The top destinations to visit in Croatia

Let the LateSail team help you decide where to sail from in Croatia

15th Jan 2019

When planning a yacht charter holiday in Croatia it can be difficult to choose which area to sail from. With so many beautiful ports and towns full of history, picturesque beaches and fabulous sailing conditions, finding your ideal departure point can be a tricky decision.


Here at LateSail, we have experience in sailing from all of the major bases in Croatia so to help you make the decision, we’ve pulled together a list of the top areas to sail from and the things you can expect to see and do while there.

Dubrovnik

Famous for its terracotta roofs and its historical Old Town, Dubrovnik is at the southern end of Croatia on the Adriatic Sea. Dubrovnik is brimming with Renaissance history, the city is full of baroque style buildings and the wall surrounding its Old Town is distinctive and intriguing. Coupled with its typical Mediterranean climate of warm summers and calm sailing conditions, Dubrovnik is a firm favourite with the team here at LateSail.

Helicopter aerial shoot of Cavtat. Well known tourist destination near Dubrovnik

While in Dubrovnik, there are an abundance of activities to take part in and places to visit ashore that will make your holiday a memorable one. If you’re a fan of diving and snorkelling, Dubrovnik is one of the most wonderful places to get underwater. With beautifully clear azure coloured waters, visibility is excellent and the sea life both inviting and breathtaking. See schools of fish, octopus and starfish who all dive excitedly between the many rocks and underwater corals that act as their home.

Ashore, take a walk along the city walls which offers breathtaking views of the ocean and surrounding areas before heading to St John’s Fortress where you can visit the Dubrovnik Maritime Museum which exhibits navigational equipment and impressive ships and provides visitors with fascinating facts about the area’s naval power and history. Take to Banje Beach for a day of R&R and choose from one of the many restaurants and bars that surround the city. One of our favourites is the Tavernetta Otto which serves traditional Mediterranean cuisine including locally caught fish and seafood and succulent cuts of meat.

How to get to Dubrovnik

There are plenty of scheduled flights to Dubrovnik from London Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester and regional airports with low cost airlines.

Transfer time to bases vary between 10 to 40 mins dependent on locations.

Trogir

Located close to the popular tourist destination of Split, Trogir is a beautiful Adriatic gem that is often overlooked in favour of more well known Dalmatian destinations. The historical Renaissance architecture and baroque decoration make for excellent sightseeing while the the warm winds and multitude of sheltered anchorages are perfect for sailing. Connected to the mainland and the island of Čiovo by bridges, sailors have the opportunity to discover the Old Town of Trogir in all its wonderful glory as well as some of the beautiful sandy beaches and fascinating architecture of the adjoining island.

Harbour of Trogir, Croatia

As with all other Croatian coastal locations, snorkelling and diving are popular and well worth spending a few hours partaking in while moored at one of Trogir’s marinas. But the real beauty lies in the Old Town where visitors will find themselves immersed in a timewarp of intrigue. Head to Trogir Cathedral, a 13th century triple naved gothic basilica which stands majestically at the centre of the Old Town. From here, head to the Tower Kamerlengo, a 15th century castle offering visitors the opportunity to view theatrical performances when visiting during the summer months.

 

For sunbathing and relaxation, a trip over the bridge to Čiovo is a must where you can travel down to Okrug Gornji Beach. This popular 2km long beach is ideal for enjoying the sounds of the waves as they lap against the shore and the clear cobalt blue waters are perfect for snorkelling and diving.

How to get to Trogir

There are plenty of scheduled flights to Split Airport from London Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester and regional airports with low cost airlines. Transfer time to the base is around 10 minutes.

Šibenik

Affectionately referred to as the gateway to the Kornati Islands, sailing from Šibenik offer silors a whole host of amazing things to see and do while on a yacht charter from this popular area of Croatia. Surrounded by stunning cobalt waters, Šibenik is the oldest native town in the eastern area of the Adriatic and acts as an excellent place to discover some of the area’s 140 uninhabited islets and other islands of the Šibenik archipelago such as Zlarin and Prvic.

Šibenik, Croatia. Photo by Sergii Gulenok

The warm climate and soothing breeze make for the perfect sailing holiday and there are many beautiful and secluded places to moor up for the day to swim leisurely from the back of your yacht or discover the marine life with a spot of snorkelling or diving.

 

On land, you’ll be spoilt for choice for places to explore, with a mass of historical buildings, lush wildlife and quaint streets to wander. The triple naved UNESCO World Heritage Cathedral of St. James is a must see, decorated with 71 sculptured faces and a visit to the newly reconstructed St. Nicholas’s Fortress will take you back to the 15th century when monument was erected. Head further inland for a day of magical adventures with a visit to the Krka National Park, surrounded by verdant flora and fauna and full of cascading waterfalls.

How to get to Šibenik

There are plenty of direct scheduled flights to Split Airport or Zadar Airport from London Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester and regional airports with low cost airlines. Transfer time to the base is around 50 minutes from both airports.

Pula

Located on the Istrian peninsula, Pula is one of the most northern sailing areas of Croatia but allows for excellent sailing and discovery of some of the country’s most beautiful beaches. The town is littered with Roman ruins and has played a huge role in many battles throughout the centuries including World War II. It’s coast is lined with gorgeous sandy beaches that attract many sunseekers throughout the season and watersports, snorkelling and diving are popular. It is also the perfect starting point for sailing south and visiting the pretty fishing village of Losinj.

Roman time arena in Pula, Croatia.

One of the town’s most popular attractions is the Pula Arena, an amphitheatre that has near complete surrounding walls and where visitors can walk through the tunnels where the gladiators and lions will have been kept prior to their ‘show’. It is now used for open air festivals and attracts many visitors throughout the year. Take a walk through the Arch of the Sergii, the gateway to Pula’s historical centre and visit the Archeological Museum of Istria, full of historical sculptures, pottery and art that date back to Roman times.


For keen water sports fans, head to Medulin where the clear waters and excellent sea conditions make for the perfect place to spend the day enjoying a spot of windsurfing, kayaking, snorkelling and diving. While in Pula, visit one of our favourite restaurants, Farabuto, where you can sample some of the town’s most delicious cuisine including locally caught seafood; mussels, squid and octopus or perhaps try a succulent steak, all of which are sourced from local eco farming businesses.

How to get to Pula

There are plenty of direct scheduled flights to Pula Airport from London Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester and regional airports with low cost airlines.

Transfer time to the base is around 20 minutes from both airports

To find out more about sailing holidays in Croatia or to take a look at our latest special offers, contact us online today or call  01227 479900.

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