Croatia's islands range from party hotspots to quiet fishing villages, and not all are worth your time. Some fill up with yachts and DJs each summer. Others stay quiet, even in August. To help you find the standouts, we've picked the best islands in Croatia. Each one earns its place for a reason, maybe it's the beaches, the seafood, or the feeling that you’ve landed somewhere different. This list leaves out the forgettable and focuses on what matters.
The information in this article is inspired by The Rough Guide to Croatia, your essential guide for visiting Croatia.
Picking the right islands for your Croatia itinerary takes more than following the ferry map. Some islands look good on paper but feel flat once you arrive. Others are packed with people and offer little beyond overpriced restaurants and crowded beaches. The best places to visit in Croatia stand out for a reason. It might be a historic old town, a quiet bay you can swim in alone, a coastal trail through pine forest, or a konoba serving fresh fish straight off the boat. These are the places worth building your trip around.
Island hopping in Croatia is easy to plan. Ferries run often, distances are short, and each island has its own rhythm. You can spend a night in Hvar if you want bars and beach clubs, then take a boat to Vis or Šolta for peace and space. Mljet has forest trails and saltwater lakes, while Cres and Lošinj feel far removed from the tourist trail.
You do not need to tick off a long list. A few well-chosen islands can offer a better experience than trying to see them all. Focus on places with character. That is what sets the best islands in Croatia apart.
Hvar is the show-off of the Croatian islands, and it knows it. Hvar Town brings the glamour: Renaissance architecture, cocktail bars, and a yacht crowd dressed like they’re on a Vogue shoot. It’s long been a summer hangout for celebrities, and the waterfront fills up with bronzed locals, visiting DJs, and boats worth more than your flat.
But that’s just one side of Hvar. Away from the camera-ready harbour, the rest of the island feels slower and more grounded. Inland villages like Velo Grablje sit among lavender fields, while Stari Grad and Vrboska keep their fishing village charm. These quieter spots are ideal for families or travelers who prefer grilled sardines to bottle service. Dozens of small coves make it easy to find a peaceful swim, even in peak season.
Hvar is also a major stop for sailing in Croatia, with the nearby Pakleni Islands offering perfect day trips.
The fastest route is the catamaran from Split to Hvar Town. There are also ferries from Split to Stari Grad, which take vehicles.
June and September are the best months, as they are sunny, lively, and not completely overrun. July and August are busy but still fun if you don’t mind the crowds.
Hvar in Dalmatia, Croatia © xbrchx/Shutterstock
Vis is one of the best islands in Croatia if you're looking for space, seafood, and a lack of hype. The most distant of the Southern Dalmatian islands, it remained off-limits for decades as a military base. That isolation helped preserve a slower pace of life, no mega resorts, no cruise ships, and no crowds, even in peak season.
You come here to swim in quiet coves, eat fresh lobster, and sip local wine in old fishing villages. The food is a standout. Vis is known for its stews and seafood pastas, but the real local favorite is pogača od srdele, a savoury anchovy pie baked in dough, usually eaten with a glass of something cold.
Vis also draws campers, with a few low-key spots along the coast offering some of the best beachside camping in Croatia. It’s a place that rewards staying a little longer.
Regular ferries and catamarans connect Vis with Split. Journey times vary between two and two and a half hours.
Come in late May, June, or September for warm seas, quiet roads, and space to breathe. July and August are busy but never packed.
Stinva Bay Beach, Vis Island, Croatia @ Shutterstock
Covered in pine forest, vineyards, and olive groves, Korčula is one of the greenest of the Croatian islands. Its main settlement, Korčula Town, is a compact medieval gem. Stone houses, narrow alleys, and old fortifications reach out into the sea, giving it the feel of a mini Dubrovnik without the crush of tour groups.
Korčula has a strong claim to some of the best beaches in Croatia. Families often head to Lumbarda, where rare sandy stretches and shallow water make it perfect for younger swimmers. The southern coast is more rugged, with quiet coves tucked below rocky cliffs. If you want something more remote, take a taxi boat from Vela Luka to Proizd. The white limestone slabs and clear water are ideal for a swim and a sun-soaked afternoon.
Traveling to Croatia with kids? Korčula works well. It is easy to navigate, boasts numerous tranquil beaches, and provides a well-balanced blend of nature, cuisine, and culture without feeling overly crowded.
Car ferries depart from Split to Vela Luka. Passenger catamarans also run to Korčula Town from Dubrovnik, Hvar, and the Pelješac Peninsula.
Visit in June or September for warm days and fewer visitors. July and August are busier but still enjoyable.
