Dalmatia
Dalmatia
Dalmatia
Dalmatia - Split
Authentic traces of great ancient cultures, stunning islands, a walk in the clouds, and a combination of the Mediterranean and the inland make Central Dalmatia the perfect place for your dream holiday.
The centre of the world, colourful lakes, and golden beaches
The centre of Dalmatia, or as its residents would call it, the “centre of the whole world”, is Split, the largest city in the Croatian part of the Adriatic coast. The old city centre, which is under the protection of UNESCO, is over 1700 years old and it was created when the Roman Emperor Diocletian decided to build his palace there.
Start your tour with the most important landmark, Diocletian’s Palace, a perfect specimen of Roman architecture and one of the best-preserved Roman buildings in Europe. Visit the magnificent Diocletian’s Cellars, a filming location for Game of Thrones, and continue walking towards the spectacular Golden Gate, which was once used only by the emperor and his family. Enjoy the beauty of Peristil, the former main imperial square. The opera performances that take place here during the Split Summer Festival sound quite impressive.
Routes of Ancient Cultures
The former Salona used to be the capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia, and all the heritage you will stumble upon should you visit it bears witness to the glorious past of this cradle of ancient Croatian history. The largest archaeological park in Croatia will take you back to the age of the Roman Empire during a walk through its fascinating amphitheatre, where the spirit of gladiators lives on, whereas the forum with temples and luxurious villas echoes the grandeur of this former Roman town.
Nature knew no boundaries when creating Central Dalmatia
The long and indented coastline of the area, full of hidden coves and beaches, reaches its peak in the Makarska Riviera. Kilometres of dreamy beaches interspersed with rocky cliffs and embraced by the blue sea are the Adriatic paradise on earth.
Punta Rata, Nugal, Slatina, and Velika duba are just a few examples boasting the status of some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. And once the mighty heights of the Biokovo Nature Park start calling to you, you will find it hard to resist. The Biokovo Skywalk will give you an opportunity to walk on clouds. Don’t worry, you don't need wings, just an eager spirit and a little bit of courage. Smiling as you're caressed by the clouds, you will be able to enjoy the view of the nearby islands while soaking in the sun. Just like Jonathan Livingston’s seagull, the path will take you towards a necklace of pearly islands that you will remember for a long time to come.
The blue expanse and nature in complete harmony
Should you sneak a peek in its chest, you will find incredible treasures such as the famous Nečujam Bay, the muse of the father of Croatian literature Marko Marulić, or the elegant Martinis Marchi castle, which adorns the skyline of the charming Maslinica.
You won’t have to travel far from Šolta to get to Brač, the largest Dalmatian island. This island, favoured by the winds, has been nurturing the bond between man and stone since ancient times. Here, you will find the most famous Adriatic beach – Zlatni rat – a masterpiece of nature sculptured by the gentle hands of the sea and the wind.
While Brač is a song written in stone, Hvar is the Adriatic Hollywood, always on the top of the lists of the most desirable destinations in the world.
The largest square in Dalmatia and the centre of all events in the town of Hvar, St. Stephen's Square, offers a combination of a fashion show and relaxed leisure in summer. The seductive combination of glamour, nature, and history turns this island into a lavish cinematic spectacle. The first communal theatre in Europe, also known as the Arsenal, as well as the UNESCO-protected Hvar lace and the Stari Grad Plain pair perfectly with the intoxicating scent of lavender.
At the border of the realm of Central Dalmatia, you will find Vis, an island whose many years of isolation have been both a blessing and a curse.
The entire Vis archipelago has been declared a UNESCO geological park thanks to its preserved and untouched nature, with the towns of Vis and Komiža offering scenes resembling those from old postcards.
The stone, the sea, and smiles. The three magical ingredients of summer. And let’s not forget the magical bay of Stiniva, a miraculous work of mother nature and the star of the film Mamma Mia 2.
And the best is yet to come. Biševo is the island of all islands hiding a cave with a million shades of the most mesmerising blue colour in the world. The Blue Cave will hypnotise you with its beauty, especially around noon, when magical rays of light illuminate its interior.
Source : https://croatia.hr/en-gb/regions/dalmatia-split
Dalmatia - Šibenik
Embraced by the Adriatic Sea and the mighty Dinara, the part of Dalmatia around Šibenik will amaze you with its national parks, magnificent rivers, and spectacular locations.
Welcome to the land of grandiose forts and pearly waterfalls. The Šibenik region will turn you into an adventure novel hero ready to discover the highest mountain peaks in Croatia, the smallest islands in the Adriatic, and stone structures boasting traces of rich history.
From waterfalls to the stars
Throughout history, many writers have fallen in love with the beauties of Croatia, which inspired them to write their beautiful poems.
One of them was the famous Irish writer and Nobel Prize winner George Bernard Shaw, who dedicated these magical verses to his muse – the Kornati islands: “On the last day of creation, God desired to crown His work, and thus created the Kornati islands out of tears, stars, and breath.”
The Kornati National Park consisting of 89 islands, islets, rocks, and reefs is the most beautiful Adriatic stone fleet, where time slows down and every day of your stay turns into a holiday.
The islands are adorned with the famous Kornati crowns, i.e. vertical cliffs facing the open sea. According to folk tales, the large slate, or Magazin's slate, was created by fairies, and its kilometres of dry stone walls under the protection of UNESCO constitute an everlasting monument to human labour.
