Sights of Central Dalmatia. The best resorts in Croatia: Central Dalmatia Beaches of Dalmatia
Split is located in the center of Croatia, dividing Dalmatia into two equal parts. The main attraction of the city is the palace of Emperor Diocletian - a real city within a city, which is fenced off from the center of Split by high walls. Every summer, a festival is held on the palace grounds, where concerts, opera performances and theatrical performances take place.
There is entertainment for everyone here: a zoo, bike paths, observation decks, tennis courts, volleyball and football fields, diving centers. For lovers cultural recreation The National Theater of Croatia was opened.
The most popular beaches in Split: sand beach Bacvice and Radisson Blu Resort beach.
Sibenik
The city of Sibenik is a museum under open air, it is surrounded by the sea on one side and a national park on the other. The main attraction is the Temple of St. James, listed as a cultural heritage site by UNESCO in 2000.
This city is ideal for those who believe that life is movement. There are many diving clubs and yacht centers here, and horseback riding is organized.
The most famous beach of Sibenik is located on Cape Solaris. The small pebble beach is perfect for families with children.
Vodice
The small town of Vodice got its name because of its numerous springs. This place attracts tourists with a combination of modern architecture and noble antiquity.
The main attraction is the Church of the Holy Cross.
The main beach stretches for 4 kilometers. This is one of the best beaches in Dalmatia. There are diving clubs and children's centers to suit every taste.
Resorts of Central Dalmatia are mentioned and recommended on tourism forums for family vacation in Croatia more often than any other.
Despite the fact that suitable places in the northern and south coast plenty, this region, especially the Makarska Riviera, is most in demand for holidays with the whole family. The popularity of Central Dalmatia is confirmed by Europe's Best Destinations rating: Split has long been included in the list of the best summer resorts, and in 2018 the list was also supplemented by the island of Hvar.
You will find complete information about holidays with children in Central Dalmatia in our review. Find out about the main resorts in the region, the best beaches, excursions and entertainment.
Central Dalmatia on the map of Croatia
Central Dalmatia is one of the largest resort areas located in the central part of the Adriatic coast of Croatia. In fact, this is the coast of the Split-Dalmatia County (the administrative center is the city of Split), stretching from Trogir in the north to the small town of Gradac in the south.
Distance from Split to the main resorts: Trogir - 28 km, Omis - 25 km, Brela - 50 km, Baska Voda - 52 km, Makarska - 86 km, Tucepi - 91 km.
If you look on the map where Central Dalmatia is located, you cannot help but notice a scattering of large islands and islets. Among them there are several famous resort and tourist places - for example, the islands of Brac, Hvar and Vis.
It should be added that Central Dalmatia is usually divided into two parts: the Split region, which includes Split itself, Trogir, the islands of Brac and Hvar, and the Makarska Riviera region, which includes the resorts of Makarska, Baska Voda, Brela and their surroundings. It is the Makarska Riviera that is considered the center of family recreation.
Vacation with children
Central Dalmatia is one of the best regions Croatia, where you can relax with your child in the summer. Firstly, this is facilitated perfect climatic conditions : absence of sweltering heat, 285 sunny days year, clear sea, healing combination of mountain and sea air, pine needles and aromatic Mediterranean herbs.
Secondly, the resorts of Central Dalmatia are located in temperate latitudes. Thanks to this, acclimatization in a new place goes unnoticed, and already in the first days of your holiday in Central Dalmatia you will be able to spend time on the beach and eat simple, healthy Croatian cuisine.
Thirdly, the resorts in the region are not alike, and when going to Central Dalmatia with children, you can choose what you like.
Is here small towns and villages without crowds of tourists and music until the morning. These resorts are perfect for have a relaxing holiday with an infant (for example, Brela, Tučepi or Promajna). And there are cities that are ideal for active families, for whom evening entertainment is one of the important components of a successful vacation (for example, the city of Makarska).
The region's beaches deserve special praise. The shore is almost everywhere covered with pebbles, and therefore the water in the sea is clear even when there is nowhere for an apple to fall on the beaches. The entrance to the water is usually gentle, so small swimmers will not be afraid of the increasing depth.
It must be said that in Central Dalmatia there is not as much entertainment for children as in family resorts other countries. We recommend coming here with preschoolers for whom playgrounds and trampolines are enough, or with teenagers who will enjoy excursions to museums, active recreation and trips to natural parks.
When is the best time to go?
The high season in Central Dalmatia is short but very stormy. In mid-May, summer sets in on the coast, and the number of charters flying into Split airport immediately increases. Since mid-September the weather has deteriorated and airlines have curtailed flights.
