Split Islands

HVAR AND PAKLENI ISLANDS

As we turn on the engines and leave Vis behind us, you will soon arrive in the Palmižana bay, on the island of Sv. Klement in the Pakleni Island archipelago for a swim. The Pakleni are a collection of 14 uninhabited islands near Hvar, a dazzling piece of nature with crystal clear seas and countless little spots where you can surely find a spot of seclusion. The Palmižana bay is the most pristine, a botanical garden that has been cherished by the Meneghello family for generations. They named the bay Palmižana after their private palm oasis on the waterfront, sporting almost every variety of palm tree there is! The oasis is home to Toto’s Restaurant, where bathers can take refuge over gregada, a local dish that combines whitefish, potatoes, white wine, and olive oil into a delicious pot that has been shaken, not stirred.

Before returning to Split, wander through the winding streets of Hvar Town on the island of Hvar just across from Pakleni. Hvar Town is known as the elite tourism destination of Croatia where celebrities such as Beyoncé and Price Harry like to party it up in Carpe Diem and Hula Hula Beach Club. Between cocktails and raving on the edge of the Adriatic, explore Hvar’s maze-like backstreets lined with more than than eight centuries or architecture, craft shops, the must-have-a-bite Nonica patisserie, and the Arsenal theatre that beautifies the palm-dotted waterfront.

Tours to Hvar and Pakleni Islands

Find our more about the most popular Split Islands

ISLAND BRAČ

The nearest island to Split is Brač, often referred as to the island continent due to its mere size and the numerous townships that each has their own identity. The ancient settlements that dot the island ooze with cultural charm, calling for a one-day private boat trip from Split.

By tourists, Brač is most famed for Zlatni Rat, a white pebble cape beach that juts 624m out into the sea in Bol and although stunning, beyond tanning on the glittering shoreline are a collection of settlements, wineries, and sites waiting to be discovered. Brač is also well-known for its quarrying traditions, and the white rock from the island has been used to construct Diocletian’s Palace in Split, the Whitehouse in Washington and Reichstag in Berlin. Take a stroll through Pucišca, home to stone-masonry and voted in the top ten of most beautiful small villages in Europe; built on stone, from stone, by stonemasons and has a century old stone-masonry school on the seafront. Take a history lesson in Škrip, the island’s oldest settlement that dates back to the Illyrians at Brač Native Museum before stopping for lunch at Konoba Kopačina in Donji Humac to try bizarre island bites. If you are lucky enough to get a booking, sip on the best of Brač wines in the charming barn-house at the humble Senjković Winery.

The gap between Brač and the island of Šolta is known as the Gateway to Split and it is marked by Mrduja, a tiny islet with a rather interesting historical significance. For centuries there has been a dispute as to which island owns Mrduja so the islanders of Brač and Šolta introduced a rather witty solution to the problem. Every year, the opposing islands participate in a floating tug-of-war by tying ropes around the islet, attempting to pull it closer to theirs. Obviously this is all hopeless and so every year, the winners alternate and a Dalmatian feast marks off a friendly battle. This magnificent annual spectacle can be experienced with Šugaman Tours on their Blue Lagoon Special Edition with Tugging of Island Mrduja.