More than a thousand islands are located off Croatia's picturesque coastline within the Adriatic Sea, covering a total area of more than 1,300 square miles. The islands, which have been inhabited since at least the era of Ancient Greece, have long been known as a resort tourism destination in Eastern Europe, home to luxurious villas and summer homes dating back to the Roman era. Today, many islands are home to some of the world's hippest nightlife destinations and luxurious four-star resorts, attracting celebrities Local agriculture focuses on viticulture and olive growing, making the islands a top destination for wine enthusiasts.
Brac
Brac is the third-largest island within the Adriatic Sea, known throughout the world for the production of its famed Brac stone, which has been used to build internationally-recognized landmarks such as Washington, D.C.'s White House and Berlin's Reichstag. It receives over 2,700 annual hours of sunshine, making it a popular resort destination for European visitors looking to relax on gorgeous beachfront stretches throughout the year.
Cres
Cres is a charming island within the Cres-Losinj group of islands, which encompasses 30 islands across an area of more than 193 miles within the Adriatic Sea. The island, which is the Adriatic's second-largest island, is home to the quaint resort town of Cres Town, which showcases gorgeous preserved Venetian architecture and cultural structures dating back to the 15th century.
Dugi Otok
Dugi Otok is named for a Croatian term meaning "long island," located close to the town of Zadar on the mainland. The island is best known for its lovely natural wonders and high-quality vineyards, making it a great choice for a weekend getaway destination within the Croatian islands.
Hvar
Hvar is a gorgeous Croatian island receiving more than 2,800 hours of sunshine each year, known for its fragrant, picturesque fields of lavender, rosemary, sage, thyme and marjoram that grow throughout its lands.
Korcula
Korcula is one of the Adriatic Sea's most populous islands, located just off the Dalmatian coast. The island is known for its densely-forested areas, earning it the name "Black Korcula" during the days of ancient Greece.
Krk
Krk is the Adriatic Sea's largest island, stretching across 157 square miles near Croatia's mainland. The island, which is connected to the mainland via bridge, is also accessible via Rijeka Airport and is known as one of the Adriatic's top resort destinations.
Lastovo
Lastovo is a quaint island located just nine miles south of Korcula, offering an off-the-beaten-track vacation alternative to some of Croatia's more heavily-touristed islands. The 18-square-mile island once served as a site for Yugoslavian military bases, closed off to the public until 1988.
Losinj
Losinj is one of the most popular resort islands in the Croatian Islands, famed for its lush natural areas and stunning beachfront areas, including lively Cikat Bay, a year-round destination for windsurfing. The island's history dates back to prehistory, home archaeological remains dating back to the Liburnian era and the Roman Empire.
Mljet
Mljet is the southernmost of the larger islands within the Adriatic, known for its beautiful famed lakes Malo Jezero and Veliko Jezero. The island, which is located approximately 23 miles off the coast of Dubrovnik, has been called the "most seductive island in the Adriatic Sea" by Lonely Planet and is a frequent tourist destination for international celebrities like Prince Charles.
Pag
Pag has become one of Croatia's premiere nightlife destinations over the past few decades, home to the hip resort town of Novalja, located on the island's northern end. The island, which is connected to the mainland via bridge at its southern tip, is the second-longest island in the Adriatic Sea, stretching for 37 miles.
Rab
Rab is a lushly-forested island known for its beautiful sandy beaches and year-round temperate climate, which give it a reputation as a green paradise within the Adriatic.
Solta
Solta is one of the lesser-known of the Croatian islands, making it a great choice for visitors looking for an off-the-beaten-path travel destination.
The Brijuni Islands
The Brijuni Islands are a collection of 14 charming islands located within Istria, within the northern region of the Croatian coastline.
The Elafiti Islands
The Elafiti Islands are an archipelago of six islands located just northwest of Dubrovnik, easily accessible from the mainland via public ferry or catamaran service each day.
The Kornati Islands
The Kornati Islands are a lovely archipelago of more than 140 islands off the coast of Croatia, best known as the home of stunning Kornati National Park, one of Europe's most beautiful natural wonders.
Vis
Vis is one of the larger inhabited Croatian islands, located approximately 35 miles from the country's mainland.
