Seven Digital Nomad-Friendly Croatian Islands to Visit

Seven Digital Nomad-Friendly Croatian Islands to Visit

Croatia, the ultimate destination for digital nomads? We’d say so. Swap the daily grind for working at your own pace on one of these seven workation-ready Adriatic isles.



Office
life is back and – touch wood – here to stay. While we’ve
been all for embracing the return of post-work pints, face-to-face
meetings, team lunches and the daily commute (on a good day), we’re
also keen to avoid slipping back into a tired slog of a routine.
Let’s be real: if there’s one thing we learned from experimental
bedroom backdrops and makeshift desks, it’s that a change of
scenery is most definitely a good thing.

But, just as we’d started to plot a musical chair extravaganza
across the city’s coolest co-working spaces in a bid to jazz up our
nine-to-five, we stumbled across news that Croatia has dropped all
Covid-related travel restrictions. So, we’ve tracked down seven
lesser-stomped Adriatic islands that are perfect for a workation, plus where to stay and play while you’re
there. FYI: if you’re planning a trip exceeding 90 days, you’ll
need to apply for a visa.

On the road: seven Croatian islands for digital nomads

hvar-croatia

Hvar

Best for: creatives seeking inspiration

Thought Hvar was just for party animals? Think again. Look
beyond the music-filled bars and you’ll find a thriving creative
scene. Hidden behind the castle walls are bucket-loads of colourful
and vibrant independent galleries and family-run workshops, well
worth taking the time to explore. With inspiring views across the
harbour – superyacht spotting is our latest obsession; Selling
Sunset fans, we know you’re with us on this one – Saltwater Workspace is our top pick for days spent
making magic on the laptop. For a working lunch that doesn’t look
like a soggy meal deal, swing by the no-frills Fig café,
whose menu is packed with super-fresh, hyperlocal produce.

Where to work: Saltwater Workspace
Where to stay: Hotel
Podstine

Dugi Otok

Dugi Otok

Best for: solo detoxing

Blessed with craggy cliffs, low-slung villas and rust-coloured
roofs, Dugi Otok is home to some of Europe’s best
beaches, promising gin-clear waters and baby-blue skies. We’re
pegging it as the best place for a solo detox. For an eco-conscious
workstation, base yourself at the eight-bedroom Villa Nai 3.3,
which is the ideal hideout for a shorter, intimate escape. Forget
Zoom backdrops; each room showcases sweeping views across tangled
olive groves, Aleppo pines and the sparkling sea. Outside, private
courtyards are home to concealed desk areas, while, indoors,
walnut-wood desks are tucked into light-flooded corners. For the
ultimate lunch-break pit stop, you have the choice of two in-house
restaurants. Prefer to get up and go? Catch a catamaran to nearby
Zadar island, from where it’s a short stroll to COIN Coworking
Zadar.

Where to work: COIN Coworking
Zadar
Where to stay: Villa Nai 3.3

vis-croatia

Vis

Best for: foodies

A lunch break that looks like a coastal stroll? Put our name on
the list. Halfway between Italy and the Croatian mainland, and the
country’s furthest island from Split, Vis is home to cliff-hugging paths, historical
caves and an ancient city rich with culture. But, while there’s
plenty to be said for the breathtaking natural beauty here, the
island is also known as being the culinary hub of Croatia. Join
other foodies for a working brunch at laid-back Konoba Jastožera
restaurant, not only for its freshly grilled lobster, but for a
WiFi speed that even Elon Musk wouldn’t sniff at. Insider tip:
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again was filmed on Vis, so don’t be
surprised if you recognise the odd local or two.

Where to work: Konoba
Jastožera
Where to stay: Hotel San
Giorgio

Šolta

Śolta

Best for: living like a local

Don’t get us wrong, design-driven boltholes are cool, but
nothing comes close to the carefree ambience and unique flavours
found at an independent guesthouse. Whether it’s a homemade dinner
from an age-old family recipe or rooms decked out with
character-packed home comforts, we’d argue that staying at one is
the perfect way to see a place through the eyes of a local. Which
is where Šolta comes in. Set against a rock-strewn landscape
sprinkled with rolling vineyards and wild greenery, life here is a
world away from the buzz of Split. Bed down at Martinis Marchi,
where you can enjoy cookery classes, spa treatments and poolside
cocktails between meetings. Or, if, like us, you’re easily
distracted, take your laptop for a date at the nearby Buffet
café.

Where to work: Buffet
Where to stay: Martinis
Marchi

rab-croatia

Rab

Best for: beach bums

Proper beachgoers know just how hard it can be to find a stretch
of sand that hasn’t been overrun by noisy teenagers. Thank
goodness, then, for Rab. Home to an impressive roster of
postcard-worthy beaches, this is a destination that makes it easy
to find the motivation to nail your deadlines. Because, once you
have, you can make a beeline for the boho nudist beach of Sahara,
where you can soak up the rays without any fear of dodgy tan lines.
Don’t worry if you’re the modest type: you’ll find an equally
quiet, swimwear-required bay just around the corner. What you’re
really here for, though, is the island’s top-notch working
environment. We recommend snagging a seat under the pergola at
Šanpjer, where you can work from 8am till late.

Where to work: Šanpjer
Where to stay: Arbiana Hotel

Veli Iž

Veli Iž

Best for: holistic wellness

Wellness tourism continues to go from strength to strength, and
we’re delighted about it. Whether you feed your soul by attending a
weekly yoga class, committing to a weekly carb-free day or even
turning your phone off after sunset, small changes can add up to
make a big difference. While we’d love nothing more than a proper
holistic wellness retreat, our inbox has other ideas. Yours, too?
Join us, then, as we combine work and wellbeing. First stop? The
rural island of Veli Iž. Make Hotel Korinjak your base, where a
programme established 12 years ago promises to reconnect mind, body
and spirit through early-morning hikes, midday water sports and
sunset meditation sessions.

Where to work: Snack Bar
Korinjak
Where to stay: Hotel
Korinjak

rava-croatia

Rava

Best for: sustainable travel

Only accessible by catamaran or boat, Rava is situated in the
Zadar archipelago. With 15km of coastline, the island is home to 13
sheltered, sultry bays. Despite its petite size (117 inhabitants,
to be precise), the local community has a strong sustainable-living
ethos. From restaurants serving exclusively island-grown produce to
friendly fishermen sharing their knowledge on the importance of
buying local produce, this is a place where guilt-free remote
working comes as standard. Don’t expect to find stylish co-working
spaces, though: instead, work your way through a slew of sea-facing
restaurants, before switching off at the tranquil Villa Rava. Our
favourite spot for eating out is Keko, for its palm-fringed corners
and tasty light bites.

Where to work: Keko
Where to stay: Villa Rava Residence & Restaurant

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