Do you know why Croatia honeymoon destinations have become so desirable in the last few years. Some world famous fashion and travel magazines, claim that Game of Thrones filming sites, including Dubrovnik old town, have contributed Croatia to become more romantic travel destination.
That opinion is perhaps only partially acceptable as Croatia is full of sights and experiences still undiscovered. Croatia is famous for its azure sea, romantic beaches, pine forests, rocky coasts, vineyards and lots of small islands.
It’s country of medieval towns, palaces, ancient walls and castles where architecture coexists with the untouched nature creating romantic settings to make your honeymoon memorable.
Rare places in the world are as picturesque and charming as the one you can find in Croatia. Croatia is a country with over 1000 islands with beautiful blue sea and archipelago lined with secluded bays and beautiful beaches.
Nine Great Croatia Honeymoon Destinations
The purpose of a honeymoon is to experience a romantic getaway where you and your beloved partner can immerse yourselves in the pure enjoyment of each other.
Imagine a resort far from the crowd of the city life, with accommodations located in the middle a lavish pine forest overlooking the deep-blue sea, boasting its own secluded beach, breathtaking sun sets, a romantic boutique hotel in the middle of medieval old town ideal for a romantic walks or to emerge in green beauty of National Nature Parks.
Dubrovnik, Croatia Honeymoon
Nobody can deny that couples in search of romance will choose Dubrovnik on the southernmost stretch of Croatia’s coast as one of the most fashionable vacation spots in all of Europe.
It’s an ideal place to reinforced your love bonds or even regenerate weakened relations in difficulty. This is a popular romantic travel destination town, full of museums, festivals and restaurants with a nice climate and spectacular landscapes.
Among Croatia honeymoon destinations this old city offers couples romance at its best. Enjoy getting to know each other all over again as you visit this Croatian city together on your anniversary.
Dubrovnik is a city for lovers and all those in search of enjoyment. Throughout the year Dubrovnik offers its historical charm, timeless beauty and special atmosphere to those who are in love.
Spectacular sunset spots in Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is top destination for anyone who loves to watch the sunset below the sea horizon. There are many sunsets sports in Dubrovnik:
Dubrovnik city walls on evening stroll round the mighty city walls. Be smart and come towards the end of the day ( last entrance is at 7.30 PM in high summer season or 15:00 PM in winter).
Dubrovnik bird’s eye view – take this short cable car ride to get to the top of 778 meters Mt.Srdj hill to a plateau offering spectacular city view. Order a glass of local wine at Panorama restaurant and immerse yourself in sunset show. Don’t worry cable car rides up to 22:00 PM.
Order a drink and a dip into sea from the Hole (Buza) – On the Dubrovnik’s best restaurants list this location hanging on the rocks below the southern walls, is one of the most magical spot overlooking the sea with stunning view on Lokrum island.
It’s a perfect sunset drinks venue and if you have swimwear take a refreshing dip from the rocks. ( you should be a good swimmer)
Sunset Kayaking tour – Kayak beneath Dubrovnik’s city walls on this 3-hour tour. Don’t forget to bring a glass of wine while watching the sunset at the end of the tour.
Dubrovnik romantic walks
The best place for romantic walks and leisure in general is Dubrovnik’s town Placa or Stradun promenade, the most popular Dubrovnik attraction venue.
Not less admirable is a short romance walk to Porporela (known as the lovers walk), a small breakwater (also a beach) the best place to enjoy the view of greenish Lokrum island.
It is worth to mention that another romantic stroll is Dubrovnik’s town part called Lapad, including Babin Kuk area. Do you feel disoriented ? Go to Dubrovnik beaches to find where’s Lapad and Babin Kuk.
Lapad bay (Uvala) is a wonderful and green nature surrounded promenade walkway with many cafe bars with personal atmosphere during the evenings. At the end of this walkway there is a beach with the same name with view of whole Lapad bay and the Elaphite islands. Here you can check all Lapad peninsula hotels.
Night swimming in Dubrovnik
If you are looking for something particular on your Croatia honeymoon escape than a romance activity number one is night swim on one of Dubrovnik beaches.
