11 Best Sights in Central Dalmatia, Croatia

In this remarkable example of Romanesque architecture, whose first construction dates back to the early 13th century, the most striking detail is the main (west) portal, adorned with a superb Romanesque sculpture by the Croatian master known as Radovan. The great door, flanked by a pair of imperious lions that form pedestals for figures of Adam and Eve, is framed by a fascinating series illustrating the daily life of peasants in a kind of medieval comic strip. In the dimly lit Romanesque interior, the 15th-century chapel of St. John Orsini (Sveti Ivan Orsini) of Trogir features statues of saints and apostles in niches facing the sarcophagus, on which lies the figure of St. John. The bell tower, built in successive stages—the first two stories Gothic, the third Renaissance—offers stunning views across the ancient rooftops. Note that tickets can't be purchased online.  Be sure to also look down as you stroll through and gaze at the amazing structures at eye level and below—the marble sculptures and checkerboard floors make for a memorable view.

A series of seven waterfalls are the main attraction here, the most spectacular being Skradinski buk, where 17 cascades of water fall 40 meters (131 feet) into an emerald-green pool. Moving upriver, a trail of wooden walkways and bridges crisscrosses its way through the woods and along the river to the Roški slap (waterfall), passing by the tiny island of Visovac, home to a Franciscan monastery that can be visited by boat. On the islet, there is also an old mill with a museum that demonstrates the different ways the mill was used centuries ago. From here, it's easier to understand how the power of these waters inspired Nikola Tesla, whose boyhood home is not far from the national park. In 1895 the first hydroelectric plant became operational here, only two days after Tesla’s hydroelectric plant on Niagara Falls. This made the residents of Skradin the first Eastern European citizens to have electricity.

More than 860 species of plant life have been identified throughout the park, and more than 200 bird species live there, making it one of Europe's most valuable ornithological areas. Something many visitors miss is a hawk training center, where you can observe birds of prey being trained by ornithological experts. For bird enthusiasts there is also the Guduća Nature Reserve, where various species are closely studied and can be observed from boats. The Krka National Park office is located in Šibenik. For more active travelers, there is a 8½-km (5-mile) hiking trail, going Sitnice–Roški slap–Oziđana Cave, that takes about 2½ hours and has educational panels along the way explaining plant and animal life, geological phenomena, and historic sites.

Of the five entrances into the park, the easiest and most impressive route of arrival is to drive from Šibenik to the town of Skradin, then take a 25-minute boat ride up the Krka River on a national park ferry (included in the price of entry). The ferry will bring you to the park entrance close to the Skradinski buk waterfall, and from there you can get off and take a walk along the wooden bridges and explore the park further.  Note that swimming is not allowed in the park. There are several restaurants and snack bars, plus wooden tables and benches for picnics. For a full meal, your best bet is to return to Skradin, a town that dates back to Roman times and is well worth a look.

At this popular sight hidden away on the islet of Biševo (5 nautical miles southwest of Komiža), sunlight enters through the water, reflects off the seabed, and casts the interior in a fantastic shade of blue. The Blue Cave is 24 meters (78 feet) long and 12 meters (39 feet) wide, and throughout the summer, local fishermen and tour agencies take tourists—some of whom come from Split and Hvar by speedboat—into the caverns. It can be a long wait in summer when a line of small boats is waiting to enter the cave. Ask at the marina or the tourist information office ( www.tz-komiza.hr/home-eng) to see who is offering trips. Sometimes, small boat operators will wait at the entrance of the cave for visitors arriving by sailboat and yacht (which are too large to enter the cave).

As its name suggests, Stari Grad, or Old Town, is among Europe's first towns. Founded in the 4th century BC, this is the site of the original Greek settlement on Hvar, then known as Pharos. While much of the attraction in Stari Grad focuses on its ancient history, the city is still very much alive, especially during the summer. It features a beautiful walkable riviera and forest path, as well as a number of cultural attractions, such as the 15th-century Dominican Monastery of St. Peter the Martyr. The town is about 23 km (14 miles) east of Hvar Town.

The obvious spot for swimming and sunning here is the glorious Zlatni Rat (Golden Cape or Golden Horn) Beach, complete with a café and snack bar, plus sun beds and parasols. Paddleboats and Jet Skis can be rented through peak season, when the beach can get crowded. Regular taxi-boats run from the Old Town harbor to Zlatni rat; walking distance is 20 minutes. Amenities: food and drink; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; sunrise; sunset; swimming; windsurfing.

The largest beach area in Split, a 10-minute walk east of the Old Town, has a shallow swimming area and is one of the few sandy beaches on the Dalmatian coast. If you don't mind the crowds, you can rent beach chairs and umbrellas, and you can also enjoy a string of cafés and bars along this stretch of coast. Amenities: food and drink; parking (fee); toilets. Best for: swimming.

In a fine Baroque building on the seafront, the gallery displays more than 300 paintings and sculptures by big-name 20th-century Croatian artists who drew inspiration from the sea and landscapes of Dalmatia. The intimate gallery was named after Brač-born sculptor Branislav Dešković (1883–1939), whose works are on display along with those of Ivan Meštrović, Ivan Rendić, and others.

A short walk east of town, along the quay past the Arsenal, lies Hvar Town's Franciscan monastery. Within its walls, a pretty 15th-century Renaissance cloister leads to the former refectory, now housing a small museum with several notable artworks, including a beautiful fresco of the Last Supper. The grounds outside make a relaxing place for a stroll among centuries-old cypress trees.

On the northern coast of the island, Hvar's third main town is often overlooked, but that makes it all the more delightful once you do discover this more peaceful alternative to Hvar Town. Jelsa has many structures from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, though St. Mary's Church dates back to the early 1300s. A tower built by the ancient Greeks overlooks the harbor; it dates to the 3rd or 4th century BC. About 1 km (½ mile) east of the modern town is the older Grad, with the original fortified area that was protected by Galešnik, a fortress that now stands in ruins. The small town is surrounded by a thick forest of pine trees, several resorts, and many swimmable beaches—including some the island's most popular nude beaches. Jelsa is also famous for its annual Za križen procession, a 500-year-old, UNESCO-protected Easter tradition during which a shoeless cross-bearer and a crowd embark on a 25-km (16-mile) overnight walk. Chosen locals can be on the waiting list to carry the cross for decades, as it's considered a significant honor.

This sandy beach sits in a cove on Brač's northern coast, offering a more low-key alternative to Zlatni rat that's worth a visit for its clear waters and views of the Dinaric Alps on the mainland. Crickets chirp from the surrounding pines, which also offer shade from the sun. Above the beach are ruins from the 5th-century Basilica of St. Lawrence, which pilgrims visit on August 10, the saint's feast day. The beach is a 10-minute drive (about an hour walk) east of Postira following the main road, which turns to dirt for the last few miles.  Amenities: food and drink; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; solitude; swimming; walking.

After you've spent a few days swimming and lying on the beach, this park is a great place for an afternoon picnic with kids. A small animal park shelters a wide variety of domestic animals including ducks, pigs, goats, turtles, peacocks, parrots, and cows. There are even donkeys that kids can pet and ride. The park is about 3 km (2 miles) from Sutivan toward Mlin and has a large playground, a barbecue area, a restaurant with produce from the on-site garden, and a botanical garden with a fountain, as well as an amphitheater for performances and events.