Croatia’s Adriatic coast has hundreds of islands and dozens of historic port towns. On a small ship cruise, you’ll typically visit five or six of them across a week. Here are the five stops that show up on almost every Croatian small ship cruise itinerary, and why they’re worth the time.
- Split — the largest city on the Dalmatian coast and the most common starting port for Croatian cruises. The historic centre is built inside the walls of Diocletian’s Palace, a Roman imperial residence dating to the 4th century. The port is a short walk from the old town, so you can step off the ship and into 1,700 years of history.
- Dubrovnik — the most famous walled city on the Adriatic, recognisable from Game of Thrones and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Cruise ships dock at Port Gruž, about 1.5 km from the historic Old Town. Walking the city walls is the must-do activity — allow around two hours.
- Hvar — Croatia’s sunniest island, famous for lavender fields, a 13th-century fortress overlooking the harbour, and one of the liveliest summer scenes on the Adriatic. The marble-paved main square is the largest in Dalmatia.
- Korčula — a fortified medieval town built on a small peninsula, often called “little Dubrovnik”. Reputedly the birthplace of Marco Polo. The town’s herringbone street layout was designed to catch sea breezes while blocking strong winds.
- Mljet — the greenest of the major Croatian islands and home to Mljet National Park, which covers the western third of the island. The park’s two interconnected saltwater lakes contain a small islet with a 12th-century Benedictine monastery. According to legend, this is where Odysseus was held captive by the nymph Calypso for seven years.