To enjoy peace, half-empty beaches and leisurely walks, we recommend coming at the opening of the season in Central Dalmatia, that is, at the end of May - beginning of June. At this time you can already go on excursions, sunbathe, but it’s too early to swim.
July-August sees the greatest influx of tourists. The beaches are crowded at this time, and vacation prices rise. If the choice of when is the best time to go to Central Dalmatia falls on the second half of summer, try to book accommodation as early as possible: the best options are snapped up very quickly.
Weather and climate
The climate of Central Dalmatia is Mediterranean, mild, with long summers without tedious heat. Certainly, beach season it is shorter here than in Greek Crete or Spanish Andalusia, but three full months for a vacation with a child is not at all little.
Summer comes to the resorts of Central Dalmatia at the end of May. By this time, the air warms up to +25°C, and you can sunbathe to your heart’s content on the beaches.
True, the sea is still a little cold for swimming: the water remains invigorating for another two to three weeks. Since there are not very many vacationers at the resorts yet, traveling with a baby to Central Dalmatia will be calm and comfortable.
In June, the air temperature rises a little more, although it generally stays within +25-27°C. At the beginning of summer there is a slight cooling down to +20°C, which lasts no longer than two days and is not capable of ruining your holiday in Central Dalmatia.
In July and the first half of August, the heat reaches its maximum: sometimes the thermometer reaches +35°C, although the average temperature during this time is about +28°C.
By the end of summer, the heat gradually subsides, although the warmth does not seem to leave the coast. In the second half of August, you can most often see +28-30°C on thermometers. If we take into account only the weather (and neglect the huge number of tourists), then best holiday It’s impossible to imagine living in Central Dalmatia with children.
In September the weather becomes unpredictable. Every year is different: sometimes in the first days of autumn it gets cold to +15-20°C, sometimes on the coast the heat lingers up to +30°C. From October to April, summer resorts are empty.
The weather in Central Dalmatia has two features that need to be taken into account when planning a vacation:
- Autumn, winter and spring in the region are very rainy, and it often rains in June-July. Only in August there is almost no precipitation.
- The nights at the resorts are very cold: in May-June and September the night temperature is only +8-13°C, in July-August +15-16°C.
Sea water temperature
Good news for those who don't think beach holiday without swimming in the sea: swimming season in Central Dalmatia opens simultaneously with the beach one.
And if at the end of May - beginning of June you can only take a dip for a short time, since the sea temperature is +21°C, then after a couple of weeks the water warms up to +22-23°C.
Maximum water temperature in Central Dalmatia established in July-August: in the sea, warmed up to +24-25°C, even kids can splash around for a long time. If the summer is particularly hot, the sea temperature reaches +28°C; due to rain, the water can cool to +24°C.
In September the water becomes cool quite quickly. If at the beginning of the month the temperature is +24°C, then at the end it is only +21°C.
Transport
Urban public transport in Central Dalmatia are practically absent. Small resorts can be explored on foot, and if desired, by bicycle.
Some bus routes there is only in Split, a relatively large city. Travel on city buses costs 1.30 euros if you buy tickets at kiosks, and 1.50 euros if you pay the driver. There is no discount on tickets for children.
Intercity transport in Central Dalmatia is very well developed. Buses will take you from any resort to Split, Zadar, Zagreb and other cities. Timetables can be found on the bus station websites.
Getting around Central Dalmatia by taxi is less popular because it is an expensive form of transport in Croatia. Thus, a transfer from the airport to the resorts, depending on the distance, will cost 40-120 euros, while travel by intercity bus costs 3-10 euros.
If you plan to travel a lot, it makes sense to rent a car. Rental offices operate at the airport, but you can book a car before arrival.
The highways in Croatia are of high quality, there are paid and free parking in cities, and parking fees in the city center are quite reasonable.
The only way to get to the Paklinski Islands is to take a ferry or catamaran. The journey takes about an hour; ferries to the islands of Brac and Hvar depart from Split and Makarska.
Strictly speaking, you can get to Brac by plane, since the island has its own airport, but this is only justified if you are going to vacation on Brac.
Dalmatia extends from Zadar in the north to the Bay of Kotor (now part of Montenegro) in the south. The coastline of this land is one of the most beautiful in Europe. In front of a wall of gray, harsh rocks, a ribbon of lush green vegetation stretches along the sea. In some places there are palm trees and olive plantations. There are many excellently preserved medieval Venetian towns along the coast. The sea water in this resort paradise is crystal clear. Numerous coastal islands attract travelers with ancient villages and mysterious caves. In the 70s and 80s Dalmatia experienced a tourism boom.
