Monday, June 8, 2015

5 Islands in Croatia You Must Visit

The Summer Season is arriving in South Europe, and most people here in Mostar do seem to be venturing out to the nearby Adriatic Sea more and more for the weekends, until the real summer vacations start. I thought that it was time to talk about some of Croatia's finest islands. While you will find most people in Croatia's bigger cities, like Dubrovnik and Split as well as the coastal towns like Makarksa, Trogir, Zadar, Rijeka and so on, there is a lot of Mediterranean charm lost when you skip the islands. So for this post, let me show you 5 Islands in Croatia you absolutely must visit.


click on the images for a bigger view

1. Hvar

Above: A look at the houses in the core of the old city of Hvar; Below: A prominent beach in Hvar




The island Hvar, with the same named biggest city on it, has become a very popular place over the years. When I visited a couple of years back, you could already see that the island would become a place for beach parties and high profile visitors. But regardless of all of that, the island holds many historic and natural wonders, that luckily deflect from any shallowness that might arise from the carefree day life. The main place to visit is the city Hvar, located on the far west end of the island. The road through the island is not that great, you have two major options for arrival: by taking a ferry from Split to Stari Grad (which is on the island), and then taking a bus or taxi from Stari Grad to Hvar. You can also take a ferry from Drvenik to Sucuraj (which is on the east end of the island), and then drive through the island to Hvar. Places of interest are the huge fortress above the city Hvar, the "Pakleni otoci" (Fiery islands), that are small islands where you can escape the busy city beaches, and the old town of Hvar. I have written about this island a bit more in detail previously on this blog, you read that post here.


2. Brac

Above: The "Zlatni Rat" beach on the south of the island; Below: the town Supetar




Brac is much more easily accesible then Hvar, since it's closer to the main port of Split, and regularly ferry boats take you from Split to Supetar, which is the biggest town on the island. But for most, Brac is synonymous with the "Zlatni Rat" beach, located next to the town Bol on the south side of the island. It's a beach that changes in size as the currents shift the sea level. This is a calmer island, life is slow here, perfect for relaxing and daydreaming.


3. Lokrum

 Above: A relaxing beach scene in Lokrum; Below: Gazing into the open sea




The island is located in the Adriatic Sea, about half a mile from the city of Dubrovnik. For a small fee, you can take a ferry boat from the harbor in the old town of Dubrovnik. The journey to the island lasts only 10 minutes, and you arrive on a small dock. The island has a small dead sea lake in the center, and also houses a Botanical Garden, which offers up an relaxing walk down the olive trees. If you want to read more about this interesting place, click here, for my full post.


4. Korcula

Above: The outer walls of the old town of Korcula; Below: Entrance into one of two city harbors.



Korcula is a beautiful island. The journey to this island is very interesting and surely as memorable as the place itself. So much happens on your way to Korcula, that I really love the travel. You take a ferry in the city Ploce, which leads you to Trpanj. From Trpanj you drive 20 minutes to Orebic. Another way to get to Orebic is to drive down Peljesac peninsula. One ferry ride less, and the drive is a bit monotone, but if time is of the essence, then maybe this will be better. In Orebic you take another ferry, that brings you in 15 minutes to the town Korcula (actually the ferry harbor is 5 minutes drive away from the town). From there you can explore the island, or stay in the most prominent part: the old town Korcula. There you can explore the old town, narrow streets, eat in one of the many restaurants, visit the gelateria Kiwi or discover the birth house of Marco Polo. Other places of interest on the island is the nearby town Lumbarda (which has a great harbor and walking lane), and Vela Luka, which is a bit further away, on the west side of the island. You can read more about Korcula in my three-part travel series.


5. Dugi Otok 

Above: The Lighthouse on the "Veli Rat"; Below: The most beautiful beach of the island called "Sakarun"





Dugi Otok (translated: Long Island) is the seventh largest island in the Adriatic Sea.  It is located off the Dalmatian coast, west of the city Zadar. The village of Veli Rat is also home to the Veli Rat lighthouse, another spectacular sight. The beautiful island of Dugi Otok, with a Mediterranean climate and ancient Croatian culture, receives very few visitors. Definitively worth a visit. After the lighthouse make sure to drive to the wonderful, sand beach in Sakarun for the most tranquil experience.


