Croatian Travel: Northern Islands
The Northern Islands of Croatia
The Croatian coastline is dotted with multiple islands all the way down the length of the country, in the deep blue waters of the Adriatic Sea. Spending a few days or weeks making your way from one beautiful island to the next is a wonderful way to see the picturesque beaches and working fishing villages all along the coast.
Start off on Krk Island, the largest island in Croatia at the northern end of the country. It is a hotspot for German and Austrian tourists during the summer due to its easy access from the mainland by bridge. While it is certainly not the most beautiful island along the coast, it is very tourist friendly and easy to get around. In Krk Town you can view the medieval walls that surround the town or the various Roman ruins. If you are more interested in combing beaches and hiking trails then head down to Baska on the southern tip of the island for pebbly beaches and hiking trails up the nearby mountains.
You can then take a ferry from Baska to Cres Island which has a heavy Italian influence. Venetians moved to the Croatian island back in the 15th century and today you can still feel their enduring presence through the architecture, art, and culture. In fact, you will hear a lot of Italian spoken in the area as it is still a popular vacation destination for Italian sailors. Make sure to visit Cres Town to see the endangered griffon vulture habitat. The town is devoted to saving these large, majestic birds whose main source of food, sheep, is no longer readily available on the island. You can visit the sanctuary exhibits or just enjoy watching them fly overhead as you tour the city.
Next, make your way to Mali Losinj on the nearby island of Losinj. This picturesque fishing village is lined with stately homes and fancy hotels. The main attractions are the fishing port, the pined forests, and the Italian style architecture. Again, you will find many Italian tourists here due to the fact that there are catamarans that go back and forth from Venice each day during the summer.