Whether you choose Banje , Dance or Lapad beach (Uvala) don’t miss to go for a dive to discover a new world of light and plankton dance under the starry sky of Dubrovnik.
Keep in mind that there’s a difference between day and night swimming. I suggest Banje party beach, located in front of the eastern entrance (Ploce Gate) to the old town.
Dubrovnik romantic cruising
Whether you’re celebrating your wedding anniversary or Dubrovnik will be on your Croatia honeymoon bucket list, don’t miss this romantic cruising tour to Lokrum island the closest island to the old town.
Karaka’ ship romantic sunset cruise
Get a feel for Dubrovnik rich history by cruising around Dubrovnik in a traditional karaka (carrack) ship replica.
Romantic dinner while sailing next to one of Adriatic’s most beautiful destinations will be an evening to remember.
Best Hotels in Dubrovnik, Croatia for your honeymoon
1. Villa Dubrovnik – The most romantic lovers retreat. This five-star Dubrovnik hotel built into a cliff with a view without comparisons.
Its stupendous rooftop Prosciutto & Wine Bar is for savouring quality local wines at sunset cocktails that will remain in your memories for ever.
2. Villa Orsula – this small boutique hotel, housed in a white stone villa dating from 1939, is a truly romantic retreat. If Elizabeth Taylor once stayed there as a guest than it’s your turn.
With breathtaking view on Old Town and top service, makes it ideal nest for couples in love.
3. Pucic Palace – Looking for a romantic wake-up in the old city center? This old town has an abundance of romantic places where many couples will crown their love.
You can expect a true boutique hotel experience here, with plenty of history around you. There’s no pool, no beach or spa. But in compensation it offers the use of the hotel’s two motorboats for private excursions, plus free sun-beds at the nearby Banje beach club, just outside the town walls.
Hotel Excelsior – The 5-star luxury hotel Excelsior, a historic Dubrovnik hotel after complete reconstruction has 158 luxury accommodation units, including two presidential suites and 15 deluxe suites.
With unique views of Dubrovnik’s medieval walls rising from the sea, it’s built into a hillside above the coast, overlooking the deep-blue sea and the pine Lokrum island.
Croatia Honeymoon On Odyssey Island
Leaving Dubrovnik by catamaran, after only 90 minutes, you’ll come into view of an island that many describes it ‘the last paradises in the Mediterranean’. It’s name is Mljet island.
Welcome to Mljet island, the most beautiful and most forested island of the Adriatic. It’s one of the most attractive pearl of the Mediterranean. The rich vegetation of the island, assigned to Mljet Park a name of a Green Island.
Where to stay! Mljet has only one hotel, the three-star Hotel Odisej but a good alternative is a vast choice of apartment rentals in Saplunara and Pomena.
Croatia Honeymoon in the Spectacular Korcula Island
Did you know that the famous Dubrovnik has a twin called romantic Korcula ‘A Little Dubrovnik’. This small romantic town is on the same name island offers the same medieval charm that his older and more famous brother has.
Narrow streets and old stairways, old churches, mighty walls, cannon protected fortress, romantic small restaurants, red roofs and secluded beaches all you need for your next destination on Croatia honeymoon itinerary.
Each time I travel by boat from Dubrovnik to Korcula Croatia I’m so fascinated with its charm and beauty and its similarity to Dubrovnik.
Romantic Korcula Sunset
You can walk romantic streets of old Korcula town, watch magnificent sunset or you can enjoy hills and valleys of the interior, and nearly 200 unspoiled coves and beaches.
Korcula Sunset
Have a look at the latest video of Korcula sunset shot in the late afternoon in Korcula Town, in vicinity of Sveti Nikola Church and Monastery.
Perfect for swimming and underwater diving. Korcula island is ideal for an active holiday including romantic strolls through pine woods and many caves. Windsurfing and sailing are the best activities.
The best way on your Croatia honeymoon exploration is walking around this old town. It wont take you too much of your time but this magical city with eight Renaissance palaces and numerous narrow winding streets and squares, will show you the best of its famed elegant Venetian architecture.
