Ideally located in the Mediterranean along the Adriatic Sea, Croatia is a genuine travel treasure. Did you know that Croatia has over 1,000 islands? Rivaling Greece for Europe’s prettiest archipelago, the country offers countless photogenic destinations on both the mainland and the islands.
While walking the ancient walls of Dubrovnik gives you a bucket-list experience, high summer means sharing those historic streets with thousands of other visitors. The heavy influx of massive cruise ships has turned the grand cities into busy centers. But the authentic, untouched soul of the region still thrives out there, waiting in sleepy fishing villages and remote island towns.
If you want to escape the crowds, here is your guide to discovering Croatia’s hidden island gems.
Vis and Biševo: The Authentic Escape
For nearly forty years, the Yugoslav military kept the island of Vis strictly closed to foreign visitors. Because it served as a military base, the island completely avoided rapid tourist development and is a perfectly preserved capsule of traditional Dalmatian life. Instead of massive resorts, you will find independent local konobas serving fresh seafood and sprawling vineyards. A must-visit is the Vislander Vineyard on the island of Vis; the family behind it has an incredible history and story.
Just a short boat ride from Vis sits the tiny island of Biševo. This small island draws travelers from all over the world because of the fascinating Blue Cave. The combination of the sun, that crystal-clear, deep blue water, and the unique natural light phenomenon creates a truly magical experience.
Mljet: The Green Oasis
If you sail from south to north, you absolutely must make a stop on the very green island of Mljet. Forests cover over 84% of the island! The local government protects the northwestern part of the island as a National Park, keeping it completely free from the noise and stress of modern traffic. As the oldest marine protected area in the entire Mediterranean, it offers pure tranquility.
You will discover two saltwater lakes at the northern end of the island. You can swim here or even visit an old Benedictine monastery that monks built on St. Mary's Island, right in the middle of Veliko Jezero (the larger of the two lakes). Rent electric bikes to get around easily on land, or grab kayaks to peacefully explore those beautiful blue waters. If you love literary travel as I do, don’t miss Odysseus' Cave. Legend has it that Calypso held Odysseus in this exact cave for seven years.
Brač: The Stone Beauty of Pučišća
While the mainland region of Split boasts incredible beauty, you will find true tranquility by heading to the nearby islands. The island of Brač earns its fame from its brilliant white limestone, but its most magical hidden gem is the coastal town of Pučišća.
Situated deep within a steeply-sided, stunningly beautiful natural bay, Pučišća seems worlds away from the busy tourist hubs. It showcases incredible coastal architecture, in which local craftsmen carved almost every building directly from the island's white stone. The best part? Because the harbor provides such intimate protection, many boutique, small ships choose to dock and overnight right in the center of town. Waking up to the calm waters of this picturesque bay delivers a lasting experience.
The Smartest Way to Explore
The tricky part about visiting these remote locations is the logistics. Public ferries primarily connect the mainland to the largest, most populous island hubs. Getting to places like Vis or the peaceful corners of Brač often requires multiple transfers and a lot of waiting around.
What’s the best way to explore a land of islands?
Via that gorgeous water, of course! Travelers widely praise the Adriatic for offering some of the clearest waters in Europe.
Since large liners can't access these tiny ports, looking into small ship Croatia cruises offers the most practical way to experience the authentic Mediterranean atmosphere. Traveling on a small, boutique vessel completely changes the dynamic of your trip. These agile ships glide easily into secluded bays for afternoon swims and dock directly in the heart of tiny island towns like Pučišća.
As an added bonus, if you explore Croatia via a small ship, you will enjoy hearty, authentic local meals prepared directly on board. When you include these hidden island gems in your travel itinerary, you will remember them for a lifetime.
Looking to read up before you go? We highly recommend a beautiful, powerful, intercultural story all about food, travel, friends, and Croatia: The Cheesemaker's Daughter, by Kristin Vuković. Read our author interview here.