The hot summers and beautiful blue Adriatic seas of Croatia‘s are well-known attractions. Croatia isn’t only a place to lay your head and relax on the beach; it boasts national parks, hidden caverns, pebbled bays, and majestic medieval buildings. Off the coast of Croatia lies a breathtaking assortment of picturesque islands, each with its own distinct set of sights and activities.
Indulge in the fruits of these fertile islands’ labor as you stroll through historic towns, go scuba diving to unearth submerged shipwrecks that are thousands of years old, trek through national parks, and sample wines, cheeses, olive oils, spicy gingerbread, honey, and more.
1. Lastovo

Lastovo is one of the Adriatic’s most inaccessible islands; thus, it doesn’t get many visitors. Its secluded beauty is enhanced by the fact that it is home to less than a thousand people and has only one hotel, in contrast to many of the busier adjacent islands. Here, you can do scuba diving, snorkeling, and stargazing; Lastovo is said to have the clearest European sky!
The island of Lastovo is a protected natural park in the Central Dalmatian archipelago, and it is home to several well-traveled woodland routes perfect for hiking and cycling. One can find several bathing sites and pebbled beaches along the coastline, such as Jurjeva Luka, Mali Zal, and Pionir.
2. Solta

The island of Solta is an extension of Split, about 45 minutes (or 15 minutes by speedboat) away. This island, inhabited since the Neolithic period, is renowned for its picturesque seasonal bays and coves, ancient fishing settlements, and breathtaking sunsets.
Those interested in cuisine will love Solta. The island is the birthplace of many long-standing Croatia’s traditions, including the production of olive oil, wine, ‘Olintio’ honey, and gingerbread, all passed down via generations of family farms.
Visit a beekeeper’s farm, stroll through hundreds of-year-old olive groves, learn about the island’s viticulture, famous for the local Dobričić wine, and experience it all with a real olive oil, honey, and wine-tasting tour.
3. Elaphite Islands

Just west of Dubrovnik is one of the Adriatic’s most picturesque archipelagos—the Elaphite Islands. There are fourteen beautiful isles, but only three large islands have permanent residents.
The Elaphites aren’t as verdant as Kolocep, characterized by its abundance of fruit trees, olive groves, and pine woods a century or more old. Several pre-Romanesque churches there date back to the ninth century; the area was once a major shipbuilding hub.
Lopud has stunning sandy beaches and gardens brimming with fruit—the quintessential Mediterranean setting. Medieval cathedrals, monasteries, and once magnificent private homes make this island one of Dubrovnik’s most popular tourist destinations.
4. Pag

Pag is located in the northern Adriatic and has the lengthiest coastline in Croatia’s. The place is an island in the Dalmatian archipelago home to two very different towns, the sleepier Pag Town and the more vibrant Novalja, along with several smaller, less well-known communities.
As far as anybody can tell, the city is the only island in Croatia’s split between two countries. The northwest region is rugged and hilly, whereas the southeast is home to two picturesque karst lakes; these physical differences extend beyond the administrative ones. The Grand Tour (BBC) and The Terror (Ridley Scott) may include recognizable lunar-like scenery from the island.
Pag lamb, lace, and the salt mined here until the turn of the century are among the town’s most well-known products. The Solana Pag salt mill has made Pag the biggest salt producer in Croatia. A quad-riding journey would be perfect on the verdant coastal slopes scattered with wind turbines, olive trees, and vineyards.
With its ancient Roman aqueduct, Novalja called the Talijanova Buža (the ‘Italian hole’), used to provide the town’s water. Make sure to see it while you’re here. On today’s aqueduct tour, you can walk through these creepy tunnels. The July carnival and Pag’s Bermuda Triangle are two other popular attractions.
5. Rab

With its sandy beaches and scenic coves that come alive in the summer, Rab—also known as the “Happy Island”—has everything that makes a Croatian paradise. The island, home to vineyards, orchards, olive groves, pine and oak woods, and stunning cliffs, is a geopark.
Rajska Plaža, also known as Paradise Beach, is one of the top beaches in the area and was named one of CNN’s top 100 beaches. You can’t go wrong with sunbathing on Pudarica beach, which has crystal blue water, and listening to classical music while swimming on the town beach.
Rab is known for its beaches and is rich in history and culture. Stroll around the old town’s stone streets and marvel at the historic churches, bell towers, and red roofs. Explore the Franciscan Monastery of St. Bernardin’s old antiquities, have lunch at Kamenjak, an island landmark restaurant, and discover Rab’s history during the annual Medieval Festival in July.