Makarska © Milan Babic/Croatia Tourist Board
Makarska
About 30 miles (47km) south of Split is the popular holiday town
of Makarska, with its stone cobbled streets and natural harbour
fringed with the two green peninsulas of Osejava and St Peter.
Standing sentinel over the town is Mount Biokovo. This scenically
beautiful spot offers secluded beaches washed by an azure sea, and
it lies at the heart of the Makarska Riviera characterised by pine
forests and a string of white pebble beaches. The town was an
important trading port during its colourful history, which spans
occupation by the Venetians, Turks, French and Austrians, all of
whom left a taste of their culture and tradition behind. The town
boasts a world-renowned collection of sea shells, and a Franciscan
monastery dating from the 16th century, a Venetian fountain,
several churches and Baroque palaces, but its main attraction is
its scenic setting.
Website: www.makarska.com
Hvar Island © Juraj Kopac
Hvar Island
Off of the coast of Split, just 15 nautical miles (24km) from
Baska Voda and accessible by ferry, is the island of Hvar, which
abounds with Romanesque and Renaissance buildings and a true
Mediterranean atmosphere. The island is noted for its fertile soil
and was the site of the world’s first parcelling out of
arable land by the ancient Greeks, who farmed there. It is now
mainly a wine-growing area. The island’s main towns are
Vrboska and Jelsa, famed for their Dalmatian wines, and it is
dotted with picturesque villages.
Trogir old town © Judith Duk
Trogir
The beautiful old walled town of Trogir is a world heritage site
enclosing a maze of cobblestone streets; Romanesque, Renaissance
and Baroque architecture; and one of the finest cathedrals in the
country. The old town is situated on a tiny island between the
mainland and the island of Ciovo and is interconnected by bridges.
The narrow streets hide countless restaurants and cafes, shops and
shuttered residences and outside the city walls is a waterfront
promenade lined with yachts and dominated by a medieval fortress
that was once connected to the city walls. A popular excursion from
Trogir is a boat trip to the nearby islands, Drvenik Mali and
Drvenik Veli, whose beaches and secluded coves provide an idyllic
getaway.
Transport: Bus 37 leaves from Split’s local bus station every 20 minutes
Zlatni Rat beach, Brac Island © Ivo Pervan/Croatia Tourist Board
Brac Island
Brac's main claim to fame is the strip of beach near the resort
of Bol that stretches out like a finger into the sea, which is
featured on almost all Croatian tourist brochures, but the island
is also known for its white stone which is exported; Brac's white
stone was used to build Washington DC's White House as well as the
Diocletian's Palace in Split. Bol is also the windsurfing capital
of Croatia. Bol and Supetar are the two main resorts on the island
with attractive old towns and a laid-back charm. The rest of the
island boasts numerous villages and dramatic coastal scenery.
Website: www.bracinfo.com;
Transport: The Jadrolinija car ferry has regular services to Supetar on Brac Island from Split
Sibenik © Damir Fabijanic/Croatia Tourist Board
Sibenik
Sibenik is home to the crowning glory of the Dalmatian coast,
the Cathedral of St Jacob, which was the masterpiece of sculptor
Juraj Dalmatinac. It is reputedly the largest church in the world
to be built entirely from stone and is unusual for its 71 stone
heads on the exterior walls, a beautiful baptistery, the domed roof
complex and various works of art in the interior of the building.
The city also makes a good base from which to visit the nearby Krka
National Park.
Transport: There are regular trains and buses between Split and Sibenik, taking about two hours
