Croatian Islands - A Great Destination in the Northern Mediterranean

If you're traveling to the Balkans in the summer, apart from visiting Serbia, you should think about Croatia, especially if you love sailing and similar activities. Just a few hundred kilometers from the northern Serbian border lies over a thousand Croatian islands.

The northern Mediterranean and especially the Adriatic Sea are famous for their islands. Starting with the western Greece coastline, this part of Europe has an incredible shoreline. Croatia is placed right in the center of this amazing marine geography. This small country offers incredible possibilities for anyone looking for a fun and exciting time traveling through its maze of islands.

Croatia, a country of only 4, 2 million citizens, has over one twelve hundred islands and islets in its territory. These bring the combined length of its coastline to more than 4,000 kilometers. That is why it’s no wonder that for more than a century Croatia is a Mecca for all those interested in summer tourism.

One of the biggest islands in Croatia is Hvar, connected to the mainland by a very tall bridge. The bright is in fact so tall that it suspends traffic during heavy winds because of the danger of collisions. Traveling across it is an adventure in itself. The coastline of Hvar includes many secluded and only slightly developed beaches, so it’s an ideal place for all those interested in hiking or bicycle exploration. Its biggest city Hvar is the best place for finding accommodation, and using it as a main base of the rest of the holiday.

From the city of Hvar there is a ferry service that you can use to travel to the island of Cres. Here, you will encounter a much harsher Mediterranean geography, and a land covered in stones and red clay. Cres is much further from the mainland, so the sea and the winds saturate the ground with salt. In these conditions, a completely different set of plant cultures thrives, so you will find many olive groves, some ancient and other brand new. The beaches of Cres, especially those on its western side that look upon the open sea, are cold but ideal for scuba diving.

Here, there are no big industrial ports or harbors, so the marine life is abundant. Later, use the opportunity to travel to Valun, a small town next to a fishing village. Here you choose and try some of the local fish in a cuisine that is simple, but incredibly tasty. In Cres you will have no problem finding and renting a yacht with a licensed captain. With it, you can sail towards the south. Then you can choose between partying and relaxing.

If you’re interested in the nightlife, the place to be is the island Pag. On it you will find Zrce beach, one of the most famous beaches in Croatia, dedicated to non-stop parties. Zrce is covered by beachside bars and clubs which don’t have any closing hours and where the fun really lasts from one morning to the next. The majority of the clubs is oriented towards electronic music like house, so expect to find many famous DJ from Europe and the world holding guest mixes in Zrce. Pag is also the number one local destination for younger Croats, so this is an ideal place to meet new people.

If you’re more interested in a relaxing holiday, travel even more towards the south and to the island of Korcula. This island is known for its traditional stone houses and villas, and is ideal for a peaceful stay. Here, you can end your yachting trip and instead rent a small boat and use it to travel short distances to covert beaches that aren’t accessible by land. After a restful day of sun and sea, check out the day's catch on the local fish markets. Afterwards in the evening you can make your own fresh seafood and enjoy it beneath a night sky full of stars, clear and in full glory thanks to the sparse light pollution.

These islands are just a few ideas for your holiday in Croatia. If you decide to travel to this astounding country you will certainly find many more islands that will capture your imagination and grant you fantastic experiences and memories.