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Idyllic car-free island is quiet alternative to city overrun with tourists

The island of Silba neighbours the island of Losinj in the Kvarner archipelago and the island of Olib, making it a good location for tourists to easily combine trips to the different islands and still remain away from the crowded tourist hotspots

[Toreta - the tower of love on island Silba Croatia. Old stone made tower in the Mediterranean island Silba in Adriatic sea - Croatia.]

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The idyllic island is a quiet escape and includes 'The Tower of Love'(Image: _jure via Getty Images)

While most Brits associate a Croatian holiday with a trip to Dubrovnik, a tiny island offers a tranquil, car-free alternative.

Silba, nestled in northern Dalmatia, boasts a modest population of around 200. Interestingly, the 'heaviest transport' on this 15-square-kilometre island are delivery trolleys, as cars are strictly forbidden. It's conveniently located near the islands of Losinj in the Kvarner archipelago and Olib, allowing tourists to easily hop between islands while avoiding crowded tourist traps.

Things to do

Silba is one of the sunniest spots in the Adriatic, offering a perfect blend of tranquillity, nature, sunshine, and crystal-clear turquoise waters. Its laid-back Mediterranean vibe makes it an ideal escape from Croatia's busier tourist areas, reports the Mirror.

Toreta, Silba's only town, is well worth exploring. It features two grocery shops and two bakeries, but impressively, it has 14 bars and restaurants to choose from.

The island is also home to 'The Tower of Love', a 19th-century tower steeped in the romantic legend of an old sea captain and the beautiful Domenika. The tale tells of a Captain who fell for a local woman and vowed to marry her upon his return from his voyage.

[Aerial drone view of Croatian island Silba with beautiful beaches. Amazing Adriatic sea tourist vacation destination in Croatia. Panoramic paradise blue sea, sandy beaches, old houses and boats]

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Silba has beautiful beaches(Image: _jure via Getty Images)

Two decades later, he returned to find the girl married with a daughter named Domenika. The Captain vowed to marry the daughter and after another 20 years, he did.

Honouring a promise made to her mother, he constructed a tower in his garden that overlooked all of Silba and provided a view of all incoming ships.

Today, the house stands bearing the inscription: "This tower was built in 1872 as a symbol of love and loyalty. It was built by the old sea dog Petar Marinic."

Atop the tower, visitors can take in breathtaking views. The island also boasts numerous pebbly and sandy coves to explore, complete with golden sand beaches. Yachting is quite popular in the area too.

A stone's throw away from Silba lies the forgotten island of Premuda, adorned with low forests, olive groves, fig trees and vineyards. Here, visitors can enjoy its diver's paradise, where swimmers can discover an underwater cave system known as the 'Cathedral'.

[View of townscape, people enjoying at beach in foreground]

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Nearby Unije can reached by boat(Image: Getty Images)

Places to eat

The island's restaurants and bars are primarily located in Toreta and include Vila Velebita - the island's top-rated restaurant on TripAdvisor.

Vila Velebita serves a variety of dishes including meat platters and is renowned for its reasonable prices and traditional Croatian cuisine. There's even a 'fired cheese' and boar salami, complemented by local wine and beer.

The restaurant was originally established in 1991 within a family home and has been thriving for 23 years. The proprietor, Svetimir Lovrovic, formerly managed the restaurant before passing it on to the younger generation.

His wife continues to actively prepare meals even today.

Accommodation options

There are no campsites or hotels on the island, so your best bet is to seek private lodgings on Airbnb - which are quite reasonably priced.

Many of the flats on offer feature outdoor dining spaces and air conditioning, with some even allowing pets. Rates vary from roughly 60 to 200 per night.

Travel information

Direct flights to Zadar airport can be booked from London, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Manchester and Leeds, and a catamaran journey from Zadar's port to the secluded island takes just one hour and 40 minutes.

Direct flights to Pula airport are available from London and Glasgow, and the catamaran trip from Pula port to the island takes three and a half hours.

Silba Island can only be accessed by Jadrolinija ferries from/to Zadar, which operate daily, and Mali Losinj, which also run every day.

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