Croatia is a hidden gem when it comes to both kitesurfing and sightseeing.
Visit the backdrop of the Kings’ Landing from the famous Game of Thrones series in Dubrovnik, explore one of the many nature reserves, go island-hopping, or visit ancient Roman ruins. Don’t forget to try the traditional pag cheese and Croatian honey.
HIGHLIGHTS OF CROATIA
KITESURFING IN A BEAUTIFUL VALLEY
Enjoy a backdrop of lush green hills and mountains while kitesurfing at one of the peninsulas on the Adriatic Sea. You’ll find great spots with flat water and stable winds.
NATIONAL PARKS
If you are keen on exploring nature, make sure to visit at least one of the eight national parks this little country has to offer. From impressive waterfalls to blue caves, Croatia has it all.
THE ISLANDS
The country’s islands in the Adriatic Sea are a definite must-see when you visit Croatia and want to escape the crowds. Pag and Hvar are just two of them, but make sure to hop on a ferry or boat to go and explore more!
VINEYARDS
If you like wine, especially white wine, we recommend you save some time to follow vineyard trails, go on cellar tours, and meet the people behind the bottle! Croatia has a rich history when it comes to growing grapes which dates back to ancient times.
KITESURFING IN CROATIA
The almost 6.,000 km coastline of Croatia offers enough space for beautiful kitesurfing spots in addition to touristy beaches. It is not a surprise that Croatia is popular with various types of tourists, for this is also the land of music festivals, fine wine, seafood, nature, and sailing.
From buzzing coastal towns to tranquil islands and impressive nature, Croatia is your next holiday destination if you want more than an eat-kite-sleep (repeat) holiday in Europe. Because the thermal wind usually kicks in during the afternoon in most kitesurfing spots, this might be the perfect country to combine kitesurfing and other (family-friendly) activities!
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO KITESURF IN CROATIA?
The summer months are most suitable for kitesurfing in Croatia. This is because the thermal winds turn on in the afternoon (around 2 or 3 pm). Thermal winds are not very strong, but that doesn’t matter when you’re enjoying the water with your 12m kite in beautiful spots with clear water, few crowds, and beautiful surroundings.
WHAT ARE THE BEST KITESURF SPOTS IN CROATIA?
Viganj
On a peninsula almost right in front of the kite spot Neretva, you'll find Viganj: a nice little town with a great atmosphere. Kitesurfing alongside beautiful green hills, local fishermen, and stately buildings on a beautiful flatwater bay with stable winds blowing from the afternoon until sunset.
Neretva
South of Nin, past the town of Split, lies Croatia's most popular kitesurfing spot: Neretva. Neretva Delta (or Neretva Komin) is located on a large river bay in the South of Croatia. Kiteboarding in Neretva is appealing for beginners due to the large shallow parts, yet the wind feels slightly lighter. Komin Kiteboarding is the go-to for advanced riders due to its versatile conditions and options like small waves and open-river riding. This is also a great area due to the ‘funnel effect’ (also known as the Venturi Effect) caused by the two large islands that excel in the afternoon (thermal) winds during summer.
The wind during peak season blows between 15 and 30 knots and can have dips for some minutes (up to half an hour). Because the wind is offshore, it’s best to head back to the shallow parts to wait for the wind to pick up. Don’t worry, there are rescue boats too, and you’ll never drift out because you’re in a bay.
To have beach access, storage, WiFi, and shower/WC you have to pay at Neretva. Also: mind the swimmers, because right next to the kitesurfing spot there is a popular bathing area.
Bol
South of Split lies Brac where you’ll find the kitesurfing mecca, Bol. A beautiful peninsula with cute little harbors, it’s a relatively quiet place. Apart from flatwater for kitesurfing, you’ll find beautiful cliffs for hiking and walking routes under the shade of pine trees. You’ll share the spot with sunbathers and swimmers, so be aware. The kite starts and the land zone is a pebble beach.
