So you’ve finally decided your next holiday is going to be by the sea. Better yet, you’ve decided to spend it bobbing in the ocean, in the balmy Mediterranean climate while sailing… we’re already jealous. Both Croatia and Greece are prime sailing locations and offer the very best of island hopping.
To give you a bit more direction, we’ve pegged sailing holidays in both Greece and Croatia side by side so you can take your pick.
| Greece | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Athens | Zagreb |
| Most popular destination | Santorini | Dubrovnik |
| Natural attraction | Meteora | Plitvice Lakes |
| Nightlife destination | Mykonos | Hvar |
Greece
Throw caution to the wind as you weave through over the 6,000 Greek islands in the Aegean and Ionian seas. Leave it to the Greek islands to sweep you away in more ways than one. If you choose to sail here expect wild parties, the most glorious beaches, and some of the world’s most enchanting archaeological finds, which expose rich Greek history.
What’s it like to sail in Greece?
The skippers aboard your roughly 50-foot yacht will stop daily so you can enjoy the wide-open waters on route to your next island. You’ll rely a bit more on the facilities onboard (i.e. kitchen, washroom) as facilities at the harbors are often more modest, or can get pretty busy.
Best places to sail to in Greece
Greece sets the bar high for top sailing destinations in the world. The possible routes are endless so the first step is choosing the cluster of islands you’ll cruise through to limit the time you’ll spend in transit as some archipelagos are far apart. The three main routes are:
Cyclades
The most popular group of islands are the Cyclades, which form a circle around the island of Delos, the mythological birthplace of Apollo. These hilly islands are known for their picture-perfect whitewashed buildings, lively parties, seafront taverns, and lust-worthy beaches. The Cyclades encompass islands like Mykonos, Santorini, Ios, and Naxos, and is centrally located in the Aegean sea. Expect to experience strong Meltemi winds in the wide open waters, but that hardly gets in the way of enjoying all of the excitement and beauty these islands offer.
Ionian Islands
Another popular route is through the Ionian islands, to the west of the mainland. You can expect less wind here and spectacular woodlands on a few islands. Islands like Corfu definitely impress with its rugged, lush mountains and Lefkada (which is attached to the mainland via road) with its bright sandy beaches. There are also well-equipped marinas on stops at Gouvia, Corfu, and Lefkas.
Argo-Saronic Islands
Another top route is through the rocky Argo-Saronic islands near Athens. They get their name from the Aegean’s Saronic Gulf that they sit in. Hydra’s attractive stone mansions are a huge draw, as are Spetses’ small and charming beaches. This is one of the more tame groups of islands when it comes to partying and overcrowding, but you can still embrace your hedonistic side here.
Must-do activities in Greece
- Find a good spot to watch Santorini’s unmissable sunsets
- Mykonos’ nightclubs, like Paradise Beach, are known worldwide (as are the island’s windmills)
- Cycle through cypress, olive groves, pines, and vineyards on Ithaca
- Explore Paxos’ three harbor towns: Gaios, Lakka, and Laggos, and the secluded coves and pebble beaches reachable by boat
- Eat your way through Crete with its top-notch cheeses, olives, seafood, and wines
- Windsurf off the coast of Paros
- Stroll through Rhodes’ Old Town during golden hour
- Uncover the ancient ruins of the Terrace of the Lions statue on Delos
Croatia
In more recent years, Croatia has made a name for itself as a popular sailing destination. Its islands in the Adriatic sea are close to both the mainland and to other islands, so you spend less time (usually only a few hours) getting to each harbor to enjoy the Venetian towns, national parks, and an abundance of bucket-list-worthy activities.
What’s it like to sail in Croatia?
One aspect that really sets your Croatian sailing experience apart from one in Greece is the one of a kind, modern harbors on the shores of places like Brac, Hvar, Solta, and Korcula. From them, you can expect mouthwatering seafood joints and some with luxury outdoor lounge spaces. But that’s not to say that you don’t have some pretty decent luxury onboard your boat. It’s not uncommon to have Wi-Fi and drinkable running water onboard!
Best places to sail to in Croatia
There are over 1,000 islands to gawk at from Croatia’s rugged Dalmatian coastline. Although there are only a few islands that tours sail to, they definitely check all the boxes. The good thing about sailing in Croatia is that you don’t have to be selective on what islands you visit just for time’s sake. You can do a round-trip from Split, or head from Split to Dubrovnik to visit many of Croatia’s dreamy islands.
Hvar
Hvar is sheer elegance and the most common place for sailboats to dock. From posh restaurants to exclusive yacht clubs, Hvar is where you go to see and be seen. Inland, however, the oasis of lavender fields and vineyards will tempt you off the coast. Of course, you’ll eventually be drawn back to discover the island’s isolated caves and beaches.
Brac
Brac holds many treasures, like the town of Bol that is best known as a top windsurfing spot and Zlatni Rat (Golden Cape), a white-pebbled beach that dips out into the Adriatic and has become one of the most recognizable views in all of Croatia. Pučišća is another gorgeous little town with a sparkling harbor and white limestone facade.
Sipan
The untouched island of Sipan is a contract to the other islands’ party atmospheres. It’s most famous for its wine and relaxed atmosphere, so prepare to unwind.
Vis
This island is the furthest from the coast, and is also one of the most underdeveloped, which makes it easier to get a slice of authentic Croatia through fresh seafood, wine derived from locally-grown Vugava grapes, and sprawled out beaches. You may even recognize some filming locations from the film Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again, which was filmed here!
Solta
Anchor down at the island’s large bay, Rogač, and explore the wooded island with its small coves and pebbled beaches. Its lush terrain also breeds fantastic olive oils, grappa, and, of course, wine to taste.
Korčula
This pine-forest-dense island is packed with vineyards on rolling hills, coves begging you to jump in, and walled old towns that still showcase their traditional folk dancing and musical traditions.
Must-do activities in Croatia
- For a seriously fairytale-like setting, visit Mljet National Park, the oldest marine protected area in the Mediterranean
- Explore Plitvice National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) by bike
- Nerd out on a Game of Thrones tour in Dubrovnik
- Rave in a cave in Makarska for a night you won’t soon forget
- Participate in a windsurfing session on Brac’s southern shores
- Take a wine tour on Sipan
- Visit the 13th-century lakefront castle, Trakoscan, set on the hillside of Croatian Zagorje
Which destination is better? Greece or Croatia? Let us know in the comments!
