Where do I even begin with this piece? Someone once told me that Croatia has over a thousand islands but I recently discovered that the tally is even greater. I was lucky enough to visit just two of them, three weeks ago. It is wishful of me to think that I can capture the essence of all of Croatia’s magical islands in this short piece so I will offer you something else. I hope my humble first impressions of Brač and Hvar do justice to the beauty of the Dalmatian Coast.

You are standing at the edge of a cliff, gazing out into the Adriatic. There are many beautiful islands in the distance, too many to count. The mediterranean sun feels warm on your skin as you take in the gorgeous view laid out in front of you. This is just how I felt with the perfect weather and the immaculate views from the coastline. I hope you read on after this little tease as this is but a glimpse into Croatia’s beauty.

Brač Island

Supetar

Off the coast of Split, Brač is a quick ferry ride away. My friends and I were feeling rather spontaneous after a night out so we caught the first ferry available, bound for the town of Supetar on Brač. I could make out the typical Dalmatian stone houses as we approached the city. The town seemed a little quiet during the off-season but that did not matter to me. Architecture and nature was all I desired.

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I could not wait to disembark and explore. The sun seemed to shine brighter in Croatia and the trees seemed greener too. The weather was just perfect; the sun kept me warm and the cool breeze was refreshing. I felt as if I was in a movie, walking through a carefully constructed set. I am constantly amazed by how nature is able to exist in such beautiful equilibrium. We were wandering through paradise. Just click on the video below if you don’t believe me.

I wish I had worn shoes instead of slippers. We trekked along the rocky coast to Babin Laz Beach, a lovely, secluded pebble beach. I grew up with sandy beaches so Croatia’s rocky ones were new to me. Maybe that is why the water was so clean and clear. I sat at the water’s edge, enjoying my lunch and marvelling at the crystal clear sea. It was still a little chilly this time of year but I could not resist taking a dip. The cool, salty ocean refreshed me and all my stresses seemed to fade away.

Hvar Island

Hvar (city)

It is important to distinguish between the city of Hvar and the island itself when booking ferry tickets as they share the same name. The town of Hvar is just an hour away from Split by catamaran. The jet-setting island, Hvar, is famous all over the world for its extravagant party scene. Hvar town in particular boasts a vibrant nightlife scene and is home to some amazing beach bars. However, due to the pandemic, I experienced a different side of Hvar.

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Hvar is surrounded by that distinctive, turquoise blue, Croatian water. There are many tiny little boats, parked all around the town. There are also huge yachts, docked in the harbour. It must be quite pleasant to be a boat, gently floating on tender waters, under the warm mediterranean sun. I am a simple man; wandering around Hvar and immersing myself in the classic Venetian architecture was enough to make me happy.

To me, traveling is much more about how you feel rather than the amount of money you spend or the number of sights you see. The vibe is the most important and Hvar exceeded all my expectations. It has a charming aura which you definitely do not want to miss out on. I highly recommend hiking up to the Spanish Fortress as the views are excellent. The view of the town and the Paklinski Islands was one of my favourites. If you are feeling adventurous, you could rent a boat to visit the islands, but remember to bring your skipper’s license!

Pokonji dol Beach

A trip to one of Croatia’s islands is never complete without a visit to the beach. Pokonji dol Beach is both enchanting and accessible from the town of Hvar. It took us around 40 minutes to walk there. I had previously read that the beach was always crowded during the summer so, imagine my surprise when I discovered an empty beach. It was an unreal experience, having the whole place to ourselves. The whole scene looked like a set from an old movie.

I knew I had traveled to a different country but the islands of Croatia made me feel like I had traveled to a different place in time altogether. Things were so calm and peaceful on the island. Everyone seemed to be taking their time, just enjoying every precious moment. What a refreshing way to live! There was no need for extravagant expenditures either; the boys and I were content with some sandwiches and a few cold ones by the beach. I sat there for some time, taking in my surroundings and enjoying the moment.

Stari Grad

Located on the north coast of the island, Stari Grad is Hvar’s oldest town. In fact, Stari Grad actually means ‘Old Town’ in Croatian. You can tell just how old it is from the architecture. It is one of the oldest towns in Europe, with some buildings dating back to ancient times. Being an admirer of all things old, I was absolutely blown away. I noticed the difference from the town of Hvar; Stari Grad had a much more historic kind of atmosphere.

You do not want to miss out on Stari Grad Plain which features an ancient Greek agricultural landscape. This UNESCO World Heritage Site dates all the way back to the 4th century BC. It is remarkable how well preserved the original layout is. Great things stand the test of time. Biking through the plain was an incredible experience (play the video!). Cruising around the ancient grounds on our mountain bikes really did it for me; it was the perfect combination of history and adventure.

Mountain Biking

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I highly recommend renting bikes to explore the island of Hvar. It is even better if you have a license as you could rent a scooter. I had to settle for a mountain bike this time but cycling around the island was just sensational. There was something breathtaking at every turn. Pictured above are the towns of Vrboska and Jelsa respectively. We cycled a fair distance; the exercise was much needed after all the wonderful seafood we had been eating.

It was my mission to find a sandy beach in Croatia and I achieved my goal when I stumbled on Mina Beach. I could imagine the beach being packed in the summer and yet, there we were, the entire place to ourselves once again. We could not resist a little photoshoot after our swim. The scene was perfect: the sun shone brightly and the water seemed to sparkle in return. The water was so clear that I could see tiny little fishes, swimming around my feet. Paradise. We were in paradise.

To think that Mina Beach was just one of many. There were hundreds of beaches just like it all over the island and Croatia had hundreds of islands. That is a lot of beautiful beaches if you do the math. I was left wanting so much more after my short trip. My one week in Croatia gave me a taste of what the country had to offer but it surely was not enough to experience all its wonder. One lifetime would not be enough to explore it all. You can be sure that I will be back for more.

Croatia is waiting for you…

Join me for a bit on this lovely little bench, overlooking the ocean. Imagine we just had lunch, someplace nice, just the two of us. We decide to stretch our legs and take a leisurely stroll along the coast. We chance upon this perfect spot: a lone wooden bench under some trees, offering us just the right amount of shade. There we sit, admiring the view, talking about life and just catching up. In that moment, you forget about all your worries and stresses. You are just being, just enjoying life.

On that pleasant note, I would like to end this piece. I know it was a little longer than usual but I hope you enjoyed it nonetheless. Each piece comes straight from the heart so I would really appreciate if you could support by subscribing down below. I want to give a huge shoutout to my friends, Ansel, Jack, Cedar and Reon for making this trip great. I always say that company either makes or breaks a trip and boys, I had a blast.

Stay tuned for the next piece as I am doing a little give away! Once again, I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I did writing it. Wishing you a great week ahead!