The best Croatia Cruising Guide for an Adriatic Yacht Charter
There are many beautiful destinations to choose from along the Adriatic coastline and Croatia is a fantastic first point of exploration on a yacht charter. With more than 1,000 islands to cruise to and from, luxury yacht charters are an increasingly popular travel choice in Croatia. Here is our Croatia cruising guide.
A favourite yachting hotspot
With the Adriatic coastline comprising a wealth of beautiful yachting hotspots across Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Italy, Montenegro and Slovenia, it makes sense that some of the best 10- to 14-day Adriatic yacht charter itineraries explore just one or two of the best cruising grounds in the region. While charters to Albania and Slovenia are more off-the-beaten-track destinations and tend to feature less on the most popular Adriatic yacht charter itineraries, the best of Italy and the pristine islands of Croatia are almost always mentioned as all-round favourites.
The Adriatic has a rich diversity of travel destinations but Croatia, with its island-rich archipelagos and beautiful historic cities and towns, offers a seemingly infinite number of dreamy travel options in a typical Croatia cruising guide. Chartering a yacht in Croatia provides complete freedom to fully explore this ancient Mediterranean country and its hundreds of islands.
A 14-day Itinerary
Here we take a look at some of the best spots on a 14-day yacht charter itinerary, including Venice, northwest Croatia, the Dalmatian Coast, Split, Korčula and Dubrovnik.
Venice
Venice is a fantastic starting point, offering easy access to the beginning of an Adriatic yacht charter adventure. Spending a day or two in the capital of Italy’s Veneto region is a must-do. Miles and miles of iconic canals are lined with Renaissance architecture and grand gothic palaces and no visit is complete without a taste of the traditional Venetian Baccalà Mantecato, followed by a fresh Italian coffee and sweet buranelli.
Northwest Croatia
Heading to Croatia after a couple of days of soaking up Venetian culture, one of the best first points-of-call is the northwest coast of the country. The small fishing town of Rovinj on the west coast of the Istrian Peninsula is often noted as one of the most beautiful towns in the Adriatic and is surrounded by 14 islands that are perfect for beach BBQs and secluded snorkelling.
Dalmatian Coast
The Dalmatian coast is one of the most well-known yachting and luxury travel hotspots on the Adriatic Coast. The beautiful city of Split, the second largest city in Croatia and at the heart of the Dalmatian Coast, lies just 27 kilometres from the small 13th century town of Trogir and is an essential stop on a Croatia charter holiday. Split is a UNESCO World Heritage site and offers pristine beaches, intriguing history, fantastic restaurants and a lively night scene.
Small ship cruises in Croatia normally depart from Split, a city renowned for its stunning beaches, historic sites, and lively atmosphere. Small ship cruises from Sail Croatia give passengers access to more secluded locations and undiscovered attractions that larger ships cannot. The cruises are the ideal way to experience Croatia’s natural beauty and rich culture since they provide delectable regional cuisine, competent tour guides, and comfortable, modern vessels.
Hvar and Korčula
A star of every Croatia cruising guide is Hvar, with impressive 13th century walls, rolling lavender fields and some of the best beaches in the Adriatic. With hot summers and warm temperatures well into November, Croatia’s beaches can be enjoyed almost all year round. A short cruise from Hvar is the island of Korčula, a large 108-square-mile island saturated with lush vineyards, olive trees and quiet, secluded coves. The famous explorer Marco Polo was born in Korčula, where the beautiful winding streets are still full of intrigue and adventure.
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is undoubtedly one of the most well-visited cities in Croatia and the Adriatic. The city was famously used for Game of Thrones location sites, thrusting Dubrovnik into the spotlight and attracting thousands of fans of the show every year. Despite the crowds, Dubrovnik holds its charm as a relaxed and impressive city. A walk around the medieval Old Town city walls, with spectacular vistas of the whole city from the top is an absolute must-do!
With over a thousand islands offering a wealth of different stories, culture and experiences, the only problem with an Adriatic charter holiday in Croatia is the sheer volume of paradisiacal spots to choose from. The ultimate Croatia cruising guide can only scratch the surface.
