Croatia is a vacationer’s paradise. Island hopping in Croatia along the Dalmatian Coast is on many people’s bucket lists, and with good reason.
The small nation’s islands are home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The crystal clear waters, hidden coves and picturesque fishing villages of the Adriatic Sea are the epitome of R&R.
So how does one go about visiting the Dalmatian Coast? Despite what you’ve seen on Bravo, a private yacht is not required to take in the beauty of Croatia, and an island hopping itinerary is possible to achieve on an average holiday budget.
In fact, the exchange rate is very favorable to the US dollar, and Croatia in general is a more affordable destination than other Mediterranean hot spots.
The fishing village of Komiza on the island of Vis
Croatia is home to hundreds of islands – 1,244 to be exact. The options are endless – so when planning your Croatia island hopping itinerary, where do you start?
After spending six weeks this summer on the Dalmatian Coast, I’ve pulled together my top tips for island hopping in Croatia to help you plan your own trip from start to finish.
Pin this Island Hopping in Croatia Guide for later!
How to Get to Croatia
Croatia is located in Eastern Europe, across the Adriatic Sea from Italy and north of Greece. As of this writing, there are not any direct flights from the U.S. to Croatia.
Fear not, the popularity of high quality budget airlines like Norwegian have made traveling to Europe from the States much easier and more affordable than in the past, with rates as low as around $300 roundtrip.
Fly into a major European hub city, then take a quick flight on one of the many European budget airlines like EasyJet to Split or Dubrovnik.
How to Get to the Islands
Croatia has an efficient, reliable ferry system that makes island hopping very easy. Jadrolinija is the big game in town and the primary ferry company that runs along the coast.
The ferries are a very enjoyable way to travel, as they can be equipped with amenities like free WiFi, a bar, and on the larger ferries even a full-service restaurant.
The Jadrolinija Ferry in port on the island of Vis
The Croatian coast stretches for more than 1,000 miles, with the entire country filling about the size of the state of West Virginia.
Given Croatia’s size, you’ll want to position yourself strategically in a major city that serves as a hub to their corresponding islands.
Split is the main jumping off point to the most popular islands, but other cities like Dubrovnik, Šibenik and Zadar offer ferry service to the local islands as well.
Pro tip: Check the specific route on the ferry schedule before you book your lodging, as some routes only run one day per week.
With so many islands to choose from, how do you pick?
Good news – for the most part, you can’t go wrong. Picking the best Croatian island is like having to pick the best flavor of pizza… some are better than others, but they’re all good! I digress…
Below are my top recommendations for island hopping in Croatia, based on departure city:
Island Hopping From Split
Split is the second largest city in Croatia, and the largest on the coast. The ancient city is often considered the gateway to the Dalmatian islands, and most island hopping ventures will begin here.
Split’s international airport is about 30 minutes outside of the city, with buses running regularly into the city center. Tickets are purchased on the bus from the driver for about $5 USD, and the bus runs about every hour in season.
Once into the city, the bus station is conveniently located directly across the street from the ferry port in the heart of the city center. Luggage storage lockers are readily available if you have some time to kill before your ferry departs and want to do some sightseeing.
Ferry route map for the islands off of Split to Dubrovnik
Hvar
For beautiful beaches, dramatic landscape and a buzzing nightlife, look no further than Hvar. The island claims to have the most sunny days out of anywhere in Europe. Are you sold yet?
Hvar is the most popularly visited of the Dalmatian islands, but with good reason.
Views of Hvar Town from the fortress, Dubovica Beach and Pokonji Dol
Don’t miss the beautiful beaches of Dubovica and Pokonji Dol, located a short drive or boat ride from Hvar Town.
Click here to view hotels and accommodation on Hvar
Rent a set of wheels and take a road trip around the island, visit the picturesque village of Stari Grad, the remains of the lavender fields in Brusje, and some of the harder to reach beaches.
Cap off your afternoon at the fortress in Hvar Town with beautiful views for miles.
Boats in the harbor of the town of Hvar
Vis
For a more remote vibe, look no further than the island of Vis. Closed to international visitors until 1989, the island was a former Yugoslav military base so is much less developed than many of the other islands.
Vis is also the farthest inhabited island from the mainland, contributing to it receiving less visitors than most.
Stay the night in the quaint fishing town of Komiza and enjoy a dinner delicious locally caught seafood at one of the many restaurants that line the riva.
