Top Sailing Destinations in Croatia

Editor

Rotterdam, Netherlands

Created on Nov 10, 2019

Nov 10, 2019

Categories: Destination Sailor's Stuff

Sailing Split

The old town of Split is irresistible. It is here that the Roman emperor Diocletian, born in nearby Salona, built his imposing retirement palace at the turn of the fourth century AD. Even today the outer walls of the palace still form the heart of the old town. Over the centuries the Byzantine Empire, the Venetian Republic and the Habsburg Monarchy have also left their mark on the architecture of this continually inhabited, busy old town, transforming it into a living amalgamation of the centuries. This can best be experienced by taking a walk along the Riva, Split‘s seafront promenade, on a warm summer’s evening. From the centre of the old town, it is barely a kilometre's walk along the waterfront to the ACI Marina.

Nowadays Split is, in many ways, the centre of Dalmatia. It is the departure port for ferries to the islands and Italy. The Croatian National Theatre, also situated in the old town, is a Croatian cultural centre; its opera productions have even been known to attract sailing crews. A variety of open air festivals usually take place in summer. There are also numerous museums in the town centre – Split is quite simply a cultural hotspot.

Yachts for Charter in Split

Sailing Trogir

The old town of Trogir is amongst UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites and is like an open air museum. It was built by the Greeks on an artificial island and named Tragurion (Goat Island). Under Venetian rule, it reached its architectural heyday. Trogir Quay is a very popular place, from land as well as from sea. The berths are therefore in high demand, especially at the weekend. The ACI and SCT Marina that lies on the opposite island of Čiovo are also very full at the weekend due to charter firms changing crews. A fee is charged for anchoring to the east and west of the old town.

Hvar and Brac are easily accessible with a boat from both Split and Trogir in less than 3 hours.

Yachts for Charter in Trogir

Sailing Zadar

Located on a peninsula, the historical old town of Zadar has in recent years turned into a cultural metropolis, famed for its nightlife. Its 2000 years of history is all packed into half a square kilometre. The Greeks, Romans, Venetians, French, Italians and Austrians have all left their mark on the former capital of Dalmatia. It also offers bars with live music, galleries and modern venues such as the Arsenal, where everything from fashion shows to a wine shop can be found. There are almost 500 berths available for yachts in the Marina Borik and Marina Zadar, but berths in the private Marina Vitrenjak are in short supply for guests.

Yachts for Charter in Zadar

Sailing Biograd

The yacht harbour of Biograd has two marinas. The Marina Kornati is situated in the northern part of the bay and the Marina Šangulin in the southern part. The adjacent old town makes this the perfect place for many charter guests to start their cruise.

Yachts for Charter in Biograd

Sailing Šibenik

Šibenik was founded by the Croats as a bastion against Byzantine Dalmatia. The Venetians later reinforced the town by building many fortresses as defence against the Turks. The largest of these fortresses, Sv. Mihovil, towers above the town and a smaller fortress can be found at the entrance into the Sv. Ante Channel.

Yachts for Charter in Sibenik

Sailing Murter

At first glance you hardly notice that Murter is an island — only the bridge at Tisno connects it with the mainland. The 3 marinas make an ideal stepping stone for the nearby National Park: Jezera to the south and in the north, Hramina in Murter and Betina. The island has just under 800 moorings for pleasure craft, and 5,000 inhabitants. The islanders were always attuned to the culinary demands of the Yachties: that is how Murter developed into a culinary stronghold. The island has the best pre-requisites for this - even during the Habsburg monarchy, olive oil from Murter was delivered to the Emperor‘s court in Vienna.

Yachts for Charter in Murter

Sailing Dubrovnik

Not even an audience of millions can detract from the city's grandeur... There are many reasons why the former Republic of Ragusa has lost none of its radiance, today attracting one and a half million tourists per year. One reason might be the inscription to be found upon the Lovrijenac fortress: "Freedom should never be sold, not for all the gold in the world." Another might be the fact that slavery was abolished here in the year 1400. Back then, in their aristocratic republic, the "Lords of Dubrovnik" were far-sighted people, humanists who understood how to protect themselves from the overwhelming powers of Venice and the Ottomans — behind 25 metre high walls that were up to 6 metres thick. They struck deals in order to allow free passage for Dubrovnik's impressive merchant fleet. War was not to their liking. For no less than 500 years, they managed to keep the Ottomans at bay, either by diplomacy or by gifts. Their historical wealth can be felt even now. These cosmopolitans of ancient times allowed great beauty to arise in their city. Although Dubrovnik has been ravaged by earthquakes and by the last war, the humanist spirit that once pervaded its narrow streets has arisen once again.

Yachts for Charter in Dubrovnik

Sailing Pula

Even if, when you are sailing in to the Bay of Pula, the panorama is dominated by industry and the shipyard built on an island, a visit to the town is well worthwhile, if only because it houses one of the very best preserved amphitheatres to be found. It is the sixth largest the Romans ever built and counts among the most intact. In summer, numerous cultural events are hosted there. The headquarters of the 21 Croatian ACI marinas lies directly on the marina, in front of the old city of Pulas and near the amphitheatre. On the marina piers there is room for almost 200 boats, also for mega-yachts up to 25 metres. The bistro Torta in the round marina building, inspired by the amphitheatre, is the only marina restaurant run by the ACI marina group.

Yachts for Charter in Pula