Then a crisis followed in 1991-1995, when due to the war the number of visitors dropped to almost zero. Now that the country has returned to peaceful life, Dalmatia has again become a favorite holiday destination. However, when you come here, you most likely won't see crowded beaches. Adriatic islands are capable of “absorbing” any number of holidaymakers, and on the mainland tourist centers are located at a decent distance from the main cities. The inland areas of Dalmatia are characterized by barren, rocky soil and an arid climate, while in the coastal areas, on the contrary, the climate is favorable and the soil is fertile.
This difference is reflected in the duality of the historical destinies of the region. Coastal cities and islands had long enjoyed the fruits of a thriving Mediterranean culture, while the sparsely populated interior was more prone to political uncertainty. The coastal inhabitants were always well off thanks to fishing, olive growing and winemaking, while life in the central parts of Dalmatia - especially in the drier area called "kamenjar" ("stone field") - was much more difficult. During its historical development, Dalmatia was exposed to various cultural influences: ancient Roman, Venetian and Italian, and each of them left its mark.
For example, Dalmatian children still call men in Italian – “barba” (“beard”, “uncle”). And respectable gentlemen are called “sjor” (that is, “senior”). Various influences are so mixed that it is difficult to determine what national culture modern Dalmatians represent. Residents of Northern Croatia will tell you that time slowed down in Dalmatia. Because of their slowness, Dalmatians are jokingly called “tovari” (“donkeys”). However, even after a short visit it becomes clear that established ideas are far from reality.
The true difference between Dalmatia is that it is somewhat poorer than the northern regions of the country. Local industry was destroyed during the war in the 90s and initially recovered extremely slowly. Fortunately, the construction of the Split highway in 2004 gave a powerful boost to the economy. Thanks to the new road, the journey to the coast now takes much less time, and the resorts of Dalmatia have become even more accessible to all Europeans. Culturally and historically, Dalmatia is a single region, but the description below is divided into two parts corresponding to the two main cities.
First we talk about the Zadar region, then about the Split region. Life in Northern Dalmatia revolves around the vibrant seaport Zadar. From there, ferries run to the islands of the Zadar archipelago, many of which have preserved their pristine nature. From Zadar, many tourists head south to explore the natural beauty of the Kornati islands and the Krka National Park. The main administrative center of Dalmatia is Split. It is a bustling and chaotic, but still attractive city. From Split, many tourists go to their favorite resort islands: and Korcula.
And Vis is relatively little explored by vacationers. The road from Split along the coast passes through resort town, and then through Dubrovnik. Traveling around Dalmatia is easy. There is only one big road - Jadranska Magistrala. There are frequent buses running along it any day of the week. Bus service connects all the main centers of the region. The journey from Zadar to Zadar takes about 7 hours. However, if you want to take a bus in a small town, you may have to stand on the side of the highway for a while and wait for a bus to stop.
For travelers with their own transport, the Zagreb-Split highway is not only the fastest route to Dalmatia from Northern Croatia, but also the most convenient road connecting Zadar, Sibenik and Split. It runs a few kilometers from the coastal highway. Ferries or catamarans go to almost everything inhabited islands. In addition, in the summer, ships ply along the coast five times a week: from to Dubrovnik, calling at the main ports and islands. Once a week these ships go further - to Italian city Bari. There is a ferry service between Zadar and Ancona.
A Brief History of Dalmatia
The territory of Dalmatia was first inhabited by the ancient Greeks. They founded colonies on the islands of Vis (in Greek - Issa) and Hvar (Pharos) at the beginning of the 4th century BC. The name "Dalmatia" was given to this land by the Romans. It comes from the Illyrian word “delmat” (proud, brave person). In the 1st century BC, when the Illyrian tribes came under Roman rule, the old greek cities began to lose their key importance. Continental centers became the new centers settlements Yadera (Zadar) and (Solin, near Split). Latin urban culture remained practically unchanged in them for a long time, despite the fall of the Roman Empire and the short period of Ostrogothic rule.
After some time, Dalmatia became one of the provinces of Byzantium. The Avar-Slavic invasion in 614 caused great damage to the cities. Zadar was significantly weakened, and Salona was completely destroyed. True, on the site of Salona, Roman-Illyrian refugees founded new town– Split, which later became the largest in the region. Byzantium soon nominally regained control over Dalmatia, but in the landlocked interior, the influence of the Croats, who arrived after the Avars, began to increase. By the 12th century. The Croatian state, and later its successor, the Hungarian-Croatian Kingdom, began to successfully compete with Byzantium and the new regional leader, Venice, for control of the coast.
