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If you stand on the Croatian coastline and gaze ahead at the deep blue sea, you will spot numerous green specks at a distance. These green dots are a part of more than one thousand such dazzling islands in Croatia. Most of the islands are small and uninhabited and there are only 20 or so larger islands that are open and popular with tourists.
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The Brijuni or Brioni Islands
This group of beautiful islands was the summer residence of former Yugoslav President Tito and the top officials of former Yugoslavia. Because of its VIP status it used to be closed to the general public. President Tito received more than 100 foreign heads of state on these islands. Many actors including Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Sophia Loren and Carlo Ponti, and Gina Lollobrigida have also visited these islands as personal guests of the former President. The group of islands consists of two larger ones and 12 smaller ones and they were given National Park status in 1983. However, down the years because of funding problems these islands have lost their earlier splendor.
The largest island is Veli Brijun, which covers an area of about 1, 700 acres (5.6 square km), and is 2km from the coast. It is covered with Mediterranean vegetation. The island's safari park is home to zebras, giraffes, bison, camels and deer. There are four hotels on the island and they are accessible from the port of Fazana, near Pula, by boat. |
Cres and Losinj Islands
Cres, the second largest island in the Adriatic, covers 155 square miles and together with Losinj and another 28 smaller islands in the group, it covers an area of 193 square miles (513 square km). This is the largest group of islands and equates to 16% of the total surface area of all the Adriatic islands. You can reach both on ferry from Brestova in Istria or Valbiska in Krk. Mali Losinj is also connected by boat to Zadar and the beautiful journey takes about four hours.
The main resort is the town of Mali Losinj while the tourist area is centered in Cikat Bay. If you are in Mali Losinj, don't miss the harbour view, which is the most beautiful in the entire Adriatic. For wind surfing and gorgeous beach hit Cikat Bay. The town of Veli Losinj is quieter and there is easy access to it from Mali Losinj. Cres Town is also popular and has a distinct touch of Italian village probably because it was ruled by Venice for several centuries.
However, the most different island in this archipelago is Susak. The population is less than 200 people and they speak their own dialect. It is also distinct because the women dress differently ??? a short, multicoloured dress, white blouse and red leggings.
KRK
This is the largest island in the Adriatic covering 157 square miles (405.78 square km). The population is over 17, 000. It is developed and is connected by bridge to the mainland. Rijeka Airport is also located on the island of Krk. Though this island is not the most beautiful or greenest but it is geared to tackle tourists and their needs. The main resorts are Baska, Malinska, Omisalj, Vrbnik, Punat and Krk. Town. Krk Town is famous for St. Mary's Cathedral, the seat of the Krk bishopric.
Rab Island covers 90.48 square km. It is covered with pine forests and beautiful sandy beaches and is well known for its mild climate. The main resort, Rab Town, is full of medieval buildings built during Venetian rule in the 13th century. The islands main claim to fame was Marin, a stonecutter. He settled in Italy and founded San Marino.
PAG, the second longest island in the Adriatic, covers an area of 110 square miles (284.6 square km) and is 37 miles (63 km) long. Due to the strong wind, the island has very little vegetation but the numerous stonewalls built by farmers and shepherds allow for some cultivation. It is well known for its sheep's cheese, lace making and the beautifully preserved Pag Town, built according to plans by the famous Croatian Renaissance builder, Juraj Dalmatinac. The main resorts are Pag Town and Novalja.
Kornati Islands
This archipelago consists of 140 islands covering an area 114 square miles (300 square km). Most of the area is a national park. The natural beauty comprises numerous coves and crystal clear blue waters. There are no permanent residents of the islands and most of the area belongs to the people of Murter Island who grow olive groves here. They also own the island's vineyards and orchards. |
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The islands are best visited on a day excursion from Zadar, Sibenik or Split. However, all those who enjoy nature and are slightly adventurous can try a Robinson Crusoe-type holiday: A boat from Murter will deliver you there and pick you up a week later. In between you have stay there and explore the place minus the comforts we are used to: There is no electricity or running water.
BRAC: This island is the largest in Central Dalmatia at 150 square miles (394 square km) in size, the third largest in the Adriatic, and is one of the sunniest with 2, 700 hours of sun annually. This is also one of the most accessible islands - ferries run almost every hour from Split to Supetar. There is also a small airport near Bol, with several flights from Zagreb in the summer. The island is known for its agricultural products and the locals produce good wine, olive oil, figs, nectarines and other fruits. But the main export is, and has been from ancient times, the famous Brac stone from which many buildings in the world have been built, including the White House in Washington DC
Korcula
The sixth largest island, it is 20 miles long and rather narrow, between 4 and 5 miles wide on average. This island is known for its dense forest and the ancient Greeks called the island Black Korcula (Kerkyra melaina) for this reason. Marco Polo, the famous adventurer, was born on Korcula, and his house can still be viewed there. The main resorts are Korcula, Vela Luka and Lumbarda.
HVAR is the fourth largest island at 182 square miles (300 square km). The main resorts are Hvar Town, Stari Grad, Vrboska, Jelsa and Sucuraj. It is even sunnier than Brac, with almost 2, 800 hours of sunshine per year. But thankfully there is enough rain to keep the island green and to maintain the beautiful fields of lavender, rosemary, sage, marjoram and thyme and the carefully cultivated vineyards.
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VIS is the most westerly of the larger Croatian islands, at 24 miles from the mainland, and its area is 56 square miles (90 square km). The island is quite easily reachable with a fast boat service from Split. Vis is the oldest established town in Dalmatia, founded in 397 BC by the ruler of Sicily, Dionysius. Some of the most exclusive wines in Croatia are produced there, such as Plavac and Vugava.
MLJET Legend has it that Odysseus fell in love with the island and stayed there for seven years. Mljet is 23 miles from Dubrovnik and is the southernmost of the larger islands. Its area is 62 square miles (100 square km). Over two-thirds of the island is covered by forest with the western half of the island declared a National Park.
Kolocep, Lopud & Sipan (The Elafit Islands) This group of islands are called Elafit islands because of the Greek word elafos, meaning deer. In ancient times the islands were apparently home to a large deer population. This chain of islands are situated between the Peljasac peninsula and Lapad, are close to Dubrovnik. There are actually six islands in the group, and they were particularly famous as the most skilful mariners came from there. The islands are very beautiful and are perfect for a relaxing holiday.
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