The islands along Croatia’s coastlines are beautiful, breathtaking and so underrated.

It was summer last year where we decided to cycle along the Dalmatian Coast in Croatia and it was perhaps one of the best things that we did!

The Adriatic coast contains more than 1,300 islands and they lie between the Italian and Balkan peninsular.

The coast is fairly shallow but sometimes a bit rocky, but it makes for a great afternoon having the best Istrian truffles, sipping on wine and traversing some of the oldest forts and ruins in this part of Croatia.

I have explored most of the islands but if I had to dish down in one sentence what each island is most famous for here it is:

Brac Island (Bol): Perhaps, my favourite island. Extremely hilly and has a lot of things to do from hiking Vidora Gora and visiting the Zlatni Rat beach
Hvar: Known for being a party town but the island is long and huge and perfect for cycling or e-biking and olive tasting
Korcula: Sleepy village with a laid-back atmostphere and amazing beaches
Vis: Great for its blue caves and also diving!
Mljet: All about wildlife and birds because of it’s national park
Makarska: Not an island per se, but quite accessible due to its amazing Biokovo range if you love hiking. It is absolutely stunning!

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Also Read: 7 or 10 Days Croatia Itinerary: National Parks To Coastlines

How to Travel Around To Croatia Islands?

a view of the pakleni islands in hvar in croatia - some of the most beautiful islands in croatia

You can book all your ferry tickets from Jadrolinija (www.jadrolinija.hr) which operates a wide range of routes, including high-speed catamarans and larger car ferries.

During peak period, it may be best to book online but we came in May and decided to just walk in to book and it was fine.

But if you want a quick way to see all the islands, there’s a really cool tour from Split that takes you on a cruise to Hvar and the Pakleni islands.

Also Read: Offbeat Split: A 2-3 Days Travel Itinerary + Best Things To Do

The Best & Most Beautiful Islands in Croatia, Near Split

1. Brac Island (Bol)

zlatni rat is one of the best islands in croatia & also the most beautiful

It was peaceful and stunningly beautiful, exuding the charm of a serene town along the Adriatic coast without the overwhelming tourist crowds found on more popular islands like Hvar and Korcula.

The main town of Bol in Brac Island is known for its stunning beaches like Zlatni Rat (the golden horned beach). It is entirely walkable and is the perfect spot to do nothing and enjoy the beaches with the mountain range as its backdrop.

This beach was created by deposits of fine pebbles causing that small tongue protuding as much as 500 metres into the sea.

You can hike Vidova gora, the highest peak on the island of Brač, Croatia, and also the highest peak on all Adriatic islands standing tall at 780 metres.

You can also walk or bike over to Murvica, just 5km from the town but the sunny skies and stunning coastlines make the slow bike ride absolutely worth it.

Also Read: Hiking To Best Beaches in Brac Island & Things To Do (Croatia)

2. Hvar

the waters in hvar — a jewel in the adriatic coast

If you’re talking about marbled streets and true Dalmatian flavours, Hvar is perhaps one of the best beaches to visit in Croatia.

This is the ultimate destination for experiencing the Adriatic coast and exploring its hidden islands while indulging in some of the world's finest truffles and olive oil.

You'll find breathtaking fortresses, endless vineyards, and the glistening blue sea, perfect for a refreshing dip.

Some of best places to visit in Hvar are the the Pakleni Islands which is small 16 islets known for their stunning beaches. You can take a yacht tour from Hvar to these spots and spend the entire day snorkelling!

The Pakleni Islands are home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Croatia. Palmizana Beach, located on the island of Sveti Klement, is one of the most popular spots, known for its soft sand, clear waters, and vibrant beach bars.

You can even do it on a tour by doing this: explore 5 islands in the Adriatic Sea on a 10-hour tour of Hvar, Biševo, Vis, Budikovac, and Pakleni.

3. Korčula

The most hidden of all and upcoming in the beach scenes of Croatia is Korcula.

Korčula is ironically known as "Little Dubrovnik" — think medieval architecture, charming old town and lush landscapes.

There’s something for everyone and if you love laidback beach vibes while exploring some of the most fascinating Gothic-Renaissance architecture, this is the beach to be.

You can also explore the house of the famous explorer Marco Polo, who is believed to have been born on the island.

Not to be missed is the vineyards in Korcula — a wine and sightseeing tour of the vineyards is one thing a lot of people do.

The best part of it is that the island is known for its famous festivals and performances that are unique to the island’s heritage. I am talking about the famous Moreska sword dance that even dates back to the 16th century.

4. Vis

a view of vis - quite an unpopular island in croatia

Not that popular compared to other islands mostly because of its distance from others but this island has fascinating history if you’re a history buff.

The town of Vis and the cutesy village of Komiža are mostly filled with remnants of this storied past, from ancient ruins to well-preserved medieval architecture.

The most popular attraction from all of this is the Blue cave. The Blue cave is stunning and a must-do exploration!

It is known for its mesmerizing blue light, which illuminates the cave's interior when the sunlight hits the water at a certain angle.

There are also other hiking trails to explore on this island without any crowds involved. It is a pretty much outdoor haven as you have trails and the best of diving right here.

The crystal-clear waters around Vis are ideal for diving, with numerous underwater caves and shipwrecks to explore.

5. Mljet

picture green trees and cleae blue waters - this is mljet

This is perhaps the only island on the Adriatic coast that’s 70% covered by forests.

The other side of the island consists of Mljet National Park, a protected area that showcases the island's diverse flora and fauna.

There are two saltwater lakes, Veliko Jezero (Big Lake) and Malo Jezero (Small Lake), which are connected by a narrow channel and are perfect for swimming, kayaking, and boating.

But if you’re more of a beach goer, there’s also Saplunara Beach which is on the southeastern part of the island — think sandy shores and turquoise waters.

Blace Beach, with its unique crescent shape and calm, shallow waters, is also a really cool spot to explore chill and have the entire beach to yourself.

6. Makarska

While the town might look busy with loads of cruise ship crowds coming in, Makarska is still an interesting spot on your way with som cool pebbly beaches.

The Nugal Beach, are perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports. There’s also plenty of snorkelling and kayaking which can be done on the island!

It is also home to Biokovo range and a high mountain peak called Sveti Jure. Sveti Jure is the second tallest mountain in Croatia at 1,762 meters and absolutely worth the extra stay in Makarska.

The Biokovo Nature Park, with its diverse flora and fauna, offers well-marked trails and panoramic viewpoints, including the famous Skywalk, a glass platform that extends over the edge of a cliff, providing breathtaking views of the coastline and islands.

Other Beaches Near Split

1. Bačvice Beach

If you’re talking about accessibility: the Bačvice Beach is the most famous beach in Split, located just a short walk from the city center.

The waters are shallow and are perfect for families to just dip in and out. You may see the famous traditional game being played in the water here called picigin.

2. Kašjuni Beach

For a more accessible option that is near the slopes of Marjan Hill, Kasjuni Beach feels like heaven away from the busy stretches.

This pebble beach has amazing views of the Adriatic Sea and is a great spot for swimming, relaxing at the coves while having access to a few beach bars where you can chill and grab a nice drink.

3. Bene Beach

Situated on the northern side of Marjan Hill, this beach is surrounded by pine trees making it quite beautiful and stunning.

There’s shallow waters, and family-friendly areas like playgrounds and other sports area. I like the fact that there are shaded areas especially when it is super hot in Croatia during summer.

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