Croatia Cruises

Hvar

Hvar is a picturesque island on the Dalmatian Riviera, with good bathing beaches and a harbour backed by a hillside of terracotta-tiled houses, that is a popular stop on many cruises in Croatia. There are views of the sea and surrounding islets from the Fortica fortress, and the Franciscan monastery houses a museum exhibiting 16th-century paintings. Also, in the town is the Cathedral of St Stephan, the unfinished Gothic palace of Hekrotivic, and a palm-fringed waterfront with seafood restaurants.

Koper

Koper has a well-preserved and compact medieval centre with quaint narrow streets, and is Slovenia's main port. The symbol of the city is the lovely Praetorian Palace, which is situated in the picturesque main square. One of Koper's oldest buildings is the 12th-century church of Carmine Rotunda which contains a series of 14th-century frescoes. Across the bay is the resort of Ankaran and its sandy beaches.

Korcula

Korcula is a forested island with a charming old walled town of Venetian and Renaissance buildings. Enter through one of the city gates to see delightful squares and narrow alleys, which lead to the house where Marco Polo is said to have been born and the Cathedral of St Mark. Caf along the city walls look out across the blue Adriatic.

Mljet

Mljet is a lush island visited on many Croatia cruises, well known for its wine, olives, and goat cheese, and for its great natural beauty. Much of the island is covered by forests, the northwestern half forming Mljet National Park, noted for its spectacular saltwater lakes. The sea around the island is rich in fish and marine life.

Opatija

The town of Opatija was one of the earliest resorts on the Adriatic coast. It is backed by Ucka Mountain and woodland and has many graceful villas and a seaside promenade with a well-known statue, the 'Maiden with the Seagull'. The Park of St Jakov has 159 plant species including exotic examples from the Far East, South America, and Australia, and a 15th-century church of the same name.

Piran

Part of the Venetian empire for five centuries until the late 18th century, Piran in Slovenia feels like an Italian coastal town. Its old town retains the clustered medieval structure of narrow winding streets and houses huddled close together, with numerous squares and churches surrounded by the city wall. Tartini Square in the centre of Piran is named after the famous violinist and composer Giuseppe Tartini, who made the town world-famous.

Overlooking the town and the sea is the dramatically situated St George Cathedral and its spectacular bell tower with views over the Croatian and Italian coasts.

Pula

Pula is at the southern tip of the Istrian peninsula in the north of Croatia, across the Adriatic Sea from Venice. It dates back to Roman times, with its well-preserved amphitheatre built as the venue for gladiator fights at the same time as Rome`s Colosseum in the 1st century AD, and other Roman sights including the Forum and Triumphal Arch. The amphitheatre is still used for summer concerts and festivals.

Pula has major fortifications from its time as the major naval port of the Austro-Hungarian empire. Nowadays, Pula is a busy commercial city with a long tradition of winemaking, fishing, shipbuilding, and tourism, making it a popular spot to visit during Croatia cruises. The city is bordered by national parks remarkable for their astounding unspoiled natural beauty.

Rijeka

Rijeka is a busy port at the northern tip of the Croatian coast, almost untouched by tourism. The main shopping street is the Corso, where there are cafes and fountains. The oldest structure in Rijeka is a stone archway that was once the entrance to a Roman centre of command, and also of interest is the Maritime and Historical Museum. It is housed in a former palace and exhibits nautical, Roman, and Greek archaeological finds.

Rovinj

The first view of Rovinj from the sea is the much-photographed Riva waterfront and its brightly-painted houses, and the bell tower of Saint Eufemia's Church which can be climbed for wonderful views of the town and the picturesque islands along the coast. Narrow cobbled streets lead up to the old town from the harbour, where three ancient defensive gates survive. Red Island and its beaches can be reached in 15 minutes by boat from Rovinj.

Sibenik

Sibenik is one of Croatia's oldest cities, where the sights include the City Square, the Dukes and Bishop's Palaces, and a Venetian Loggia, reached via the steep winding alleys of the Old Town. The highlight of a visit to Sibenik is the World Heritage-listed Renaissance cathedral of St James, built in 1434 and situated below the town's fortress walls. The city region of Dolac is peppered with lively cafes and restaurants serving local specialties.

Split

The World Heritage Site of Split is a bustling city and the second largest in Croatia, as well as a popular destination on many Croatia cruise itineraries. It gradually developed around the palace of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, built more than 1700 years ago and incorporating columns and sphinxes from Egypt. Remarkably it still thrives today, housing restaurants, shops, and markets. Within the palace is the Peristile, a colonnaded square, and the cathedral. Split's Archaeological Museum exhibits Roman artefacts including coins and reliefs of mythical figures.

Tri luke Bay

This small cove on Korcula Island has three peaceful beaches backed by pine forests and is used as a stop for swimming and relaxing, perhaps with visits to some of the surrounding villages.

Trogir

Trogir is a historic town on the Croatian coast close to Split. It dates from the 3rd century BC and was designated a World Heritage Site in 1997. Trogir is a walled and gated town with an elegant palm-lined seafront and small, inviting squares and alleys. Its medieval centre includes a preserved castle and tower and many public buildings and palaces from the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. The church of St Lawrence is noted for its west portal.

Zadar

Once a dominant city on the Adriatic coast, picturesque Zadar is a historical treasure with the remains of a Roman Forum, the Church of St. Donat, the Romanesque Cathedral of St Anastasia, the Church of St Mary, and the Benedictine Convent. The city owns a permanent collection of church art known as 'The Gold and Silver of Zadar'. It has some good beaches, restaurants, and taverns, serving up the local Maraskino liqueur.