Recently updated on November 24th, 2023 at 05:20 pm
From the crystal blue waters and golden beaches to the rare wildlife and historic port towns, the Adriatic Sea is one of the most beautiful places in the world. To inspire your Adriatic Sea trip, we’re sharing everything we love about this divine piece of the Mediterranean.
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All the shades of blue
There are few seas as beautifully blue as the Adriatic. You can see all shades from deep royal blue to the shimmering turquoise of the shallow shores. Once you dive into that gorgeous blue, you’ll discover the Adriatic is perfectly clear and you can see smooth pebbles or soft sand lining the sea bed. It’s a true masterpiece of Mother Nature!
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The serenity of the sea
Speaking of swimming… The Adriatic Sea is the best place to go for a dip! Why? The Adriatic is almost always calm, or “calm as oil” as Croats would say. There are usually no big waves or swells, just small ripples and rolls that are perfect for sailing, snorkelling and swimming.
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The stunning beaches
It’s not just the water… we also love the golden beaches along the Adriatic Sea. With thousands of miles of gorgeous coastline, there are endless beaches to enjoy. From the soft white sands to the green hills surrounding the beach, the Adriatic Sea always serves up postcard-perfect shorelines.
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The Adriatic is home to around 1,300 islands
From little islets to larger islands like Cres and Krk that are home to farming and fishing communities, you’ll find over a thousand islands to explore in the Adriatic. We especially love the heart-shaped Croatian Island of Galešnjak known as the Island of Love, or the volcanic islands of Jabuka and Brusnik. There’s also the Island of Brač, home to the tallest peak in the Adriatic Sea and the famous Zlatni Rat beach which changes shape depending on the wind and currents.
Travel with Trafalgar and we’ll even take you to the stunning island of Hvar in Croatia where you can explore the ancient Old Town and 16th-century cathedral, go hiking or swimming, or take a scenic drive to the UNESCO-listed Stari Grad Plain, one of the oldest settlements in Europe. We’ll also join some of the locals for a traditional lunch cooked with locally-grown ingredients, and meet the owners of a local wine cellar to sample their delicious wines and cheese.
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The beautiful national parks
There are several protected national parks in the Adriatic Sea and they’re gorgeous spots to go sailing, snorkelling, hiking and wildlife watching. The Kornati National Park is made up of an archipelago of around 140 islands, while Telašćica Nature Park is home to pretty bays, pine forests, rocky cliffs and plenty of local wildlife. There’s also the Brijuni Islands National Park, packed with natural wonders and fascinating historical sites.
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Rare wildlife species
The Adriatic Sea is home to more than 7,000 plant and animal species, including endemic species and some of the rarest animals in the world. The endangered Mediterranean monk seal has been spotted a few times around the islands of Biševo and Opatija, while adorable bottlenose dolphins can often be spotted around the islands of Mali Lošinj and Veli Lošinj.
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The port cities and seaside towns
The natural beauty and calm nature of the Adriatic mean it’s a great place to live! You can find dozens of lovely ports and seaside towns along the Adriatic, all filled with amazing food, cultures and history. We love taking our Trafalgar guests to cities and towns like Dubrovnik, Split, Pula, Opatija and Rovinj. Here you can wander through Old Towns, marvel at ancient Roman architecture, stroll along promenades, and indulge in some of the best food and wine in the region. Don’t forget to pause at the end of the day to watch the glorious sunset over the Adriatic Sea… It’s truly breathtaking!
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The perfect weather
The Adriatic Sea serves up the most pleasant temperatures you can get, averaging 12°C to 14°C in winter and 22 to 30 °C in summer. The winters never get too cold, while the hot summers are perfect for all the swimming and sailing you want to do on your Adriatic sea holiday. The Adriatic also gets a ton of sun, with the sunniest islands Korčula and Hvar enjoying almost 3,000 hours of sunshine every year.
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Where is the Adriatic Sea?
- The Adriatic Sea borders Croatia, Italy, Slovenia, Albania, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- The Adriatic Sea is the northernmost part of the Mediterranean Sea, set between Italy and the Balkan Peninsula.
- Spanning around 8000 kilometres long and 200 kilometres wide, there are plenty of beautiful spots to explore on your Adriatic Sea tour.
Inspired to find out more about a trip to the Adriatic? Get in touch with our Travel Advisors to request a quote
Are you dreaming of an Adriatic Sea travel experience? Let us know where you’d like to go in the comments below…