Central Dalmatia is a Croatian territory that is a must to discover, not only to get closer to a breathtaking nature, but also to stop in its key cities, its villages with traditional atmospheres and thus dive into the heart of the Croatian life. The Split-Dalmatia county has a coastline that invites you to stroll along it, including a multitude of islands that are sometimes wild, sometimes animated by visitors who come here to find a dream setting to relax and enjoy. In Central Dalmatia, you can also marvel at the cities with their beautiful historical heritage. Medieval alleys, looking like a little Venice, urban escapades are moments to admire the architecture, better understand the history of the region, and then end up sitting at a table in a bar or restaurant. In the hinterland, the mountain landscapes also reveal a superb heritage in towns of character, and sites shaped by nature and man for thousands of years. The raw and hilly nature is then conducive to multiple hikes and outdoor activities.

Discovering Split and its surroundings

Split has been a popular destination for visitors from all over the world for a number of years now. The second largest city in Croatia, the jewel of the Adriatic, has a city centre where you should not fail to look up and open your eyes wide to contemplate the facades and main historical monuments. As you wander through the cobbled streets, you will come across the Docletian Palace, a Roman icon dating from 293 AD. With its surrounding walls, peristyle, cathedral and vaulted cellars, the palace, which is considered the finest example of Roman architecture on the Adriatic coast, is sure to fascinate visitors. Later on, we reach the Cathedral of St. Domnius, which is not only a beautiful building, but also offers from its top a beautiful view of the city and its surrounding nature. For the meals, the old market of Split allows to fill up with good local products, but we also appreciate to go to lunch or to dine in town, where the terraces are always cheerful and full of life. The addresses along the Riva, the long seaside promenade lined with palm trees, come to mind. Split, if it has managed to keep its atmosphere of a human-sized city, also makes it easy to go green, at the beach or in the forest park of Marjan, a huge hill whose paths can be explored by bike, and whose waterways can be explored by kayak or paddle.

Around Split, a must-see excursion is the one that leads to the old town of Trogir, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. The city, a peninsula surrounded by the sea and a canal, offers beautiful walks along the water. In the historic centre, you can visit the highlights of the city such as the Saint Lawrence Cathedral, the Saint Nicholas Monastery, the John Paul II Square and the Pinacoteca, a museum of sacred art housed in the church of Saint John the Baptist. A visit to Trogir means taking the time to get lost in a maze of medieval streets, stopping in Augustina Kazotica Street for a drink, and then going on to the other architectural marvels of St. Mark's Tower and the 15th century Kamerlengo Fortress.

From Trogir, it's only a bridge to cross to get to the island of Čiovo. On the one hand, the island boasts a notable heritage, such as the Holy Cross Monastery in Arbanija, which dates back to the Middle Ages, and the Church of Our Lady of Prizidnica. The villages of Bušinci and Mavarštica are also worth a visit, simply for the pleasure of resting on the pebbled beaches overlooking the crystal clear waters. The beautiful days are always the occasion for refreshing and relaxing baths.

Direction of the hinterland

A stay in Central Dalmatia is also an opportunity to explore the hinterland. And this one does not miss places of interest, with in first place, the fortress of Klis. Beyond its exceptional location at 360 m altitude and the magnificent view offered on Split, Solin, Kaštela and the islands of Brac, Solta, Hvar and Vis a loin, the medieval building was the place of shooting of scenes of the famous series Game of Thrones. Notice to the fans!

Still in the Croatian heights, Sinj is another town not to be missed. Both for the discovery of its town centre and its authentic atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of the coast, but also to reach Kamičak, a star-shaped fortress built in 1712 on the eponymous hill. The view of the city's orange roofs and the surrounding karst mountain range is superb.

At another point, we take the road through Dugopolje to the village of Kotlenica and the hamlet of Punde to stop at the edge of one of the treasures of the Central Dalmatian hinterland: the Vranjača cave. It is here, in the heart of the karst region and at the foot of Mount Mosor, that this magnificent underground cathedral with rooms filled with stalactites and stalagmites is located. One passes through corridors and is constantly amazed by the shapes that take place in the rock, but also by the colours that change from blue to green. The place is sparkling!

Finally, even though the town of Omiš is located on the coast, we cannot mention the beautiful hinterland, dominated by gigantic mountains forming majestic gorges. Of course, a visit to the town begins with a tour of its churches, the municipal museum, where you can learn more about the town's past, and the 13th-century Romanesque fortress of Mirabella. But for those who wish to vary the pleasures, there is nothing like travelling the 100 km of the river Cétina to go through the gorges. The Cétina Gorge is the ideal playground for lovers of water sports such as boat trips, canoeing, kayaking and rafting. The impressive cliffs are perfect for via ferrata and ziplining, a breathtaking 2,100 m long zip line!

Central Dalmatia, from island to island

A trip to Central Dalmatia cannot be complete without exploring its splendid islands. Hvar is undoubtedly one of the most interesting islands. The first place to visit is the town of Hvar, with its churches, Spanish fortress, picturesque streets and seaside promenade. The harbour attracts a lot of yachts, giving the town the air of a Croatian Saint-Tropez. But Hvar also amazes with its sumptuous hilly and green landscapes, often leading to coves with translucent waters. How can you not fall in ecstasy in front of the blue reflections of Dubovica beach? Unless one prefers the deserted beaches of the Pakleni Islands, located opposite Hvar and served by boats. And then, one thinks of Greece when one reaches villages like Stari Grad, which was founded by Greeks from the island of Paros in 384 BC.

In Brač, the island's setting is perfect for venturing into traditional fishing villages, such as Bol and its lively cafes. In the surrounding area, hikes lead into remarkable landscapes, with countless small heavenly coves, perfect for sunbathing and swimming in crystal clear waters. There is also a visit to the olive oil museum in Skrip, Supetar the capital and its shops where you can do some shopping, and then the one that is considered the most beautiful beach in Croatia for swimming again, Zlatni Rat. For those who are fond of sports activities, the discovery of the island by bike is highly recommended.

Last stop is the island of Vis, which for many visitors remains the most authentic. Here you can explore the green landscape on foot or by bike, and stop in the villages and hamlets of Ženka, Bargujac, Milna, Plisko Polje and Podstražje for their traditional atmosphere and the white or green shuttered stone houses. Komiža, with its fishermen's houses and medieval alleys, is an attractive place to visit in the evening. You can also visit the vineyards and taste the delicious Vugava wine. To relax and practice sonrkelling, there is nothing better than the bay of Kozima or the bay of Stiniva. And then there is the blue cave of Bisevo to explore, which is located near the island of Vis. If the site remains a must-see, it is because these unique colours make you think of another world