More and more Croats moved to the cities, and the Croatian language became widely used, although Latin was still used for written language. The king of the Hungarian-Croatian kingdom, Ladislas of Nepolis, sold his rights to Venice in 1409. The cities submitted peacefully to the new rule, in return for which they were promised a degree of autonomy. However, contrary to the expectations of the Dalmatians, the Venetians kept the cities on a short leash. Municipal self-government was deprived of influence. In each city there was a governor (knez) endowed with all powers, reporting directly to the Venetian Doge.
The entire flow of goods, both import and export, went through Venice. The sharp class division of Dalmatian society did not allow a concerted rebuff to the Venetians. For example, the revolt of ordinary people in 1510 under the leadership of Matija Ivanić in Hvar was directed simultaneously against the occupiers and against the local oligarchy. Under the rule of the Venetians, Dalmatia again, as in the days Ancient Rome, became closely connected by economic and other ties with the rest of the Mediterranean. Thanks to this, the seeds of the Renaissance fell on its soil, and many wonderful examples of Italian architecture appeared in the cities.
However, the numerous Venetian arcades and bell towers did not turn the local population into Venetians. Representatives of the urban elite of Dalmatia in the 15th century retained national identity. They cherished and developed the Croatian language as a symbol of their patriotic aspirations. In 1521, one of the leaders of the national cultural movement, Marko Marulić, who lived in Split, published the first epic poetic work translated into Croatian (“Judith”; Judita). And in the book of Zadar resident Petar Zoranic “Mountains” (Planine), published in 1569, there is a scene in which the Croatian nymph cries because in Dalmatia there are no people who would be proud of their language.
Venetian political power was unshakable for a long time, despite Turkish expansion in Europe. The merchant republic tried to live in peace with the Turks so that trade would go smoothly. However, during major conflicts, in particular during the Cyprus War (1570-1571) and the Kandyan War (1645-1669), the armies of the opposing sides sometimes found themselves in central areas Dalmatia. The defeat of the Ottoman troops near Vienna in 1683 made it possible for the Venetians to oust the Turkish armed forces from Dalmatia into Bosnia. However, during the decades during which the conflict continued, the population structure of Dalmatia itself changed.
Many Croats from the interior moved to the coast, and in the interior there were migrants from other inland areas of the Balkan Peninsula. Most of them were called Vlachs (“vlah” or “vlaj”). This name previously applied only to nomadic tribes descended from the ancient Roman-Illyrian population, but later began to cover all pastoral peoples of the interior regions. The population did not attach importance to their exact ethnic identification. A significantly larger role was played by the fact that the majority of the “Vlachs” professed Orthodoxy and belonged to the Serbian Orthodox Church.
As a result, they identified themselves more and more with the Serbs over time. It is difficult for historians of ethnography to answer the question about the nationality of the then population of Inner Dalmatia also because the Venetians called all these inhabitants “morlachi” (morlachi), regardless of their language and culture. It is believed that this term comes from a combination of the name “Vlachs” with the Greek word “mavro” - “black”. Morlachs were the name given to Dalmatians who lived outside the cultural environment of coastal cities and islands.
Foreign travelers romanticized the harsh, simple life of the Morlachs, but the inhabitants of the urbanized coast avoided their less civilized neighbors, meeting them only at fairs. Until the 12th century, even educated Croats knew little about the Morlachs, who were also called Zagorci and Vlaji. Now in Split, those townspeople who cannot see the sea from their windows are jokingly called vlai. Venetian rule lasted for 350 years. It gave Dalmatian cities peace and quiet, but inevitably led to political and economic stagnation.
The fall of the Venetian Republic in 1797 was followed by a brief Austrian interregnum, and in 1808 Napoleon incorporated Dalmatia into the Illyrian Republic, which was an artificial union of Adriatic and West Slavic lands. The capital of the Illyrian Republic was located in. French reforms had a beneficial effect on the region and brought it out of economic stagnation. The construction of roads, the development of production began, the country opened up to new scientific and educational ideas. However, the French did not win the sympathy of the local population.
The decision to close the monasteries deeply offended the feelings of devout Catholics. In addition, because of foreign aliens, Dalmatia was drawn into wars with and. English troops occupied Vis in 1811 and bombarded Zadar in 1813. In 1815 Dalmatia became part of the Austrian Empire. There was hope that in this way the region would unite with other Croatian lands. Hope was dashed when Dalmatia was declared a separate province empires. Officials who spoke German and Italian were sent to govern the province. Italian was declared the official language.
