Coast and islands

Croatia's Adriatic coast stretches from Istria in the north to the region around Dubrovnik in the south. It is the heart of the country's tourism.

The regions of the coast

Istria

This peninsula in the north has hill towns such as Motovun, the coastal town of Rovinj and the Roman amphitheatre at Pula. The Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Kvarner

The Kvarner Bay includes the port city of Rijeka and islands such as Krk, Cres and Lošinj.

Dalmatia

The long southern stretch is home to Zadar, Šibenik, Trogir, Split and Dubrovnik. Split grew around the palace of the Roman emperor Diocletian, and people still live and work within its walls. Dubrovnik is known for its city walls and its old town.

Islands

Croatia has more than a thousand islands and islets. Only a small number are inhabited.

• Hvar: lavender, old harbour town and a long history of farming.
• Brač: known for the Zlatni Rat beach near Bol.
• Korčula: a walled old town on the island's coast.
• Vis: a quieter island far out in the sea.
• Mljet: partly a national park with two saltwater lakes.

The Kornati islands form a national park of rocky, mostly uninhabited islands that are popular with sailors.

Getting around

Ferries link the islands with the mainland, and many visitors also sail by boat along the coast.