Dalmatia attractions

Revered for its endless beaches, idyllic coves, scenic valleys, fine wines, and seafood, Croatia’s Pelješac Peninsula juts out of the center of southern Dalmatia. Without the tourist-oriented resorts and the crowds of other coastal Dalmatian destinations, the Pelješac Peninsula is the perfect spot for a relaxing holiday.

Flanked by two Corinthian colonnades, Peristyle Square (Peristil) is the central plaza of the town of Split and part of Diocletian's Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. An 187-feet (57-meter) eye-catching belfry towers above the square; climb to the top for a stellar view of the sea.

Off the coast of Croatia, Solta island is one of the country’s under-the-radar hideaways. While it’s a popular haunt for mainland locals, it’s still an undeveloped pocket of paradise, with pinewoods, farmland, and maquis-coated hills tumbling to tiny harbors, pebble beaches, and azure bays.

Go for an evening stroll along the Riva Promenade, a waterfront walkway lined with palm trees in the town of Split. This stretch of glazed white tiles runs the length of the Old Town, offering harbor views and shady benches for watching residents stroll by. Restaurants and cafes line the promenade as well.

Dubrovnik’s 15-century, Gothic-Renaissance–style Rector's Palace (Knezev Dvor) contains the rector’s office and private chambers as well as public halls, courtrooms, and a former dungeon. Interestingly, the rector’s term was for only one month, during which time he was confined to the palace and allowed to leave only on official republic business.

Built in the fourth century as a retirement complex for the Roman Emperor Diocletian, this vast, fortress-like compound still dominates Split Old Town. After the palace was abandoned in the sixth century, locals flooded into it. Now, the 220 Roman-era buildings within the palace boundaries house homes, shops, bars, and other businesses.

As you glide into Hvar’s port, you cannot miss the imposing Spanish Fortress that crowns the island’s main settlement. Today’s facades date back to the 16th century, though the defensive site itself reaches back much further. From the top, visitors can enjoy views far across the Adriatic, making it one of Hvar’s most treasured landmarks.

There’s no better place to take in the essence of Hvar than in its main plaza while admiring the Cathedral of St. Stephen (also known as the Hvar Cathedral). Set upon a backdrop of green hillside, the church you see today was built between the 16th and 17th centuries, with elements of an even older church still preserved inside. The exterior is complete with a scalloped rooftop and a four-story bell tower that looms over the plaza.

Located inside the gates of Diocletian’s Palace, the Cathedral of St. Domnius ((Katedrala Svetog Duje) is a massive octagonal cathedral built in Roman times as the Mausoleum of Diocletian. The structure was converted to a church in the 7th century and mass is still held here today, making it one of the oldest Catholic cathedrals in the world still in use in its original structure.

South of Dubrovnik between the Adriatic Sea and Sniježnica mountain, Konavle Valley is a pastoral dreamland dotted with vineyards, farms, and traditional hamlets. Though just a short drive from Dubrovnik Old Town, the valley feels a world away with its peaceful rural character and strong folkloric traditions.

Ivan Meštrović’s iconic Gregory of Nin (Grgur Ninski) statue is one of Split’s most popular attractions. Originally erected in 1929, the 27-foot (8.5-meter) sculpture commemorates the medieval bishop and advocate of Croatia’s national language. Today, his bronze toe has been rubbed clean by countless visitors seeking good luck.

Discover an important piece of Dubrovnik’s history in the heart of the Old Town. Orlando’s Column, erected in 1418, is located in the heart of Luza Square and is dedicated to the knight Orlando who saved the city from Saracen pirates in the eighth century. Over centuries, the column has now come to represent the freedom of Dubrovnik.

Built into the limestone bluffs outside of Split, the imposing Klis Fortress (Tvrdava Klis) was once an important defensive stronghold between the Mediterranean and the Balkans. It housed the seat of many Croatian kings, though nowadays it’s better known as the film location for the fictional city of Meereen in the series Game of Thrones.

Resembling a fortress from the outside but revealing a church, cloisters, and museum inside, the Dominican Monastery in Old Dubrovnik is often missed by time-crunched travelers. Yet this wonderful 14th-century complex is more than worth seeking out for its ethereal Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance architecture, religious art, and peaceful cloistered garden.

Visitors to the Croatian city of Zadar are inevitably drawn to the melodious sounds emanating from the city’s most popular sight: the Sea Organ (Morske Orgulje). This massive underwater instrument, designed by architect Nikola Bašić, plays musical notes generated by the sea. The constantly shifting waves never play the same tune twice.

Built in the early 16th century as the Republic of Ragusa customs house, Dubrovnik’s Sponza Palace (Palaca Sponza) was one of the few buildings not leveled by the devastating 1667 earthquake. It’s architecturally stunning, with a Renaissance portico, late-Gothic windows, inner courtyards, and an alcove containing a statue of St. Blaise, the city’s patron saint.