In the middle of the 19th century, the population of Dalmatia was slightly more than 400 thousand people, among whom 340 thousand were Slavs and only 16 thousand were Italians. Nevertheless, until the 60s of the 19th century there were no Croatian schools in the country. Many Croats living on the coast considered free ownership Italian as a sign of cultural superiority and believed that they had little in common with the inhabitants of the interior regions. This began to change in 1848, when the newly formed Croatian Council (parliament) in Zagreb raised the issue of uniting Dalmatia with the rest of Croatia.
The Viennese court rejected this idea completely, but from then on it could no longer hinder the growth of national consciousness in the Adriatic cities. In 1861, the creation of the Dalmatian Assembly opened up a political arena dominated by the populists (Narodnjaci), who advocated the unification of Dalmatia with historical center continental Croatia, and the Autonomous People (Autonomasi), who considered Dalmatia as an independent socio-cultural unit. The Autonomists were supported by the Italians and those Croats who were oriented toward the unified government that emerged in the international arena in 1861.
However, the defeat of the Italian fleet by the Austrian fleet off the island of Vis in 1866 reduced to zero the likelihood of Dalmatia's imminent annexation to the possessions. The Battle of Vis was also very important for the local Croatian population. The Croats began to celebrate its anniversary with special pomp to annoy their Italian neighbors. In 1870, the populists won an overwhelming majority in the Dalmatian Assembly. From 1883 Croatian became the official language in the assembly, but it was not used in civil and judicial documents until 1912.
Despite Italian claims, all of Dalmatia, with the exception of Zadar and, in 1918 became part of the State of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (later Yugoslavia). However, the influence of Italian irredentism (a political movement for the unification of all lands inhabited by Italians) remained strong. It especially intensified after Mussolini came to power in 1922. The Italian occupation of Dalmatia in 1941-1943 only worsened interethnic relations in the country, and after the end of the war, most Italians were forced to emigrate.
The advent of socialism in 1945 failed to stop the mass emigration of the population to New World and Australia. After World War II, the traditional Adriatic economy, based on fishing and olive growing, gave way to an economy focused on heavy industry. As a result of the massive outflow of population to cities, the countryside was depopulated, and this imbalance in the distribution of human resources only partially began to be compensated with the development of tourism. In the 60s of the 20th century, the massive resort business in Dalmatia quickly took off, thanks to which the region reached such economic heights that it could not even dream of before.
Residents of large Yugoslav cities, in particular Zagreb and, began to purchase dachas (vikendice) on the coast. This radically changed the composition of the rural population and turned the Adriatic into a huge recreation area for the whole of Yugoslavia. After the collapse of Yugoslavia, many Serb-owned dachas were abandoned, sold or destroyed by right-wing extremists. Serbian forces at one point took control of the hinterland around and Benkovac, but despite attempts to capture Zadar, were never able to make their way to the sea.
The main damage to the coastal areas was that the war scared away tourists, and the seaside hotels were filled with refugees. After the establishment of peace, Slovenian, Italian and German tourists again began to come to the long-favored holiday destination, and with the advent of the new millennium they were joined by Hungarians, Poles, Czechs and the British. Thanks to this, Dalmatia has become one of the most cosmopolitan summer resorts in all of Europe.
Famous sights of Dalmatia
1). – A bustling port city. Its narrow pedestrian streets around the cafes are bustling with life;
2). – Modern civilization has not had a destructive effect on the nature and ancient settlements of this island of the Zadar archipelago. The shores delight the eye with magnificent landscapes. Along the sea there are many villages, as if straight out of a painting;
3). Telaščica Bay– This small bay is a real kingdom of natural beauty. The picturesquely rugged coastline, and majestic mountain cliffs, and an intricate labyrinth of coastal islands;
4). – A chain of barren islands with a sparse population, popular with travelers on boat trips;
5). – Tall waterfalls, bubbling rivers and a festive beach atmosphere attract many tourists here. It is the most visited natural monument in Central Dalmatia;
6). – An anthill of many cobbled streets, overlooked by a wonderful Romanesque cathedral;
Split
The capital of Central Dalmatia, the second largest city in the country, the center of transport links with other cities in this region. Located at the foot of the Mosor Mountains, on the Marjan Peninsula, between the Split Canal and the Bay of Kastela. The architecture of the city is interesting, where medieval buildings coexist with modern buildings. Old city is under UNESCO protection. Main attraction: Diocletian's Palace (305 AD), covering a huge area. The sea in the Split area is bright turquoise due to deposits of marble-like quartzite at the bottom, and the small pebble beach stretches along the entire city coast. A resort with well-developed infrastructure and vibrant nightlife. The annual summer festival "Split Summer" takes place from mid-July to mid-August, both in theater halls and in open areas of the city. The resort is suitable for beach and excursion holiday, for sports lovers (3 diving centers and 2 Wellness centers are open here) and other categories of tourists. Split is a convenient starting point for excursions to other Croatian cities, islands and neighboring Italy. For children there is a city zoo and a walking park on Mount Marjan.
