Dubrovnik has the timeless walls. Split has Diocletian’s Palace. Hvar has the mega-yachts.
But tucked away in the Adriatic is a tightly-lipped island that locals and longtime vacationers have kept entirely to themselves.
Travel + Leisure just revealed perhaps Croatia’s most tight-lipped destination that locals and longtime vacationers have kept to themselves while others gawk at Dubrovnik’s timeless walls and Split’s Diocletian’s Palace.
Dubbed the “Maldives” of Croatia, little-known Lošinj (pronounced LOH-sheen) is ready to steal some tourists from other vacation magnets.
Let me guess: seeing the word “Maldives” gave you an instant snapshot of what to expect, except you don’t have to fly into what feels like uncharted territory on multiple long-haul flights just for bragging rights.
Instead, you can enjoy your own slice of paradise in the heart of Europe, saving yourself hours of jet lag without sacrificing the postcard image already conjured in your mind.
No Bungalows, But No 20-Hour Flight Either
Overwater bungalows might justify such a far-flung escape in the middle of the Indian Ocean, but there’s simply no need unless you’re counting countries, collecting passport stamps.
Since Croatia now has seasonal nonstop routes from the U.S. to both Split and Dubrovnik, you can spend a couple of days in either city before venturing off to less-crowded shores with some of the “clearest, cleanest, most beautiful water in Europe”, as quoted by Travel + Leisure.
Welcoming you with see-straight-to-the-seafloor waters, vibrant marinas, and immaculate beaches, no, you can’t walk out of your bedroom for a morning dip the way you would on one of the Maldives’ atolls.
But you can enjoy a more authentic stay in a cozy boutique hotel for a fraction of the nightly rate — unless you opt for Hilton’s Boutique Hotel Alhambra, an SLH Hotel.
Your best move to save some serious cash is to book inland at such places this summer, but looking at the photo above, it’s a hard pass not to splurge on prime coastal real estate.
Make sure you double-check travel alerts and tourist fees before your trip.
Experience Some Of Croatia’s Most Delightful Villages
- Mali Lošinj, the island’s colorful harbor town, may be the island’s headliner, but the real treat is seeing how many ridiculously charming villages you can squeeze into one trip as most stick to the script of Croatia’s household names, if we’re being honest…
- Veli Lošinj boasts a colorful harbor, bygone seafaring soul, and the kind of waterfront cafes that make “just one drink” feel like a lie you’re okay with telling yourself.
- Nerezine keeps things quieter with scenic trails and a more local vibe, while more notable Osor offers visitors the sights of ancient-stone churches, ruins, and centuries of tangible history packed into a tiny town you can stroll without needing a tour guide.
To Yacht, Or Not To Yacht
Maybe it’s just me, but seeing the name “Croatia” has me firing up “Dancing in the Moonlight”, which we all know is the best yacht rock song of all time…
Whether it be your regular yacht for normies like me or superyachts for the rich and famous — definitely not like me — Croatia has long been the place in Europe.
But is it part of the culture of Lošinj?
Absolutely, it is!
This isn’t some random island pretending to be nautical because a few shiny boats are on display for summer.
Mali Lošinj was once a renowned shipbuilding hub. Today, you’ll still find that seafaring identity baked into the island, from its gleaming marina to the restored Nerezinac lugger, a storied sailboat now used to showcase Lošinj’s long maritime history.
So yes, yachting fits the bill here — just don’t expect every visitor to be sipping champagne on a deck triple the size of my apartment.
Hey, I live in California…
How Safe Is Croatia?
Don’t expect any concerning travel advisories in the near future for Croatia.
It’s long been considered a safe haven, no matter if you’re making your base in the city or a hideaway island like this.
According to our real-time Safety Index, travelers feel the same way. The current safety score is an impressive 81/100, with tourist scams being the main concern:
Stacie Harris is a local resident and reporter of the Maple Grove area. Stacie reports on medicine and science for the Maple Grove Report.
