Your Ultimate Guide to Island Hopping in Croatia

Croatia is home to some of the most enchanting islands. There are more than 1000 islands most of which are tiny and uninhabited. To see most of those picturesque landscapes, island hopping in Croatia is one of the best ways to explore, relax, and sunbathe. Therefore, here’s your ultimate guide to the best Croatian islands we visited on your recent trip to the country.

As our trip started from Dubrovnik, our island hopping begun from the islands near this jewel of the Adriatic Sea.

Island Hopping in Croatia near Dubrovnik

Lokrum

Being one of the world’s seven cursed islands, Lokurm is very close to Dubrovnik. It offers spectacular nature with rocky beaches, parks with bunnies and peacocks walking as if they owned the place, the Dead Sea, Benedictine monastery, and an original iron throne from the acclaimed HBO series Game of Thrones to name just a few of its attractions.

There are plenty of cafes and bars on the island, but there are no accommodation options. Because no one wants to stay overnight on a cursed island, and who would? The island is so small that you can visit all the extraordinary sights and even have some time to spend on the beach or sunbathe.

How to get there: Lokrum is a perfect day trip destination from Dubrovnik, as boats run every 30 minutes from the old port of the city and the ride takes only 15 minutes. However, do note that the last taxi-boat leaves Lokrum at 6 pm. So don’t be late!

Pro tip: If you’d like to have a gorgeous view over the city, walk up the Fort Royal

• Boat ticket price: 120 Kuna two ways

Lopud

Lopud is part of the Elaphiti Islands, s a small archipelago consisting of several islands stretching northwest of Dubrovnik. Its evergreen vegetation, sandy beaches, and crystal clear water attract many tourists during the summer months.

Similar to Lokrum, Lopud is a small island that can be visited in a couple of hours. Here, you can walk through the ruins of early-medieval churches, fortifications, summer manors, visit the 15th-century Franciscan monastery and the church of Our Lady of Šunj.

How to get there: During the summer months when the country is flocked with tourists, the boats run very often making it a perfect day trip from Dubrovnik. However, if you are planning a visit during mid or off-season, you might want to check the timetable at Croatia Ferries or Jardolinija. The boat departs from Gruž harbor and takes about 45 minutes.

Pro tip: Don’t take the Elaphiti Island tour at the agencies throughout the city. You can do it on your own, so it’s a waste of your money!

• Boat ticket price: 92 Kuna one way

Sipan

Šipan, pronounced as Shipan, is also part of the Elaphiti Islands but is quieter, peaceful, and the largest of them all. It’s not a big tourist destination. Therefore if you would like to escape some crowds, Šipan is the place for you.

The island offers architectural monuments that date back to the Middle Ages, but on our visit to the island, those sights were closed due to reconstruction.

But the main reason for our visit to Šipan was to eat tasty seafood at the restaurant of  Hotel Bozica.

How to get there: similar to the ferry towards Lopud, you take the same boat from Gruž harbor, taking you to the island in an hour or so. Check the timetables at Croatia Ferries or Jardolinija.

• Boat ticket price: 92 Kuna

Island Hopping in Croatia: KORCULA

One of the jewels off the Dalmatian coast, Korčula, pronounced as Korchula, is known for fabled history, rich cultural traditions, gorgeous bays, lovely villages, and some of the best wines of the country.

The island offers so much to see and do, that it doesn’t matter where you start exploring it. However, the most impressive destination is Korčula town itself.

Home to Marco Polo, the world-famous traveler, the island is surrounded by stone walls from the 13th century. The town itself is small, so you only need a couple of hours to wander through its narrow cobblestone streets. However, to make the best out of your trip to the island, its best to stay for several days. The sights of the old town include the house and museum of Marco Polo, museums, and St. Marko Cathedral to name a few.

How to get here: the boat to Korčula departs from Gruž harbor and takes around two hours. Check the timetables at Croatia Ferries or Jardolinija.

Pro tip: During the midseason, the boats run only once at 4 pm

• Boat ticket price: 120 Kuna one way

Island Hopping in Croatia: HVAR

Considered as one of the best Croatian islands for party-goers, Hvar is definitely more than that. The city of Hvar has a long history of being the trade and cultural center of the Adriatic. It was part of the Venetian Empire during the 13th-18th centuries, the time when the island flourished and prospered.

Most of the 15th-17th century public buildings, houses, and 700-year old walls still stand, making Hvar a stunning island for anyone.

How to get there: boats from Korčula to Hvar depart from port Korčula and takes about an hour. Check the timetables at Croatia Ferries or Jardolinija.

Pro tip: During the midseason, the boats run only once at 6 am

• Boat ticket price: 70 Kuna one way

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