Sibenik
It has a unique location, located simultaneously on the sea coast, at the mouth of the Krka River and on the lake. A city with 1000 years of history and magnificent examples of Venetian architecture. The symbol of the city is the white stone Cathedral of St. James, combining Gothic and Romanesque styles. In summer, the International Children's Festival (June-July) and the Organist Festival (August) take place here. We recommend this place for lovers aquatic species sports (diving, rafting, rowing, yachting) and those who want to combine relaxation by the sea with sightseeing tourism.
Baska Voda
The resort belongs to the Makarska Riviera and is located 10 km from Makarska, at the foot of the Biokovo mountain range. The village is surrounded by pine trees on three sides, and on the fourth there is a sandy beach and the sea. There used to be a small fishing village here. We recommend the resort for youth and active recreation, as well as for water sports enthusiasts.
Makarska
The resort is located in a quiet bay, surrounded by the Biokovo mountains. The coast of Makarska is divided into 2 parts by Cape St. Peter. In the eastern part there is a port and berths for yachts, and in the western part all resort life is concentrated. On the Marineta promenade - favorite place for an evening promenade, life does not stop either day or night. Among the attractions are the Old Town and the Franciscan Monastery with the shell museum. Makarska is a convenient starting point for excursions in Dalmatia. The resort is suitable for active and youth recreation, for lovers of developed infrastructure and evening entertainment. Due to the proximity of the mountains, this resort has long been chosen by climbers.
Tucepi
A modern resort located 5 km from Makarska. The sand and pebble beach with a long coastline and a gentle entrance to the sea is convenient for families with children. Pines protect you from the scorching sun on the beach. For yachtsmen there is a pier protected by a dam from the winds. The resort is suitable for families and for lovers different types sports Cycling is especially popular; the resort has special cycling routes.
Brela
Located 15 km from Makarska, between the Biokovo mountain range and the island of Brac. Consists of two parts: old (Gornja Brela) and new (Donja Brela). Resort life is concentrated in the new part. This is where the Punta Rata beach is located - the calling card of the resort. In 2004 it was included in the top six best beaches in the world. The beach extends for several kilometers. The coniferous forest, which serves as a natural protection from the sun, approaches the very shore. Due to the transparency of the sea water, the resort has long been chosen by diving enthusiasts. In summer, Brela hosts the annual Fisherman's Nights festival. We recommend this place for all categories of tourists.
Brac Island
The third largest and highest Croatian island. The climate here is milder than on the mainland. It is said that the walls of the White House in Washington are lined with stone quarried on this island. Indeed, on the island there are quarries in which the unique Brac stone (snow-white limestone) is mined. Souvenirs from it are the main item of sale at the stalls of local sellers. The beaches on the island are some of the best in the region. They have a comfortable gentle slope and are ideal for families with children. Supetar and Bol are the most big cities islands. Ferries arrive to Supetar from Split (travel time - 45 minutes). Bol is located at the foot of Vidova Gora and has a noisier resort life. Here is an amazing natural object– pebble beach “Zlatni Rat” (Golden Cape). It protrudes 300 m into the sea and changes its shape depending on the strength of the waves and the direction of the wind. Brac is suitable for a relaxing holiday away from the hustle and bustle.
The beaches of Central Dalmatia are considered the best on the entire Croatian coast. Many of them are marked with the Blue Flag. Small pebble beaches with sandy areas and pine groves on the coast are common.
Iberostar Supetrus 4* (all inclusive) and Waterman Supetrus Resort 4*. The hotels are located on the island of Brac and have small pebble beaches with convenient entry into the sea.
Afrodita 4 * (Tucepi) is a hotel complex consisting of bungalows and detached 2-3-storey villas. Located on the seashore in the central part of the resort town and ideal for families with children.
For active and youth recreation:
Hotels Split 4* (Split) and Park Makarska 4* (Makarska), which is located in close proximity to the Marineta promenade.
Apart-hotel Milenij Aparthotel 4* (Baska Voda) with a comfortable small-pebble beach. Rooms with kitchens are suitable for families and youth.
