Rough Mountain Landscape Against the Enchanting Adriatic
The imposing Diocletian Palace in Split, the former retirement home of the Roman Emperor Gaius Valerius Aurelius Diocletianus, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the old town of Trogir, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, whose illuminated waterfront shimmers in the Adriatic at night, the Biokovo Nature Park, from whose rugged peaks the view of the deep blue Adriatic and the Makarska Riviera is breathtaking.
The imposing Diocletian Palace in Split, the former retirement home of the Roman Emperor Gaius Valerius Aurelius Diocletianus, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the old town of Trogir, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, whose illuminated waterfront shimmers in the Adriatic at night, the Biokovo Nature Park, from whose rugged peaks the view of the deep blue Adriatic and the Makarska Riviera is breathtaking.
One of the most popular holiday spots in central Dalmatia is the Makarska Riviera which stretches from the west by Marina and makes its way towards Trogir, Split and Omis, all the way until Gradac on the southern point. This region, with a population of 463,000 includes both islands, such as Hvar and Brac, Vis and Solta, and beautiful beaches such as Punta Rata beach in Brela, which in 2003 was recognized and named as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
Split: The Thriving Hub of Central Dalmatia
The imposing Diocletian Palace in Split, the former retirement home of the Roman Emperor Gaius Valerius Aurelius Diocletianus, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the old town of Trogir, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, whose illuminated waterfront shimmers in the Adriatic at night, the Biokovo Nature Park, from whose rugged peaks the view of the deep blue Adriatic and the Makarska Riviera is breathtaking.
Locals and visitors enjoy not only the good shopping opportunities in Split, but also sporting events – especially those of the Hajduk Split football club, which enjoys a large fan base throughout Dalmatia and is the second most successful football club in Croatia.
Split offers its visitors cultural events and historic buildings, but for those looking to escape, it also has pure nature. Relax in the wooded hills of Marjan located on the peninsula in the west of the city or on one of the idyllic beaches framed by a green oasis of peace and tranquility. There is also a zoo in Split for animal lovers. From the large ferry port of the city you can travel to the nearby islands of Hvar, Brac, Solta, Vis and Korcula, as well as to Rijeka in the Kvarner Bay or to Ancona in neighboring Italy.
Relaxation Away From the Large Tourist Centers
On the island of Brac, near the popular holiday resort of Bol, you will find the famous beach Zlatni Rat, or “Golden Horn”, which is considered the most beautiful beach in the entire Adriatic. The long pebble beach, which extends into the sea in a crescent shape, is located on the idyllic south side of the island with a view of the neighboring island of Hvar. The island of Brac is also known for its excellent wines, which grow around Bol, its lively cultural summers and the high-quality marble-like limestone that was used in famous buildings such as the White House in Washington D.C. or the New Hofburg in Vienna.
To the west of the island of Brac lies Solta, a densely forested island whose rugged southern side is uninhabited and barely accessible. The north, on the other hand, is stunningly beautiful with its villages and idyllic beaches that have been spared from mass tourism.
The island of Hvar, located south of Brac, is a delight for its particularly sunny and mild climate, where wonderfully fragrant lavender thrives, which was once the most important source of income for the islanders. The extensive lavender fields characterize the island’s image, as do hills full of olive trees and dense pine forests.
In addition to the fashionable main town of Hvar, Stari Grad is one of the most important places on the island. Here you will find another Croatian UNESCO World Heritage Site – the agricultural plain east of the town. The area was already settled and cultivated by Greeks in the 4th century BC. The originality of this plain has been preserved to this day.
Central Dalmatia includes other islands worth seeing, such as Vis, whose most important towns are Vis and Komiza. Because the island of Vis was inaccessible to the public until 1989, you can still find traditional villages and untouched nature full of vineyards, wild herbs and carob trees. Beach vacationers and boaters particularly enjoy the famous Stiniva Bay, which lies wildly romantic behind towering rocky cliffs and is only connected to the open sea by a narrow opening. Here you are far away from mass tourism.
The same is true of Stoncica Bay in the northeast of the island. Unlike many places in Croatia, the beach in Stoncica Bay is sandy. Surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation and with a view of the crystal clear water, you will find pure relaxation here.
From Medieval Trogir to the Once “Gloomy” Pirate Nest of Omis
Another important cultural and historical stronghold in central Dalmatia is Trogir, located west of Split. Trogir’s old town is located on a small island that is connected to the mainland and the island of Ciovo by a bridge. With its ferry port, Trogir is an ideal starting point for trips to the surrounding islands of Veli Drvenik and Mali Drvenik southeast of Ciovo or to Split. Palaces, churches and residential buildings from the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods characterize the image of the historic city center of Trogir, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.
