Hidden Gems in Croatia
Croatia may be well known, but its best moments are still quietly waiting to be discovered. The Dalmatian Coast and Elafiti Island archipelago – featuring islands like Vis, Hvar and Korčula – are some of the most popular places to explore on a yacht charter for good reason!
We’re sure that, whether you’ve sailed here yet or not, you’re familiar with the iconic tourist spots. Today, we’re going to introduce you to the hidden gems of Croatia: the hidden beaches and anchorages, the restaurants that tourists overlook, and the natural beauty spots that only insiders know about.
We’ve asked Mirna Jakšić, Chart Briefer and Events Manager at The Moorings, for her expert recommendations. Below, we’ve curated a route through the Adriatic’s lesser-known highlights from Marina Agana to Dubrovnik, gathered from local expertise and perfect for elevating your next charter.
1.Trogir
Just a hop, skip, and a jump away from both Marina Agana and Split, Trogir is an often overlooked town full of hidden delights for the passing sailor. As we mention in our Island Hopping in Croatia blog, it’s a beautiful historic town set within medieval walls that was listed as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1997.
There are dozens of highly-rated hotels and villas you could book for a night, and the old town is packed with restaurants and cafes serving exquisite seafood. Mirna Jakšić recommends “sitting in FRANKA, or the courtyard of Konoba Toma, with a plate of pasta or a seafood platter and watching the world go by”.
2. Šolta
The island of Šolta, only 9 nautical miles from Split, offers a distinct contrast from the busy city – its leisurely pace and gentle blue waters make it perfect for sailors seeking a luxurious oasis on their charter. There are many reasons to love Šolta, but here are two of our favorite hidden gems.
- Agroturizam Kaštelanac, Stomorska. Rent a car and drive inland from Stomorska, and you’ll find this incredible family-run winery where you can have a truly one-of-a-kind wine tasting.
- Šampjer, Maslinica. This hilltop restaurant not only offers some of the best food in Šolta, but is also the best place on the island to enjoy the sunset.
3. Brač
The island of Brač itself is hardly a hidden gem. Sailors flock to the southern side of the island, where you can visit the famous Golden Horn Beach, and hike up to Vidova Gora, which is the highest view point across the Adriatic islands. We’ve written about this in our Best Places to Sail in Croatia blog.
But sailors rarely journey over to the northern side of the island, where you can find Pučišća. Mirna Jakšić describes this place as “a fairytale town” that has “mesmerising” houses made of local marble (and was home to the stone used to build the White House in America). This hidden gem is absolutely worth a visit – explore the sunny streets, buy an ice cream or two, and relax by the marina.
4. Hvar
Hvar is packed with so many treasures, you could spend multiple days of your charter exploring it and still have things to do! Most sailors will make Hvar Town the focus of their visit, but we recommend also making time for Jelsa Town.
Mirna Jakšić says: “This lovely waterfront town is best known for fabulous local cuisine, but if you want to add something daring to your vacation, you could take a sea plane from here to Split!”
We also want to spotlight Lučišća Bay, which is easily one of the best hidden beaches in Croatia. As we discussed in our Best Beaches Near Agana blog, you can only reach it on land if you set out on a long, tough hike from Sveta Nedilja. Sailors, meanwhile, can enjoy this remote paradise with very little effort.
And finally, if you’re near Hvar, it’s worth venturing over to the Pakleni archipelago to visit The Fisherman’s House restaurant during the high season.
5. Vis
Much like with Hvar, a lot of sailors visiting Vis will focus their attention on Vis Town. We also recommend stopping by Komiža, on the western side of the island. Did you know that Komiža was used as a set in Mamma Mia? Mirna Jakšić recommends it highly, saying that “if you or your family adore the film and want to re-live it (without the crowds you’d find in the Sporades Islands) this is the place to be”.
It’s also worth sailing around to the southern side of Vis and spending an afternoon in Stiniva Bay. Another of the best hidden beaches in Croatia, Stiniva Bay is a tiny cove surrounded by cliffs and foliage. It’s not as secluded as Lučišća Bay, but it’s a lovely place to sunbathe, swim and bask in Croatia’s natural beauty.
6. Korčula
Korčula, also known as “little Dubrovnik” has wonderful things to do and see around every corner. If you’re swimming in recommendations and not sure where to start, here are three hidden gems we want to spotlight:
- Massimo Cocktail Bar, Korčula Old Town. There are many great places to get drinks in Korčula Town, but none quite so atmospheric as Massimo. Built into a turret, right on the edge of the water, there’s no better place to drink in the views and watch the sunset.
- Martina Bok, Vela Luka. At the northernmost point of Korčula, you’ll find this totally unique beach. Not quite sand, not quite pebble – instead, this beach is a rugged rocky landscape. It’s the perfect place to go swimming.
- Pizzeria Tinel, Blato. If you’re able to rent a car, the little village of Blato – tucked in a blanket of foliage – is a breathtaking sight. Have lunch at Pizzeria Tinel, an atmospheric little restaurant that uses the finest local ingredients to produce pizzas you’ll be thinking about for the rest of your charter.
We also recommend catching the Korčula Sword Dance Festival if you’re visiting in June. Take a look at our When to Sail in Croatia blog for more information.
7. Mljet
Mljet (or specifically Mljet National Park) is no secret, but did you know that this green sanctuary is home to Croatia’s largest coral reef? Which is also, in fact, the largest coral reef in the Mediterranean?
Head up to Veliko Jezero, a large saltwater lake surrounded by aromatic pine trees. You’ll find the coral reef tucked away to the side of it. Despite some damage over the years due to climate change, this reef is still a testament to the biodiversity of the area and absolutely worth bringing your snorkeling gear for.
8. Grebeni
If you want a truly unique, luxurious and exclusive yacht charter, we want to introduce you to Grebeni. This tiny islet – featuring a lighthouse, and nothing else – can be privately rented for a few nights.
If you and your partner are seeking complete isolation, this could be the perfect romantic getaway for a special occasion.
And as we mention in our Best Diving and Snorkeling in Dubrovnik blog, it’s also a great place for an underwater adventure, that you can actually privately rent for a few nights if you wish!
9. Dubrovnik
We’ve made it all the way over to Dubrovnik! This distinctive cityscape offers many wonders for travelers, and honestly, we would find it hard to pinpoint a true hidden gem within the town. But if you want to get away from the crowds for a few hours, we do have one final place to recommend.
As mentioned in our Best Beaches in Dubrovnik blog, Pasjača Beach is a little south of Dubrovnik and is a true hidden treasure. On land, it’s only accessible via a steep and winding path, so this beach is essentially an exclusive spot for sailors. Hide away under towering cliffs, and take in the views as you enjoy a picnic, a good book, or just the mid-afternoon sun.
Discover Croatia with The Moorings
See a different side of Croatia.
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