Split - Old town with ruins of Diocletian's Palace.
Šibenik – St. Jacob's Cathedral, City Lodge building, Town Hall, St. Barbara's Church, Prince's Palace, which now houses the City Museum.
Trogir is an ancient city with narrow streets and medieval architecture. It is located on an island and is connected to the mainland by a bridge.
Krka National Park is a cascade of waterfalls and lakes, not inferior in beauty to the Plitvice Lakes.
Biokovo Nature Park is a mountain range located in the Makarska Riviera region.
Cave VRANJACA – located near Split.
The islands of Brac (with the Golden Cape beach) and Hvar (the oldest public theater in Europe is located here).
The resorts of Central Dalmatia have many opportunities for sports and leisure activities. For lovers of mountaineering and rock climbing - mountain range Biokovo with a mountaineering camp near Makarska. For divers – Brela, where there is a diving school designed for different levels of training. In Tucepi - sports Complex Slatina, with football field, tennis courts and a diving school.
For lovers of evening entertainment, Split and Makarska are suitable options. In the summer, music festivals and concerts take place in Split and Sibenik.
The coast of Central Dalmatia is one of the most beautiful in the entire Adriatic - stunning nature, numerous secluded bays and bays, rocky and pebble beaches, endless coniferous forests approaching the very edge of the surf, annually attracting millions of tourists from many countries around the world.
It is generally accepted that the most picturesque part of Central Dalmatia is a 40 km long stretch of coastline called "Makarska Riviera", where at the foot of the mountains of the Biokovo Natural Park lie best beaches Croatia. It is in this region that the popular resorts of Brela, Makarska and Tucepi are located.
Central Dalmatia belongs to the coastal area between the Krka River in the northwest and the Neretva River in the southwest. The narrow coastal belt with the mountains Kozjak, Mosor and Biogora gradually descends into the Neretva delta, a fertile and rich plain with the port of Ploce.
Main characteristics of Central Dalmatia– rocks without flowing bodies of water. The exception is the Cetina River, which makes its way through the canyon to Omis on the sea.
Climate Mediterranean with dry and hot summers, but mild and rainy winters.
Central Dalmatia is a region with developed tourism. The wealth of options for both relaxation and entertainment is quite extensive. Holiday accommodation in Dalmatia is varied: from the private sector to hotels and campsites. Like other regions of Croatia, Central Dalmatia offers its own specific gastronomic recipes, which are dominated by seafood, meat dishes, filled with spices unique to this region. You can try all this in numerous restaurants and cafes in Dalmatia.
Today Dalmatia is one of the largest resort areas in Croatia. There is a mild climate, 285 sunny days a year, and sea water, thanks to its exceptional purity and high content of iodine, salts and other chemical elements, has healing properties.
Major resorts:
SPLIT
Split is located in the central part of its coast between the cities of Zadar and Dubrovnik, dividing Dalmatia into two parts and being its heart.
The city recently turned 1700 years old! Over the past seventeen centuries, many civilizations have left their mark here and, as they say, “different eras are connected in this place by clotheslines stretched between houses.” The name of the city comes from the Latin word "Palatium" - palace, as it arose on the site of a building built in 295 luxurious palace the Roman Emperor Diocletian, surrounded at that time by powerful walls, behind which in the 8th century the inhabitants of neighboring cities, ravaged by Avar and Slavic tribes, took refuge. Gradually, the palace, included by UNESCO in the book of world treasures of world cultural heritage, turned into a fortified city, which today is the main attraction of Split. Such masterpieces of the city as the Temple of Jupiter, the Cathedral of the Holy Inch, the Procuration Square in the Venetian style, the Silver and Golden Gates can rightfully be considered one of the most interesting cultural monuments Adriatic.
SIBENIK
Šibenik was founded by the Croatian King Petar Krešimir IV in 1066. Gradually the city began to grow around the Cathedral of St. Mikhail is still known as a lively tourist center, where various festivals are held, where there is a rich sports and cultural life. The city is unique for its architecture. The influence of Venice is felt in the beautiful cathedrals, straight streets and ancient temples.
Thanks to its wonderful location (the city is located simultaneously on the sea, river and lake), Šibenik offers a large selection of enterprises for recreation, recreation and sports activities. In the suburbs of Sibenik there are National parks countries.
MAKARSKA
Makarska is located in the center of a world-famous eco-reserve, at the foot of Mount Biokovo. Makarska is located in the depths quiet bay, is surrounded on one side by the two peninsulas of Oseyava and St. Peter, and on the other by beautiful mountains, the height of which reaches 1762 m.
