Where to Go for the Perfect Beach Holiday in Europe: Expert Advice
Magazine Travel & Leisure asked seven travel experts which European resort they thought was the best. They all agreed: the most beautiful place is Croatia, the pearl of the Adriatic.
Photo: GIOLE | Dreamstime.com
The small country is experiencing a huge surge in tourism, with almost 2023 million visitors coming in 20, up 10% from the previous year, according to the Croatian Bureau of Statistics. Croatia attracts travelers with its perfect combination of Mediterranean coastline, historic cities, and underrated islands.
“This year alone, demand for holidays in Croatia has increased by 800 percent,” Edward Frampton-Fell, CEO of Top Villas, told Travel + Leisure.
While the Split Riviera, Dubrovnik and Hvar remain the most popular destinations, he says, unexpected spots such as Korcula, often referred to as a "mini-Dubrovnik," are increasingly attracting attention.
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"Korčula offers equally impressive architecture, scenery, stunning beaches and cultural experiences, but with fewer tourists. It's no wonder it's becoming popular," Frampton-Fell said.
Darijo Šarić, CEO of VIP Holiday Booker, agrees: “Korčula is definitely our number one choice for the summer of 2025.”
The island is truly ideal for a summer holiday, with over 2700 hours of sunshine per year and a great combination of hiking through pine forests, Venetian architecture and sandy beaches.
“It is also believed that the explorer Marco Polo was born here,” Šarić emphasized. In his opinion, the island’s thriving wine culture, especially the Pošip variety, also attracts tourists. “And a few years ago, Beyoncé and Jay-Z were spotted enjoying lobster on the small island of Vrnik.”
However, Korcula is not the only place in Croatia that deserves praise.
“You can’t go wrong with places like Hvar, Vis, Brač or Krk,” said Jessica Parker, founder of Trip Whisperer. However, she said travellers should ditch the car and explore the country by sea. “It’s better to let a professional organise your trip and connect the dots. They can arrange a catamaran or motor yacht trip for you so you can travel in comfort.”
This is exactly what most travelers have been doing lately.
“We are seeing bookings fill up significantly faster than the same period last year,” concluded Mitya Mirtic, founder and CEO of charter company Goolets. “Of our extensive fleet across Europe, it is the yachts sailing in Croatian waters that are in exceptional demand for the 2025 summer season.”
According to him, many tourists are looking for lesser-known corners of Croatia, and Korčula is once again in the spotlight: “For most of our clients, it is becoming a must-see destination.”
Michelle Slater and Linda Birch, group travel managers at Fox World Travel, also noted that their clients are increasingly choosing the Dalmatian coast, especially the medieval cities of Split and Dubrovnik, for their beauty, accessibility and endless opportunities for adventure. The region, they said, “offers both luxury and authentic local experiences – whether sailing the coast, wine tasting in Istria or exploring UNESCO World Heritage sites.”
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And of course, we mustn’t forget about Hvar. As Gordana Tomičić, chairwoman of the Suncani Hvar Hotels chain, said, demand for the island has grown rapidly, especially among tourists from the US, Canada, Australia and the UK.
“July and August remain our peak months. Guests come for the lively atmosphere of the island, the perfect summer weather, the beach bars and the parties,” she said. “This year, the number of bookings for premium services has increased. Guests are increasingly choosing tailor-made excursions, private boat transfers and unique offers of the island of Hvar, as well as wine tours, exclusive access to beaches and sunset cruises. These are the most popular requests.”
International Citizens Insurance President Joe Cronin summed it up: “Croatia’s Dalmatian coast is one of our favourite destinations this year, particularly the cities of Split and Dubrovnik, where stunning architecture and clear blue waters await.”
Well, all that's left to do is book the trip.
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