Croatia's islands are legendary, bewitching everyone with their luscious beauty. From rugged Krk island in the north to enchanting Mljet in the south, there's an island for every taste. It would be easy to spend a year gliding from one island to another, but if you have to choose, here are the ten best islands in Croatia.

1 Hvar Island

Hvar town

World-class Hvar is making onto everybody's Top Ten list. The rolling hills are lush, green and fragrant with lavander. Venetian-inspired Hvar Town has become a required stop for global trendsetters, mainly for its nightlife. From town, it's easy to pop over to the Pakleni islands for sunbathing.

Pakleni islands

Hvar island is sprinkled with other alluring towns such as ancient Stari Grad

Stari Grad

and Jelsa for beaches

Jelsa
Jelsa

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2

Korcula Island

Korcula Town

Hvar's nearest rival, rugged Korcula island is wooded, hilly and studded with olive groves and vineyards. The highlight is Korcula town stuffed with Venetian style and protruding scenically into a bay. Korcula's vineyards produce the highly prized Grk wine.

Korcula vineyards

Take a boat from town to explore Badija and other islands in the Korcula archipelago.

Badija

Or, relax on the beaches of Lumbarda

Lumbarda

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3 Mljet Island

Mljet is an enchanting island of almost mystical appeal. As a national park, Mljet's natural features are scrupulously preserved. The highlights are two inland salt-water lakes perfect for kayaking.

Mljet salt water lakes

And beachgoers will love idyllic Saplunara cove.

Saplunara

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4 Brac Island

Laid back Brac island has a stark beauty that sets it apart from the lusher islands further south. Carpeted with olive groves, Brac olive oil is famous throughout Croatia and its lustrous white stone is famous throughout the world. The island's capital is sleepy Supetar.

Supetar

But the island's most visited sight is Zlatni Rat near Bol, Croatia's best beach.

Zlatni Rat

One of Brac's great pleasures is exploring little coastal villages such as Splitska.

Splitska

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5 Vis Island

Remote and rugged, Vis island is where you go to escape the crowds. With great beaches, vineyards, remarkable scuba diving and small villages to explore, Vis has it all.

Vis town

Start with Vis town and admire the remains of ancient Greece and Rome.

Vis town

Then check out Komiza which is everything a fishing village should be.

Komiza
Komiza

And nothing beats an excursion from Komiza to the famous "blue cave" of Bisevo.

Blue Cave of Bisevo

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6 Losinj Island

Losinj is a tale of two islands: the southern end is covered with pine forests while the northern end is dry and rocky. The highlight is the southern port of Mali Losinj which features pine-shaded Cikat bay.

Cikat Bay, Losinj
Cikat Bay

Lined with pastel houses, Mali Losinj's small port is a pleasure to stroll and there's a first-rate museum centering on the Apoxyomenos sculpture from ancient Greece.

Mali Losinj port

Mali Losinj

Tiny Veli Losinj is a picture-book version of an authentic fishing village and there are numerous other coves and villages to explore.

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7 Rab Island

A rocky ridge runs down the spine of Rab island sheltering the pine-fringed coast and making it ideal for boaters.

Rab island harbour

The ridge slopes gently down to fascinating Rab town, known for its four bell towers.

There’s tons to do from kayaking to diving to relaxing on Lopar's "Paradise" beach.

Lopar beach
Paradise Beach courtesy Lopar tourist office

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8 Pag Island

Pag town

Pag's dry flat landscape is paradise for sheep which is why Pag's sheep-milk cheese is renowned throughout Croatia. It's also a study in cultural contrasts. Pag town at the southern end is staid and traditional. Lace making is a living art that takes place on the town's narrow streets.

Pag lacemaker

At the northern end of the island Novalja has the wildest nightlife on the Adriatic. It all happens on Zrce beach, a tranquil oasis off-season.

Zrce beach, Novalja

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Krk Island

Hilly and dry Krk Island is busy most of the year. Lying close to the mainland, it's a favourite summer residence getaway for Zagreb's residents. The center of activity is Krk town which retains a small-town medieval appeal.

Krk town

Other visitors come for sandy Baska beach

Baska beach, Krk

Or, the excellent Zlatina wine produced in the vineyards around Vrbenik.

Vrbenik
Vrbenik

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10 Cres Island

Lying just north of Losinj island, Cres couldn't be more different from its southern sister. The rolling terrain is dryer and flatter in the interior but with high cliffs along the coast.

Cres coast

The island is also known for the protected Griffon vultures who nest in the cliffs and feed on the sheep grazing in their pastures. Cres town retains the flavor of its Italian origins.

Cres town