Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about the Dalmatian Coast Croatia. With destinations like Split, Trogir, Korčula, and more, there are a ton of cool things to see and do along the Dalmatian Coast. Split, Croatia is a great central location along the Croatia Dalmatian Coast. Split is the perfect home base for most of these destinations, and you can easily take day trips from there by ferry, bus, or taxi.
Saint Domnius Cathedral & Diocletian’s Palace
One of the most popular attractions in Split is Diocletian’s Palace and the Saint Domnius Cathedral. There is a lot of history here that’s tied to the Roman Empire, and the Palace is a great place to learn about it. An entire city was built within the walls of the palace. Today, there are tons of small little alleyways to explore in what was once the palace.
The interior square of the palace complex is one of my favorite places in Split. It sits at the base of the bell tower, surrounded by Roman columns. It’s a great place to start your exploration of the city. You’ll soon see why Diocletian’s Palace is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Split Museums
The locals have a lot of pride in their history and their city. As a result, there are a lot of smaller, niche museums to visit. There’s the City Museum, an Ethnographic Museum, as well as several art galleries. Ivan Meštrović is one of the most famous Croatian artists; the sculptor is from Croatia, and several of his statues can be seen around Split. There’s now even a Game of Thrones museum for fans of the series.
Split Nightlife
Like many Mediterranean beach towns, Split has a lot going on at night as well. There are tons of restaurants and bars along the Riva, which is the beachfront promenade of Split. Many other villages along the Dalmatian Coast can be sleepy, so if you’re looking for things to do after the sun goes down, Split is an excellent choice.
Getting Around Split
Split is relatively small, so it’s easy to get around. It is a stop for many Mediterranean cruise ships, so the harbor is also where the bus station and the train station are located. You can easily take a bus to or from the airport to get into the city. From the harbor, it’s very easy to grab a ferry to explore some of the Dalmatian Coast islands.
Dalmatian Coast Beaches
Croatia is quickly becoming a beach destination, with beautiful beaches all along the coast as well as on nearby Dalmatian Islands. These aren’t soft, sandy beaches, so make sure you bring your water shoes to save your feet! There are beaches up and down the coast, so take a few days to find your favorite.
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What to Eat on the Dalmatian Coast
The food here is good, and there are a few local things you should try. We always ask the waiter what the local specialty is, as it can change from town to town, and we always want to eat what the locals are eating. Of course, pizza and gelato are pretty good in Croatia, too!
- Black Risotto made from squid ink
- Homemade Gnocchi
- Soparnik, a savory Croatian pie with Swiss Chard inside
- Seafood, including locally-grown mussels
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Day Trip from Split to Trogir
For a short day trip from Split, head to the yachting town of Trogir. It’s a small town, and most cruise ships will stop here for a couple of hours to let travelers wander the streets for a bit. There are a few fun things to see if you decide to visit Trogir. There are a couple of small fortresses or castle ruins scattered around the area, including Kamerlengo Castle. Further into town, make sure you visit the cathedral to see the intricate stone carvings, as well as the bell tower, which is a cool example of many different periods of architecture.
Hiring a tour guide in Trogir is recommended, as they can really add to your visit and explain a lot of the historical significance in the architecture. From Split, it’s easy to reach Trogir by bus or taxi in just 40 minutes.
Korčula Croatia
Another beautiful destination along the Dalmatian Coast is Korčula. Not only is this one of the beautiful Dalmatian Islands, but it’s also the home of Marco Polo. In the summer, you can visit the Marco Polo house, as well as the Marco Polo Museum. The St. Mark’s Cathedral in town has some spectacular art on display, so that’s well worth a visit. The City Museum is a former home and is a good place to understand the history of the island and how life has changed for residents. The Icon Museum was one of my favorite things to see in Korčula.
There’s a great area along the city wall and the waterfront that has several restaurants. One of the best things to do in Korčula is to rent a boat or take a boat trip to see the beaches. Of course, if you are visiting on a day trip from Split, you will be on a ferry for about four hours, which leaves you just enough time to walk around town before returning to Split for the evening.
Šibenik
Another amazing spot along the Dalmatian Coast is the town of Šibenik, which is about an hour northwest of Split. One of the most famous attractions near Šibenik are the waterfalls along the Krka River. Like many small towns along the Dalmatian coast, the best thing to do is just to wander the narrow cobblestone streets and explore at your own pace. The waterfront is also lined with cafes and restaurants, so you can enjoy a wonderful view of the sea while you relax with a glass of Croatian beer.
Other things to see in Šibenik include these spots:
- St. James Cathedral, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Šibenik City Museum – one of the best small-town city museums I’ve been to
- St. Michael’s Fortress – summer concerts are really popular here
- Gardens at St. Lawrence Monastery
- Lots of children’s activities, including a small aquarium
Krka Waterfalls are the main thing to see near Šibenik, so you should absolutely make time to go see them. There are boardwalks around the falls, so you can walk around to see them from different angles. You’ll be in the sun, so don’t forget a hat and sunscreen! The falls are about 25 minutes from town, so you can drive, take a bus, or sign up for a tour from Šibenik.
Most travelers pass right through Šibenik en route to the waterfalls, so it’s really a nice town to explore, and much more affordable than some of the other areas along the Dalmatian Coast.
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These are just some of my favorite spots along the Dalmatian Coast. There are lots of cool places to explore in Croatia, as well as nearby Montenegro and Slovenia. While less popular than nearby Italy, Croatia tourism is growing every year, so we suggest going sooner rather than later! Want more travel tips for Croatia and the Mediterranean? Check out some of our other blog posts: