Croatia & Greece
Peaceful islands, quiet harbours, local traditions and a festive atmosphere without the crowds. Discover why spending the Christmas season on a sailing yacht can be such a memorable experience.
When we think of Christmas, we usually imagine illuminated city squares, festive markets and busy streets. But there is another way to experience the holiday season – at sea.
Imagine enjoying your morning coffee in a quiet island harbour, walking through almost deserted stone streets and having dinner in a small local restaurant where islanders gather. No summer crowds, no rush and no tightly scheduled itinerary.
Christmas sailing offers a unique opportunity to discover Croatia and the Greek islands at their most peaceful and authentic.
Sailing outside the main tourist season offers an entirely different experience from a traditional summer holiday.
Peace and privacy – harbours, bays and island villages are significantly less crowded.
Authentic island life – meet local residents, discover regional traditions and enjoy traditional cuisine.
A different festive atmosphere – smaller community celebrations instead of large commercial Christmas events.
Greater flexibility – adjust your charter dates and duration to suit your plans.
Attractive charter conditions – yacht rental prices can be considerably lower than in summer, while some harbours may offer more favourable mooring arrangements.
A Christmas sailing holiday is more than just a trip. It is an opportunity to slow down, spend quality time with family or friends and experience the sea from a completely different perspective.
During winter, the Dalmatian islands return to their natural rhythm. Places that welcome thousands of tourists in summer become quiet, while island harbours once again belong primarily to their local communities.
This is precisely what makes winter sailing in Croatia so special.
The island of Zlarin, for example, is known for its local festive traditions and events such as Zlarinska adventurica, which in previous years has featured creative workshops, film evenings, festive raffles and gatherings centred around local food.
The aroma of traditional salt cod dishes, a glass of mulled wine and conversations with island residents can become just as memorable as the sailing itself.
For Christmas sailing in Croatia, we offer yachts departing from Biograd, Šibenik and the island of Pag.
Each departure base provides different sailing possibilities, with routes planned around weather conditions and your crew's preferences.
If you are looking for a different Mediterranean Christmas atmosphere, sailing from Athens to the islands of the Saronic Gulf is an appealing option.
Winters here are generally milder than in the northern Adriatic, with daytime temperatures in December often around 10–15°C, although conditions can be changeable.
Greek Christmas traditions have their own distinctive flavours and customs.
Traditional festive treats include melomakarona, honey-soaked Christmas biscuits, and kourabiedes, delicate shortbread-style biscuits covered in powdered sugar.
One particularly charming maritime tradition is karavakia – small boats decorated with Christmas lights. These traditional decorations reflect Greece's deep connection with the sea and its seafaring heritage.
Among the most interesting destinations in the Saronic Gulf are:
Aegina – famous for its pistachios, traditional cuisine and picturesque harbour.
Poros – a charming island ideal for relaxed winter walks and experiencing everyday Greek island life.
Hydra – known for its stone architecture, historic harbour and distinctive atmosphere without conventional car traffic.
For this sailing experience, we offer yachts departing from Athens.
For the festive season, we have selected a range of sailing yachts, catamarans and motor yachts available in Croatia and Greece.
Departure bases in Croatia: Biograd, Pag and Šibenik.
Departure base in Greece: Athens.
Our selection includes yachts of different sizes and cabin layouts, suitable for smaller crews, families and groups of friends.
The listed charter prices are based on a one-week rental, with final cleaning costs shown separately.
