Islands Croatia

If you are looking to spend your holiday or to live on an island, Croatia is something you should check out, the country has about 1200 islands, islets and rock formations, of those 79 are classified as islands larger than 1 km2. About 50 of the islands are inhabited and about 40 has a scheduled ferry or catamaran connection to / from the mainland.

Flying to the islands is not really an option, since ECA (European coastal airlines) stopped operating Seaplane to some of the islands. Nowadays the only Island which has an airport big enough for smaller commercial planes is the one on Island Brac, all the other Island can only be reached by ferry or more exotic means of transportation.

Croatia’s 10 Most popular Islands

In terms of visitors these are the most popular islands in Croatia, as you can see they are located in different regions along the Croatian coast. The type of visitors and nationally interestingly vary from island to island, e.g. island Hvar is the preferred island for the Brits and the Americans, mainly younger people. Whereas Krk, Losinj and Cres in the north are mainly visited by German and Austrian families.

  • Hvar – Split region
  • Krk – Kvarner region
  • Rab – Kvarner region
  • Brac  – Split region
  • Korcula – Dubrovnik region
  • Losinj – Kvarner region
  • Ciovo – Split region
  • Pag – Zadar region
  • Cres – Kvarner region
  • Ugljan – Zadar region
Hvar-Town

Hvar town

Croatia’s 10 Largest Islands

As mentioned above a majority of Croatian islands are very small, actually +90% is less than 1km2 in size, but there is of course also an island which has a considerable size, majority of the inhabited island has a population density below the country average of 73 per Km2. The Island with the highest population density is Island Murter. Below you have the 10 largest Islands based on surface. The two biggest Islands Cres and Krk are in a constant battle for position number one. Some sources claim Krk to be the biggest, others claim island Cres is the bigger one, anyway it is a close call 🙂

  • Cres ~ 406 km2
  • Krk ~ 406 km2
  • Brač ~ 395 km2
  • Hvar ~ 300 km2
  • Pag ~ 285 km2
  • Korčula ~ 276 km2
  • Dugi Otok ~ 114 km2
  • Mljet ~ 100 km2
  • Rab ~ 91 km2
  • Vis ~ 90 km2
Korcula town

Korcula town

Best party islands in Croatia

The Islands in Croatia are not known for their wild nightlife, majority of Island are great places for a relaxing holiday. However, there are a few Island places that are known for their decent nightlife.

  • Island Pag – The Zrce beach in Novalja, is one of the best party places in all Croatia, so if you like to spend your holiday partying 24/7 this is the place to go.
  • Island Hvar – the town Hvar is well known for great bars like Carpe Diem, also the nearby Pakleni Islands is a great places for parties
  • Island Brac – Bol town has several great cocktails bars located in the old town centre and also some near the Golden tongue beach

On most islands, you will find great places to hang out during the evening hours, but wild disco nights are something you will have to live without during your island holiday!

Zrce Novalja Island Pag

Zrce Novalja Island Pag

Best Islands for family holiday

A holiday in slow-paced surroundings is what most people would consider a great place for a family holiday. Islands with those features are plentifully available in Croatia, below we have randomly listed the Island we find most suitable for a relaxed family holiday.

  • Brac – The coastal cities, Milna, Sutivan, Supetar, Splitska, Pucisca, Povlja, Sumartin and Bol on Island Brac are all great locations for a relaxed holiday with the family.
  • Rab – Barbat, Banjol, Kampor, Supetarska Draga, Lopar and of course Rab town are all family-friendly locations.
  • Krk –  an easy-to-reach island with nice locations like Omisalj, Malinska, Vrbnik, Baska, Punat and Krk town, on the island there are several campsites.
  • Losinj – A bit harder to reach Island, but the cities Veli Losinj and Mali Losinj are great places to spend a family holiday
  • Ciovo – located opposite the UNESCO city Trogir, Island Ciovo is a very popular place for a family holiday, the island has nice beaches and nice smaller cities like Slatine, Arbanjija, Mastrinka, Okrug Donji and Okrug Gornji.
  • Solta – The island Solta is often overlooked, but it is actually a fantastic place for a quiet family holiday. Villages Stomorska, Necujam and Maslinica are all great places for relaxing and enjoying.
  • Ugljan – located just 25 minutes ferry crossing from Zadar is home to the following holiday cities Ugljan, Sutomiscica, Kali, Kukljica and Preko, Island Ugljan as well as Island Pasman are great places for Bicycle trips and hiking in the nature.
  • Pasman – The Island is connected to Island Ugljan with a bridge and has a ferry connection to Biograd on the Dalmatian coast. Tkon, Kraj, Pasman, Mrljane, Nevidane, Dobropoljana and Zdrelac is a place where you can spend a family holiday on Island Pasman.
  • Dugi Otok – located in Zadar archipelago, Dugi Otok or the long Island is another quiet island in Croatia. It’s is more than 40 km long and has a fantastic beach (Sakarun) in the north end, also there are many small coastal villages.
  • Vis – If you want to shift to the lowest gear, Island Vis is a great pick for a family vacation. Towns Vis and Komiza are amazing places, and the island has lots of great beaches, wine and great food. What more could you wish for!
Island Brac Splitska

Island Brac Splitska

Inhabited islands in Croatia

As mentioned above there are around 50 inhabited islands in Croatia. The population on most of the Island has been decreasing for many years, especially on very remote islands. The most populated island is Krk with close to 20.000 inhabitants, the least populated is Mala Srakane, which has a population of just 2 people. Below you can see a list of inhabited Croatian islands divided into regions Dubrovnik, Split, Sibenik, Zadar and Rijeka Kvarner.

