5 Must-Experience Sailing Routes in the Adria This Summer

Split – Hvar – Vis
Where Elegance Meets Untamed Beauty

Departing from Split’s storied waterfront, where Diocletian’s Palace still anchors the city’s soul, this route draws a graceful arc through the heart of Dalmatia. Sailors drift toward Hvar, enticed by its blend of glamour and tradition — stone piazzas bathed in golden light, cliffside vineyards, and the hum of world-class nightlife. Further out lies Vis, quiet and compelling. Once closed to foreigners, the island now reveals its pristine beaches, slow tempo, and the ethereal glow of the Blue Cave on nearby Biševo. This is a route for those who want to experience Croatia’s past, present, and pulse — all in one elegant sweep.

Kotor – Perast – Budva
A Fjord of Fortresses and Flair

Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor doesn’t look like the sea. It feels deeper, more ancient — a mirror to the towering cliffs and medieval ramparts that rise from its edges. From Kotor’s labyrinthine old town, a UNESCO-protected jewel, the journey traces the bay’s serene curve to Perast, a baroque village that seems untouched by time. Anchoring near the islet of Our Lady of the Rocks, sailors are greeted by silence — and a view framed like a painting. Then comes Budva, a coastal chameleon where tradition meets modern-day hedonism. Think beach clubs, boutique hotels, and nights that stretch into sunrise. Montenegro’s coastline may be short, but its sailing experiences are long remembered.

Rovinj – Brijuni – Pula
The Istrian Route of Culture and Calm

In the north, where the Adriatic begins to narrow and change character, the Istrian coastline offers a gentler rhythm. Rovinj, with its pastel facades and hilltop church, opens the journey in cinematic fashion. The Brijuni Islands, once the private retreat of Tito and now a national park, offer rare solitude — wild deer, ancient ruins, and emerald inlets waiting to be explored by paddleboard or tender. Further south lies Pula, crowned by its Roman amphitheatre and a flourishing gastronomic scene rooted in olive oil, seafood, and truffles. This route is less about the thrill of the wind and more about the luxury of time well spent.

Saranda – Ksamil – Karaburun
Albania’s Wild Blue Frontier

There is still a stretch of Adriatic coastline where time moves slowly and the crowds haven’t arrived. Albania’s southern sailing route begins in Saranda, a coastal town with views stretching to Corfu and a relaxed, sun-soaked charm. Sailors soon reach Ksamil, where white beaches and shallow turquoise waters evoke distant oceans, not the Balkans. But the true marvel awaits farther north: the Karaburun Peninsula, a marine reserve where cliffs plunge into the sea and dolphins sometimes follow in your wake. Untamed and under the radar, this route is for those who sail not to be seen — but to feel free.