At a Glance: Why Croatia Is Ideal for a Gulet Cruise

When you envision the absolute perfect yachting destination, you are likely picturing Croatia. With over a thousand islands scattered across the remarkably clear Adriatic Sea, this coastline was practically designed for slow, luxurious travel by water. But what truly makes Croatia the ultimate location for a gulet cruise is the incredible diversity you can experience in just a single week. Because the islands are clustered closely together, your captain never has to navigate for long, tedious hours on the open ocean. Instead, your journey consists of short, incredibly scenic hops. In the morning, you might anchor in a completely deserted, pine fringed cove for a private swim. By the afternoon, you could be stepping off your luxury vessel directly into a centuries-old medieval harbor bursting with vibrant culture, world-class dining, and ancient architecture. A gulet cruise provides the absolute smartest way to navigate this complex archipelago. It allows you to avoid the crowded ferries and packed coastal highways. Instead, your boutique floating hotel simply glides from one spectacular location to the next. You get to wake up to a brand new breathtaking view every single morning, enjoying the perfect blend of raw natural beauty, rich Mediterranean history, and flawless personalized service from your dedicated crew.

Why Charter a Gulet in Croatia with Goolets

At Goolets, we pride ourselves on being the premier choice for luxury yacht charters in Croatia by offering an experience that goes far beyond simply booking a beautiful vessel. When you choose to sail with us, you are partnering with dedicated architects of joy who craft a completely bespoke adventure tailored precisely to your desires. From anticipating your every need with a highly attentive crew and organizing seamless private transfers, to designing exclusive itineraries that showcase the absolute best hidden gems of the Adriatic, we handle absolutely every detail. Our commitment to your flawless vacation never sleeps, as our dedicated concierge team provides around the clock personal support to ensure your Croatian journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Croatia is a country of more than 1200 beautiful islands, and it would take you more than one cruise to visit them all. However, some of the most stunning islands to see are Brač, Korčula, Hvar, Vis, but also Mljet, Šipan, Lastovo, and many others… A gulet cruise is definitely the best way to visit and explore these islands since you will be visiting a new location each day. In the text below, you’ll find a simple route sample that will allow you to visit the must-see Croatian islands. By following this itinerary, you will be able to enjoy the sun, the sea, and many delightful places with numerous fun activities, so be sure to check this route.

Day 1 (Friday) - Split/Trogir/Stari Grad - Island of Hvar

Embarkation at 17:00 at Split, City Port, opposite to the entrance to Split Port Authority, address: Obala Lazareta 1, Split. You will be leaving for Trogir, with welcome drinks along with a snack, a guided tour of Trogir, and later you’ll have free time. Then a bit later, you’ll be leaving for Stari Grad, Island of Hvar, dinner on board, and overnight in Stari Grad.

More about Split – life in a Roman imperial palace

Over 1700 years ago, a Roman Emperor, Diocletian, was so impressed by the beauty of this region that he decided to build his retirement palace here, and also his eternal residence – a mausoleum. The mausoleum was later transformed into a cathedral by the Christians whom the Emperor had spent a lifetime persecuting.

The cathedral was built to celebrate a Christian martyr, St. Domnius, who is now celebrated as the patron saint of the city of Split. This tour will enable you to see the cathedral, Jupiter’s temple (later turned into a baptistery), and the cellars of the palace, but it will also show you the unique way of life of the people still living and working within the palace walls. Far from being a closed-off museum, the palace is a place still exuberant with life, with a web of narrow little streets, each revealing a spirit of rich history and a unique way of life. The waterfront promenade that is at the foot of the south walls of the palace will be an ideal place to sit down for coffee and enjoy the wonderful view of the islands ahead. Another interesting thing to see is the organic foods market, clothes vendors, and a flower market.

More about Trogir

Trogir is a small seaside town some 27km west of Split, very close to the airport. Since 1997, Trogir’s historical city center has been included in the UNESCO list of world heritage sites. Trogir was founded by Greek colonists from the Island of Vis in the 3rd century BC.

On this Antique matrix lies the historical core of Trogir, which is the best-preserved Romanesque-Gothic complex not only in the Adriatic but in all of Central Europe. Trogir's grandest building is the church of St. Lawrence, whose main west portal is a masterpiece by Radovan, and the most significant work of the Romanesque-Gothic style in the country. Visit Stari Grad (Old Town), be a part of its 2300-year-old story.

Cruising to Stari Grad

If you visit Stari Grad (Old Town), you will become a part of its 2300-year-old story. Walk around one of the oldest towns in Europe, discover the secrets of the beginnings of civilization, try the fruits of the Stari Grad Plain, breathe in the scent of lavender, offer your palate an excellent wine, relax in the hidden Stari Grad bays, and enjoy the sunniest island – the island of Hvar.

Day 2 (Saturday) - Island of Vis

Sailing to the Island of Vis, the best-kept secret of the former Yugoslavian government, it emerged from a long period of isolation (a tourist from abroad has been allowed to visit the island since 1989). Its beauty shall reveal to you in both cities on the island – City of Komiža and City of Vis.

Komiza town and boats docked in marina on Vis Island

Komiža, set in a bay on the southwest side of the island of Vis, facing the sea and the sun, offers the possibility of relaxing and swimming from May to October. It will enchant you with its untouched nature, the beauty of its fields, numerous bays, and beaches, clean sea, stone streets, and houses. It will inspire your enthusiasm with its maritime customs and legends, the taste of wine and fish, and aromatic plants' odors.

Opposite the Komiža bay, just a half-hour boat ride away, there is the island of Biševo, well- known for its numerous caves and the most beautiful sandy beach.

