If you’re visiting the Croatian coast and want to explore beyond the big cities – without spending too much time or money – day trips to the nearby islands are your best bet.
From Split, Dubrovnik, and Zadar, you can reach quiet villages, clear-water beaches, and car-free islands – all in a day, and for less than €50 round trip.
These aren’t tourist-packed hotspots. They’re the places locals go to escape – laid-back, affordable, and full of charm.
We checked real booking data to find the most popular one-day getaways – the ones travelers keep choosing again and again. No need for a hotel, no need to plan much. Just hop on a boat in the morning, explore, eat, swim, relax – and be back by evening.
Have a day off? Check out these top day trips picked by travelers.
Hvar and Brač are well-known favorites among locals – but the Split archipelago hides many smaller, equally magical spots practically on your doorstep. If you're looking for a simple, affordable, and realistic day escape with sea views, here are the most popular choices.
Sutivan is one of those places that doesn't try to be a "hit destination" – and that's exactly why it wins. This small, quiet place on the northwestern coast of Brač is perfect for a coffee by the sea, a walk by old stone houses and a real mental reset. When you need a day of peace, away from the hustle and bustle, and don't want to spend half a day traveling – Sutivan is the perfect choice.
Ideal for: travelers who love silence, long walks by the sea, a local atmosphere without tourist hype and the occasional moment of solitude.
Top offer chosen by travelers:
We have highlighted the places that travelers regularly praise – be it for the view, the quality of the food or the relaxed atmosphere.
How to get to Sutivan:
See departure details Split - Sutivan ferry
Supetar is lively, accessible and always ready for guests – whether it’s your first time or your tenth. As the capital of Brač, it offers everything you need for an easy and eventful day trip: a well-maintained promenade, good food, a couple of great beaches and enough space to get lost – but not too much. The journey is short, and the pace slows down immediately upon arrival.
Ideal for: travelers who want uncomplicated content – from coffee to swimming, everything is at hand and you don’t need a plan.
Top offer according to travelers:
We have selected the locations that travelers most often praise for their local food, authentic atmosphere and waterfront location.
How to get to Supetar:
See departure details Split - Supetar ferry
Milna is the kind of place that looks like a postcard and acts like a host. This authentic town on the western side of Brač is known for its peaceful marina, stone houses and an atmosphere that makes you immediately slow down. If you are looking for “real Dalmatia” – without stress, but with character – Milna gives you just that.
Ideal for: lovers of pristine Dalmatia, sea scenes, walks through old alleys and lunch with a view of the boats.
Top offer chosen by travelers:
These places regularly receive praise for their local cuisine, excellent wine and perfect views of the bay – and each has its own special atmosphere.
How to get to Milna:
See departure details Split - Milna ferry
Bol is a destination that will make you feel like you’ve been on vacation for three days in one day. Famous for its Zlatni Rat beach – one of the most photographed in Europe – this town on the southern side of Brač offers everything from spectacular scenery to delicious food and a real summer vacation vibe. Perfect for those who want to experience a postcard beach without the need for extensive planning.
Ideal for: active travelers, photographers, those who want a “must-see” experience, but also those who love a combination of nature and good food.
Top offer by travelers:
These places are frequent stops for travelers due to their location, quality and atmosphere – whether they’re stopping by to take photos of Zlatni Rat or relax with a glass of wine.
How to get to Bol on Brač:
See departure details Split - Bol ferry
If you want to experience the real Hvar – but without the hustle and bustle that often accompanies the island’s capital – Jelsa is your choice. A charming place with cobblestone streets, local wines and a relaxed pace, it offers the full island experience, all without the need for an overnight stay. Perfect for a day when you feel like going somewhere special, but not too far.
Ideal for: explorers who want an authentic Hvar without the crowds, with local taverns, beaches that haven’t yet gone viral and streets that tell stories.
Top offer chosen by travelers:
Recommendations are carefully selected according to the impressions of travelers who are looking for – and find – a balance between the local, the beautiful and the delicious in Jelsa.
How to get to Jelsa:
See departure details Split - Jelsa ferry
When the city walls and stairs start to feel routine, it’s time for an island reset. Whether you're after peace, nature, sand, or stone-paved charm, Dubrovnik has day trips to offer.
Korčula is like Dubrovnik in miniature – but with more local charm and less crowds. Cobblestone streets, the smell of the sea, a glass of local wine and a view of Pelješac… you can do it all in one day. A trip to Korčula combines culture, gastronomy and a real island atmosphere, and the entire old town looks like a set from a historical film.
Ideal for: lovers of history, old town centers of Dalmatian towns, local wines and those who want a trip with character – without having to stay overnight.
Top offer chosen by travelers:
Separate places are recommended by travelers who want to have lunch with a view, enjoy the ambiance of the old town and find corners ideal for a break.
How to get to Korčula:
See departure details Dubrovnik - Korčula ferry
Polače are a true haven for those seeking silence, greenery, and unfiltered nature.
Located within Mljet National Park, this peaceful spot offers a level of calm that's hard to find elsewhere – with no traffic, no noise, and no crowds. Just pine forests, the sea, tranquil lakes – and you.
And the best part? You can experience it all in a single day, without any rush.
Ideal for: cyclists, nature lovers, those who want to reset their mind and body, as well as travelers who prefer to get away from civilization – but keep the concept of good food and beautiful views.