The special features of the Romanesque old town complex include the St. Lawrence Cathedral, the town loggia, the Prince’s Palace and the Kamerlengo Fortress, one of numerous fortresses and castles in central Dalmatia. Other castles can be found to the east along the coast and in Klis in the hinterland of Split. Due to its location, the Klis Fortress was considered an important strategic seat in the Middle Ages and was therefore called the “Key of Dalmatia”.
Sinj, situated a few kilometers inland is especially famous for its annual medieval games, “Sinjska Alka”. The medieval equestrian tournament has already been a tradition since 1715 in commemoration of the people’s victory over the Ottomans. The river Cetina flows through the plains of Sinj and is a popular destination for Rafting, canoing, fishing, para-gliding, rock climbing, canyoning and much more.
The course of the Cetina river is accompanied for long stretches by a breathtaking canyon and flows into the Adriatic Sea near Omis after almost 100 km. Omis, which is spectacularly situated at the foot of towering rock faces, is known for its interesting history. The two fortresses Mirabela and Fortica still remind us of its past as a once feared pirate nest. In numerous events and exhibitions, especially in summer, the residents proudly tell of their ancestors, the once most feared pirates in the region.
Along the course of the Cetina river near Omis you can enjoy the local cuisine in the numerous good restaurants. In addition to tasty fish and seafood dishes, you should definitely try “Peka”, a typical Croatian dish made of meat, vegetables and fish, which is cooked under a cast-iron bell in the embers of a fireplace for over 2 hours. Bathing fun can be found on the sandy beach of Omis and on the various sandy beaches in the neighboring town of Duce. The sandy beaches in both Duce and Omis slope very gently into the sea, which is why they are particularly popular with families with small children. They have lounger rentals and changing rooms as well as various bars and restaurants.
Impressive Mountain Scenery on the Beautiful Makarska Riviera
In the south of central Dalmatia begins the rugged, imposing mountain range Biokovo with its almost 1800 m high peak Sveti Jure, which makes the heart of every hiker beat faster – with a dense network of hiking trails of various levels of difficulty and length, you can undertake day trips as well as shorter hikes.
Hardened hiking professionals can find overnight huts in the mountains. Nature has been particularly generous in this part of central Dalmatia, as the mountain not only rises imposingly above the coast, but also offers an excellent view of the Adriatic and the surrounding area. The Biokovo Nature Park is home to numerous endemic plants and animals.
The Biokovo Mountains separate the beautiful Makarska Riviera with places like Brela, Baska Voda and Tucepi from the green hinterland where Imotski is located. Close to the cozy little town there are two lakes that slope steeply into the ground – Blue Lake and Red Lake. The Red Lake, which takes its name from the reddish rock walls, is located in a sinkhole about 500 m deep.
Above all, the branched cave system, which was discovered at a depth of 15 m, fascinates visitors and researchers alike. The Blue Lake is a real attraction for locals and visitors, especially in summer, when it occasionally dries out completely and its bottom serves as a venue for football tournaments.
It is not without reason that the Makarska Riviera is considered one of the most beautiful holiday regions in Croatia: colorful stone houses, fishing boats bobbing in the harbor, the rugged Biokovo mountains in the background, white pebble beaches and clear sea give the Makarska Riviera its typical color. In the town of Brela there is the wonderful beach “Punta Rata”, which was voted one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world in 2003.
In front of the bay, the Brela Rock rises out of the turquoise waters – the legendary landmark of the city. The beach at Baska Voda offers a little more entertainment. Around the long white pebble beaches, which are lined with pine trees, there are tourist offers for leisure and sports. There are many shopping opportunities along the waterfront.
Tucepi, Podgora and Gradac in the south of central Dalmatia are also well developed for tourism. In these places you will find beautiful beaches as well as culinary delights from the local cuisine and cultural events on warm summer evenings. The small fishing village of Gradac has the longest beach in the region. For around 6 km you can indulge in pure bathing pleasure in the refreshing Adriatic Sea. In the evening you should definitely stop off at one of the traditional restaurants and try dishes typical of the region such as Neretva-style fish stew or grilled eel.
Basically, fish specialties have a long tradition on the Makarska Riviera, which results from the fishing that was once widespread. Even today, the rocking fishing boats in the harbors of the towns dominate the panorama of the Adriatic and, of course, fishing is still practiced by many families. For this reason, there are not only good fish restaurants in the Makarska area, but also numerous events and festival weeks dedicated to traditional fishing.
In principle, when you look back into history, tourism has had a long tradition in this region. This means that the infrastructure is very well developed and nothing is ever found lacking during the summer holidays. Events and nightlife are as varied as the shopping centers and leisure facilities. Whether hiking, climbing, or mountain biking in the Biokovo mountains, sailing, diving, or swimming in the Adriatic, riding, cycling or playing beach volleyball on the land, tourists can find many exciting activities for a fun-filled holiday in central Dalmatia.