5 must see Croatian islands

Among the 1246 Croatian islands, it is hard to choose only 5 everyone should see at least ones in a lifetime.
But, I am trying to think about it, like I think that there are many books worth reading twice. In the same way, there are some places worth visiting over and over, there are some worth sightseeing once, and some none.

I must admit that there is no island in Croatia, nor islet, nor cliff, I would recommend not to see. Croatian archipelago is an arc of little and few bigger diamonds, close one to another, yet, everyone has it’s own fairytale to put the spell on Your thoughts and body. There are 67 inhabited islands and I’ll pick 5 must see of that number, although those ones with no traces of human doing on their faces are also fair examples of nature creativity and generosity.

There is archipelago Kornati which consists of 152 islets and rocks, most southern island Jabuka, and many of those forgotten pieces of paradise, for the adventurous ones running away from crowdie and noisy tourist centers.

Nautical tourism is in great take-off in Croatia. Marines and harbors are sprouting in charming bays of Croatian archipelago due to growing interest and natural security of island’s ports. So, You can just slide on the smooth surface of crystal clear Adriatic sea among it’s green and stony pearls, or You can stop to find a harbor for Your ship.

A harbor, a place, made to please Your senses and all the needs burred deep down inside You, urging for a key such this island can be, to set them fee.

1.    I’ll start with the smallest inhabited island in Croatia, Krapanj. It is also the nethermost island with the highest part on 1,25 meters above sea level. Only 300 meters distanced from mainland, it was the thickest populated island in the last century with 1500 residents. Today, Krapanj has only 200 inhabitants but they are all proud about their long maritime tradition as well as diving, fishing and sea sponges harvesting.
Krapanj was founded about 500 years ago and sea sponges harvesting has a tradition 300 years long. It’s narrow tight streets and oblique stoned houses, along with famous Sponge museum, will find a permanent place in Your memory and heart.

2.    Now we’ll jump from the least to the most beautiful island on the Earth. It’s name is Mljet and the island keeps one of eight Croatian National parks in it’s heart with the unique necklace of salt lakes. It is the biggest island of Dubrovnik archipelago distanced from famous Dubrovnik 30 kilometers. Mljet is a place hard to come to by land vehicles, but it is worth every effort.
Do not miss to find out why Mljet’s thick green pine woods and sunny beaches are the scene for Odyssey stories, tales about St. Paul, benedictions and the Mediterranean monk seal, and why all those lucky ones to visit it, come back over and over.

3.    Vis in archipelago of Split is one of the more distanced islands, 45 kilometers from the mainland. There are two bigger settlements on island, Vis and Komiža, and the whole island counts about 3400 residents.
During it’s turbulent history, Vis was often pretended by Croatian neighbors, and anyone who spends some time wondering it’s singing paths and enjoying calming clean beauty of it’s nature, can easily comprehend why. Once on Vis, do not loose the opportunity to visit nearby Biševo and it’s famous Modra špilja, the grotto where sunlight enters only from beneath the sea surface, so when You enter in, You won’t be able to tell the difference between the sea and the air.

4.    Bonvivans, the ones in favor of humoring their bodies, gastronomes and fun hunters, should throw their anchors in one of the ports of island Pag. Due to it’s geographical and relief properties, excellent connection with mainland and hardworking and kindhearted people, Pag has long fertile economical and cultural history. Nowadays, it is famous by it’s gastronomy offer as well as the wild night life in popular beach clubs of one of his sandy warm beaches.

5.    Since we went up North, lets pay one more visit to one of the many shining diamonds of Kvarner bay.
Island Rab is one of the most attended destinations of Kvarner. Besides mild Mediterranean climate with more than 2700 sunny hours in year, hidden lagoons where pines hug one another branches in lavender and salt scented air, rich cultural and monument legacy, Rab has well designed tourist infrastructure. Great offer of hotel accommodation, camps and numerous comfortable apartments, accompanied by restaurants, sport  and wellness and other arrangements for active vacation, will make You dizzy and happy to find this celestial island.

Welcome to Croatia, the land of 1000 islands !