5 Best Islands Near Split

The large island of Brač is roughly 50 minutes away from Split by ferry and combines a beautiful beach with a rich pine forest. It's one of the largest islands in Dalmatia and one of the most popular destinations in Croatia. A big reason for that is the Zlatni Rat Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches on the Croatian coastline.

You can enjoy activities like surfing, scuba diving and parasailing off the coast of Brač, and you can even go off the beaten path and look for hidden beaches. If you want to witness a stunning view of the whole island and nearby sea, you can also enjoy the island’s mountain, Vidova Gora, which will give you a panoramic view of the Adriatic Sea.

The beautiful island of Hvar offers a mix of sunny beaches with gorgeous plants and flowers. A relaxing and picture-perfect destination, the hillsides are thick with lavender and sage as well as several vineyards and olive groves.

Alongside the glittering waters, historical monuments, nightspots and yachts, the island is also home to one of the oldest public theatres in Europe from 1612, as well as a Renaissance castle and a lovely Baroque square. For the more adventurous island lovers, you can also take a quick trip to the stunning Pakleni Islands, which are just off the coast of the main town.

Korčula is the island with the largest population in Croatia. It’s also known as “Little Dubrovnik” and is popular for its many historical sites and well-preserved architecture. One of the most visited attractions is the house where the legendary explorer Marco Polo was supposedly born.

At Korčula, you can enjoy a different beach experience. Alongside basking in the sun on the sandy pebble seaside, you can visit the museums and shops and enjoy local wine and cuisine while watching the sunset. It’s also one of the more remote of Split’s islands, however, so expect to spend a couple of hours on a boat to reach it.

Šolta Island is for you if you're looking for something more quiet and quaint. Here you can enjoy the authentic island life with beautiful untouched bays and an abundance of fresh olives, wine and figs with honey as you unwind and de-stress on the sandy shores.

If you like diving, Šolta also has popular diving locations on the northern side of the island, such as Livka and Senjska. If you travel a bit further, you can also find the remains of a fish market by the emperor Diocletian within the Piškeri bay.

The island of Drvenik Veli is most known for its beautiful Blue Lagoon. This shallow bay has the most sparkling and clear turquoise waters in the archipelago, and visitors can swim, relax and snorkel in the lagoon all day long.

If you want to get away from the crowds of Split and enjoy some untouched nature, this island is definitely for you. With many bays of sandy and pebbly beaches to choose from, finding a bit of peace and quiet is not too challenging. The better beaches tend to be along the southern shore, though there are a couple in the east, too.