Nin
This spot, which lies 15 km in front of the town of Zadar, has several (peninsular) islets and a 500m long 'sand spit' running into the water that serves as a kite beach. This makes conditions perfect for those who like flatwater, because you can also kite behind the sandspit on a perfectly flat lagoon. Be aware that parts of the sand pit are reserved for sunbathers and swimmers.
ABOUT THE COUNTRY
A Brief History of Croatia
The area around the Adriatic Sea has been inhabited since prehistoric times. It was settled by the Romans and Turkish nomadic people, among others.
For a long time, Croatia was part of the Ottoman Empire. But at the end of the 16th century, under the leadership of Archduke Karel the Second, a turning point came. Coastal towns and islands—such as Split and Zadar—fell outside the Ottoman Empire.
By the end of the 18th century, most of Croatia was no longer in Turkish hands, and Croatia became the forerunner of Austria: the Habsburg Empire. But if you think this means that Croatia entered a peaceful era, you’re wrong: In World War 1, Croats had to fight in the Austro-Hungarian army against independent Serbia. In 1918, Austria-Hungary, which was among the losing sides of World War I, disintegrated, after which the Croats, Serbs, and Slovenes formed a kingdom that came to be called the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Croatia was a dictatorship in which the Serbs dominated.
During World War II Yugoslavia was successfully attacked and occupied by Nazi-Germany. Croatia recaptured large parts of the occupied territory. After the war, they managed to develop economically because they were in a neutral territory.
On June 25, 1991, Croatia declared independence from Yugoslavia. But this period was also anything but peaceful: the Declaration of Independence was not accepted, and the Yugoslav Army invaded Croatia.
In December 1991, several European countries recognized Croatia as an independent state. EU recognition followed in January 1992. United Nations-led peace talks began during the same period, leading to a ceasefire.
On January 15, 1992, Croatia was officially recognized by the European Union, which they joined in 2005.
Because of this long history of wars and occupations, you could say that Croats are passionate about their country and politics, but also about other things like relationships and music. Life is all about enjoyment for the Croats nowadays, and this can be seen and felt in everyday life.
Other Attractions in Croatia
Explore nature! Croatia is loved by those who get excited by tranquility and nature. So during summer, you won't just find beach bums enjoying the clear seawater, but you will also find hikers, mountain bikers, and walkers exploring Croatia's natural parks. The Plitvice Lakes is a popular one. This is where deep limestone gorges form sixteen lakes with a fairytale waterfall area. The impressive gorges of National Park Paklenica are worth a visit, too.
Bisevo Island is home to another must-see beautiful natural phenomenon: a cave with unprecedented blue water which shines bright, and a surface that shimmers in silver. Sound extraordinary? It is! Go between 11 pm and 12 am when the sunlight reflects through the water coming from the white floor of the cave.
Prefer a bit more action? Go rafting on the Cetina River, parasailing, or rent a (sailing) boat. Last but not least, don't forget to visit the beautiful towns and villages— Dubrovnik, for example! It’s one of the most famous walled cities in the world. Or go to Stari Grad, one of Europe's oldest cities located on the island on Hvar—which is also known for its party scene.
Getting to Croatia
To fly to one of Croatia's coastal cities, such as Split or Zadar, you often have to transfer to another (larger) European city such as Amsterdam. There are several airlines that fly to various cities in Croatia: Croatia Airlines or KLM fly to the capital Zagreb, Transavia flies to Pula, Zadar, Split, and Dubrovnik, and Easyjet and Ryanair also fly to the country. Another common way to reach Croatia is by car and ferry from Italy.
If you prefer to travel by public transport, bigger European cities offer bus tours.
Traveling by bus is the most popular form of public transport in Croatia. This is mainly due to the fact that bus ticket prices are relatively low and the number of bus services and bus routes is relatively high.
USEFUL RESOURCES
Croatia
