Full Name: Republic of Croatia
Capital City: Zagreb
Population: 4,5 M
Time zone: GMT/UTC +1
Language: Croatian
Currency: Kuna (HRK)
Electricity: 220 V / 50 HzHz
Country dialing code: 385

With its sublime stretch of Adriatic coast, Croatia has long been regarded as one of the most beautiful parts of Europe. The booming tourist industry that was interrupted by war in the early 1990s has swept back in force, and visitors are flocking to its string of coastal and island resorts.

Croatia is now the leading sailing destination in Europe, offering limitless sailing in astonishing surroundings.

There are different sailing areas as follows:

  - Northern Croatia and neighboring Slovenia combine to form Istria

  - North Central Dalmatia based in and around Zadar.

  - South Central Dalmatia, based around Split.

  - Dubrovnik.

Visit medieval towns like Rovinj with traces of all the various cultural influences of the Balkans, combined with an endless necklace of islands strewn along the coast, making the sailing safe and picturesque. Sukosan, Biograd, Primosten and Sibenik are good bases from which to sail around the Kornati Islands. The islands of Hvar, Brac, and Korçula provide beauty and the opportunity to party in style and are best reached from one of the bases in the Split area.

The food and drink is good everywhere and reasonably priced still. Marinas are everywhere, but expensive. Croatians are Slavs though and lack the spontaneous sparkle of the Latins. They are however a warm and hospitable people. Avoid August if you can. It's over-crowded, being adjacent to Italy and just a few hours on the motorway from southern Germany and Austria.

This destination is now one of the most attractive in the Adriatic. Slightly cooler than Dalmatia further south, Istria is where the Balkans meets the traditions and culture of Italy and Austria. For many years it was ruled from Venice and signs of Italian influence are to be seen everywhere. Main base is in Pula.

Istria offers outstanding sailing as well. The charming town of Rovinj is in the area and the sailing around the island of Cres is also very attractive. Northern & Central Dalmatia

This is the area with the highest concentration of charter yachts anywhere in Europe, housing as it does the giant Marina Dalmatia at Sukosan, just south of Zadar itself. Closer to the continental motorway system than Split and conveniently located for a cruise through the famed Kornati Islands, this is one of Europe's great sailing zones. Main charter bases are Zadar, Sukosan and Biograd. All three of these also give excellent access to the Kornati National Park.

Zadar is a medieval town of great beauty and the marinas are part of it, yet give access to the Kornati just as easily as Sukosan. The range of available yachts is however smaller but still extensive. The cathedral is magnificent as is the bishops' summer palace. Some other bases can be reached from Zadar: Sibenik, Primosten, Murter Island.

Sukosan itself has little to recommend it except for the huge marina housing the largest fleet of charter yachts at a single destination anywhere in Europe. The village is a couple of kilometers away. There are some acceptable restaurants on the way.Split Area

This is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with all that means in terms of tourist interest. This is therefore one of the best destinations if you want some sailing and some land-based tourism. The Split area has three main bases: Split itself, Trogir, Kastela.

The ACI Split Marina here offers the second largest selection of yachts in Croatia after Sukosan. Proximity to Trogir airport and to the hugely popular islands of Hvar, Brac, and Korcula offshore from here, combine to make this one of the most sought after bases in all of Croatia, and for good reason.

Trogir and Kastela both have fewer yachts, but Trogir in particular is a beautiful medieval town with attractions of its own. Kastela is probably third prize, but gives access to the same awesome sailing as the other two.

Seven day cruises starting from Split can either head towards the peace and quiet of the Kornati Islands to the North West, or towards the holiday bustle of Hvar, Braç, and Korçula. You need two weeks to do justice to both areas.

The southernmost base in Croatia, Dubrovnik is, like Split, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is a popular destination for sailors, wanting to see the city as well as going sailing.

Yachts mostly based in Split, sometimes find themselves here, and there are therefore often One-Ways to be had without Extra Charge. That is very attractive, particularly if you have a leisurely two-weeks to get there.