Central Dalmatia
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Central Dalmatia - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Blaca Hermitage
Built into a cliff face overlooking the sea by Glagolitic monks fleeing Ottoman invaders in the 16th century, the Blaca Hermitage is one of Brač's most serene sights. From the bay below the complex, it's a 2-km (1-mile) hike uphill and well off the beaten path, as it's only reachable by foot. Experiencing the hike helps you understand the monks' toil in constructing the site without modern amenities. You can also arrive by car from Nerežišća across Dragovode (now a ghost town) and then walk about 30 minutes up to the monastery. Either way, don hiking shoes and bring water, especially in summer. The monks also grew rich vineyards and lush olive groves, despite the wild and arid landscape. Inside, the fine collection of period furniture includes a piano and telescope that belonged to Father Nikola Miličević (1887–1963), Blaca's last hermit and an avid astronomer. In its heyday, the hermitage had a printing press, a school, and an observatory. Monks no longer liver here; today, it functions as a museum, where a guided tour is worth the expense.
Brac, Splitsko-Dalmatinska, Croatia091-516–4671Sight Details
Rate Includes: €7, Closed Mon. -
2. Cathedral of St. Domnius
GradThe main body of this cathedral is the 3rd-century-AD octagonal mausoleum designed as a shrine to Emperor Diocletian, and a peek inside and a trek up to the bell tower are well worth the views. During the 7th century, refugees from Salona converted the space into an early Christian church. Its interior contains a hexagonal Romanesque stone pulpit from the 13th century with rich carvings, and the elegant, 200-foot-tall Romanesque-Gothic bell tower was constructed and reconstructed in stages between the 13th and 20th centuries. Climb to the top of the bell tower (sometimes closed in winter and during bad weather) for a spectacular view of the entire palace, Split, and the surrounding Adriatic Sea.
Kraj Svetog Duje 3, Split, Splitsko-Dalmatinska, 21000, CroatiaSight Details
Rate Includes: €5 for cathedral; €7 for bell tower -
3. Cathedral of St. Lawrence
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.
Trg Ivana Pavla II, Trogir, Splitsko-Dalmatinska, 21220, Croatia021-885–628-Trogir Tourist BoardSight Details
Rate Includes: €5, includes bell tower -
4. Diocletian's Palace
GradThe home of Split's thriving Old Town, Diocletian's Palace is a marvelous maze of restaurants, cafés, shops, and boutiques, as well as stunning ancient structures. The palace dates back to the late 3rd century AD and originally served as both a luxurious villa and a Roman garrison. Its rectangular shape has two main streets—Dioklecijanova Ulica, which runs north to south, and Poljana Kraljice Jelene, which runs east to west—that divide the palace complex into four quarters. Each of its four walls has a main gate, the largest and most important being the northern Zlatna vrata (Golden Gate), which once opened onto the road to the Roman settlement of Salona. The entrance from the western wall was the Željezna vrata (Iron Gate), and the entrance through the eastern wall was the Srebrena vrata (Silver Gate). The Mjedena vrata (Bronze Gate) on the southern wall directly faces the sea and likely served as an entryway for sailors who docked by it during Roman times. More than 1,000 people still live within the walls, though the number is diminishing as the area becomes more tourism-focused. Hire an experienced private guide who can give you a walking tour in the early morning to experience the history of the palace walls without the crowds.
View Tours and ActivitiesDioklecijanova 1, Split, Splitsko-Dalmatinska, 21000, Croatia -
5. Fortica Fortress
During the 25-minute climb to see the breathtaking views from this 16th-century hilltop fortress, a symbol of Hvar Town, you get to take in the aromatic Mediterranean plant garden. Once you've made it to the top, you can explore the fortress's stone walls and behold the city below, along with the sea and islands stretching over the horizon as far as the eye can see.
21450, CroatiaSight Details
Rate Includes: €10 for entry; free for exterior and viewpoint -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
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6. Krka National Park
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.
View Tours and ActivitiesLozovac, Šibensko-Kniniska, Croatia022-201–777Sight Details
Rate Includes: €40 June–Sept.; €20 Oct.; €7 Nov.--Dec.; €6.65 Jan.--Mar.; €15 Apr.--May -
7. Meštrović Gallery
MejeA 25-minute walk from the Riva, this must-see gallery dedicated to Ivan Meštrović (1883–1962), one of Europe's greatest 20th-century sculptors, is in a tranquil location overlooking the sea and surrounded by extensive gardens. Meštrović originally designed this building as his summer residence during the 1920s and '30s. Some 200 of his sculptural works in wood, marble, stone, and bronze are on display, both indoors and out. The gallery features an open-air café that is frequented by families and children during the day and young locals in the evening. It's a great place to escape the crowded city streets and enjoy a refreshing drink surrounded by a stunning collection of the master's work.
Šetalište Ivana Meštrovicá 46, Split, Splitsko-Dalmatinska, 21000, Croatia021-340–800Sight Details
Rate Includes: €12, includes entrance to Crikvine-Kaštilac, Closed Mon. -
8. Mila Gojsalić Statue
Located at a stunning viewpoint, this statue by Ivan Meštrović honors legendary 16th-century heroine Mila Gojsalić, born in Poljice at a time when Croatia faced Ottoman attacks. Myth says she seduced an Ottoman general and then set fire to his camp after he fell asleep. Per legend, she perished in the fire or evaded capture by jumping to her death from the cliffside where the statue now stands. The site, a still relatively well-kept secret, offers awe-inspiring views of the town and the mouth of the Cetina River. It's an eight-minute drive north from Omiš center via an uphill road with four hairpin turns; going by car is safer than the 80-minute hike up the road. Parking is limited.
Omiš, Splitsko-Dalmatinska, 21253, CroatiaSight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
9. Modra Špilja
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).
View Tours and ActivitiesBiševo island, Splitsko-Dalmatinska, Croatia021-713--849-Komiža Center for Nautical TourismSight Details
Rate Includes: Entry to cave is €19 late June--mid-Sept.; €12 Apr.--late June and mid-Sept.--late Oct.; price does not include dock if you\'re sailing -
10. Stari Grad
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.
Stari Grad, Splitsko-Dalmatinska, 21460, Croatia021-765--763-Stari Grad Tourist Board -
11. Zlatni Rat
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.
Bol, Splitsko-Dalmatinska, Croatia
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