The 6 Best Adriatic Sea Cruises

The Adriatic Sea is one of Europe's most popular cruise routes, boasting about 500 miles of picturesque coastline filled with historic walled towns and small islands that span the Italian and Balkan peninsulas. The waterway is a branch of the Mediterranean Sea, extending from Venice, Italy, in the north to the Ionian Sea and Greece in the south – and encompassing Italy's eastern coast and the shorelines of Slovenia, Croatia and Montenegro along the way.

Many Adriatic Sea cruise itineraries include the larger, well-known port towns of Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia, as well as Kotor, Montenegro. You'll also find voyages on more intimate ships or boutique yachts that can tuck into less-visited fishing villages and charming harbor towns inaccessible to larger vessels, such as Piran, Slovenia. (If you've dreamed of sailing into the heart of Venice along its famed lagoon and Grand Canal, reserve accommodations on a smaller ship. The city restricts the weight and size of the ships permitted to pass through the canal to 25,000 gross tons and 590 feet long.)

For an unforgettable, sun-drenched Mediterranean getaway along Europe's Adriatic Sea, check out U.S. News' top picks for your next Adriatic cruise vacation. (Note: All fares quoted are per person, double occupancy, unless otherwise noted. Prices were accurate at the time of writing.)

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Starting price: $3,299 per person
Ship: Wind Surf
Sail dates: Multiple sailings between July and September 2026

Windstar Cruises offers a selection of itineraries featuring ports along the Adriatic Sea and Dalmatian Coast aboard its fleet of small ships. The nine-day Adriatic Icons & Venetian Treasures voyage – on the 342-guest flagship, Wind Surf – sets sail round-trip from Venice for three voyages between July and September 2026. The five-masted sailing ship (one of the largest in the world) navigates Venice's ancient Grand Canal before visiting the medieval Old Towns of Kotor, Montenegro, and Hvar and Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Other ports on the journey include the colorful hill town and fishing village of Rovinj, Croatia, on the Istrian Peninsula. The picture-perfect destination features a lovely Old Town with cobblestone streets, boutiques and outdoor cafes serving seafood specialties harvested fresh from the sea, as well as the crisp, dry local white wines Istria is famous for. Rovinj is also known for its wild black and white truffles; if you're visiting during white truffle season (which begins in September), you can even book a private tour to search for the prized fungi with trained truffle-hunting dogs.

The full itinerary also features the beautiful resort town of Zadar, Croatia, and the sunny island of Hvar, which is home to one of the oldest medieval towns in the country. The last port of call is Piran, Slovenia, where you'll discover a charming ancient coastal village with colorful buildings and red-tiled roofs. When you're not strolling the winding streets of the walled city, take time to visit the salt pans, where the world-renowned fleur de sel (flower of salt) is produced at nearby Strunjan Landscape Park.

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Starting price: $3,439 per person
Ship: Azamara Onward
Sail dates: June 29 to July 8, 2026

If you'd prefer a larger ship, consider Azamara's Croatia Intensive itineraries and voyages that also include destinations in Greece or Italy. The line's nine-night Croatia Intensive Cruise: Dubrovnik, Šibenik & Split itinerary departing on June 29, 2026, sails from Venice to Athens, Greece, and includes six ports of call in Croatia: Opatija, Zadar, Šibenik, Korčula, Dubrovnik and Split. You'll also have a day in Kotor, Montenegro, and a sea day to enjoy the amenities aboard the 684-guest Azamara Onward.

In the coastal town of Opatija, explore local beaches, parks, historic monuments and mansions. You can also book excursions to several nearby destinations, including Rovinj, the island of Krk and the wine-producing village of Vrbnik. Another option is an Istrian truffle-hunting adventure that includes indulging in truffle-infused snacks and local wine pairings.

The island of Korčula is another picturesque locale, with its well-preserved Old Town, unspoiled beaches and stunning sunsets. The line offers a buggy safari to the beach, which includes views of the island's hidden bays and olive groves, plus lunch. In the afternoon, you can explore the town on your own. Check out the cycling excursion to the nearby village of Lumbarda if you like to bike, or relax on a boat ride to Orebić, where you'll tour the vineyards and enjoy a wine tasting on the Pelješac Peninsula.

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Starting price: $7,195 per person
Ship: Sea Cloud II
Sail dates: Aug. 17 to 25, 2026

Sea Cloud's three majestic tall ships sail under full wind power whenever possible, visiting iconic European cities and smaller ports and harbors. The legendary four-masted Sea Cloud, commissioned as Hussar V by Marjorie Merriweather Post and her husband E.F. Hutton, was launched in 1931 as a private yacht. Today, the historic 64-guest windjammer sails to destinations in several parts of the world, including Europe and the Mediterranean, along with its sister ships, the 94-guest Sea Cloud II and 136-passenger Sea Cloud Spirit.

The line offers several itineraries with ports of call on the Adriatic Sea. The eight-night On the Trail of the Old Venetians cruise aboard Sea Cloud II – departing round-trip from Venice on Aug. 17, 2026 – offers magical views of the city from the Grand Canal, including St. Mark's Square and Doge's Palace. The voyage also features a day at sea under full sails. This experience will be one of the most memorable of the trip; you'll watch the crew climb the rigs, untie the ropes, and hoist and set the sails by hand, allowing the vessel to sail by only the power of the wind.