Optional Island tour

Tour of the island by van begins with historical explanations reaching back to ancient times until the present. We will learn more about the island of Vis and see all the important sites.

We will visit Tito’s cave, Hum peak (587m), the former RAF airport, the cricket field in Plisko poje, the submarine tunnel Parja, and the town of Vis. Vis, the Mediterranean communities even in the Neolithic times, 3 thousand years BC, inhabited the island of Vis, especially the territory of today’s City of Vis. The name of the island, Issa, originates from that time, and that is the name that the island still holds in the Croatian version. In the 6-5^th century BC, Issa was established as the first Illyrian state in the Adriatic. The local Illyrian population learned the more advanced way of land cultivation from the Greeks who came later.

Day 3 (Sunday) - Island of Vis/Island of Hvar

Leaving for Pakleni Islands, Palmizana. The cruise starts from Vis harbor with a swimming stop at a lovely secluded bay, where the visitors will be able to enjoy the beautiful, crystal clear Croatian sea. Next stop is the wonderful Pakleni islands, where we will stop in a lovely little bay.

Later, you will be leaving for the Island of Hvar with a free afternoon in Hvar and an overnight in Hvar. When we think of Hvar, we think about the island of heather, sunshine, and crickets, the island of lavender, sage, and wine, and the island of rosemary and secluded coves. The island of Hvar is the queen of Croatian islands, and it has been famous throughout history due to its important strategic and nautical position, its culture, literature, and natural beauty.

The island is characterized by gentle winters, warm summers, and many hours of sunshine throughout the year. The town of Hvar is situated in a picturesque natural setting, surrounded by the crystal clear sea. The seven-century-old walls with fortifications towering above Hvar are a fascinating sight.

Day 4 (Monday) - Island of Hvar/Šćedro/Korčula

Leaving for the Island of Korčula with a swimming stop at the Island of Ščedro. On the way to Korčula, a visit to a unique underwater Plenkovic wine cellar with a submarine window can be arranged.

Korčula, the birthplace of Marco Polo, contains a wealth of artistic masterworks, including paintings by Tintoretto. Another highlight is the Treasury, located in the 14th-century Abbey Palace, with its eclectic collection of paintings, jewelry, fine furniture, and historic documents.

Charming views of the harbor greet visitors as they wind their way through the narrow alleyways. On one of these lanes, you’ll see the Marco Polo house, where the famous explorer is said to have been born in 1254. Shop for handmade Croatian folk art near the City Gate, or relax at one of the picturesque waterfront cafés, and enjoy the breezy resort atmosphere that prevails in this medieval town.

Day 5 (Tuesday) - Korčula/Island of Mljet

Leaving for NP Mljet, the Island of Mljet is referred to as the most beautiful and greenest island of the Adriatic, one of the most attractive, culturally and historically most interesting pearls of the Mediterranean.

Aerial view of Mljet Lake with Monastery of Saint Mary, Croatia

The island hosts a National Park on its west side with lush pine vegetation and two picturesque lakes connected to the sea, in one of which there is another small island with an old monastery. Time magazine has placed the island of Mljet among the 10 most beautiful islands in the World!

Day 6 (Wednesday) - Peninsula Pelješac/Island of Šipan

Leaving for the Peljesac peninsula, the second largest in Croatia. You’ll visit the local wine cellar, wine tasting included. After the visit and wine tasting, we will continue our tour with the ride towards Ston.

This Medieval little town, whose history reaches back as far as the 14th century. It is a small town with the longest stone wall in Europe (5,5 km), with narrow, quiet streets, noble ancient houses, and traces of ancient cultures. After the visit to Ston, we continue to oyster farms located in the picturesque Little Ston Bay. We’ll visit oyster farms with the boat, and will have an opportunity to taste fresh oysters.

Day 7 (Thursday) - Island of Šipan/Dubrovnik

Breakfast & Lunch on board, free afternoon in Dubrovnik, night in Dubrovnik. The Old City of Dubrovnik is the most beautiful jewel of Croatia’s cultural and historical heritage, for which it was included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Dubrovnik city is located in the most southern part of the sunniest Croatian tourist region, and its population is currently about 50,000 inhabitants.

The city of a unique political and cultural history (the Dubrovnik Republic, the Statute from 1272) is one of the most attractive and famous cities of the Mediterranean. The city fortifications, ramparts, and towers outside the walls were built, reinforced, and reconstructed in the period from the 12th to the second half of the 17th century.

Apart from sightseeing and enjoying the rich cultural life of Dubrovnik, one can enjoy several traditional and trendy restaurants within the walls of the old city and stay in one of the numerous luxury hotels that seek to provide guests with convenience and comforts. The surrounding area of Dubrovnik offers many opportunities for excursions and activities as well as tasting home-made food in village stone cottages. The archipelago of islands is a paradise for visitors seeking peace, tranquillity, and charm. For all those who like adventure, the wild islands with pure, untouched nature are just the place they are looking for.

Day 8 (Friday) - Dubrovnik

Breakfast onboard and then disembarkation at 10:00 A.M., City Port Gruž, Dubrovnik.

Itinerary deviations: Every effort will be made to adhere to the itinerary as stated; however, due to the schedule changes beyond the organizer’s control, we reserve the right, without prior notice, to change routing or alter shore excursions.

As you can see, you’ll sail around stunning places in Croatia, full of sunny days on the beach, exploration of natural wonders, and a rich history that is mesmerizing. This combination of islands and towns will provide you with ultimate relaxation away from crowds, which is a recipe for the most memorable holidays of your life. This is the perfect time to enjoy a luxury boat, comfort, and superb services provided by an experienced crew.

Gulet Cruise in Croatia: A Refined Way to Experience the Adriatic