Trogir, Croatia

I usually describe our travels per city or town. But as we sailed the islands and didn’t stay in a hotel I will take all the islands together and describe the best restaurants to eat and things to do while sailing this part of Croatia.

The area we sailed is called Split and Central Dalmatia according to the Lonely Planet. We started our sailing trip in Trogir, a town near Split. It is a lovely town, an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its rich culture stems from Greek, Roman and Venetian influences. From there we sailed the following islands:

Brac, Hvar, Vis and Solta. Around the islands there are different options to spend the night with your boat, either in the port or in one of the many bays.

We spent some nights in ports others anchoring in small or larger bays. If you need water and electricity, going into a port is the only way, but I would recommend anchoring as much as possible. It’s much more relaxing and we loved waking up and taking a dive in the clear blue waters of the Adriatic Sea. There is no better way to start your day!

All islands have their own charm and dozens of villages. Hvar is the most elegant of all, they call it the St. Tropez of Croatia. With posh yachts, happening bars & restaurants, young partygoers, and the sunniest spot in the country.

Our personal favorite was Vis Island. Vis was a military base for the Yugoslav army and therefor cut off from foreign visitors for 40 years. Until 1989 time stood still and because of the lack of development it has an unique charm. During the high season cars are forbidden on the island, except for those of the inhabitants. It will most likely become more popular now as it was used as a filming location for  “Mamma Mia, Here we go again”.

Great tubing behind a sailing boat!

Here are some awesome things to do when sailing the islands of Central Dalmatia.

  • Anchor in the beautiful bays of the islands.
  • Taste the local Croatian wines. Vis island has its own grape, Vugava. It’s been cultivated here since ancient times.
  • Visit the open air cinema of Vis Island literally located next to the water.
  • Sleep under the stars on the deck of your ship.
  • Plan a night out on the town in Hvar with its many restaurants and bars.
  • Opt for an adrenaline pack when chartering a boat. You get a better dinghy and will be able to do some serious tubing, wake boarding and water-skiing when anchoring in one of the beautiful bays. It also makes going to shore with a large family much easier.
  • Visit the simple but beautiful churches of the islands.

Navigare Yachting

Central Booking Office
Ul. Damira Tomljanovica 11

10020 Zagreb, Croatia

Languages:
English, German, Russian, Italian, Spanish

Tel office: +385 1 2331 661
Mobile: +385 91 3777 237
Fax: +385 1 2331 003

Direct Clients:

Price range

$$-$$$

Location

Navigate Yachting has a base in both Trogir and Dubrovnik. We chartered our boat from Trogir.

Accommodation

Different yachts are available both mono-hull and catamaran in different sizes ranging from 40-64 feet. Crewed or non crewed. We had a Hanse 575 with a skipper. Offering 4 cabins, including an owners cabin and a berth for the skipper.

Dining

The boat had a fully equipped kitchen with 3 fridges, oven and stove. We chose to have breakfast and lunch on board and dine out every night.

Services and amenities for kids

Not applicable.

Extra info

We loved our privately chartered boat. Although the kids said they’d like to try a flotilla next time.

With kids

Mizarola – Hvar
Address: Vinka Pribojevica2, 21450, Hvar
Reservations:  +(385) 98 799 978
Website: 
Cuisine: Italian/ Pizzeria
Kidsmenu: They don’t have a special kids menu but they can make a simple pasta if you’d like that for the kids and they have the most delicious pizzas on the island.
Experience: Of course there may be different and better restaurants on Hvar, the town is packed with pittoreske places with nice terraces. But the kids love pizza, and this is the best place to have pizza at in town!
Frutarija – Vis

Frutarija -coffee with the best view in town

Address:  Ul. Viški Boj 13, 21480, Vis
Reservations: –
Website: Fruitarija
Cuisine: simple but great all day long food
Kidsmenu: 
Experience: the best place on visit. It opens at 8 am and stays open till midnight. You can have anything there from breakfast to dinner and everything in between. The view is to die for. They serve simple but delicious and healthy food, good juices and coffee. You can’t visit Vis without having at least one drink at Frutarija. Also a very romantic spot for date night!!
Konoba Lola – Vis
Address:Ul. Matije Gupca 12, 21480, Vis
Reservations: +(385) 95 563 3247
Website: Konoba Lola
Cuisine: Delicious local cuisine
Kidsmenu:they have a special simple kids menu available.
Experience: One of the nicest restaurants in Vis. Located in a beautiful garden in Vis town, they serve set 4 of 6 course menus, different every night. You can either take a wine arrangement or just order the wine you like. This restaurant is suitable to visit with kids, but it might be even nicer to have dinner here with your partner or with a group of adult friends.

Without kids

Hula Hula – Hvar
Address: Ul. Vlade Avelinija 10, Hvar
Reservations: –
Cuisine: Beach bar menu & cocktails
Kidsmenu: –
Experience: The place to be for sunset parties in Hvar. Playing good music and serving nice cocktails. You can visit this place with the kids during the day but it’s certainly not a place for the kids during the sunset afternoons.
Lambik – Vis
Address: Trg Podlože 2, 21480, Vis
Reservations: +(385) 95 222 4221
Website: 
Cuisine: Cocktails
Kidsmenu: –
Experience: The best place to have a drink in the Kut area of Vis island. The music is good and so are the GT’s. Very friendly staff and located on a small square opposite to the sailing boats in the port. 

The best time to go sailing in Croatia is from May to October. We visited in July and it was pretty hot thus very happy to have air conditioning on board. July and August are peak months so it’s pretty packed with tourists but still very doable.

Below is the current temperature and forecast for the next days in Split, decide for yourself if it’s tempting or not.