Named after the patron saint and protector of Dubrovnik, the Church of St. Blaise (Crkva Sv. Vlaha) is one of the most beautiful—and locally beloved—buildings in Old Town. Venetian architect Marino Gropelli built the present-day baroque-style church in 1715, after the original was significantly damaged in the massive earthquake of 1667.

Mljet Island is Croatia’s most lush, forested island in the Adriatic Sea. The western cape contains Mljet National Park, where pine forests and spectacular saltwater lakes offer incredible natural scenery. On the nearby tiny island of St. Mary, not far from the southern shore of Veliko Jezero, there is a Benedictine monastery and St. Mary’s church.

The heart of Split, the 2nd-largest city in Croatia, and its main gathering place is Prokurative, also known as Republic Square. With architecture inspired heavily by St. Mark’s Square in Venice and easy access to the nearby Riva Promenade, the square is a popular place for concerts, performances, and people-watching.

The Franciscan Church and Monastery is one of the few buildings in Dubrovnik that survived the devastating earthquake of 1667. Bordered by late-Romanesque arcades, the monastery’s inner courtyard provides a quiet reprieve from Dubrovnik’s bustling Old Town. The monastery houses a small religious museum as well as one of Europe’s oldest working pharmacies.

As a revered local monument and protected heritage site, Poljud Stadium (Stadion Poljud) is on the itinerary for most sightseeing tours of Split and is just north of the city’s historic UNESCO World Heritage-listed center. It was built in 1979 for the Mediterranean Games and was opened by then-President of former Yugoslavia, Marshall Tito. Designed as a multi-purpose facility by Croatian architect Boris Magaš, the stadium’s main function today is as the beloved home of Hajduk Split football team, which plays in the European Champions League and is followed by avid fans across the region. The stadium is a seafront landmark that appears at its most beautiful when illuminated by hundreds of floodlights by night. Constructed with two stands forming an arched, shell-like layered concrete exterior, Poljud has a seating capacity of 35,000 and among other events, hosts athletics matches and music festivals, including August’s annual Ultra Europe dance-music extravaganza.

Dating back to the 9th century, the Church of St. Donatus is a circular Byzantine-style church rising out of what used to be Zadar's ancient Roman Forum. As one of only a handful of buildings to survive the Mongol invasions of the 13th century, the Church of St. Donatus is an important cultural relic and one of the most popular tourist sites in Zadar.

Dedicated to the Ancient Roman king of gods, the Temple of Jupiter was constructed in the 3rd century as part of Diocletian's Palace and is considered to be one of the most well-preserved Roman temples in the world. Diocletian believed he was the reincarnation of Jupiter, who was highly worshipped until the Roman Empire was taken over by Christian rule.

Zlatni Rat Beach (Golden Horn or Golden Cape) is one of Croatia’s most beautiful and unique beaches. Located on the southern end of Brac Island, this narrow sliver of land juts out into the azure sea. Pebble beaches on both sides of this V-shaped promontory are perfect for swimming and snorkeling, and afternoon westerly winds make it a premiere windsurfing spot.

A castle, palace, and restaurants draw visitors to Fruit’s Square (Trg Brace Radic) in Split. The space once held a bustling fruit market, but today the stone-lined square’s main attractions are historic landmarks and Baroque architecture. Literature buffs may want to check out the statue of Marko Marulic, a 15th-century poet considered the father of Croatian literature.

Dotted with pine trees and Mediterranean shrubs, Marjan is a hilly peninsula jutting out into the Adriatic Sea. A beautiful nature reserve in Croatia, some of Split's best beaches are here, along with important museums, such as Mestrovic Gallery and Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments.

Once a powerful fortress in the Venetian Republic, Zadar’s old town remains encircled by remnants of its defensive walls, some of which date back to ancient Roman times. Six different city gates provide entry into the walled section, each with a distinct architectural style and motif.

Begun in 1461 under the direction of Florentine architect Michelozzo, Fort Bokar (Tvrđava Bokar) was built to defend Pile Gate from assaults by land or sea. Along with the Old Town’s other forts, the cylindrical structure has become an iconic symbol of Dubrovnik, which keen-eyed travelers may recognize from HBO’sGame of Thrones.

Built by nobles in the late 15th century, this verdant arboretum is one of Dubrovnik’s top tourist attractions. In addition to plants sourced from the four corners of the globe, the garden also has a 50-foot-long (15 meter) aqueduct used for irrigation purposes, a baroque Neptune fountain, and a pavilion overlooking the Adriatic.

Bacvice Beach curves in a half-moon shape around a wide bay just east of Split’s historic Unesco-listed town center. This city beach, popular with residents and visitors alike, is home to a buzzing assortment of beach bars, cafes, pastry shops, and fast-food outlets. A high-end restaurant with views over the Adriatic Sea is also a big draw.