Makarska is at the same time the cultural, economic, sports and tourist center of Croatia. Today, the old part of the city is formed by buildings built in the traditional Mediterranean style. Here the average annual temperature exceeds 16 degrees, and the number of sunny days is the highest in the Mediterranean regions.
Thanks to the mild climate, you can enjoy a full range of water sports. main feature This place has beaches that are among the best in Croatia. Here is an ecologically clean and gentle sea, nature untouched by civilization.
The city has a large number of charming cafes, restaurants and pubs, where music and fun do not stop until the morning. In summer, Makarska hosts many cultural events, so tourists never get bored here.
BRAČ Island
- one of the most beautiful islands Croatia, the third largest island of the Adriatic Sea. The island has many pine forests, vineyards and olive groves. White stone from Brac was used in the construction of many famous buildings worldwide. Let us only mention the Diakletian Palace in Split and the White House in Washington. Glagolitic stones "Blaca Desert" are the most attractive architectural monument of the island.
On the heavily indented coast of Brac you can enjoy numerous bays and pebble beaches that stretch for tens of kilometers. Amazing rose wine is made here and extraordinary fish and seafood dishes are prepared. But it all culminates in Bol, the largest tourist center in the south of the island.
The former fishing village has today become business card Croatia. There are many amazing beaches, one of which, famous all over the world, is called “Zlatni Rat” (“Golden Cape”). This pebble cape constantly changes its shape under the influence of wind and waves; it protrudes almost 300 meters into the sea and is buried in a pine grove.
HVAR Island
The island of Hvar has been inhabited since the 4th century. A temperate Mediterranean climate reigns on the island of Hvar all year round, thanks to which the island is rich in vegetation, aromatic herbs, rosemary, lavender, pine forests, and aloe. Charming bays and shores, crystal clear sea have made Hvar an elite tourist center.
Upon entering the city's harbor, a unique view opens up: a fertile hill, on top of which is a castle with towers rising above a magnificent city with beautiful palaces that are rich cultural heritage Hvar.
BASKA WATER
One of the most cozy towns of the Makarska Riviera, Baska Voda is located 60 km from Split and 75 km from the airport.
Many years ago it was a small fishing village, and today it has become one of the most popular resorts in Croatia with very hospitable residents, many restaurants and bars, magnificent pebble beaches and the clearest sea. It is believed that this place has ideal conditions for a good rest.
TROGIR
The city is a museum. It is located on an island connected to the mainland by several bridges. The old city looks like a ship that has been preparing to sail for several centuries, the masts and sails of which have been replaced by numerous towers and bell towers.
It is famous for its stone architecture and carvings, is rich in numerous museums and churches, and its main value is Cathedral XIII-XVI centuries in the Romanesque style, which is included in the UNESCO list of world cultural monuments. This medieval city it is so cozy and charming that you can walk along its romantic streets and charming embankment endlessly.
BRELA
The small Dalmatian town of Brela, with a population of only 1,500 people, is famous for its unique pebble beach "Punta Rata", which stretches several kilometers. The main features of this beach are very small pebbles and great amount pine trees approaching almost the very edge of the sea surf.
It is considered one of the best in the entire Adriatic. The clearest sea with water transparency up to 50 meters, the most beautiful mountain spurs of the Dinaric Alps, and a wonderful climate allowed Brela to win first place in popularity among all resorts in Croatia based on the results of previous seasons!
Call from Russia
Split, Trogir, Brela, Baska Voda, Makarska, Tucepi, Brac Island, Hvar Island: 8-10-385-21 phone number.
Sibenik, Vodice, Primosten: 8-10-385-22 phone number
Flight
Flight to Split, flight time - about 3 hours
Beaches:
Central Dalmatia has the best strip of beaches on the mainland: small pebbles and pine trees, close to the water.
Split has good small pebble beaches.
Trogir has pebble beaches.
Beaches in Vodice have small pebbles.
Hotels:
On the long peninsula of Primoštena, surrounded by pebble beaches, nestled among the lush greenery of Mediterranean pine trees hotel"Adriatic".
Hotels on the Makarska Riviera are mostly prestigious and expensive.
Food:
Dalmatian cuisine is “correct”, healthy and tasty. She uses light cooking on the grill or in water, lots of fish, olive oil, vegetables and a variety of herbs growing on the coast. From meat dishes- lamb, Dalmatian goulash with dumplings. Dalmatian wines have been known since ancient times. The best of them are “Dingač” and “Postup” from the Peljesac Peninsula.