What Island is drawing you in the most?


58 comments:

  1. It looks wonderful there! I'm sure it must be like a dream to visit the places you mention :)

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  2. Traumhaft schöne Ortschaften und Fotos.
    Mir gefällt dein 5. Fotos am besten.
    Heißt diese Sand"horn" nicht Bol auf Brac? In den Reisekatalogen wird immer so genannt. Da wollte ich auch immer hin.
    Ja, und ich habe schon nachgeschaut, wenn wir nach Südkroatien fahren würden, wäre Mostar gar nicht mehr so weit weg, dann würde ich unbedingt ein Treffen mit dir/euch zusammenbringen wollen. Allerdings planen wir in der näher Zukunft keine Kroatienreise. :-(
    Liebe Grüße

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    1. Bol heißt die Stadt wo sich der Strand befindet. Der Strand selber heißt "Zlatni Rat". Falls eine Reise nach Kroatien anfallen sollte dann wäre Mostar wirklich nicht so weit. :)

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  3. Što se tiče hrvatskih otoka, bio sam samo na Braču. Mada i ovaj Dugi Otok mi djeluje veoma privlačno. Možda ga nekad i posjetim, mada za sada više imam pretenzije ka nekim drugim morima, Jadrana sam se malo zasitio.

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  4. Wieder so schöne Orte und fantastische Fotos die du uns zeigst. Ich erinnere mich sehr gerne an meine drei Urlaube in Rabac zurück. Wie herrlich unberührt es damals noch gewesen ist, die Pinienwälder, ach....und eine Nacht eine Fledermaus im Zimmer (hatte sich verirrt). Damals privat untergebracht hatte ich mit der Omi noch Ravioli selbstgemacht...oh man, das ist sooo lange her, weia.

    Liebe Grüsse

    N☼va

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    1. Das mit der Fledermaus muss ein richtiges Erlebinss gewesen sein. :) Danke für deinen Besuch!

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  5. Brat would be my first choice to visit and Dugi Otok would be second. i love beautiful beaches and these are wonderful

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  6. AnonymousJune 08, 2015

    Lovely shots. Croatia is definitely on my must-visit list!

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  7. So much beauty, terrific captures and I want to visit them all, Mersad!! Thanks for the photographic tour -- the next best thing to being there!! Hope you have a great new week!!

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  8. Okay...packing my bags for a nice long, relaxing trip to your area. *wishing

    Hey, I think I saw that I missed your birthday celebration Mersad, so please accept my belated Happy Birthday. Hope you celebrated with style.

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    1. Thanks Anni. You should definitely come visit! :)

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  9. All those beaches looks so beautiful and refreshing. I would love to just be in a secluded spot lying in the sand and taking in the warmth from the sun. Ahhh, the good life.

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  10. Wow, all these places are fantastic and all look perfect for a beach holiday. That beach on Brac was my favorite. It just melts into the sea.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, it's a very prominent landmark there.

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  11. A lovely tour, Mersad

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  12. I couldn't possibly choose - all look so beautiful.
    Great photos, Mersad! Thank you for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/06/in-memoriam-ling.html

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  13. Beautiful places. I think my have is the last one. The water is so clear.

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  14. They are all gorgeous places, the water looks so tropical. I would like to visit all of them! Lovely images, Mersad!

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  15. The islands and the images are truly beautiful. The beaches and the brilliant blue of the clear water make them look so inviting.

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  16. Fabulous images Mersad - thank you for sharing your part of our world. I particularly like the scene at Supetar and Dugi Otok - but they are all lovely in their own right.

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  17. Such beautiful islands! I want to visit them all! Your photos are lovely.

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  18. Someday, hopefully fingers crossed, I'd be able to set foot in Croatia. What a lovely country and the architecture divine.

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  19. AnonymousJune 09, 2015

    Wowzers! Just beautiful!