Korcula, old medieval town in Dalmatia region, Croatia © Shutterstock
Mljet is one of the best islands in Croatia for nature, solitude, and escaping the noise. Although many visitors come on a day trip from Dubrovnik, the island is best experienced at a leisurely pace. Most of Mljet is covered in dense pine forest, with quiet roads, sea-scented trails, and a national park that protects its western half. The park is home to two saltwater lakes, perfect for swimming, kayaking, or just wandering the shaded paths that circle the shoreline.
Spending a night or two gives you time to explore beyond the obvious. You can rent bikes, visit the 12th-century monastery on St Mary’s Island, or hike inland past vineyards and stone hamlets. Mljet’s food is just as rewarding as the landscapes. Try the local goat’s cheese, cured meats, or a simple plate of olives and anchovies with a glass of wine from the Pelješac Peninsula.
If you are looking for peaceful and low-key things to do in Croatia, Mljet belongs on your list.
Passenger catamarans run from Dubrovnik, Korčula, and Split. The main ports are Sobra and Polače.
Visit in late spring or early autumn for quiet trails, warm water, and easy ferry access.
Mljet National Park © OPIS Zagreb / Shutterstock
Unspoiled Šolta offers many of the reasons Croatia made it into our round-up of the world's best adventure destinations. Despite being just a short ferry ride from Split, the island feels a world away. There are no big hotels, no tour buses, and no real crowds, even in summer.
The island is small enough to explore by bike or on foot, with quiet trails winding through olive groves, dry-stone walls, and hidden villages that haven’t changed much in decades. The interior is dotted with crumbling chapels and fig trees, while the coast offers rocky coves perfect for a swim after a long walk.
On the western tip, Maslinica is the island’s prettiest harbour. It balances old-world charm with just enough polish: a small marina, a handful of good restaurants, and sunsets worth sticking around for.
Ferries and catamarans run from Split to Rogač, Šolta’s main port. The journey takes about one hour.
May, June, and September are ideal for cycling, hiking, and swimming without the heat or the crowds. July and August are still peaceful by Croatian standards.
Village Sromorska on island Solta in Croatia © Shutterstock
Known as one of the best European beach vacation destinations, Rab lives up to the title. The island has more sandy beaches than anywhere else on the Adriatic, a rare find in Croatia, where pebbles usually win out. It’s one of the best islands in Croatia for beach-focused travel, especially if you’re with kids.
Rajska Plaža (Paradise Beach) in Lopar is the star. Shallow water, soft sand, and easy access to cafés and shops make it ideal for families. If you want something quieter, head to Suha Punta on the Kalifront peninsula. Backed by pine forest and facing shallow turquoise bays, it feels a lot further from town than it actually is.
Rab also has a history when it comes to naturism. Kandarola Beach, one of the oldest official nudist beaches in the world, once hosted Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson. Locals still call it English Beach.
Car ferries connect Rab with the mainland from Stinica. Catamarans also run from Rijeka and nearby islands, depending on the season.
Late June through early September is best for swimming and beach time. Shoulder season is quieter, though some facilities may be limited.
Tower in Rab City. Rab Island, Croatia © Marcelino Macone/Shutterstock
Cres is one of the least developed of the Croatian islands, with a wild, rugged landscape that rewards those who like their travel quiet and unscripted. Stretching down the Kvarner Gulf, it feels remote despite being close to the mainland. Much of the island is thick with oak forest and scrub, especially in the north, where stone-walled paths wind past olive groves and abandoned hill villages. Further south, the land opens up into windswept pastures dotted with sheep.
Cres Town, the island’s main settlement, is low-key but charming, with a weathered harbor, Venetian-era buildings, and a sleepy rhythm that rarely changes. Nearby, Osor is a tiny, semi-abandoned town filled with Roman ruins and the occasional art installation. The coastline is carved with quiet coves, many of which are only accessible by foot or boat.
Cres is a good pick for walkers, swimmers, and anyone looking to escape the buzz of more developed Croatian islands. It is also one of the best places to spot griffon vultures, which nest in the island’s cliffs.
Car ferries run from Brestova in Istria and from Valbiska on Krk. Buses connect Cres Town with the ports.
Visit between May and September for good hiking weather and ferry access. July and August are warmer but still uncrowded.
Cres Port, Croatia © Pixabay
Susak barely feels like it belongs in Croatia. A small, sandy island off the coast of Lošinj, it looks more Mediterranean than Adriatic, with golden cliffs, overgrown footpaths, and beaches that are actually soft underfoot. No cars, no resorts, and no crowds, just a quiet village and the slow rhythm of island life.
The island is covered in tall grasses, wild fennel, and fern-filled gullies that trail down to the sea. Footpaths lead past crumbling stone houses, vineyard plots, and old chapels. You can cross the island in under an hour, but the appeal is in doing very little. Swim, wander, read, repeat.
