There are more than 1,200 islands in Croatia, 50 of which are inhabited: among them there is certainly the right island for you.
Some Croatian islands, such as Krk and Pag, are now stars of international tourism: although crowded and expensive, they are perfect for those who want services and entertainment. Those who prefer nature and tranquillity can choose one of the lesser-known Croatian islands, hidden gems that hold unsuspected treasures.
Some are still little-visited because they are actually difficult to reach, while others are only a few kilometres from the coast and are ideal for an exciting day trip from Zadar, Split or Dubrovnik.
Organising a holiday on Croatian islands unknown to mass tourism is not always easy: some islands are very spartan, accommodation is scarce and in some cases cars are not allowed on the roads, so it is necessary to travel on foot. However, these inconveniences are a plus for those who want a holiday in the green and blue, filling their days with fascinating treks and refreshing dips in the sea.
If you are looking for an original destination for your seaside holiday in Croatia, or a place where no one can disturb you, take note of the most beautiful Croatian islands to discover, from north to south.
Susak is a true rarity among Croatian islands, one of the very few where sandy beaches are the main feature rather than the typical Croatian pebble beach. It is a paradise for people who like to bask in the sun while lying on soft sand and gradually enter the sea, getting wet little by little.
The beaches along the north coast are more easily accessible and therefore more crowded, though never overcrowded; the beaches on the south coast are more remote and wild, often only accessible by boat. Among the most beautiful are Baldarka Bay, Bok Bay, Punta Valica Bay, Spiaza Bay, Obis Bay, Zali Bok Bay and Nasuzanski Bay.
The island of Susak is located in the Kvarner region of the southern Adriatic. It can be reached by boat from the mainland or from the island of Lošinj.
Silba is the northernmost of the islands off Zadar and can be reached by ferry from mainland Croatia. The boat trip from Zadar to Silba takes about an hour and a half.
There is only one inhabited centre on the island. Silba is still a small natural paradise, with many sandy and pebble beaches within easy walking distance and lush Mediterranean vegetation. There is no shortage of amenities, plus bars and restaurants to spend the evenings.
Not to be confused with the more famous island of Vis, Vir is another Dalmatian island connected to the mainland by a bridge. It lies off the coast of Zadar, north of the city.
Due to its wide choice of flats and beaches with calm, transparent waters, Vir is particularly recommended for family travellers. There are a few nightclubs but don’t expect wild nightlife.
Known as ‘the garden of Zadar’, Ugljan is a green island in northern Dalmatia that lies just opposite the city of Zadar and is easily accessible by ferry. Inhabited since Roman times and for centuries the summer residence of nobles and wealthy bourgeoisie, it is now primarily a tourist resort.
The island is perfect for a relaxing holiday: you can fill your days with refreshing dips, lazy hours in the sun, fascinating walks and bike rides, and spectacular views from the Sv Mihovil fortress. Don’t miss the pretty fishing villages on the island: Kukljica, Kali, Preko, Ugljan, Lukoran, Poljana and Sutomišćica.
Reaching the island of Pasman is not straightforward: one must first arrive on the island of Ugljan, which is connected to Pasman by a bridge, and from there continue by car or bus. This discourages many tourists, who prefer more easily accessible destinations, and leaves the crystal-clear beaches of Pasman to the few visitors who decide to go this far.
The island has several villages, including Pasman, Zdrelac, Banj, Tkon, Dobropoljana, Nevidane, Mrljana, Barotul, Mali Pasman and Kraj.
The beaches of Pasman are golden sand with shallow waters, also suitable for families with small children; essential services, sports fields and children’s playgrounds are generally available on the city beaches. Along the west coast there are diving sites and pebble and rock beaches suitable for snorkelling.
Zut is the ideal island for those who want to experience a Robinson Crusoe holiday… with just a few extra comforts and the certainty of returning home.
The second largest of the Kornati islands, it lies off the Dalmatian coast, west of Sibenik. There are no roads on the island and many people choose kayaking as a means of transport to explore the various bays.
In Italian, Zut is referred to by various names: Sutto, Zunchio and Zunchio. The Croatian name means ‘yellow’ and probably refers to the brooms that bloom on the island in spring, around May. The predominant colours of Zut, however, are the green of the vegetation and the blue of the sea.
The island of Murter lies north-west of Sibenik. Separated from the mainland by a narrow channel, it can be easily reached by car thanks to a swing bridge connecting the Dalmatian coast to the village of Tisno.
