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Pag Island
With a population of slightly over 9,000 people, Pag Island is the fifth-largest of all the Croatian islands and has the longest coastline (which means plenty of nice beaches). As mentioned above, Pag Island is mostly known for its party lifestyle. For instance, Zrce is a world-famous never-ending party beach, and the Novalja resort plays host to many parties and music festivals. However, there's more to Pag Island than drinking and dancing. Many of the natives make a living by farming, so if the parties and loud music aren't for you, you can take a short drive out to quiet and idyllic agricultural landscapes. Old churches, such as the 15th-century Church of the Assumption, are some of the few historical attractions on the island. If you feel adventurous, Pag also offers activities such as snorkeling and boat tours.
Krk Island
Krk Island, not far from Pag Island, has a higher population: nearly 20,000. Krk is a very popular tourist destination, with many people from Central Europe and the rest of the world flocking here each summer. And for good reason. The island includes many beautiful beaches, such as Baska Beach (also a popular hiking location with many trails), or Porporela Beach, with many shops and booths. Krk is very accessible, with a bridge connecting the island to the mainland as well as having its own international airport. Krk Island is home to several sprawling towns, such as Krk Town, which is considered to be the urban center of the island. This city is over 2,000 years old and includes a fortified wall which runs the length of the city as well as multiple old churches, such as the 13th century Frankopan Church. Krk Town has many excellent dining opportunities, in addition to a fabulous nightlife. If you're looking for a mix of pristine beaches (many of which have been awarded the "Blue Flag" for attractiveness and cleanliness) and idyllic Mediterranean cities, then Krk Island is the place for you.
Brac Island
Brac Island is the largest island on the Dalmatian Coast and the third largest in the entire Adriatic and is a home to around 14,000 people. It's located further south than either Krk or Pag. The most famous beach on Krk island is Zlatni Rat, often called the Golden Horn or Golden Cape. Zlatni Rat has been rated as one of the best beaches in Europe. You'll most likely see it on many Croatian tourism advertisements. Zlatni Rat is outside the city of Bol, an ancient town known for its great resorts and historic sights. Besides Zlatni Rat, Brac isn't inundated by tourists, so if you want a taste of authentic island life, this is a place to be. Make sure to check out the many old Illyrian fortresses outside of Bol, such as Kostilo and Vidova Gora, the highest peak in the Adriatic at 778 meters tall. The other popular city on Brac, Supetar, is a bit of a sleepy and unassuming village compared to Bol but has many attractive old churches, as well as ancient Roman quarries. You'll love the quaint stone streets of the city. In addition to the bigger towns, there are smaller villages like Milna and Splitska which can be a joy to visit or even stay in. Interestingly, the white stone found on Brac was used to build famous structures such as the White House in Washington.
All these islands are fairly close to the mainland and can be reached either with ferries or with some of many yacht charter services along the Croatian coast. Although Croatia is considerably small country, it is rather rich with natural beauties and historical sites. Combine that with it's famous hospitality, exquisite food and wine, and you got a perfect Mediterranean vacation experience.
