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Croatian cuisine isn’t as internationally applauded as, say, French or Italian, but that’s only because it is founded on simple ingredients and ancient recipes which don’t necessarily pack a punch. Instead, this cuisine makes you feel the comfort of home cooking. In Dalmatia particularly, seafood-focused dishes use few but careful ingredients to craft standout creations from the Adriatic. But that doesn’t mean that meat loses its shine in the spotlight, with tried-and-true hearty classics to enjoy on the coast. So, what should you absolutely eat on your next sailing holiday? Keep reading, then start eating.

Lord Byron once called Dubrovnik ‘the Pearl of the Adriatic,’ and it’s impossible to think of Croatia without mentioning the glory that abounds in this ancient walled city. Dubrovnik’s celebrity status is seen in countless postcards and travel brochures, and its numerous inclusions on Europe’s ‘best of' lists have promoted it to one of the continent’s leading destinations. Dubrovnik’s charm is seen in all of its corners, filled with history, picturesque streets, squares, and steep alleyways that lead to unparalleled views. International tourism has certainly taken note, exposing the ins and outs of this jewel to help rank it as one of Croatia’s most visited harbors.

Amongst its beauty, Croatia is famous for its gastronomy. Being influenced by different nations and directions throughout history, made the Croatian gastronomic offer rich and various, combing eastern, Mediterranean, and continental cuisine. There are so many recipes that are not to be missed when visiting Croatia but what about those old traditional meals that our ancestors ate?

When talking about Croatia’s southern coast, we are often limited to thinking about the Adriatic Pearl. But did you know the beauty of Dubrovnik extends even further and is found in a town just 20 kilometers south (and 5.5 nautical miles southeast)? Meet Cavtat, Croatia’s southernmost tourist resort and what many would consider pure bliss beneath the bustling Dubrovnik. Decorated by thick pine forest and scenic beaches, Cavtat is a hop, skip, and jump from Dubrovnik Airport (just 6 kilometers away), making it a foolproof destination to begin your sailing holiday.

Sailing into the port of Lopud, from afar, on your left, you can already see the Franciscan monastery peeking above the surrounding walls. As the boat comes closer the luxury resort Lafodia, on the right, looks more, and more imposing. As you throw the anchor or catch a spot in the small-town port there it is in front of you, the magical Lopud. Timeless, careless dalmatian heaven, with an amazing sunset. The Lopud waterfront is beautiful. It has the feel of a civilized Dalmatian fishing town, a place of culture and heritage and yet one of relaxation and informality. There is a song about Lopud that translated says something like this: “My friend, if you want to have heaven you should know, come with us and enjoy, Lopud is the place to go!” Maybe these lyrics promise a lot but allow us to justify just how wonderful this island is.

Did you know that Croatia boasts eight national parks, four of which are located along Croatia’s coast? We’re certain you’ve heard of the most popular Plitvice Lakes, best-known thanks to its 16 cascading waterfalls. However, it’s not the easiest to reach on your sailing holiday. Fortunately for all sailing guests, there are many other national parks that pack the same punch - and we’re here to map out your park-perfect sailing route to make sure you don’t miss a beat while wrapped up in Croatia’s natural world. Let’s start in the north.