Bathing bays as far as the eye can see: From Krk to Hvar: These are Croatia's most beautiful holiday islands
Rugged rocky coasts, secluded bays and white sandy beaches with turquoise-blue water: you can find all of this in the Croatian islands. We present seven wonderful holiday islands in the Adriatic, where everyone can find their own personal paradise.
- Hikers and cyclists love the rugged rocky landscape of the island of Cres in the Kvarner Bay.
- Dugi Otok off the coast of Zadar is known for its Caribbean-like sandy beaches.
- The island of Hvar off Split is considered one of the most beautiful islands in the world and Croatia's jet set Eldorado.
The Croatian coast is one of the most rugged coasts in the world. The positive result is that there are more than 1000 islands in the EU country, but only about 70 of them are inhabited. The large number and diversity of the islands in the Adriatic attract boat owners, beach holidaymakers and nature and cultural tourists year after year. After all, the price level is comparatively cheap and the quality is good.
The water quality is also impressive, as the vast majority of the beaches have been awarded the Blue Flag. We present the most beautiful, smallest and largest, known and also unknown islands – from north to south.
Cres: Rugged beauty with viewing hills
Cres is located in the north of the Kvarner Bay, which also includes the islands of Krk, Losinj, Pag, Rab, Susak, Unije, Ilovik, Male and Vele Srakane. As one of the largest Croatian islands, Cres has impressive hills that are more than 600 meters high and offer fantastic views of the Kvarner Bay and the east coast of the Istrian peninsula. This also makes Cres popular with hikers and cyclists.
The landscape is characterized by strong contrasts: rugged and rugged ranges of hills, dense deciduous forests in the north, where the coast is mostly rocky. And a karst landscape with macchia and overgrown olive groves in the south. Everywhere there are low stone walls between which sheep eat herbs.
On the south and west coast there is one picturesque bay with white pebble beaches, like those near Valun, Lubenice and Ustrine. Bathing holidaymakers will not only find salt water on Cres, there is also a freshwater lake in the middle of the island.
Losinj: Fragrant flower island with a dolphin population
Those who go to Cres usually also make a detour to the better-known neighboring island of Losinj. Only a narrow canal, over which a swing bridge leads, separates the two completely different islands from each other.
Losinj is much smaller, warmer, greener and more colorful than Cres. Because the vegetation is lush here with many pine forests and wild flowers such as oleander and lavender. In spring and summer, when the plants bloom, Losinj is also called the island of fragrances.
The capital Veli Losinj of the 8,000-inhabitant island has been a climatic health resort for more than 125 years and a popular destination for excursions because of its churches and the small harbor with fish restaurants and cafés.
Among the beaches, the Veli Zal in the Bay of Suncana, with its shady pine trees, fine sand and good infrastructure with showers, changing rooms and sun loungers, is considered to be one of the most beautiful on the flower island. Another highlight are the more than 100 dolphins that live off the west coast.
Krk: Beach paradise in the north of the Kvarner Bay
Your name is difficult to pronounce, but the journey to the popular holiday island of Krk is all the easier. Because a 1.4 kilometer long arch bridge made of reinforced concrete connects the mainland with Krk. The spectacular approach at a height of 67 meters above the Adriatic fits what tourists can expect on the island: a varied karst landscape with mountains, dream beaches and medieval cities.
A mountain range in the south protects Vela Plaza beach, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the whole country. It is two kilometers long, consists partly of gravel, partly of light sand, slopes gently into the sea and has been awarded the Blue Flag for many years – like most of the 113 beaches on Krk.
The perfect family beaches include not only the beaches around Baska in the south, but also the bays near Malinska and Njivice in the west or the small holiday resort of Silo in the north of Krk. The traces of the past of the Romans, Venetians and Austrians can still be marveled at today in historical old towns such as Krk-Stadt with the help of old fortresses, defense towers and city walls.
Rab: island for romantics and nudists
It is the smallest in the Kvarner Bay and also the most popular island among German holidaymakers. Rab not only impresses with its beaches, but also with its main town, Rab-City. The medieval town with its small winding streets, the four striking bell towers and the Prince's Palace is transformed into one of the most romantic places far and wide at sunset.
The bathing culture here is shaped by a special story: In 1936, the British King Edward VIII jumped naked with his wife into the turquoise-green Adriatic Sea in Kandarola Bay – with official permission from the local authorities. Naturism on Rab was born as a result.
To this day there are several beaches such as the Sahara beach near Lopar, where textile-free bathing is allowed. There are small bays and sandy beaches, especially on the west coast of Rab. Barren rocky landscapes protrude from the sea on the east side.
Molat: insider tip in northern Dalmatia
A little north off the coast of Zadar lies a jewel: Molat is the name of the small island on which around 200 people live. There are three villages with stone houses and harbors connected by the only island road.
In the main town of Molat there is a post office, a general store, two inns and an ambulance – that was civilization. Because here nature still dominates with spruce and pine forests and sleepy rocky bays.
Lots of green, peace and quiet and relaxed life make Molat what it is. Recently, tourists can also cross over to the small island by car, so that the secluded bays are no longer reserved for sailors.
Most of the dream bays with their pebble and rocky beaches and crystal clear water, which are ideal for snorkeling, can also be reached on foot. There has also been a dolphin protection center on Molat since 2013, which takes care of stranded dolphins and whales and provides information about marine mammals.
Dugi Otok: The long island with the Caribbean beaches
Around 50 kilometers long and only up to four kilometers wide: The island of Dugi Otok has the shape of a tube and is the outermost one in the archipelago off Zadar in the central Adriatic. The special thing about Dugi Otok are not only its white, Caribbean-like sandy beaches, but also the fact that the southeastern part is a nature park and borders the famous Kornati National Park. In this region there is a salt lake in the middle of the island between hills, which is always a few degrees warmer than the Adriatic Sea. It also attracts many bathers because of its healing mud.
High cliffs tower up on the coast and in the west of Sali you can swim well on Sascica beach. The rocky beach has paved terraces that make it easier to get into the water.
The beaches in the north of the island look completely different: For example the pebble beach Opaticina in the small bay of the same name. Or the Caribbean star among the beaches: the 800 meter long, white and gently sloping sandy beach in Sakarun Bay near Veli Rat. It is one of the most beautiful in the country. Sailors as well as divers love the island, which can find extraordinary diving spots like the underwater cave Brbinjscica.
Hvar: chic and trendy with a sun record
According to the English-language business magazine Forbes, the island of Hvar, along with Hawaii, the Maldives and the Bahamas, is one of the ten most beautiful islands in the world. It is located in the southern Adriatic just off Split and has been attracting the international jet set for many years.
Why? Hvar has the most hours of sunshine in Croatia, the warmest sea and the hottest nightlife. The east of the island is bathed in lavender fields in bright purple tones until June. Rosemary, sage and fennel also grow here. Herbal oils can be bought everywhere here.
Hikers will find many paths on the island, which was already an important strategic place in ancient times, which also lead to secluded bays. Speaking of bays: everyone can find their own private bay on the offshore small "Hell Islands" – even in the high season. Taxi boats are available for hire in many places.
Those who prefer vibrant beach life can visit the sandy beach bay near Palmizana. In the evening, Hvar Town attracts with its fish restaurants, the waterfront, the chic clubs, bars and harbor cafes, from where you can inspect the yachts of the rich and famous.
The most romantic sunset can be experienced on the picturesque fortress from the 15th century, which offers views in all directions over what is probably the trendiest island in Croatia.