For hotels and accommodation on Vis, click here.
Stiniva Beach on the island of Vis
Vis is home to the Blue and Green Caves and the famous Stiniva Uvala, which was named Europe’s most beautiful beach in 2016.
Visit Stiniva Beach either via excursion boat or for the adventurous, brave the steep 45 minute hike down… Like, straight down.
To book a boat excursion, check out these options:
Once you’re down enjoy the dramatic landscape, enjoy a cold drink and watch the others following your same fate struggle to hike down.
The good news – the hike down to the beach is well-worth it, and going back up is surprisingly much easier than down.
The other good news – There’s a delicious local winery that’s open for tastings on your drive back into Komiza.
Korčula
While we didn’t personally make it to Korčula this summer, it’s worth the mention because it came very highly recommended by a number of other savvy travelers that we met along the way.
Think beautiful beaches, a quaint old town and fewer tourists than some of the other islands. This can be a great stop along your island-hopping itinerary on your way from Hvar to Dubrovnik.
READ MORE: A QUICK GUIDE TO DUBROVNIK,CROATIA
Island Hopping From Šibenik
Šibenik is a beautiful coastal city located about 1.5 hours north of Split. We spent one month here and utilized it as a jumping off point to some of the smaller Dalmatian islands.
Ferry service runs daily to some smaller, but equally charming islands:
Zlarin
The closest island to the Šibenik mainland, Zlarin is blanketed in pines and home to numerous sandy beaches.
In the area it’s known for their history of coral harvesting and beautiful coves, which are best visited by water taxi, available for hire at the marina.
Crystal clear water off of the islet of Zirje
Zirje
The farthest out island in the Šibenik archipelago, Zirje offers visitors a true Robinson Crusoe experience.
The island’s population is under 100, but Zirje houses some of the most beautiful, clear water that we experienced in all of Croatia.
Check out the restaurants of Konoba Tratinska and Konoba Julie for freshly caught fish and beautiful views.
How to Get Around the Islands
While not a requirement, getting your hands on a set a wheels for your time in the islands can make for a much more enjoyable experience as many smaller towns and beaches are outside of walking distance from the main areas.
We found the best deals by haggling in person with the rental agencies on the day of our arrival to the islands, versus booking online in advance.
Whether two or four wheels are more your speed, there are a number of options for rent for your holiday:
Business in the front, party in the back with our Suzuki rental car on Vis.
By Scooter or Quad
For zippy transportation and a wind-in-your-face adventure, rent a scooter or four-wheeler from one of the many vendors in town.
By Rental Car
If you’re not comfortable on a scooter (like me!) and prefer your ride to be enclosed, rent a car for your time on the islands.
Keep in mind that most cars are manual transmission. If you’re not very comfortable driving stick shift (probably outside of your high school driver’s ed class) reserve an automatic car in advance, as the supply of automatics are usually limited.
Another option is to rent a car in Split, then take the car ferry as you island hop. This sounds obvious, but confirm that there is a ferry option that accommodates cars to islands you’re traveling to, not just the passenger-only catamaran.
By Bike
On the islands with less elevation, cycling can be a great mode of transportation. Rent a bike in town, then explore the further out beaches.
Essential Tips for Island Hopping in Croatia
Do your research.
If you’re planning to spend the night on one of the more remote islands, do some reading online in advance to ensure that there is enough going on to keep you entertained.
If visiting outside of high season (before late June or after September) confirm that restaurants will be open, as many close down during non-peak times. We found this out the hard way – read more about it here:
READ MORE: One Year of Travel: The Highs, Lows & What’s Next
Bring a daypack.
For a day trip, bring a backpack with a towel, swimsuit, water and sunscreen. Also it’s often a good idea to wear sneakers, as many beaches require a hike down, then change into your sandals once you’re there.
Wear water shoes.
And once you’re there…
Milna village on the island of Vis
The opportunities for an amazing holiday in Croatia are endless, and it’s easy to see why its islands have become a major vacation destination. There’s so much to see and do, and we can’t wait to go back!
Have you been to Croatia? If so, where was your favorite island you visited?
Cheers,
Meredith
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Thank you for the inspo!! I can’t wait to get here next week 🙂 Love all your tips and suggestions. Wish we had six weeks like you and Travis!
Hi Cameron! I’m so glad you enjoyed the article, and I hope that it was helpful on your trip! It looks like you had an amazing time!
Meredith