CROATIA is full of islands, in fact it has over one thousand of them, but there’s one that was the favourite hotspot for royalty many years ago.
It’s not hard to see why either as the island is covered in lush olive groves and ruins of those grand former summer residences.
Šipan Island is the largest of the Elaphiti archipelago and is around 11 miles away from Dubrovnik.
On the island there are just two hotels, so you can opt for an overnight stay at either Hotel Šipan in Šipanska Luka and Hotel Božica in Suđurađ.
Both are expensive, although Hotel Božica offers a more relaxed retreat than what you’ll find on mainland Croatia.
It’s small with around 30 rooms, and guests can make use of the outdoor pool, a private beach, a restaurant and a lounge bar.
In peak summer it can be as much as £380 per night.
If you want to simply explore, then jump on a ferry and take a daytrip from Dubrovnik.
To get to Šipan, holidaymakers need to take the ferry from Dubrovnik.
There’s one ferry a day, and the trip takes around 45 minutes with a one-way ticket costing £3.63pp.
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Once you get to the island, you’ll find a mass of olive groves – as it holds a Guinness World Record for the highest density of olive trees per square meter.
This is also why it’s called ‘golden island’, thanks to its rich land which produces quality olive oil.
It is inhabited by around 480 residents who live between the two main villages, Šipanska Luka on the western side and Suđurađ on the southeastern tip.
You’ll also spot some ruins that used to be Roman villas and summer residences of Dubrovnik nobility.
Thanks to its proximity to the city, Šipan Island used to be the holiday spot for rich and noble Croatian families from Dubrovnik.
One of those is Vice Stjepović-Skočibuha in the village of Suđurađ, the most famous one among them.
Of the 13 Elaphiti Islands, only three are inhabited; Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan.
Koločep is the island nearest to Dubrovnik, and it has two villages, plenty of hiking trails, and the Modra šilja, known as The Blue Cave.
On Lopud, visitors will find the very pretty Šunj beach and a historic monastery.
Much further up the coast, nearer to Zagreb, Krk is Croatia’s largest island, and unlike Šipan, it can be accessed via a bridge, so there’s no need to take the ferry.
As it’s one of the larger Croatian islands, which has a number of resorts, hotels, holiday homes and campsites.
There are over 68 towns and villages on the island, and a popular spot is Beach Kozica, also known as the silent beach, which has been described as “dream bay” by visitors thanks to its clear waters.
Plus, here’s more on the Croatian town that Brits always skip, which is named one of the cheapest beach resorts in Europe.
And check out the tiny European coastal town that used to be its own island named top 2024 hidden gem.