Good to know: During this time of year, charter duration and departure dates can often be adjusted to suit your needs. Whether you are planning a shorter festive getaway or a full week at sea, contact us for a personalised offer.
|
Model |
YoB |
Country |
Base |
Cabins |
Weekly Price |
End Cleaning |
Total |
|
2016 |
Croatia |
Biograd |
3 |
1.113 € |
110 € |
1.223 € |
|
|
2018 |
Croatia |
Biograd |
3 |
1.253 € |
170 € |
1.423 € |
|
|
2023 |
Croatia |
Pag |
3 |
1.250 € |
250 € |
1.500 € |
|
|
2007 |
Croatia |
Biograd |
4 |
1.393 € |
190 € |
1.583 € |
|
|
2022 |
Croatia |
Šibenik |
3 |
1.500 € |
330 € |
1.830 € |
|
|
2020 |
Croatia |
Šibenik |
4 |
1.500 € |
390 € |
1.890 € |
|
|
2020 |
Croatia |
Šibenik |
4 |
1.560 € |
390 € |
1.950 € |
|
|
2012 |
Greece |
Athens |
5 |
1.625 € |
400 € |
2.025 € |
|
|
2018 |
Greece |
Athens |
4 |
1.800 € |
260 € |
2.060 € |
|
|
2010 |
Greece |
Athens |
5+1 |
1.800 € |
300 € |
2.100 € |
|
|
2025 |
Greece |
Athens |
4 |
1.800 € |
350 € |
2.150 € |
|
|
2008 |
Greece |
Athens |
5+1 |
1.900 € |
300 € |
2.200 € |
|
|
2021 |
Greece |
Athens |
4 |
2.119 € |
150 € |
2.269 € |
|
|
2019 |
Greece |
Athens |
5 |
2.000 € |
300 € |
2.300 € |
|
|
2015 |
Greece |
Athens |
4 |
2.090 € |
240 € |
2.330 € |
|
|
2019 |
Croatia |
Šibenik |
5+1 |
2.220 € |
440 € |
2.660 € |
|
|
2023 |
Croatia |
Šibenik |
3 |
2.490 € |
390 € |
2.880 € |
|
|
2019 |
Greece |
Athens |
5 |
2.701 € |
200 € |
2.901 € |
|
|
2023 |
Greece |
Athens |
5 |
2.820 € |
250 € |
3.070 € |
|
|
2026 |
Greece |
Athens |
5 |
3.068 € |
270 € |
3.338 € |
|
|
2022 |
Greece |
Athens |
5 |
2.720 € |
660 € |
3.380 € |
|
|
2025 |
Croatia |
Šibenik |
4+2 |
3.000 € |
390 € |
3.390 € |
|
|
2015 |
Croatia |
Šibenik |
4+2 |
2.970 € |
440 € |
3.410 € |
|
|
2022 |
Greece |
Athens |
5+1 |
3.152 € |
290 € |
3.442 € |
|
|
2020 |
Greece |
Athens |
4+1 |
3.029 € |
510 € |
3.539 € |
|
|
2019 |
Croatia |
Šibenik |
2 |
3.770 € |
330 € |
4.100 € |
|
|
2019 |
Croatia |
Šibenik |
3 |
5.298 € |
390 € |
5.688 € |
Winter sailing has its own particular characteristics. Daylight hours are shorter, temperatures are lower and weather conditions require more careful planning than during summer.
We recommend keeping your itinerary flexible, bringing suitable clothing and choosing a yacht equipped for the season.
Before booking, it is worth checking the availability of onboard heating, marina and mooring facilities, as well as the opening hours of restaurants and shops along your intended route.
Safety and weather conditions should always take priority over a fixed sailing itinerary.
With good preparation, winter sailing can be a wonderfully peaceful and rewarding experience.
A deposit of 50% of the total charter amount is generally required upon booking confirmation, with the remaining balance payable no later than one month before embarkation.
For most yachts, the security deposit can be provided by credit card (Visa or Mastercard). Many yachts also offer optional deposit insurance, subject to the charter operator's conditions.
By opening the links to individual yachts, you can view photographs, equipment lists and detailed specifications.
Thinking about spending Christmas by the sea?
Tell us your preferred dates, number of guests and departure location. We will gladly help you find the right yacht and prepare an offer tailored to your wishes.
Macrocruise – The Local Choice for Global Sailing!
Zoran Pelikan
info@macrocruise.com
+385 91 560 3433
