10 Best Sights in Central Dalmatia, Croatia

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.

The 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.

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.

The 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.

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.

A 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.

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.

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.