Croatia’s coast is full of islands. Some are famous. Others feel like small secrets. But the best part is how easy it is to move between them, if you know where to go and when to travel.
If you’re planning a Croatia luxury vacation, island-hopping can be the most scenic part of your trip. You don’t need to cram your schedule with back-to-back ferry rides or crowded beaches. With some planning, you can explore three or four islands without feeling rushed. This guide shows you how.
Start in Split
Split is the second-largest city in Croatia and the starting point for most island trips. The ferry terminal is easy to reach, just steps from the old town. You can take high-speed catamarans or slower ferries from here, depending on how much time you want to spend on the water.
Before leaving, take a walk through Diocletian’s Palace. You’ll see Roman stone walls with cafés, bakeries, and narrow alleys filled with plants. Grab a seafood lunch along the Riva promenade, then head to the port for your first island ride.
First stop: Hvar
Hvar is known for its sun, sea, and summer parties, but that’s just one part of the island. There’s a quieter side that’s perfect for travelers looking for calm views and good food.
Skip the big beach clubs. Instead, stay in the old town or in a village like Vrboska or Stari Grad. These spots feel local. You’ll see stone houses, sailboats in tiny harbors, and people fishing right off the dock.
You can spend the afternoon swimming in small coves like Mekicevica or Dubovica, where the water is clear and the crowds are light. Dinner in Stari Grad might mean fresh grilled fish, local olive oil, and a glass of Bogdanuša, a white wine that grows only on Hvar.
This kind of easy, flexible planning is what makes a Croatia customized vacation different from standard tour packages. You move at your pace, not on someone else’s timetable.
Next: Vis
From Hvar, take a boat to Vis. This island is farther out, and because it was closed to foreign visitors until the 1990s (it was once a military base), it’s less developed and more peaceful.
Vis Town and Komiža are the two main places to stay. Komiža feels especially slow, with fishermen mending nets, narrow pebble beaches, and stone houses close to the water. It’s where you can walk around in the morning, swim in the afternoon, and have dinner with your feet in the sand.
One of the best things to do on Vis is to visit the Blue Cave on the nearby island of Biševo. Go early in the day to avoid tour groups. The cave fills with light and turns the water bright blue for a short window each morning.
Vis is also known for its seafood. Try peka, a slow-cooked dish with octopus, potatoes, olive oil, and garlic. Many family-run restaurants serve it, but you’ll need to order it earlier in the day, as it takes hours to prepare.
Third stop: Korčula
Korčula is a mix of medieval charm and laid-back island life. Some call it a “mini Dubrovnik” because of its old walls and towers, but it’s much less crowded.
Stay near Korčula Town if you like walking streets filled with history. Or pick Lumbarda, a smaller village surrounded by vineyards and sandy beaches, something rare in Croatia, where most beaches are pebbled.
You can spend the day biking through olive groves, tasting local wines like Grk and Pošip, or exploring the old town on foot.
Korčula’s relaxed rhythm is perfect for travelers on a Croatia luxury tour who care more about quiet views and good food than packed excursions.
How to get around
Ferries run between the islands regularly. Tickets are easy to book online, but you can also buy them at the port a day in advance.
If you’re visiting outside of July or August, ferries are less crowded, and the islands are even calmer. May, June, and September are especially good months, warm enough to swim but quiet enough to feel like you have the place to yourself.
Another option is to hire a boat for the day. Skippers can take you between islands or to nearby beaches that don’t show up on maps. It’s a good choice if you want total flexibility.
