Croatia for Couples: Wine, Islands and Old Towns

October 20, 2026

A romantic trip to Croatia works best when each day has one slow anchor: a long dinner, a tasting, a fortress at dusk or a boat at sunrise. The ideas below are grouped by place, and every price is in euros. Boat and restaurant hours change with the season, so check ahead.

Istria: Rovinj

Rovinj’s old town rises from a former island to the church of St Euphemia, whose tower is about 60 m. Going into the church costs nothing, and the tower climb is roughly EUR 3 to EUR 5. Walk the harbor in the early evening, which costs nothing. For dinner, book a terrace table at La Puntulina, a restaurant run by the Pellizzer family since 2004 and scored 15 out of 20 in the 2026 Gault&Millau guide. See the restaurant listing for details.

Dalmatia: Pelješac and Hvar

On the Pelješac peninsula, red Plavac Mali grapes ripen on steep slopes above the sea. Dingač and Postup are the best-known names. Miloš offers tastings in a room cut into the hill, Korta Katarina has a visitors’ centre, and Bura-Mrgudić at Potomje takes guests by prior arrangement. Plan for a designated driver. On the way, Ston and Mali Ston are known for oysters, usually a few euros each.

Hvar Town is about an hour from Split by fast boat, and fares range from roughly EUR 10 to EUR 25 one way. Visit the Fortica late in the day, for EUR 12, or EUR 15 with the combined ticket. In daytime, a taxi boat to the Pakleni Islands costs about EUR 10 return, according to one guide from 2026. A beach club’s night programme can change from year to year, so do not count on one. The Hvar tourist board page has current hours.

Dubrovnik after the day trippers leave

Take the cable car near sunset, for EUR 30 return, and check the timetable because it closes from January to March and in December. Wind or lightning will stop it. Morning is the time for Lokrum, where the EUR 30 ticket covers the boat and the island is shut from mid-December to February. Drinks at the cliff bars outside the southern walls cost about EUR 8 to EUR 14, and some accept cash only. Swim in calm water only, and use the ladders.

A guided sunset kayak costs around EUR 35 to EUR 55 depending on the operator. For a special dinner, Restaurant 360 has one Michelin star, and one guide gives dinner from 18:30, Tuesday to Sunday. Reserve well in advance and ask the price when you do. See lokrum.hr for boat times.

Practical notes

Sea urchins live on many rocky shores, so water shoes are worth packing. The bura wind can halt ferries, and meteo.hr carries the marine forecast. For rooms in any of these places, compare listings on Booking.com .