Ports of call in Croatia include the island of Vis, where you'll find the beautiful fishing village of Komiža; an overnight stay on the island of Hvar, which is known for its lively nightlife; the picturesque town of Trogir, considered the "Pearl of Dalmatia"; the sheltered bay town of Šibenik, which is home to nearby Krka National Park; and Rovinj, where you can grab an early dinner off the ship (maybe with some local white truffles) and sample the region's olive oil, regarded as some of the finest in the world.

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Starting price: $4,987 per person
Ship: World Traveller
Sail dates: Sept. 15 to 22, 2026

Atlas Ocean Voyages' three intimate yachts accommodate just 196 guests each, and the ships are small enough (at 10,000 gross tons) to sail along the Grand Canal in Venice. The line's seven-night Croatian Dreams voyage aboard World Traveller embarks from Dubrovnik to Venice on Sept. 15, 2026. It stops in Hvar, Split, Vis Island and Opatija, Croatia, as well as a full day in Piran, Slovenia, and an overnight in Venice.

The epicurean-themed expedition has cooking demonstrations, culinary and wine tastings, and opportunities to visit local vineyards on Vic Island to sample the renowned vintages of plavac mali and vugava.

While in Split, "Game of Thrones" fans will want to spend time exploring the Game of Thrones Museum, which features costumes, weapons and props from the hit HBO series. In Dubrovnik, visit the filming locations from the fictional town of King's Landing, including the Jesuit Staircase, where the season five "Walk of Shame" scene was filmed. Afterward, take one of the steep sets of steps to the top of the city, where you'll find the Dubrovnik Cable Car. The ride offers panoramic views overlooking the magnificent walled city and the Adriatic Sea.

During your day in Piran – one of just three coastal towns in Slovenia – sample seafood caught by the local fishermen docked in the harbor. And for a unique dining experience for lunch, visit Ladja Podlanica Piran. The seafood restaurant, located on a fishing boat, features daily specials like the fresh catch of the day.

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Starting price: $7,419 per person
Ship: SeaDream I
Sail dates: Aug. 1 to 8, 2026

SeaDream Yacht Club offers several itineraries that sail the Adriatic Sea, including one voyage in August 2026 that also visits Greece and features a partial solar eclipse viewing while in Dubrovnik. The line's two boutique yachts, SeaDream I and SeaDream II, each carry just 112 guests and 95 crew, so you'll feel more like you're sailing on a private yacht than a cruise ship.

The seven-night Aug. 1, 2026, voyage aboard SeaDream I begins in Valletta, Malta, a fortified city (dating back to the 1500s) perched atop a hill overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. After sailing overnight from Valletta, the ship anchors in the bay of Giardini Naxos in Taormina – a cliffside town in Sicily, Italy – to explore the ancient city.

With a full day in Taormina (which served as the setting for season two of the popular television series, "The White Lotus,") you'll want to explore the winding cobblestone streets, ancient ruins and beautiful squares positioned along the sparkling Ionian Sea.

Or, reserve a spot on the 5.5-hour Yachting Land Adventures excursion to the summit of Mount Etna, Europe's largest active volcano. The must-do excursion to the Silvestri Craters, at an elevation of 6,200 feet, includes transportation in a 4x4 van through villages, orchards, vineyards and lemon groves, and then a cable car ride to the top.

The weeklong itinerary also includes a sea day, followed by visits to the port cities of Kotor, Montenegro, and Dubrovnik, Zadar, and Rovinj in Croatia, before guests disembark in Venice. SeaDream's yachts are among the few smaller ships permitted to sail into Venice, so plan to be out on the decks in the morning as the ship arrives to the city. The views are unforgettable as you sail past St. Mark's Square along the Grand Canal before docking at the San Basilio pier.

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Starting price: $2,059 per person
Ship: Romantic Star, Queen Jelena, Olimp, Esperanza, Katarina
Sail dates: Multiple sailings between April and October 2026

Sail Croatia offers intimate voyages for active adventurers, including hikers and cyclists, as well as party cruises, multigenerational trips and upscale voyages for mature travelers. You can also charter a private yacht with family or friends to create a bespoke experience on the Adriatic Sea.

The line's Elegance Croatia Cruise is a luxury experience targeted at travelers between the ages of 35 and 80. The seven-night Split Return North itinerary for 2026 visits Split, Trogir, Šibenik, Zadar, Vodice, Vis and Hvar. It is available between April and October 2026 aboard five different yachts that accommodate between 36 and 38 guests.

One of the stops, the seaside resort of Vodice, is a lively town with beautiful beaches and many historic sites, including the fortified Čorić Tower, which was built in the 16th century. Outdoor enthusiasts should visit the nearby Krka River National Park, home to the impressive Krka Waterfalls. Referred to as a nautical paradise, Kornati National Park is also worth exploring. Its rugged landscape features windswept beaches and 89 islands, islets and reefs.

Some of the advantages of Sail Croatia's small ship cruises include opportunities for daily swim stops, where you can dive into the Adriatic Sea directly off the ship, and a traditional dinner in a local village during the sailing.

Gwen Pratesi has been an avid cruiser since her early 20s. She has sailed on the newest megaships, paddle wheelers on the Mississippi River, an 18-stateroom river ship on the Mekong River, and a small luxury expedition vessel in Antarctica, crossing the notorious Drake Passage (twice). She used her extensive knowledge of the cruise industry to write this article. Pratesi covers the travel and culinary industries for major publications, including U.S. News & World Report.