Discover the Best of the Croatian Coast

Your Adriatic cruise begins in Croatia, in the dazzling city of Dubrovnik. Here, you will be transferred to your Emerald Cruises luxury yacht to embark on a voyage to discover historic towns and cities and extraordinary coastlines.  

Please book your flight to arrive into Dubrovnik prior to 07:00 PM.

Known as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic,’ Dubrovnik presents a compelling historic city along Croatia's Dalmatian Coast; its walled Old Town presents one of the finest examples of a medieval citadel in Europe.  With its storied history and breathtaking views of iconic terracotta rooftops and the alluring Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik offers the perfect blend of cultural exploration and a relaxing beach holiday.  

Croatia’s second-largest city, Split, is visually stunning and laden with culture, history, and striking architecture. Take a stroll along the Riva, past beautiful terraces, palm trees and bustling eateries to enjoy gorgeous harbour views. Diocletian's Palace, built in the 4th century AD and today, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, dominates the city centre and houses a myriad of buzzing bars and cafés. 

In the morning, get ready to set sail from Split to Zadar. A historic city set on a peninsula; Zadar boasts relics from a variety of eras. Explore the old churches, Roman ruins, and unique modern attractions, including the Sun Salutation and Sea Organ, which are innovative sound and sun-activated art pieces. 

Dalmatia's capital for more than 1,000 years, Zadar is all too often passed over by travelers on their way to Split or Dubrovnik. What they miss out on is a city of more than 73,000 that is remarkably lovely and lively despite—and, in some measure, because of—its tumultuous history. The Old Town, separated from the rest of the city on a peninsula some 4 km (2½ miles) long and just 1,640 feet wide, is bustling and beautiful: the marble pedestrian streets are replete with Roman ruins, medieval churches, palaces, museums, archives, and libraries. Parts of the new town are comparatively dreary, a testament to what a world war followed by decades of communism, not to mention a civil war, can do to the architecture of a city that is 3,000 years old. A settlement had already existed on the site of the present-day city for some 2,000 years when Rome finally conquered Zadar in the 1st century BC; the foundations of the forum can be seen today. Before the Romans came the Liburnians had made it a key center for trade with the Greeks and Romans for 800 years. In the 3rd century BC the Romans began to seriously pester the Liburnians, but required two centuries to bring the area under their control. During the Byzantine era, Zadar became the capital of Dalmatia, and this period saw the construction of its most famous church, the 9th-century St. Donat's Basilica. It remained the region's foremost city through the ensuing centuries. The city then experienced successive onslaughts and occupations—both long and short—by the Osogoths, the Croatian-Hungarian kings, the Venetians, the Turks, the Habsburgs, the French, the Habsburgs again, and finally the Italians before becoming part of Yugoslavia and, in 1991, the independent republic of Croatia. Zadar was for centuries an Italian-speaking city, and Italian is still spoken widely, especially by older people. Indeed, it was ceded to Italy in 1921 under the Treaty of Rapallo (and reverted to its Italian name of Zara). Its occupation by the Germans from 1943 led to intense bombing by the Allies during World War II, which left most of the city in ruins. Zadar became part of Tito's Yugoslavia in 1947, prompting many Italian residents to leave. Zadar's most recent ravages occurred during a three-month siege by Serb forces and months more of bombardment during the Croatian-Serbian war between 1991 and 1995. But you'd be hard-pressed to find outward signs of this today in what is a city to behold. There are helpful interpretive signs in English all around the Old Town, so you certainly won't feel lost when trying to make sense of the wide variety of architectural sites you might otherwise pass by with only a cursory look.

On the western peninsula of Croatia, southwest of the city of Rijeka, Opatija provides alluring views across the Adriatic towards the Kvarner Islands and the distant Istrian mountains. Known as the ‘Nice of Croatia’, Opatija reveals lovely seaside promenades and fairy-tale villas. While here, be sure to sample one of the famous local dishes, mussels with  pršut or fish stew. 

Piran is a pretty town of red-tiled, whitewashed buildings clustered on the tip of the Slovenia’s Piran peninsula. Part of the Venetian empire from the late 13th century to the end of the 18th century, Piran is esteemed for its gothic-style Venetian architecture. 

Today, you will arrive in Venice, truly an enchanting city that exudes an evocative atmosphere not found anywhere else in the world. Established in the 5th century, this romantic Italian city spans 118 small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Coast. Admire the grandeur of the iconic canals and magnificent St. Mark’s Basilica. 

Venice is an enchanting city that exudes an atmosphere not found anywhere else in the world. Established in the 5th century, the city stretches across 118 small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic. Admire the grandeur of the canals and see St Marks Basilica. 

Located on the Istrian Peninsula, the lovely Croatian town of Rovinj is interwoven with Italian influences. Rovinj is a charming, easily walkable town and visitors here love to explore the narrow, winding streets that reveal old buildings with colourful façades and small, striking squares. There are also plenty of art galleries as well as a picturesque harbour dotted with fishing boats. 

Today we visit Šibenik, nestled in a sea inlet on Croatia’s gorgeous Adriatic coast. The origins of Šibenik date back to 1066 and there is a plethora of architectural styles to admire. Don’t miss the UNESCO World Heritage-listed St James’ Cathedral, crafted from white stone – just take the stairs from the Riva, the seaside promenade. 

The tiny town of Trogir is a hidden gem, located on a small island between the Croatian mainland and Ciovo Island. For some of the most spectacular views of this photogenic town, climb the tower of the Cathedral of St Lawrence — the highest building in Trogir.  

The island of Vis, off the Croatian mainland, was closed to visitors until 1989. This has given Vis a rare sense of peace and authenticity. The rocky coastline, azure waters and Venetian architecture made the island the ideal backdrop for the film ‘Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.’ (2018).  

The heart of island idyll Hvar is the Old Town; while this has developed as a modern-day hotspot, it reveals multiple layers of history and architectural wonders. The Old Town of Hvar presents a photogenic jumble of whitewashed buildings topped with sun-kissed terracotta roofs, and beyond, scenic rolling hills peppered with lavender fields, olive groves, and grapevines. 

The sixth-largest island in the Adriatic, Korcula is among the most beloved in Croatia. Its Old Town, referred to by the locals as ‘Little Dubrovnik’, is a delightful mix of medieval churches and elegant palaces, and squares, while the villages of Cara and Smokvica are renowned for producing the country’s signature dry white wine.  

Your Emerald Cruises voyage concludes in the grand, historic city of Dubrovnik, home to one of the finest examples of a medieval citadel in Europe. From your luxury yacht, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your journey home or to continue your holiday. 

Please book your flight to depart out of Dubrovnik after 11:00 AM.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Emerald Cruises cannot guarantee the cruise will operated unaltered from the itinerary states above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.