Without a doubt, the Adriatic Sea is the gem of the Mediterranean, its waters reaching the shores of numerous countries and some of the most breathtaking natural and urban spots in the world. From the historic coastal towns of Croatian and Italy, to the most livable spots in the Bay of Montenegro, all the way to the secluded islets off the coast, there is plenty to see, do, and experience in the expansive Adriatic Sea.
Of course, you can choose how to approach this grand escapade depending on your budget and plans, because you can certainly go on cheap beach vacations here, or you can go on the most luxurious adventure of your life. With all of that in mind, let’s take you on an exploration journey of the Adriatic Sea, and show you the best places to visit and even live in all year round.
Exploring the Italian coastline
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Who doesn’t dream of going to Italy? While there is probably nothing more alluring than the bustling city life of Italy’s urban and historic gems, this year your eyes should be turned towards the coast. Sure, if you have the time you can take your journey inland, but if not, it’s time to start your Adriatic adventure with the Italian coastline.
Depending on your starting position, you can travel from the Italian heel at Santa Maria di Leuca all the way north towards Venice and the beautiful Gulf of Trieste. In fact, the south of the Italian coast is the best place to start, because this creates a natural transition towards the popular and historic towns scattered across the Croatian coast. While sailing up the Italian coast, your stops should include Pescara, Rimini, Ravenna, Venice, and of course, Trieste itself.
Visiting the historic Croatian towns
Sailing into Croatian waters, you will find a whole new world of possibilities here. While the Croatian coast might not be the ideal place to settle down due to the large popularity of its seaside towns and a constant influx of tourists, it’s still one of the most mesmerizing places to visit on Earth. And that’s no overstatement.
The first three towns you’ll visit will be Poreč, Rovinj, and Pula – home to the Roman ruins and the iconic arena in Pula resembling the Colosseum. Mind you, Croatia has some of the bluest waters in the world, and the Plitvice national park should definitely be in your itinerary as well. Of course, you can’t miss the other urban gems, including Opatija and Rijeka, the cities where kings and queens throughout history came to enjoy the Adriatic sunshine.
Finally, make your way south along the coast to visit Dubrovnik, an expansive and preserved historic city where Game of Thrones was filmed.
Porto Montenegro as the most livable location
It wouldn’t be an exploration journey of the Adriatic coast if you didn’t witness the sprawling and unmatched beauty of the Montenegrin coastline, it’s bays and historic towns, and honey-hued beaches. Montenegro is also one of the best places to live in the Adriatic Sea, with some of the top Adriatic luxury residences for sale located in Porto Montenegro, also known as Boka Bay.
This is the perfect location for yacht owners to settle down, because it’s the ideal starting point for all future explorations of the Med. The area enjoys fair and warm weather throughout the seasons, and Porto Montenegro has everything you need to live and work there all year round. In the local community, you will even find the Knightsbridge international school, ideal for kids to continue their education abroad.
Trek across the Albanian Alps
If you sail further south, you will venture into Albanian waters, and this is definitely a country that should be a part of your Adriatic adventure. While the Albanian coast is a mesmerizing one, the country’s most alluring features are in its inland natural destinations.
If you are looking to dock and explore the countryside, then you’ll be thrilled to know that Albania has some of the highest peaks in Europe, known as Prokletije, or the Albanian Alps. This expansive mountain range is every trekker’s paradise. With more than 125 miles of wild nature, quaint villages, and hiking trails, you are sure to have an amazing time exploring Albania’s mountain ranges, but also its beautiful coast.
Sail around the hidden gems of the Adriatic
Last but not least, we mustn’t forget that the beauty of the Adriatic Sea also lies in its islands and islets scattered off the coast of Croatia. With more than 1000 islands in its waters, Croatia is a treasure trove of holiday destinations and secluded spots under the starry skies.
If you have a yacht or a private boat, then you mustn’t miss the opportunity to sail this part of the Mediterranean and visit those breathtaking island sanctuaries like Krk and Cres, Dugi Otok and Brač. These are the bigger islands, and they are surrounded by smaller islets just waiting to be discovered.
Wrapping up
The Adriatic Sea definitely has more to offer than you can hope to experience in a single journey. Nevertheless, make sure that these destinations make it into your itinerary, and consider investing in a vacation property or a year-round stay in the beautiful Adriatic – without a doubt, there is nothing quite like it.
