Top 6 reasons to visit Croatia on a cruise holiday

The land of a thousand islands

Croatia boasts a mesmerizing shoreline that is 1,777 km long and is among the three most indented coastlines in all of Europe. The Adriatic Sea hugs the shore and shimmers in the sunlight with intense clarity and inspiringly different hues of blue. When you add its 78 islands, over 500 islets, and around 600 rocks and reefs, you get a perfect summer formula for a unique sailing holiday on the Mediterranean.

Whether you choose to explore central Dalmatia and its breathtaking string of islands such as Brač, Hvar, Vis, and Šolta, or the south of Croatia with undeniably beautiful Korčula, Mljet, and the Elafiti islands, or perhaps the Kornati islands in northern Dalmatia, you can rest assured that you will get the most out of your cruising holiday. Sailing regions are easily explored by boat, and island-hopping has never been more engaging and fun. Although most sailing itineraries are tailor-made, cruising routes always include some of the most beautiful islands in Croatia, and due to a relatively short sailing distance between islands and bays, you can see really a lot on your week-long cruise along the Adriatic coast.

Mild climate

Croatia is known for its pleasant Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters. Sailing enthusiasts will love the fact that some of the most popular sailing destinations in Croatia are known to have more than 100 sunny days per year, such as Hvar with 2,760 hours of sunshine per year or Lastovo with almost 2,700 sunny hours. Other amazing destinations like Dubrovnik and Split are not far behind, giving you plenty of opportunities for smooth sailing and enjoying your cruise in Croatia to the fullest.

Awe-inspiring historical heritage

Even though crystal-clear sea, long sunny days, and divinely beautiful landscapes make up a fair share of good reasons why you should visit Croatia in the summertime, let’s also not forget that Croatia has a vast and rich historical as well as cultural heritage that attracts many travellers from all around the world. There are 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in total in Croatia, including the famous Diocletian’s Palace in Split, the Old Town in Dubrovnik, and the historic city of Trogir, just to name a few. Other places in Croatia aren’t perhaps protected by UNESCO but are definitely swoon-worthy if you appreciate amazing architecture and places with a story behind them. Sailing destinations like 2,400-year-old Stari Grad on the island of Hvar, Šibenik with its intricate architecture, Korčula Old Town as the supposed home of Marco Polo or the island of Vis that used to be the central place in the intriguing history of ex-Yugoslavia — take your pick.

Vibrant food scene

With more than a thousand-year-old viticulture and the use of fresh and locally-sourced ingredients as a must, the culinary scene in Dalmatia is a pure celebration of a Mediterranean diet. Great emphasis is placed on seafood, usually prepared on the grill with just a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Other traditional but delicious seafood meals include brodet or fish stew, fish poached in a tomato sauce called buzara, then octopus salad and black risotto, which owes its distinguishing color to the squid ink.

If you prefer meat though, make sure you try peka; a dish with slow-roasted meat and lots of vegetables. As a top-notch sailing destination, Croatia offers a variety of dining options, ranging from traditional taverns to modern, urban eateries with bold, innovative recipes. If you choose a crewed yacht charter for your cruising holiday in Croatia, rest assured that you will be rewarded with delicious meals, perfect to be shared with family and friends in a beautiful ambiance.

Great family holiday options

If you are planning a family sailing holiday, it’s certainly important to make sure that your sailing destination is safe and kid-friendly. Croatia ticks all the boxes for a safe and relaxed family cruise. According to the Global Peace Index, Croatia is the 15th safest country in the world, which makes it an excellent choice for a carefree sailing vacation.

On top of that, Croatia has a lot of kid-friendly attractions such as adventure parks, family-friendly beaches, and plenty of nature parks where your family can get some fresh air and enjoy beautiful landscapes, and the cities are quite easy to explore with kids in tow.

Safe Harbors and Modern Marinas

Due to its popularity as a sailing hotspot, Croatia has established a great sailing infrastructure in terms of the number of marinas with high-quality services, safe harbors, and ports all along the coast and on the islands as well. Last but not least, Croatia boasts an amazing selection of all kinds of yachts for rent, from mini cruisers and motor sailers to luxury sailing yachts and beautiful gulets for an authentic cruising experience.

All in all, we firmly believe that choosing Croatia as your next sailing destination is the first step to getting that cruising holiday of your dreams.