobbled alleys.
Outside Rab Town, you should visit the aptly-named Paradise Beach (or Rajska Plaža), near Lopar, the busiest beach on the island thanks to its sandy banks and shallow, clear waters—well-frequented, but nowhere near the mainland’s staggering levels of overtourism.
Staying overnight? Arbium has double rooms, with pool access, from as cheap as $53-a-night, and you can add a ‘superb’ breakfast for only $9 extra, though we would recommend you also try the capuccino and fresh pastries at the nearby Felix Caffe Bar.
Korčula
Within easy reach of Dubrovnik with the short-distance ferry, Korčula may form a tiny landmass, but it is by no means devoid of natural or even man-made wonders: picture fine-pebble beaches, vineyard-dotted hills, and an intact medieval capital.
Korčula Town is often referred to as the ‘Little Dubrovnik’, due to being completely surrounded by walls, similarly to its mainland counterpart, except you’ll find none of the usual hordes of Instagrammers flocking into its winding streets.
Oh, and in case you’re wondering what else Korčula is famous for, Marco Polo is said to have been born here, and there are many signature wines produced on the island, including Grk and Pošip—keen on some wine tasting? A glass of indigenous red in a local tavern costs around $4.
Šipan
Nicknamed ‘Golden Island’—only fitting, considering its glorious weather and sun-drenched shores—Šipan has historically offered Dubrovnik residents an escape from the humdrum of their daily routine, having served as a summer getaway for the city’s elites.
Now, it’s beckoning you to come and check it out for yourself, and we’re sure you’ll find that dolce vita (or should we say, uživanje) somewhere between Suđurađ, the main port, where ocher-colored houses encroach on a boat-filled marina, and a heavenly Priježba Beach.
Should you not want to rush it, and savor every $5 ćevapi, whilst taking in every blood-orange sunset by Šipanska Luka, a rare sandy strip you won’t easily find elsewhere in Croatia, overnights at the privately-managed Studio Apartments & Rooms Lela start from only $65 per night.
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