8 really, really good reasons to visit Lastovo Island in Croatia

Lastovo is one of the Croatian islands where time seems to have stopped. We have listed some interesting information related to this island. Sailors, add this island to your route – visit it!

1. Lastovo in a past – no mass tourism today

During Yugoslavia, Lastovo, just like the island of Vis, had huge maritime defensive importance. Due to that, the island was closed to foreigners, and tourism, of course, could not develop. It remained so wooded and surrounded by its islets and welcomed boaters who go there in the summer months. There was no tourism at all so mass tourism has no chance to be developed.  The Italians, to whom the island belonged from 1918-1943, know the most about Lastovo. In those years they had a regular hydroplane connection to Italy – the place of departure can be still seen in Jurjeva Luka. Even today, and especially after the island was no longer a no-go zone, Italian boaters are the most frequent visitors to this island close to them.

2. Lastovo – Island of Music

Today, Lastovo is trying to wake up the island with summer events for young people and those who feel young. In recent years, the festival “Lastovo Island of Music”, which is held in early August, is especially popular. Young guests of this event are usually nature and camping lovers. Free yoga classes and similar extras are organized during the festival. Whether you feel young or want to feel free without makeup, this is the right choice for you. More about the music festival.

3. Mooring in safe bays

Boaters often moor in the quiet coves of Mali and Veliki Lago bay near Sobra. Between Mali and Veli Lago there is a bridge that connects the island of Lastovo (Pasadur) with the islet of Prežba. These bays are safe to anchor and sheltered. There are berths on the mainland only in front of the hotel “Solitudo”. Zaklopatica bay is another place we recommend to anchor. It is located below the oldest and largest place, the town of  Lastovo. You can get an anchorage and water if you are a guest in two local restaurants.

If you are not a boater, do not despair, there are daily ferry lines from Split to this beautiful island. The ferry comes to Sobra which is located in the western part of the island.

4. Lastovo – the place with the most different chimneys

The largest place on the island is the town of Lastovo. From Pasadur (the bridge between Veli and Mali Lago) in summer there is a bus to Lastovo. If you are moored in Lučica or Zaklopatica (3 km away), certainly go by foot to this old place. Today, about 800 people live in the place, and at the beginning of the century, there were 3,000.

Visit Lastovo and pay attention to its chimneys – they are all different. The people of Lastovo have developed a special technique of building their “fumari” (chimney) in order to distinguish it and give character to their houses.

5. Colorful Carnival on Lastovo

Lastovo is known for its carnival called „poklade“ which is very important to the locals. The spirit of a once great place is mostly felt in the square where the great school building is placed. It was built in 1927 for the Italian authorities on the site of the oldest public school built in Croatia back in 1579 … Nostalgia for the old days will surely overcome you if you find yourself in February on Lastovo, where this carnival is extremely important. The locals are investing in the tradition and preservation of this event. Carnivals are definitely number one to feel the spirit of the locals.

6. Domestic food of Lastovo Island

Be sure to buy homemade wine (Plavac) and fresh local fish because there is plenty of it on Lastovo. Seasonal fruits (figs, grapes) and vegetables are certainly domestic there …

7. Nature Park with reason

Back in year 2006, the Parliament of the Republic of Croatia adopted the Act declaring the Lastovo Islands a Nature Park covering an area of 195.83 km2. If you sail towards this island, you will surely enjoy its untouched nature. Learn to appreciate the benefits that nature gives us.

8. Lastovo – fantasy of stars

Lastovo is an island of crystal stars – that is an impression confirmed 2008. by Slovenian astrophotographers Mikuz Herman and Andrej Mohar. They announced  Lastovo as the location with the most beautiful starry sky in Europe due to the distance from the mainland and all possible pollution. Lastovo has one of the darkest skies in Europe and, in addition to the Milky Way, which is observed with the naked eye, it is possible to see other galaxies with a weaker telescope.

Therefore, if you are at anchor in the bays of Lastovo, lie down in the cockpit and enjoy the crystals of the sky. Children are especially happy about this, and we also know some adults who like to sleep on the deck of a ship …… under the stars of Lastovo.