21st July 2022

The beautiful Adriatic sea is home to some of the most stunning ports in Europe. The countries of Italy and Croatia make up the bulk of the coastline and sailing through the azure waters you can find medieval-walled towns, charming fishing ports and friendly locals waiting to welcome you. Here are some of our favourite spots...

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is one of the best-preserved walled towns in Europe - if it looks familiar it's because from 2011 to 2016 it featured as the town of Kings Landing on the popular TV show Game of Thrones. No trip would be complete without a circular stroll around the citadel walls, although its best to do this early to beat the crowds. 

Seakayaking is a popular activity for those feeling more adventurous and Banje beach is the place to do it. It also gives the opportunity to work up an appetite for the delicious seafood you can find in one of the many portside restaurants.

Venice

Venice's stunning Italian city is made up of 118 islands, 416 bridges, 177 canals and 127 squares, slowly built up over the past 1500 years. If you have never visited before, it can be overwhelming trying to decide where to visit first and it's impossible to fit in all the churches, museums and galleries the lagoon has to offer. 

St. Mark's Basilica, one of the most majestic cathedrals in Italy, dominates the square in which it is located and should be high on your list. The lines are long, especially in peak season, so it's worth booking a guided tour to beat these - we can arrange this for you easily. Other highlights include the Rialto Bridge and Doge's Palace. Plus have you even been to Venice if you haven't had a ride along the Grand Canal in a Gondola?

Split 

A trip to Split is like taking a walk back in time. Wander through narrow, cobbled paths which spill out into squares with stallholders hawking their wares. The Diocletian Palace, which was built for the Roman Emperor Diocletian in the fourth century AD, forms about half of the Old Town of Split (and served as another filming location for Game of Thrones). The beautiful white stone used to build it was transported over from the nearby island of Brac.

The seafront is packed with restaurants and cafes overlooking the harbour and makes a perfect spot to sit and people watch, as the breeze is welcome after sightseeing in the ancient alleyways.

Kotor

The meandering journey into the stunning port of Kotor is an unmissable part of the experience on offer in Kotor, so make sure you are up early to witness it. The steep mountains on either side of the inlet are reminiscent of sailing in a sunnier, warmer version of the Norwegian Fjords. 

The labyrinth of the Old Town is similar to many towns and cities of the Adriatic, with fortified medieval buildings and cobblestone streets. The town lays claim to the narrowest street in the world - the 'Pušti me proć (Let me pass)' Street.

Hvar

Hvar is home to plenty of uber-trendy bars and restaurants and is popular with the jet-set in the summer, as demonstrated by the yachts lining the sunny promenade. The sunny island is famous for its lavender and rosemary and there are lots of little artisan stalls selling bespoke oils, candles and beauty products with the herbs and flowers as the stars.

At the top of the old town, there is a medieval fort. The climb up is steep but it is worth it for the amazing views it offers over the harbour. There is a cafe at the top offering an ice-cold beer or aperitif as a reward for your efforts as you sit and watch the boats in the harbour below.

Want to explore the Adriatic? Take a look at a selection of cruises here.