Top offer according to travelers:
Selected places combine local cuisine, simplicity and a natural ambiance that fits perfectly into the rhythm of Mljet.
How to get to Polače:
See departure details Dubrovnik - Polače ferry
If your ideal day is one where time slows down, and your plans fit into the sentence “I’m going for a walk and something to eat,” then Sobra is the place for you.
This quiet fishing village on the Mljet coast offers the kind of simplicity we often seek but rarely find – the sea, peace, and genuine relaxation.
Ideal for: peaceful souls, solo walkers, couples who want a day without distractions and anyone who wants to escape the city for a day – but return for dinner.
Top offer by travelers:
Small but carefully selected places in Sobra offer local food, views of the boats and the perfect base for a relaxed day.
How to get to Sobra:
See departure details Dubrovnik - Sobra ferry
Koločep is that quiet, green island that doesn’t need to prove anything.
No cars, no noise – just pine trees, secluded beaches, and narrow paths leading to hidden coves.
It’s ideal for a leisurely walk, a swim, lunch by the sea, and the kind of peace that stays with you.
Best of all? You can experience it all in just one day.
Ideal for: couples, walkers, solo travelers and anyone looking for complete zen - far from the crowds, but without complicated logistics.
Top offer according to travelers' choice:
These places are the most common choice of those who want a casual atmosphere, good food and a view that does not require filters.
How to get to Koločep:
See departure details Dubrovnik - Koločep ferry
Lopud is an island that greets you gently – with a wide sandy beach, the scent of pine trees, and an atmosphere that makes you slow down the moment you arrive.
Šunj Beach is the main reason many visitors come, but it’s far from the only one.
There are scenic promenades, a light lunch by the sea, and that unmistakable feeling that you don’t need much at all for a perfect summer day.
Ideal for: families with children, couples looking for a relaxing day at the beach and everyone who wants the sea without stress and logistics.
Top offer chosen by travelers:
These places offer everything you need for a perfect day – from lunch on the terrace to cocktails with a view of the sunset.
How to get to Lopud:
See departure details Dubrovnik - Lopud ferry
Zadar’s island connections are perfect for slowing down. Many of these escapes have no traffic, no noise – just clear seas and simplicity.
If you've ever dreamed of a place without cars, noise and rush - Olib is exactly that. An island of silence, crystal clear sea and long walks in silence, ideal for a Sunday digital detox. You can reach everything in one day: the ship leaves you in the morning, and you return with full batteries and no notifications.
Ideal for: solo travelers, couples escaping from the world and anyone who wants true peace and disconnection – not only from the grid, but also from everyday life.
Top offer chosen by travelers:
These places are the favorites of those who come to Olib because of their simplicity, freshness from the sea and breathtaking views.
How to get to Olib:
See details about departures Zadar - Olib ferry
Silba is not an island for those who like a fast pace – here you walk slowly, talk quietly and enjoy the details. An island of artists, sandy paths and sunsets. There are no cars, but it has everything you need for a day of complete relaxation – from the shade of pine trees to beaches that look like they came from Instagram.
Ideal for: creatives, dreamers, walkers, lovers of silence and those who appreciate the authentic, natural beauty of the landscape.
Top offer chosen by travelers:
Separate places are a frequent choice of travelers who come to Silba for the local atmosphere, relaxed atmosphere and the feeling of being at a friend's house on the island.
How to get to Silba:
See departure details Zadar - Silba ferry
Premuda is quiet, self-contained and can boast of perfectly clear sea that looks unbelievably clean. The island is especially dear to divers because of the seabed, but also to everyone who is looking for complete peace, wanting to get away from everything - just the sound of the sea, a couple of boats and silence, which is hard to find today.
Ideal for: divers, explorers, nature lovers and anyone who dreams of a day without notifications, but with a diving mask in hand.
Top offer chosen by travelers:
On this small island, everything is simple - but of high quality. Travelers praise these locations for their freshness, local approach and proximity to perfect beaches.
How to get to Premuda:
See details about departures Zadar - Premuda ferry
Zverinac is an island that doesn't offer you anything special – it offers you peace. There are no cafes, no crowds, just nature, the sea and the occasional fishing boat in the harbor. Ideal for a complete getaway, a solo day without plans, with a book in the shade and no rush.
Ideal for: introverts, loners, travelers who are not looking for action but silence, empty beaches and space for themselves.
Top offer according to travelers' choice:
One restaurant and a few beaches are enough reason to come – because when everything is slow and quiet, every detail has a greater value.
How to get to Zverinac:
See departure details Zadar - Zverinac ferry
Sestrunj is an island where you literally don't have to do anything – and that's exactly why people love it. There are no shops, no cafes, no rush. Just nature, the sound of the sea and you. Ideal for a complete mental break, a walk to the bay and a day when time slows down to the max.
Ideal for: a complete escape from reality, solo wandering, introspective walkers and anyone looking for pristine island peace.
Top offer chosen by travelers:
Without a classic offer, but with beaches that offer the most valuable – silence, clear sea and space just for you.
How to get to Sestrunj:
See departure details Zadar - Sestrunj ferry
Maybe your perfect island combo is out there – just waiting to be discovered! Browse all available lines on our website, compare prices, and find the best departures for your schedule.
Note: If some destinations don’t currently have active departures, we recommend checking with transport providers directly, as timetables can change seasonally.