With 1,777 kilometers of stunning coastline and over 1,200 islands in the Adriatic sea, Croatia is a must visit country for beach lovers and history buffs alike. You can find Ancient Greek and Roman ruins scattered across this awe-inspiring country. So join us on an odyssey through time to see some of the most Ancient and historical sites there are to see in Croatia.

One of the best ways to travel through Croatia is by sea of course. Having the freedom and comfort of your own yacht charter can make your journey around the Croatian archipelago that much more enjoyable.

Croatia By Sea: An Odyssey Through Time

Dubrovnik, or Kings Landing (if you're a Game of Thrones fan like us) is a logical first stop on our journey. Depending on where you're traveling from, you will most likely be flying into Dubrovnik anyway. And you definitely don't want to miss out on this magnificent city.

Before heading out to sea, consider spending a day or two exploring Dubrovnik old town where you can find gorgeous medieval architecture, bustling street life, cathedrals, and amazing views the top of the Dubrovnik walls that fortify the ancient old town. The walls themselves have a history dating back to the 9th century.

Dubrovnik makes for a great place to dip your toes into Croatian history before setting sail for a new location!

Diocletian’s Palace, Split

Traveling north to Split, we will find another city with an even more ancient history. Before we get to the really old stuff, lets talk about Diocletian's Palace.

Diocletian Palace is actually a 30,000 square meter complex that takes up most of Split's old town. The complex was built in the 4th century the Roman emperor Diocletian after he renounced the throne and settling in Split, which was in the Illyrian province of Rome at the time.

Many people still live and work within the complex. You'll find restaurants, shops, and hotels scattered among the numerous ruins and sites such as the Golden Gate, the Temple of Jupiter, and Diocletian's mausoleum.


Salona is one of the largest and most significant sites in Croatia and once held a estimated population of 60,000. The city used to be the capitol of the Roman Dalmatian province and is believed to have been founded in the 3rd century. Don't miss out on a trip to this city lost in time.

Trails through the ancient city are easily marked and provide many informational signs. Some of the largest structures include and aqueducts, bath houses, and the remains of a massive amphitheater. As well as many other smaller structures scattered throughout.

Just up the coast from Split lies the St. Nicholas Fortress. Built in the 16th century, the fortress is one of four that once protected Šibenik. The St. Nicholas fortress was specifically built on the water to protect the channel from Turkish invaders. It's said that the fortress looked so intimidating that no one every even tried to test it.

Nowadays, people can freely take a stroll inside the massive walls and explore many of the passageways and impressive architecture. You can access the fort by foot on a beach path, but be sure to double check as sometimes it is closed to renovations and the only way into the island is by boat tour.

Way up north from our other locations in the city of Pula, we will one of the most preserved Roman amphitheaters you can visit. The Pula arena was built in the 1st century during the reign of Emperor Vespasian who was also responsible for the Colosseum. The arena once held up to 20,000 spectators for various brutal tournaments.

Today we can safely visit the arena and takin just how massive of a structure it really is. You can even see a show here if you're lucky. Shows with much less violence of course! It regularly hosts famous artists from around the world. As well as film festivals and even mainstream pop stars. But if you can't make a show while during your trip, it is still more than worth it to visit Pula and see this incredible arena.

Picking the perfect place to take your cruise of a lifetime is no easy feat. There’s a lot to consider. And the destination is one of the biggest factors. Some may prefer a vacation through the icy northern waters of Alaska. While others want to dip their toes in the glistening warm tropical waters of the south pacific. There are so many different locations and climates to choose from that even the pickiest of people can no doubt find the perfect place. However, few places can beat Croatia.

Another big thing to contemplate is the cruise itself. From the standard ships that are essentially floating resorts. To sailing your own schooner wherever your heart desires. Understandably, most people don’t own a boat for countless reasons. Therefore, the best option for most is booking a cruise. The only downside to this is that there isn’t much freedom to explore at your own pace. When planning the voyaging trip of a lifetime it is always important to have the flexibility you deserve. And you can find exactly that in Croatia with options to charter your own luxury yacht equipped with a crew, so you can kick back and relax any way you want.

With the freedom, a yacht charter brings you can plan the perfect trip. And with that in mind lets look at some of the best things to do on your luxury Croatian cruise:

Enjoy a Gourmet Meal on a Secluded Island
If you’re anything like me then I bet you appreciate some good food. Now pair that with a gorgeous beachfront view and you have the makings of a perfect evening. You can find exactly that at the Konoba Opat restaurant on Kornat island. And I hope you like seafood because Konoba Opat’s menu is greatly influenced by what the local fisherman bring in each day which usually consists of a variety of fish and shellfish. You couldn’t get any fresher than that if you tried!

There may be many beachfront restaurants in Croatia but what makes Konoba Opat so special is the ability to sail right into the Opat bay and hop on land for a delicious gourmet meal and a great atmosphere.

Take a (deep) dip in the sea

Naturally, one of the biggest perks of being on a boat is having the endless blue horizon right out your front door. And one of the best ways to experience it is to jump in! Snorkeling in the crystal-clear water is thrilling and being on your own private yacht only elevates that. You can jump right in whenever and wherever you want. And you can take it to the next level by diving into deeper waters.

With Croatia’s thousands of islands, you’re never too far from an incredible spot for divers and snorkelers alike. Some of these places include the Blue Grotto, Premuda, Margarina reef, and for the more experienced divers Baron Gautsch. The WW1 Austrian passenger ship that went down in 1914 after hitting one of her own county’s mines. She sunk in minutes and now rests upright on the ocean floor surrounded by wildlife that made her their home.

Search for Secret Coves
Undoubtedly, one of Croatia’s best features are the thousands of islands to be explored. And on those islands, the most beautiful beaches can be found. However, with great beauty comes great amounts of tourists! It’s always impossible to enjoy the scenery when its blocked by a wall of people trying to get the best angle for their next selfie. Sometimes it’s unavoidable, but not when you’re on your own boat. You can set sail in search of your own little piece of paradise.

Some of the more popular places among sailors are Lovrečina Bay, Dugi otok, Pomena beach, and the small little Town of Komiža. These places are known to be beautiful. And of course, that means over time they are becoming more crowded as well, but don't worry! There are still many secret spots to be found on your trip from island to island.

Explore Hvar
So far we've looked at things to do with your boat, but instead of swimming and searching for secret beaches lets take a stroll through one of Croatia's coolest cities. The city of Hvar is very old and has a long history as a center for culture and trade in the Adriatic.

One of the best things to do in the city if you have a limited time is to take a hike to the top of the Hvar fortress. On the way up you will be able to experience the ancient architecture the city has to offer, including one of the oldest theaters in Europe. And once on the top, you have an incredible view of the city as well as a military fortress to explore.

These are only some of the limitless possibilities when cruising Croatia. However, these are some of the must do's for a truly life-changing adventure. What would be your dream sailing vacation? leave a comment below!

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