The western coast is Italian, while the eastern coast runs mostly along Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
On islands within one of the lagoons opening from the Gulf of Venice, the city of Venice has its unique situation. The city is an ancient mysterious place full of character, culture, gorgeous art, history and superb food. Other notable cities on the Italian coast are Trieste, Ravenna, Rimini, Ancona, Pescara, Bari, and Brindisi. There are over a thousand islands in the Adriatic, 66 of which are inhabited.
The Adriatic sea got its name from an ancient port of the same name. This is a unique area in Europe for cruising with motor boats, speedboats, or sailboats, but also for enjoying the underwater world.
Croatia is truly a land of islands because it has more than a thousand of them and each one is different. Many of them are inhabited but each and every one is exceptional, with its own story and destiny.
The Brijuni islands are 14 islands situated along seven kilometers of coastline between Pula and Rovinj. With a little help, nature has created a small paradise here, a true harmony of flora and fauna, historical monuments and modern hotels.
If you are looking for your own special island, you'll find it on Krk whilst the islands Plavnik, Kormat, Galun, Prvicand Zec are special tourist destinations offering nature untouched by Man. If you are interested in exciting town bustle and great hospitality, then the island towns Baska, Malinska, Omisalj, Njivice, Krk and Punat, which has the largest marina on the Croatian Adriatic, are great places to visit.
National parks appeal to all nature lovers. Montenegro already has four very distinctive ones and this will soon become six. For instance Biogradska Gora, the wildly romantic primeval forest, which you can explore on an easy trail.
Montenegro’s varied history left its tracks from the Roman buildings that are still used as venues up to the fortifications built by the Habsburg realm – with a breathtaking view of the unique Bay of Kotor. Follow the Adriatic coastline south to the charming medieval village Budva and to the largest beach near Ulcinj: there is a lot waiting to be discovered.
San Marino boasts Passo delle Streghe (the Witches Pass, a name which could not be more appropriate), making the thousands of lights on the Coastline flicker like will-o'-the-wisp fires lit by diabolic goblins.
There is always a crowd at the ancient 'Porta del Loco'. The words, still clearly visible, warn the ancient travellers not to bring arms into the city or risk sever sanctions.
The Slovenian coastline, which measures 46.6 kilometres is covered with abundant vegetation. Here is a natural reserve with a rich supply of marl and sandstone and the unique Strunjan cliff which ascends 80 metres above the sea and is the highest flysch wall on the Adriatic coast. Here you can find the Sečovlje saltworks, first mentioned in the 13th century. Due to their extremely abundant natural and historical heritage they were named a regional park and are a rich sanctuary of plant and animal worlds.
Izola, also on the Slovenian coast is a town with a rich fishing tradition. Most of the tourism is concentrated on the eastern side, at the bay Simonov zaliv, where there is a seaside resort with swimming facilities, hotels and restaurants and the main marina of Izola can be found on the western edge.
The old seaport of Piran lies at the end of the Piran peninsula; it was surrounded by walls in the Middle Ages (200 metres of the city walls are still preserved). The entire town is protected as a cultural and historical monument and it has preserved its medieval layout with narrow streets and compact houses, which rise in steps from the coastal lowland into the hills and the area feels typically mediterranean. Today Piran is an administrative and supply centre and also an important coastal tourist resort with hotels, restaurants and holiday houses, the Sergej Mašera Maritime Museum and an aquarium, cultural institutions and events.