The coastline, mostly high and indented, is dotted with wildly beautiful coves, bays and inlets, but it is also possible to find some sandy or mixed sand and pebble beaches.
Many tourists visit Murter only in passing, as the island is the best starting point for a boat trip to the Kornati Islands Nature Park. However, it is also suitable for a multi-day holiday because it offers beautiful beaches and quaint villages.
Easy to reach and equipped with numerous facilities, Ciovo is one of the most touristy islands in Central Dalmatia. Connected to the mainland by a bridge, it offers a wide choice of accommodation, including hotels, flats and b&b’s, with a variety of prices, and many mostly pebble beaches, all washed by a transparent sea.
The main tourist resorts on the island are Arbanija, Bušinci, Mavarštica, Okrug, Okrug Donji, Slatine, Mastrinka and Rastici.
Ciovo is an island recommended for families and those who want to combine days at the sea with visits to the main attractions of Central Dalmatia. From Ciovo you can take wonderful day trips to Split, the Krka waterfalls and other enchanting locations.
The island of Solta is located in Central Dalmatia, south of Split, and can be reached by ferry from mainland Croatia in an hour or in only half an hour by speedboat.
Once a land of fishermen, olive growers and wine producers, today Solta is a quiet holiday resort, ideal for those looking for good sea and amenities but not too much hustle and bustle.
The main towns on the island are Stomorska, Gornje Selo, Necujam, Grohote, Rogac, Srednje Selo, Donje Selo and Maslinica.
Šipan is the largest and most important of the three Elaphite islands, a small archipelago off Dubrovnik.
Unlike the other two, it is inhabited and has roads that can be travelled by car, is easily reached by ferry and offers a greater variety of accommodation: in addition to rooms in private homes, there are some 3- and 4-star hotels. It is an excellent compromise for those who want peace and services.
The island of Šipan is covered in lush Mediterranean vegetation, with fig, olive, grape and orange trees, and washed by crystal-clear waters with an astonishing amount of fish. Scattered throughout the island are small churches and votive chapels built to protect sailors and the remains of an old Renaissance castle.
The island of Lopud is one of the Ephalites, the islands off Dubrovnik. Forbidden to cars, it is packed with shops, bars and restaurants – the right mix of tranquillity and amenities. The name in Croatian means ‘middle island’, but Lopud is also known as the ‘island of silence’: names and nicknames give a good idea of the peaceful atmosphere of this island.
The only sandy beach on the island is the Sunj Bay, perfect for swimming and sunbathing: according to The Guardian newspaper, it is one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in Croatia. The island’s other beaches are almost all rocky or sandy.
The island has a long history, evidence of which can be found here and there: the remains of medieval churches, fortresses, summer residences; it is possible to visit a splendid Franciscan monastery from the mid-15th century that houses valuable works of art. The right place for some relief from the heat is the Dordic-Mayner park, full of palm trees and flowering bushes.
Just a 25-minute boat ride from Dubrovnik, the island of Koločep is the closest of the Elaphite islands to the mainland and the southernmost of the inhabited Croatian islands.
Due to its proximity to the mainland and its small size, it is an ideal destination for a day trip, but those wishing to stay longer can stay in the island’s only hotel or rent rooms from private individuals. There are also some modern flats with swimming pools.
The island is covered by centuries-old pine forests, olive and citrus groves; there are only two villages, Gornje and Donje Celo, connected to the coast by paths. The beaches are sandy and pebbly.
The only inhabitants left on the island of Lokrum are peacocks and rabbits: the island is completely uninhabited and has no tourist accommodation. Fortunately, thanks to its proximity to Dubrovnik (about 20 minutes by boat), it can easily be visited on a day trip.
The entire island is a nature park, and it is no coincidence that scenic beauty abounds: between beaches, natural pools, salt lakes, viewpoints and picturesque paths through the greenery, the day will pass quickly. However, take time to admire the beautiful views of the sea and the old town of Dubrovnik. The best view is from the top of the fortress that dominates the island.
Another reason that has made Lokrum a popular destination is that some scenes from the famous TV series ‘Game of Thrones’ were filmed here. Fans of the series can enjoy recognising the locations from the series and having their picture taken on a replica of the Iron Throne.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
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Budget accommodations 
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Luxury Hotel 
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