Dubrovnik in summer

Dalmatia travel guide

Read our essential Dalmatia travel guide to discover the best destinations on the Dalmatian coast, with great things to do, sightseeing, bars, hotels, restaurants and more...

Written by
Justin McDonnell
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Every summer, thousands travel to Split, the departure point for the key islands of BračHvar and Vis. More are also taking time to explore the city itself, where, behind the terraces of the Riva, a gastronomic revolution has taken place. Here you can try some of Croatia's best delicacies and much more. Meanwhile, a regular traffic of car ferries, catamarans and fast boats glide to the islands: family-friendly Brač with its famous beach of Zlatni Rat; party-centric Hvar, darling of the yachting crowd; and the more remote Vis.

Zadar and Šibenik in northern Dalmatia are far from famous given the historic lack of international transport links. Yet they offer history, natural beauty and, in Zadari's case, entertainment. Šibenik is still isolated as far as planes, trains or boats are concerned but Zadar is now firmly on the map thanks to the success of Brit-run bar the Garden and its famous music festivals in nearby Tisno. The Zadar archipelago and the islands of the Kornati National Park are reason enough to visit the region; the cathedral city of Šibenik is the gateway to another great natural attraction, Krka National Park

The strikingly beautiful southern Dalmatia has the clearest waters and, in Dubrovnik, the lion's share of Croatia's high-end tourist industry. Yet the celebrated Old Town and pristine sea around it remain intact and open to all. Swamped in high season, Dubrovnik is best enjoyed, as much of Dalmatia, in the colder months, when hotel rates fall and the compact historic centre is bearable. In the north, Pelješac is an interesting diversion for windsurfers and wine buffs, and the accessible island of Korčula is just the thing after the hurly-burly of Dubrovnik in high season.

RECOMMENDED: More great travel destinations in Croatia.

Popular destinations in Dalmatia

Vis travel guide

Vis travel guide

Vis island has a special place in the hearts of many Croatians, who consider this a truly unspoiled example of the best of the Dalmatian coast. Its designation...

Zadar travel guide

Zadar travel guide

There seems to be no stopping Zadar, the main city of northern Dalmatia. This once-Italianate seaside town has in the last few years attracted some of...

Hvar travel guide

Hvar travel guide

Outside of Dubrovnik, Hvar is the epicentre of the Dalmatian travel industry. Holidaymakers come to be around the yachts lining the harbour of the island’s...

Brač travel guide

Brač travel guide

Travelling to Brač is easy, yet despite being one of the closest islands to the mainland, less than an hour by ferry – and a prime candidate for the most...

Split and the south Dalmatian coast

Split

Split

Split is more than just a gateway to the islands. Discover great things to do, places to stay, restaurants, bars and more.

Vis travel guide

Vis travel guide

Vis island has a special place in the hearts of many Croatians, who consider this a truly unspoiled example of the best of the Dalmatian coast. Its designation...

Hvar travel guide

Hvar travel guide

Outside of Dubrovnik, Hvar is the epicentre of the Dalmatian travel industry. Holidaymakers come to be around the yachts lining the harbour of the island’s...

Brač travel guide

Brač travel guide

Travelling to Brač is easy, yet despite being one of the closest islands to the mainland, less than an hour by ferry – and a prime candidate for the most...

Trogir travel guide

Trogir travel guide

Trogir was first settled by Greeks from Vis in 300 BC. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Old Town reflects the influence of subsequent periods of...

Šolta travel guide

Šolta travel guide

Now with a major boutique hotel, the island of Šolta is looking to attract tourists away from Brač and Hvar. Itís not only about heliports and heated pools,...

Northern Dalmatia: Zadar & Šibenik

Zadar travel guide

Zadar travel guide

There seems to be no stopping Zadar, the main city of northern Dalmatia. This once-Italianate seaside town has in the last few years attracted some of...

Šibenik travel guide

Šibenik travel guide

After a long period of playing second fiddle to more glamorous neighbours Split and Zadar, Šibenik is swiftly turning into Dalmatia’s surprise package. Like...

Primošten travel guide

Primošten travel guide

Primošten is an easy hop away from nearby Šibenik. Buses leave every couple of hours and take 25 minutes. Despite its lack of tourist attractions – or tourists...

Tisno travel guide

Tisno travel guide

Tisno is named after the narrow passage that separates the island of Murter from the mainland. A town with rich heritage displayed in its Italianate buildings,...

National Park Krka

National Park Krka

Niagara is the nearest comparison you could possibly make. The 800-metre-long waterfall of Skradinski buk, the picture-postcard main draw of the Krka National...

Korcula & Pelješac Peninsula

Korčula island travel guide

Korčula island travel guide

As you travel to Korčula from the mainland nearby, the crowded little houses on the edge of the island seem to be pushing each other out of the way to see if...

Korčula town travel guide

Korčula town travel guide

Abound with rustic charm, the medieval settlement of Korčula town has a year-round appeal. The palm-lined streets and ancient surrounding walls regularly...

Pelješac travel guide

Pelješac travel guide

With its sprawling coasts, rich fisheries and a major wine-growing industry, Pelješac is generating a buzz as a less-discovered alternative to Dubrovnik....

City breaks in Dalmatia

Zadar travel guide

Zadar travel guide

There seems to be no stopping Zadar, the main city of northern Dalmatia. This once-Italianate seaside town has in the last few years attracted some of...

Šibenik travel guide

Šibenik travel guide

After a long period of playing second fiddle to more glamorous neighbours Split and Zadar, Šibenik is swiftly turning into Dalmatia’s surprise package. Like...

The best islands in Dalmatia

Vis travel guide

Vis travel guide

Vis island has a special place in the hearts of many Croatians, who consider this a truly unspoiled example of the best of the Dalmatian coast. Its designation...

Hvar travel guide

Hvar travel guide

Outside of Dubrovnik, Hvar is the epicentre of the Dalmatian travel industry. Holidaymakers come to be around the yachts lining the harbour of the island’s...

Brač travel guide

Brač travel guide

Travelling to Brač is easy, yet despite being one of the closest islands to the mainland, less than an hour by ferry – and a prime candidate for the most...

Šolta travel guide

Šolta travel guide

Now with a major boutique hotel, the island of Šolta is looking to attract tourists away from Brač and Hvar. Itís not only about heliports and heated pools,...

Korčula island travel guide

Korčula island travel guide

As you travel to Korčula from the mainland nearby, the crowded little houses on the edge of the island seem to be pushing each other out of the way to see if...

Pelješac travel guide

Pelješac travel guide

With its sprawling coasts, rich fisheries and a major wine-growing industry, Pelješac is generating a buzz as a less-discovered alternative to Dubrovnik....