Best Honeymoon Hotels in Korcula, Croatia
Lesic Dimitri Palace – This boutique hotel seated in a restored 18th-century Bishop’s Palace in the heart of Korcula town.
This hotel with a separate apartment on each of the six floors, each with four bedrooms is considered a high-end apart-hotel with restaurant and spa, situated next to the house of Marco Polo. This hotel has been featured in 2009 among ’20 of the world’s most romantic retreats. Read this The Observer article about Weddings Abroad!
Hotel Korsal – four star hotel centrally located just a few minutes walk from Korcula’s Old Town. Hotel offers only 10 very comfortable rooms with a large terrace that overlooks the beach promenade.
Hotel is situated in a car-free zone, 250 meters from Korcula’s marina, the bus station and the ferry dock to Split and Dubrovnik. Prices start from € 80.
New arrivals – Defora Sun Gardens and Mediterranean garden.
Lastovo Island
Croatia’s second most distant island, Lastovo, considered a paradise at the edge of the world, is ideal for summer getaway in heavenly solitude.
If you are looking for holidays based on private accommodation, which includes abundant offers of fish and lobster, vegetables grown in private gardens offered by generous local house owners that this island, is the right place for you.
This island is designed for couples and yacht owners.
Hvar Town
This time I decided to go further west to the islands that belong to the Split archipelago. Among the four largest islands I decided on island Hvar and island’s capital, Hvar town.
Are you ready for your magic moments? Follow my advice and charter a sailboat for a week or two. The yacht charter price (if divided with the number of the board crew) usually does not exceed the price of an accommodation with sea view room in a 4 star hotel.
You may be surprised with my idea of Hvar as a top place for a calm island getaway in Croatia. Many consider Hvar (town) only as a fashionable center of celebrity visitors with numerous cocktail beach bars and private luxury beaches.
But they are wrong! Hvar is the sunniest (more than 2724 hours of sunshine) town on Adriatic coast with pleasant Mediterranean climate, rich vegetation of palms, aloes, pine trees, laurel, rosemary and lavender and peaceful coves and islets.
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Vis Island
Vis island another isolated island 90 minutes by catamaran from Split Croatia is a typical destination for lovers of Robinson Crusoe vacation style.
Rising out of the sea as a crown, Vis island has all the charm of romantic and secluded hideout for lovers of the cleanest sea in the Mediterranean, gourmet delights and above all the tranquility.
It’s one of the last havens that from 1945 to 1992 for almost 40 years was a military bunker, an island off limits, isolated and inaccessible to foreign visitors. Only from 1992 after Croatia was proclaimed as an independent state, Vis finally opened the doors to visitors.
As Croatia Honeymoon part 2 Vis island is highly recommended destination as one of the most romantic places in Central Dalmatia. Both Vis island towns, Vis and Komiza offer few exceptional romantic hotels.
- Casa Nono or Villa Nonna – is a charming, two storey townhouse situated in a tiny courtyard just off Ribarska ulica – Komiza’s main pedestrian walkway.
- Apartments by the sea – charming little historical cottage with wonderful sea view. Nice little balcony and big patio only a few steps away from a quiet pebble beach in Vis town.
- The Hotel San Giorgio, a family-run hotel in Vis town surrounded by a lush green garden with palm, lemon and orange trees with modern rooms with a spectacular view over the harbor.
- Villa Kate – Vis town. Great apartments for a few days in Vis. Only a short walk to the center and great views from the balcony.
Trogir
Romantic Trogir Croatia is one of the Dalmatian coast’s wonders. It is a small island just north of the major city of Split, separated from mainland by a canal.
The entire island has been built up like an old fortress, surrounded with high walls and towers. Did you know that Trogir is nicknamed the Adriatic’s Venice!
Don’t expect to find any channel, only an island that’s connected to the coast by a bridge. I can hear you asking what they have in common.
They both have a labyrinth of narrow streets bounded by old buildings and palaces, splendidly decorated as a testimony of Venetian origins.
Just be careful when wandering through the city’s winding old streets paved with a local white stone, you might not find you way out!
