Destinations · Overview
The Croatianislands
One thousand two hundred and forty-four islands. Fifty inhabited. A specialist's overview of which to visit, which to combine, and how to reach them.
The archipelago in short
Croatia has 1,244 islands, of which 79 are larger than one square kilometre and 50 have a permanent population. It is the second-largest archipelago in the Mediterranean, after Greece.
For a villa holiday, only six or seven islands appear on serious itineraries: Hvar, Brač, Korčula, Vis, Solta, Mljet, and the northern group of Cres, Losinj and Rab. The rest reward slower, more independent travellers.
This is the overview: which island suits which trip, how they combine, and which crossings work in the season you have chosen.
- 1,244
- Total islands
- 50
- Inhabited
- 7
- On most itineraries
- 45 min
- Shortest catamaran to Hvar
The central Dalmatian islands
Hvar, Brač, Vis,Solta
The four islands within an hour of Split. Hvar is the sun-and-social choice; Brač is the quieter neighbour with the country's most famous beach; Vis is the connoisseur's island, only opened to visitors in 1989; Solta is the small local's island most guests miss.
Any two of these combined make a strong week. All four in a fortnight is one of the coast's classic island itineraries.
The southern islands
Korčula, Mljet,and the Elaphitis
The islands south of Split. Korčula is the wine island. Mljet is a two-island national park with a lake within an island. The Elaphitis (Kolocep, Lopud, Sipan) are the day-trip archipelago from Dubrovnik.
This group naturally combines with a Dubrovnik-based holiday. Korčula deserves a full week; the others are day trips or one-night stops.
The northern islands
Cres, Losinj,Krk and Rab
The Kvarner islands are cooler, wilder and less visited than the Dalmatian ones. Cres is empty and forested; Losinj is polished and wellness-focused; Rab has the coast's rare sand beaches; Krk is the largest and most accessible, connected by bridge to the mainland.
These four suit guests staying in northern Croatia and combine easily with Istria or Kvarner.
Best beaches on the islands
From Zlatni Ratto Stiniva
Zlatni Rat on Brač is the postcard beach. Stiniva on Vis is reached only by boat. Sakarun on Dugi Otok is the country's rare sand-beach outlier. Pupnatska on Korčula is the finest on the south of the island.
The most memorable island swimming is not from a beach at all. It is from a mooring at anchor above turquoise water, with lunch coming out of the galley.
Fine dining on the islands
LD Terrace,Gariful, and family konobas
LD Terrace on Korčula holds the islands' only Michelin star. Gariful and Zori on Hvar remain the classic evenings. Konoba Kopacina on Brač and Konoba Roki's on Vis are two of the finest family kitchens on the coast.
Every island has at least one restaurant worth planning a day around. Our concierge maintains a working list, revised each season.
Family activities on the islands
Beaches, boats,and quiet villages
Brač and Korčula are the most family-friendly of the central islands. Losinj and Rab are the family choices in the north. Mljet's saltwater lakes are a genuine children's day out.
Sailing lessons, kayaking, quiet coves and short-drive villages make islands, in general, an easier holiday with children than city stays.
Island national parks
Mljet, Brijuni,Kornati by day
Two national parks are on inhabited islands: Mljet (south of Korčula) and Brijuni (off Istria). A third, Kornati, is an uninhabited archipelago reached by day-boat from Zadar, Šibenik or Murter.
Any of the three make a memorable single-day trip from a nearby villa.
When to visit the islands
The season isshorter than the mainland
Island restaurants and villas run reliably from mid-May to mid-October. Ferry service is at its fullest from late June through early September.
May and October reward slower travellers, but on smaller islands (Vis, Mljet, the Elaphitis) many restaurants close outside the peak season. Winter is for a specific kind of visitor.
Helpful information
Planning an islandtrip
How islands combine
Split for central Dalmatia (Hvar, Brač, Vis, Solta). Dubrovnik for the south (Korčula, Mljet, Elaphitis). Rijeka or Pula for Kvarner (Cres, Losinj, Rab).
Ferry vs speedboat
Ferries and catamarans are reliable and inexpensive. Private speedboats are 40 percent faster, weather-flexible and door-to-door. We book both.
How many islands per trip
Two per week is the natural pace. Three requires speedboat transfers and a shorter stay on each. One with day trips is often the best option.
Which island for which trip
Hvar for sun and social evenings. Brač for family. Korčula for quiet and wine. Vis for authenticity. Losinj for wellness. Rab for sand beaches.
Marinas and berths
Split, Trogir, Šibenik, Zadar and Dubrovnik have full-service marinas. Book berths four months ahead for July and August.
What to pack
Reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes for pebble beaches, layers for wind on exposed boat days, and something modestly smart for Gariful or LD Terrace.
Frequently asked
The islandsin questions
Luxury concierge
Choose the islandwith a specialist
Tell us the shape of your trip and which side of Croatia you fly into. A specialist replies within four hours with two or three island options honestly compared.
Luxe Villas Collection
Browse villasacross the islands
Private villas on Hvar, Brač, Korčula, Vis, Losinj, Rab and the smaller islands. Each personally verified and looked after by our team.