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  20. I can't believe how clear blue the water is - just lovely :-)

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  21. It would be hard to pick a favorite. They are all so beautiful.

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  22. Meine Güte! Wozu in die Karibik fahren???? Völlig überflüssig! Das ist ja der Hammer! Ich hab schon oft von eurem tollen Wasser und den wunderschönen Städteng ehört, war aber selbst noch nie da! Ich glaube ich muss das allerdringenst mal nach holen! Wahnsinn! Sooooo schöööön! Ach und super, dass dir der Kuchen so gut gelungen ist und auch geschmeckt hat ;-)! GlG Anne

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    1. Danke fűr deinen Besuch, Der Kuchen war super!

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  23. So beautiful. I want to be there now. The beaches are so lovely and the sky so so blue. thanks for the lovely tour.
    MB

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  24. The islands look like great places to visit and all of the images are really nice but that second shot from Brac is just so sharp and clear. Was that with a different lens than the others?

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    1. The shot is HDR, that's why it looks different. Also some of these were taken with my old Canon camera, some with the new.

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  25. So much beauty in Croatia!

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  26. Hard to choose... Better visit them all! :-) Beautiful shots.
    Belated congratulations on your birthday.

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  27. I didn't know that Croatia have lots of islands too. They are lovely specially because they are your photos. This post also reminds me of my companion/co-trainee in Strasbourg, France. We always go together for the few days we were there, now i miss her. ...Andrea/Kalantika

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  28. I would love to visit these islands one day--Croatia is a beautiful country!

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  29. Look so amazingly beautiful!

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  30. Beautiful place ~ looks very inviting to visit ~ Gorgeous photography ~

    Happy Weekend coming to you,
    artmusedog and carol

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  31. Beautiful shots. A beautiful place to visit. Thanks for the tour.

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  32. They look so inviting. Beautiful like straight out of some picture book

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  33. Would love to travel to Croatia.

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  34. Beautiful scenes! You caught the light just right!

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  35. beautiful places that make me miss Summer
    its winter here in New Zealand

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  36. I would love to visit them all! Rebecca

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  37. Beautiful places. I liked seeing the kite surfers...we have them here on our rather tiny island in Massachusetts. They are great fun to watch.

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  38. Oh those beautiful waters! These make me long to be by the sea.

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  39. The water at Dugi Otok looks absolutely amazing

    Mollyxxx

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  40. thanks for the beautiful beach scenes!

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  41. Oh I am torn...they are all so wonderful. I do love a beautiful beach and the color of the water is so blue and so clear. But exploring the towns would be great too.. I think you would be happy visiting any of them...Michelle

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  42. AnonymousJune 12, 2015

    Wow, your photos are stunning. I feel like I have been on a little adventure. I think I'd have to choose number 2 and 4.

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  43. Lovely photos are usual! My ancestors came from Yugoslavia/Slovenia and primarily Ljubljana. I have been doing some research. Oh what I would give to visit their homeland. My cousin, recently retired from teaching high school Chemistry for many years will travel there this Summer. Lucky Kay! Always my pleasure to stop by and say hello. Thanks for the mini tour. Have a good weekend.

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  44. AnonymousJune 13, 2015

    Hard to say! Am sure to find something worthwhile on each island:) Also important is the weather and the food!

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  45. They all look beautiful. I couldln't get over the clear blue water, but I was surprised at how narrow some of the beaches were. If I had to choose I would go to Hvar. I was fascinated by the decks that were part of the beach.

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  46. Wow! Incredibly beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing these great islands!

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  47. Really great post Mersad. Very interesting text and stunning photos.

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  48. Stunning photos. Each island is unique!

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  49. It all looks so beautiful. It would be a dream to visit any one of these picturesque places.

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  50. Although these all look dynamically beautiful...

    I'd need more than directions to find them.

    I can barely find my way around my own neighborhood! ha!

    Thanks for a lovely link for the letter D.

    A+

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  51. Those places are fantastic!! My gush I wish I could go fly and spend time in there. Amazing places.

    Thank you in linking Water World Wednesday. I do appreciate it and see you next week!
    Kim,USA

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