Islands in the sea: 5 secret Croatian outcrops
If your idea of a paradise island includes escaping the crowds, ditching cars to explore the beauty of nature on foot and uncovering truly authentic, local experiences, then you’re in the right place. Read on to uncover five secret islands well worth exploring…
1. Olib
Swap your shoes for sandals and slip into Olib time. It is easy to see why this bijou charmer north-west of Zadar was a favourite with the Greeks, Romans and Ottomans, who once bathed in these crystal clear waters. Historic legacies linger, like a quartet of churches – the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary stars with its 17th-century Glagolitic scripts. Also worth exploring are the romantic ruins of Saint Paul’s Church and Monastery.
2. Prvić
This idyllic isle may be easily accessible from Šibenik – it’s the first (prvić means first) isle you come to – but it feels a million miles from the city. Its other moniker is ‘Faust Island’, after Faust Vrančić, a remarkable genius who invented the parachute, suspension bridge and cable car. Delve deeper into his fascinating life at the Faust Vrančić Memorial Centre.
If you’re after cute villages, Prvić harbours two in sleepy Luka and Šepurine, so close to each other that locals simply stroll between them. The scent of lavender eases across this isle, where simple pleasures, like savouring fresh seafood and swimming in empty coves, will make you glad you discovered this secret slice of the Adriatic.
3. Susak
Dreaming of an escape to a secret isle scattered with sandy strips where you can unfurl your towel, untrammelled by the modern world? You’ll find it in sleepy Susak. You’ll be in good company, too as Jason (of the Argonauts fame) once sought refuge here.
Head into the narrow streets of the eponymous village of Susak to sample the wine. The red pleskunac or dry rosé trojiśćina are both must-trys. The village is split between Gornje Selo, the older settlement housing the island’s church, and Donje Selo down by the bijou harbour.
Look out for islanders proudly sporting traditional dress before joining them to feast on boat-fresh seafood and losi, a fried pastry deliciously spiced with lemons.
4. Zlarin
There may be no cars on Zlarin, an island within touching distance of Šibenik, but there is plenty of coral. This has earned Zlarin many monikers – Golden, Green and Coral Island. The coral is put to great use on an island renowned for working wonders with coral as far back as the 15th century. Ease off on a golf cart to the local museum to learn more.
There is plenty to explore in this secret corner of Dalmatia, including the Church of Our Lady of Rašelj and the Church of the Assumption. Mother Nature offers magic too with tempting beaches, thick pine forests and wee bays you’ll often have completely to yourself.
5. Žut
George Bernard Shaw appreciated the beauty of the Kornati Islands, eulogising “On the last day of creation, God desired to crown His work, and thus created the Kornati islands out of tears, stars and breath”. You don’t forget a visit to islands like Žut, the largest uninhabited Croatian island. They say in this part of the world every house has a restaurant and it feels like that in the Kornatis. Mooring a yacht up in a quiet cove and then savouring boat-fresh seafood in one of the simple restaurants is a quintessentially Kornati experience. There is also a marina where you can hide away from the world, making your island escape feel all the more secret.