In addition to the famous Kornati islands, a true nautical paradise also awaits you on the other islands of the Šibenik archipelago. The secluded offshore Žirje, rich in fish, is the perfect place for modern Robinsons. The island of Kaprije was named after the Mediterranean caper plant whose buds are used as a spice. The most prominent coral divers in the Adriatic come from the island of Zlarin, while the smallest and most scarcely populated Adriatic island of Krapanj boasts masters of sponge harvesting and diving. You can learn more about them in the island’s Diving Museum.
Amazing cultural heritage of a millennia old cit
Following the indented coastline of the Šibenik region, you will witness many beautiful beaches and tourist spots such as Rogoznica, Primošten, or Vodice, and once you spot the St. Anthony Channel and the powerful outline of the St. Nicholas’ Fort under the protection of UNESCO on the horizon, you will know that you are approaching one of the most beautiful Dalmatian towns.
Many say that Šibenik is best discovered from the seaside, as it allows for maximum enjoyment of the elegant views featured in the popular show Game of Thrones. Still, you don't need to be leaning against the prow of the ship to view the panorama of the town – you can also do it by taking a walk on the unique promenade through the channel of St. Anthony.
In addition to its connections to the sea, Šibenik is one of the few cities of the Adriatic whose identity has also been influenced by a river.
Following the course of the green beauty Krka, you will first reach Prokljan Lake, and then, at the estuary, the ancient town of Skradin where ancient Romans moored their galleys. Nearby, you will also find the Croatian Troy – the archaeological site of Bribirska glavica boasting evidence of prehistoric life. In this karst realm, the Krka River raised itself the most magnificent monument.
The Krka National Park is a wonderful play of nature where the water skilfully sculpted seven enchanting travertine waterfalls, such as the magnificent Roški Waterfall and the fantastic Skradinski buk with an addictive symphony of millions of water drops falling. People have also done their best to celebrate and respect this noble landscape. St. Archangel’s Monastery and the Visovac Monastery, located on an idyllic islet, fit perfectly into this magical nature.You can choose to absorb every atom of this otherworldly beauty by boat or on Krka Bike or Krka Hike paths.
Source : https://croatia.hr/en-gb/regions/dalmatia-sibenik
Dalmatia - Zadar
Imagine the best sunsets, endless sandy beaches, authentic cuisine, and traces of ancient civilizations. The Zadar region of Dalmatia has it all, making it the perfect destination for all seasons.
This breathtaking landscape also inspired one of the most esteemed film directors in history, Alfred Hitchcock, who declared the sunset in Zadar to be one of the most beautiful in the world. The best way to enjoy this sun show is by visiting the unique Greeting to the Sun monument and listening to the magical song of the waves performed by the Sea Organ.
A land that inspired the gods
You will also see the main street Kalelarga, a place of friendship and smiles, love and sadness – a place where the sea and the stone meet.
Unique spaces such as the People’s Square, as well as the ports of Foša, Varoš, and Arsenal are the spots to be if you wish to immerse yourself in the local culture. The three-thousand-year-old past is carefully preserved in the St. Donatus Church, the Forum, the Five Wells Square, the Duke’s and the Provveditore’s Palace, and in the unique Museum of Ancient Glass.
The entire city centre is surrounded by medieval walls under the protection of UNESCO, known as the Walls of Zadar Uprisings, named after eleven uprisings of the Zadar people against the Republic of Venice. The centre of this Mediterranean city hosts numerous events such as the music festival called Musical Evenings at St. Donatus, or the Zadar Dreams contemporary theatre festival, which turn summer evenings into cultural events. Furthermore, the world-famous Wings for Life Race shows the humanitarian side of Croatia.
Layers of history are woven into the entire Zadar region. One of the most prominent examples of this is Nin, the first Croatian royal town, where you can visit the smallest cathedral in the world – the Church of the Holy Cross – and the remains of the largest Roman temple on the Croatian part of the Adriatic. Also, don't forget to rub the bronze thumb of bishop Gregory of Nin for good luck!
This part of Croatia abounds in natural beauties and is an ideal destination for everyone who loves an active holiday. The Zadar hinterland is a treasure trove of untouched nature, containing mountains, waterfalls, magnificent forests, and mysterious caves. In the southern part of the Velebit Nature Park, you will find the breathtaking rocks of the Paklenica National Park. The gorges of Velika and Mala Paklenica are especially attractive to climbers and mountaineers.
Trips to the Zrmanja and Krupa Canyons or the Una Spring, one of the five deepest karst springs in the world, are a unique experience bursting with adrenaline.
During your visit, you can experience an adventure worthy of Indiana Jones with all the hiking, biking, or kayaking. However, if you wish to enjoy more relaxed activities, the Vrana Lake Nature Park is the ideal destination for you. This is the largest natural lake in Croatia and a true avian paradise, visited by as many as hundreds of thousands of birds during the winter.
The Zadar region is also known for its many islands with unique stories. Pag is the only island in Croatia whose bare landscape will make you feel like you are walking on the moon. You can also enjoy the beauty of the Pag lace, which made the UNESCO list of intangible heritage, as well as delicious bites of the unique Pag cheese.
In Zadar’s realm of a hundred islands, all of these and many more unforgettable adventures and experiences await you.
Discover why the island of Olib is called the Adriatic king of sandy beaches, why there is a tower to love on Silba, or how Pašman became the centre of škraping, a unique sports adventure on steep coastal rocks. On Dugi otok, you will find the magical Telašćica Nature Park with over 160-meter-high cliffs that inspire awe. Attractive diving locations near the cliffs will show you the wonderful harmony of this Adriatic beauty, and the world-famous combination of white sand and turquoise sea on Sakarun beach will surely become one of your favourite attractions
Source : https://croatia.hr/en-gb/regions/dalmatia-zadar