Walking along every street (calle) (Venetian name for ‘streets’), you’ll find little architectural treasures like Gothic houses, courtyards with stoned stairs and minor but high-quality palaces.
Every inch of Trogir is amazing. One of the most beautiful parts of the city is its waterfront stroll called ‘riva’ you should visit during the hot summer nights. It is a right place for a nice cup of cappuccino or a tasty Italian pastry.
Zadar, Croatia
Since Zadar Croatia in 2016 has been declared Europe’s best destination, this charming town will be inevitably a part of your Croatia Honeymoon part2 destination.
Exploring the city layout you can not help but notice, how Zadar is extremely easy city to walk around. Everything turns around the main street called ‘Siroka ulica (Calle Larga – Kalelarga)’, the most popular Zadar street (considered older than the city itself); it stretches in the direction east-west, from People’s Square (Narodni trg) to the Roman Forum.
As all the major cities along the Adriatic coast, Zadar has some important landmarks you should visit walking around.
- Riva promenade – In most Croatian towns that face the sea, for example like Split or Opatija, Zadar’s Riva is one of the most beautiful Zadar attractions.
- Zadar sea organ – Zadar organ is a musical instrument played by sea, seventy meters long with thirty-five organ pipes built under the concrete situated a few steps from the Ancona-Zadar ferry dock.
- Greeting to the sun – At the very end of the Zadar peninsula, next to the famous Sea Organ, stands the the latest of Zadar attractions, a Greeting to the Sun sculpture, made by architect Nikola Basic.
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Pag Island
Opposite of the most islands of lush Mediterranean vegetation, Pag island is a great surprise of Croatia. As soon as you approach this island you’ll be fascinate with its bare, pale hills, a scenery so silent and magical as any desert.
But still, this island connected with the mainland by a bridge 70 km north of Zadar, represents a clearly different romantic getaway in Dalmatia.
If you ask someone what makes this island famous, it is certain that the response will be related to four nouns – lamb, salt, cheese and lace.
Besides its capital , the pocket-sized Renaissance Pag town built on salt and lace, island is famous for its beautiful sandy and pebble beaches.
Have you ever heard about Croatia’s party beaches? Few years ago, Ibiza Spain was considered the world’s party capital, without competition. But lately Zrce beach has become one of the most popular party beaches. It’s probably the only beach in Croatia with Ibiza sense.
Rab Island for a Romantic Beach Holiday without the Crowds
If you approach Rab island by boat, from a distance you’ll have the feeling that you are approaching to the huge ship with four masts.
It’s called a happy island. With 30 sandy beaches Rab is a really a happy island. Rare are the islands with so many different beaches scattered all round the island from sandy to pebble ones.
You can’t go wrong if you choose Rab island for a romantic break. If in 1936, King Edward VIII and his American lover, Wallis Simpson spent their romantic rendezvous, swimming naked in Kandrola beach, so everybody can do!
August 1936 is the official beginning of naturism in Rab when the English King Edward VIII and his wife got permission from Rab’s authorities to experience Croatia naturally.
Opatija Riviera for Belle Epoque Romance
Once the playground of Viennese aristocracy, Opatija Croatia and its Riviera, has become as a destination for stylish weekend breaks with modern spa treatments.
Opatija Croatia presents the same what Nice means for French or Monte Carlo for Italians. This genteel coastal town perched on the sea’s edge with a string of charming nineteenth-century villas is the most elegant Croatia’s tourist Riviera.
Opatija top local sight is a famous coastal promenade that stretches from Volosko to Lovran. Officially named the Franz Joseph I Promenade, but it’s still in use the common name Lungomare.
Istria, Croatia for Rural Romance and Countryside Cuisine
The Istria peninsula, tagged as ‘the new Tuscany’ is a new romance destinations only few steps from Italy and central Europe.
Divided in ‘blue’ and ‘green’ part with seaside towns and internal hilltop medieval towns, Istria is a real terra magica (magical land).
Discover Rovinj Croatia, one of the most beautiful Istria towns, on the west side of the peninsula, a favorite tourist destination or places like Motovun, medieval pin-up, or nearby Groznjan, a village of artists.