Must-see attractions in Croatia

One of the largest islands in the archipelago, the island of Brač, is best known for the picturesque villages built from local limestone. Biševo, meanwhile, is one of the furthest islands from mainland Croatia and also the closest island to Italy, and bares easy comparison to the Italian island of Capri, complete with its own blue grotto.

The place to be seen

The popular island of Hvar is home to more than the famous harbourside Carpe Diem bar and its sister beach club on the nearby island of Marinkovac, although if you are interested in a night out then Hvar certainly has the beach club scene to keep you entertained 24 hours a day.

Boutique life

Just about everywhere you step ashore has a variety of new and authentic experiences, and along with its nightlife, the island is a paradise for history lovers. Hvar’s main town is built around a Baroque-style harbour, akin to St Mark’s in Venice. It could not be better designed for an after-dinner stroll along the promenade, nestled by the water’s edge, and around the Piazza and tiny medieval streets.

Pristine natural beauty

The island of Mljet is located in the far south of Dalmatia and is home to the Mljet National Park. Take the tender ashore here and discover a forested interior, with two interconnected salt lakes encircled by bike paths. 

Secret spot – Biševo is a tiny island off the coast of Vis where you can anchor up in an arched inlet without anyone else around. The water is incredibly blue and deep with great diving and snorkelling opportunities.

Natural beauty

The Kornati National Park is protected and has hundreds of uninhabited islands, islets and reefs that provide calm bays for all manner of watersports. The Krka National Park is another of Croatia’s stunning natural wonders. The Krka River runs through the heart of the park and has stunningly photogenic waterfalls where you can take a shower in fresh water beneath the cascading falls.

Golden sands

The island of Brač is home to the breathtaking 500m beach of Zlatni Rat. Often compared to the Maldives and nicknamed the Golden Horn, the sandy beach here juts right out into the sea, and at the narrowest part of the channel where the wind funnels the conditions are ideal for windsurfing. On the island’s north coast however the waters are more sheltered and better for kayaking or paddleboarding, with hidden coves and deserted beaches just waiting to be discovered by your guests.

Cultural highs

Croats’ pride in their country is evident wherever you go and rightfully so. Despite having had more than their share of conflict, the mainland and islands remain relatively unspoilt and are beautifully preserved. Reminiscent of the ancient civilisations of the Eastern Mediterranean but also heavily influenced by their West Mediterranean neighbours, Roman, Venetian and Austrian influences are all evident in the architecture and cuisine.

Croatia has no fewer than ten UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with ten more on the tentative list. The old-towns of Dubrovnik and Split are two of these, and are both known for their spectacular fortifications and cinematic views (so much so in fact that they were both used as locations in the Game of Thrones saga).

Living history

Split grew up around the vast site of a waterfront residence completed by the Roman emperor in AD305, known as Diocletian’s Palace. The towers, fortifications, vaults and slave quarters here have been turned into a warren of boutiques, restaurants and cafes, and the hubbub within the walls of the palace is like a trip back in time.

The larger, and more famous, city of Dubrovnik is very similar, with the social heart of the city remaining firmly within its impressive fortress walls. The Old Town is a symphony of cream coloured stone churches and cobblestone streets, lined with bustling cafes, restaurants and small shops. Walking Dubrovnik’s city walls is a must. Time it right and avoid the tourist crowds early evening when the temperatures have cooled and the pink light reflecting on the ochre rooftops is at its best.

Dinner reservations

Croatia offers an array of culinary experiences, with traditional recipes reinvented and locally sourced ingredients at their finest thanks to the Mediterranean climate. Markets overflow with ripe vegetables, while sustainably plucked seafood is the order of the day while cruising the islands.

Tourism may have taken over as the main economy, but there are still plenty of skilled fishermen, and in the early evening you can see groups of men with their boats on the quaysides gutting the day’s catch. Most restaurants have arrangements with specific fishermen, with deliveries from the boat straight to their door.

Where to find the best seafood

There are said to be more than 400 varieties of edible sea creature in this part of the Adriatic, and every day the menu changes depending on the catch of the day, be it barbecued sardines, wood fired sea bass, fresh tuna steak, giant langoustines, octopus and squid.  

The octopus at the Pojada restaurant on Vis comes highly recommended, while on Hvar the shaded beach taverna Zori is known for a relaxed but elegant vibe, with knockout dishes including Nobu-style marinated tuna tartare. While on the mainland you could also head to Gil’s Little Bistro in Dubrovnik, famous for its French fusion dishes as well as its unique location in the citadel’s ramparts.

Chic nightlife

When the sun goes down the vibrant cities of Split and Dubrovnik come alive with a buzz and energy, while over on the islands glamorous beach clubs and trendy bars attract the superyacht set.

Here the pace of life by day takes into account the partying of the previous night, and the days start late with coffee on the quayside, before taking a day bed at one of the beachfront clubs and then enjoying sunset cocktails, rooftop bars, and dancing under the trees all night long.

Island style

Sitting right on the water’s edge, Noa Beach Club on Pag Island is a huge beach club with all-day entertainment. Over on Hvar, the notorious nightspot Carpe Diem put the island firmly on the superyacht map.

By day it is a chilled out bar with cabanas, by night the waterside setting plays host to international guest DJs and full moon parties. Come midnight and its sister bar Carpe Diem Beach also provides a further labyrinth of bars and dancefloors.