If you're looking for slow and simple, Susak quietly ranks among the most unusual honeymoon destinations in Croatia. There are no candlelit fine-dining spots, but there’s wine, grilled fish, and beaches where you might be the only one around.
Take a catamaran from Mali Lošinj. Lošinj itself is connected to the mainland by ferry from Zadar, Rijeka, or Cres. Schedules are limited in the low season.
Visit in June or September for quiet beaches and warm evenings. July and August are still peaceful, but better for swimming.
Susak is one of the top Croatian islands for getaways © xbrchx / Shutterstock
Silba keeps things simple. There are no cars, no hotels, and during peak summer, not even bicycles are allowed. The island has a permanent population of just a few hundred, and even in high season, it never feels crowded. If you’re looking for parties or sightseeing, this isn’t the place. But if your idea of a good day is a quiet swim, a walk through the pines, and grilled fish by the water, Silba delivers.
Footpaths link small coves and low-key beaches, with nothing more than the sound of cicadas and the sea in your ears. The village has a few cafés and restaurants, but not much else. Most visitors spend their time swimming, reading, and watching the sun go down.
Silba often gets overlooked, but for slow, stripped-back travel, it earns its spot among the best islands in Croatia.
Passenger catamarans connect Silba with Zadar, Lošinj, and nearby islands. There are no car ferries.
Come in June or September for peace and warm seas. July and August bring more visitors, but the atmosphere stays relaxed.
Fishing harbour with boats of Silba in Croatia © Shutterstock
Lošinj has long been known for its clean air, clear sea, and a microclimate that once made it a 19th-century health retreat. That legacy still shapes the island today. Walking trails weave through pine forest and herbs like rosemary and sage, while dolphins regularly appear off the coast, part of a long-running marine conservation project based here.
The main town, Mali Lošinj, is a relaxed port with pastel townhouses, waterside cafés, and a small but worthwhile museum housing the Apoxyomenos, a 2,000-year-old bronze statue pulled from the sea. Nearby Veli Lošinj is quieter, with a tight cluster of stone houses and a harbour that fills up with small boats and swimmers in summer.
Lošinj works well for easygoing travel: walking, swimming, a boat ride here and there, and long lunches on shaded terraces. It's also one of the more family-friendly islands, with calm beaches, well-marked hiking paths, and laid-back places to stay.
Car ferries run from Zadar and the mainland via Cres. Passenger catamarans also connect Lošinj with Rijeka and other islands.
May to September is best for swimming and hiking. July and August are busier but still manageable.
Losinj, Croatia © Shutterstock
Dugi Otok is one of the wildest and least developed islands in Croatia. Its name means "long island," and that’s exactly what you get, a narrow strip of land stretching for nearly 50km, with cliffs on one side and quiet coves on the other. There are a few small villages and family-run restaurants, but very little in the way of infrastructure. That’s part of the appeal.
Most visitors come for nature. The Telascica Nature Park at the southern tip offers saltwater lakes, hiking trails, and dramatic sea cliffs that drop straight into the Adriatic. Sakarun Beach, on the northern end, is one of the few sandy beaches in the region, with white pebbles, shallow water, and a pine forest for shade. The rest of the island is about open space, silence, and sea views with no one else around.
Car ferries and catamarans run from Zadar to Brbinj and Sali. Renting a car or scooter is useful once you’re there.
Late spring and early autumn offer ideal conditions for hiking, swimming, and exploring without the summer heat.
Sakarun beach on Dugi Otok island, Croatia © Shutterstock
Pag is an island of extremes. One side is famous for wild summer parties in Novalja, where open-air clubs line Zrće Beach and the music rarely stops before sunrise. The other is defined by a stark, rocky landscape and quiet villages where cheese and lace are the local currency.
Away from the nightlife, the island feels almost lunar, all bleached rock, sparse vegetation, and long empty roads. It’s strange but striking, and completely unlike the pine-covered look of most Croatian islands. Pag Town is the cultural heart, with narrow streets, salt pans, and a tradition of lace-making that’s protected by UNESCO.
Pag is also a major destination for Croatian food lovers. Its paški sir (Pag cheese) is made from sheep milk and aged with sea salt and herbs blown in from the coast. It’s sharp, rich, and often served with local honey or prosciutto.
Pag is connected to the mainland by a bridge, so it’s easy to reach by car or bus. Ferries also run from nearby islands and Rijeka.
June and September are best for balance. July and August suit partygoers, but the rest of the island stays quiet.
written by
Olga Sitnitsa
updated 04.09.2025
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