Rijeka Region Islands

Island Krk

  • Population ~ 19.300
  • Number of visitors ~ 850 000
  • How to reach: bridge to mainland (Krk bridge)

Island Rab

Island Pag

  • Population ~ 9.000
  • Number of visitors ~500 000
  • How to reach: Car ferry Prizna – Zigljan, catamaran from Rijeka

Island Lošinj

Island Cres

Island Susak

  • Population ~ 150
  • How to reach: Foot passenger ferry from e.g Zadar, Rijeka or Mali Losinj

Island Unije

  • Population ~ 100
  • How to reach: Foot passenger ferry from e.g Zadar, Rijeka or Mali Losinj

Island Ilovik

  • Population ~ 100
  • How to reach: Foot passenger ferry from e.g Rijeka or Mali Losinj

Island Vele Srakane

  • Population ~ 5
  • How to reach:  Foot passenger ferry from Mali Losinj on call only!

Island Male Srakane

  • Population ~ 5
  • How to reach: No scheduled ferry service

Zadar Region Islands

Island Ugljan

  • Population ~ 6.000
  • Number of visitors ~ 40 000
  • How to reach: Car ferry or foot passenger ship Zadar to Preko

Island Vir

  • Population ~ 3.000
  • Number of visitors ~ 100 000
  • How to reach: Bridge to mainland

Island Pašman

  • Population ~ 2850
  • Number of visitors ~ 30 000
  • How to reach: Car ferry Biograd to Tkon

Island Dugi Otok

  • Population ~ 1.650
  • How to reach: Car ferry Zadar – Brbinj, or foot passenger ferry from Zadar to Sali, Zaglav, Brbinj or Bozava

Island Iž

  • Population ~ 600
  • How to reach: Car ferry Zadar – Brsanj, or passenger ferry to Mali or Veli Iz

Island Silba

  • Population ~ 300
  • How to reach: Car ferry Zadar – Silba, or passenger ferry e.g. from Zadar, Rijeka and Mali Losinj

Island Vrgada

Island Molat

  • Population ~ 200
  • How to reach: Car ferry Zadar – Molat, or catamaran Zadar to Molat, Brgulje and Zapuntel

Island Ist

  • Population ~ 180
  • How to reach: Car ferry or catamaran from Zadar

Island Olib

  • Population ~ 140
  • How to reach: Car ferry or catamaran from Zadar

Island Rava

  • Population ~ 120
  • How to reach: Car ferry or catamaran from Zadar to Rava or Mala Rava

Island Premuda

  • Population ~ 65
  • How to reach: Car ferry or catamaran from Zadar

Island Sestrunj

  • Population ~ 50
  • How to reach: Car ferry or catamaran from Zadar

Island Zverinac

  • Population ~ 50
  • How to reach: Car ferry or catamaran from Zadar

Island Rivanj

  • Population ~ 30
  • How to reach: Car ferry or catamaran from Zadar

Island Ošljak

  • Population ~ 30
  • How to reach:  Foot passenger ferry from Zadar or Preko

Split Region Islands

Island Brač

Island Hvar

Island Čiovo

  • Population ~ 5.900
  • How to reach: Bridge to mainland

Island Vis

  • Population ~ 3.400
  • Number of visitors ~ 50 000
  • How to reach: Car ferry or catamaran Split – Vis

Island Šolta

  • Population ~ 1.700
  • Number of visitors ~ 20 000
  • How to reach: Car ferry or catamaran Split – Rogac

Island Drvenik Veli

  • Population ~ 150
  • How to reach: Car ferry from Trogir

Island Drvenik Mali

  • Population ~ 90
  • How to reach: Car ferry from Trogir

Island Biševo

  • Population ~ 15
  • How to reach: Foot passenger boat from Komiza

Dubrovnik Region Islands

Island Korčula

  • Population ~ 15.500
  • Number of visitors ~ 200 000
  • How to reach: Car ferry Orebic – Domince, catamaran from Dubrovnik or Split

Island Mljet

  • Population ~ 1.100
  • Number of visitors ~ 35 000
  • How to reach: Car ferry Prapratno – Sobra, catamaran from Dubrovnik or Split

Island Lastovo

  • Population ~ 800
  • Number of visitors ~ 10 000
  • How to reach: Car ferry Split – Ubli, catamaran from Dubrovnik or Split

Island Šipan

  • Population ~ 400
  • How to reach: Car ferry or catamaran from Dubrovnik

Island Lopud

  • Population ~ 250
  • How to reach: Car ferry or catamaran from Dubrovnik

Island Koločep

  • Population ~ 165
  • How to reach: Foot passenger ferry from Dubrovnik

Sibenik Region Islands

Island Murter

  • Population ~ 4.900
  • Number of visitors ~ 150 000
  • How to reach: Bridge from mainland

Island Prvić

  • Population ~ 400
  • How to reach: Passenger ship from Sibenik or Vodice

Island Zlarin

  • Population ~ 300
  • How to reach: Passenger ship from Sibenik or Vodice

Island Kaprije

  • Population ~ 200
  • How to reach: Car ferry or catamaran from Sibenik

Island Krapanj

  • Population ~ 175
  • How to reach: Passenger ship from Brodarica

Island Žirje

  • Population ~ 100
  • How to reach: Car ferry or catamaran from Sibenik

Island Kornat

  • Population ~ 20
  • How to reach: No scheduled ferry connection

Map of Croatian islands

On the map you can see all inhabited islands, many of which you probably already know. But there are also smaller and more exotic ones. You can use the menu on the map to enable and disable islands in different regions of Croatia.