Traveling by boat in Croatia: in summer 2025, the Adriatic coast offers a wide range of festivals and cultural events. Whether film, music, theater, or living tradition—the program for sport skippers on shore leave is both varied and authentic, offering a welcome change from everyday life at sea and in port.
Sporting skippers traveling along the Croatian coast this summer in their own or chartered boats will have several great opportunities to go ashore and experience festivals, movie nights, and folklore in the open air.
A good mix of film art and history can be found in mid-July at the amphitheater in Pula
One of the highlights is the Pula Film Festival, which will take place for the 72nd time from July 10 to 17, 2025. The setting could hardly be more impressive: in the Roman amphitheater of Pula, cinema and history come together to create a special open-air experience that goes far beyond classic cinema.
The Roman amphitheater in Pula is one of the six largest in the ancient world, is considered one of the best preserved worldwide, and is definitely worth a visit. Pula is a coastal town at the tip of the Croatian peninsula of Istria and, in addition to the amphitheater and numerous other ruins from Roman times, is also known for its beaches.
Sporting skippers appreciate the well-protected Marina Veruda in the largest city in the Croatian county of Istria. There is also the option of mooring in the ACI Marina Pula, taking a buoy mooring in Vinkuran Bay or a guest berth in Porto Volme.
Film fans take note: the Motovun Film Festival will be held at the end of July in the town of the same name
Artistically sophisticated and deliberately positioned away from the mainstream, the Motovun Film Festival, which takes place from July 22 to 27, 2025, in the Istrian mountain town of the same name. International arthouse productions, a creative environment, and the open atmosphere of the location make the festival particularly popular with culturally interested travelers.
The nearest port to Motovun is in Novigrad, on the west coast of Istria (Marina Nautica Novigrad or Novigrad City Harbor). The distance is approximately 29 km. Other nearby port towns are Poreč (approx. 49 km, Marina or Porec City Harbor), further north Umag (approx. 39 km, ACI Marina) and Vrsar south of Novigrad (approx. 40 km, Marina Vrsar).
The Ultra Europe Festival will take place in Split in mid-July
For fans of electronic music, the Ultra Europe Festival is a major musical event taking place from July 11 to 13, 2025. International DJs such as David Guetta and Tiësto will perform at the Poljud Stadium in Split. With around 40,000 visitors, parties on beaches, in fortresses and clubs around Split and on the island of Brač, the festival is considered one of the most important of its kind in Europe.
ACI Marina Split is a well-equipped marina with comprehensive services and berths for sailing yachts and motorboats. There are also smaller ports and marinas, such as the Zena and Spinut club harbors and Marina Kastela.
Zagreb Classic – classical music in the open air on King Tomislav Square
Another musical highlight is the Zagreb Classic, which runs from mid-June to early July – make a note in your diary and secure your tickets for 2026 in good time! On the centrally located King Tomislav Square, visitors can enjoy classical music of the highest standard in the open air, surrounded by the historic facades of the capital.
Under the open sky, with atmospheric lighting and the sounds of the city in the background, Zagreb Classic creates a special experience that goes far beyond the classical concert hall. The nearest port to Zagreb is the port city of Rijeka, about two hours away. If you don’t want to moor in Rijeka’s city harbor, you can opt for the nearby ACI Marina Opatija Icici or the berths at the Hotel Marina Admiral.
Always in August: the Dubrovnik Summer Festival with theater, music, dance, and folklore
Those who appreciate classical performing arts will also get their money’s worth: the Dubrovnik Summer Festival will take place from July 17 to August 25, 2025, in the UNESCO-protected old town. The traditional festival, which will celebrate its 76th edition in 2025, presents a diverse program of theater, music, dance, and folklore.
The interplay of art and impressive scenery gives each performance a very special atmosphere. There are several mooring options for recreational boats in Dubrovnik: the ACI Marina Dubrovnik and the Marina Frapa / Marina Gruz.
From mid-July to mid-August, Split hosts Splitsko ljeto (“Summer in Split”) with theater and opera performances, concerts, and ballet
Another highlight is the annual summer festival in Split, “Splitsko ljeto.” From July 14 to August 14, 2025 – in its 70th edition – the festival brings theater, opera, concerts, and ballet to the historic old town. The performances in the ancient Diocletian’s Palace – one of the country’s most striking cultural sites – are particularly atmospheric.
Split has several marinas, including ACI Marina Split, one of the oldest and largest marinas in the Adriatic. In addition, there are the Zenta Club Marina, the Spinut Club Marina and Marina Kastela, which also invite you to moor your boat.
The Sinjska Alka jousting tournament always takes place on the first Sunday in August in Sinj
Last but not least, the Sinjska Alka enriches the cultural offering with its deep-rooted tradition. The jousting tournament and folk festival has been held annually on the first Sunday in August in the town of Sinj since 1715. Horsemen in historical costumes gallop through the main street and try to hit the “Alka,” a small ring (from the Turkish word halka, meaning ring), with their lances while riding at full speed.
The event, protected by UNESCO, offers a lively insight into Croatia’s cultural heritage and combines sporting competition with historical significance. The nearest port to Sinj is the port of Split. It is about 30 kilometers from Sinj.
