The island of Hvar is located about 80km from Split and is one of the favorite spots of tourists visiting Croatia. Due to its popularity, the island is swarming with people between the summer months of July and September, but if you are lucky enough to come earlier, April is a great month and prices are lower. The island is known under the name of Pharos in Greek and Italian Lesina. It is part of the administrative region of Split. To get there, you take a ferry from Jadrolinja, there are faster ones only carry passengers, so you can do this and just walk back, but considering that the island is not small, it is wise for you to go with a car. It isn't cheap to bring a car on the ferry (about 60 euros), so the other option is to go up and rent one there. The island was Venetian, then became part of the Habsburg Empire and the French Empire during the Napoleonic Wars. Its rich history makes it more interesting.
The church of St Lovro, also known as San Lorenzo de Trogir, is the jewel of this small town that UNESCO has declared a World Heritage Site. It can be found on the Croatian coast, about 30 kilometers from Split. You can't miss taking a trip here. Going into the church is free, but in order to climb up to the tower and admire the gorgeous view, you'll have to pay two or three euros. In the church, the sculptures are beautiful, and there are richly decorated ceilings. I can honestly say it's one of the few times I've seen a representation of God, flowing from the ceiling, to convey a message to his people. Overall, God is represented as a human. This Romanesque church has three naves, and was built on the remains of an ancient Christian church, destroyed during an Arab invasion. Construction began in the thirteenth century, and the thinnest part is the front door, which is 1240, and one of the masterpieces of the famous Radovan, one of the greatest sculptors of the country. The door depicts scenes from the Bible and the birth of Christ. On the other side, there are two lions, in which Adam and Eve are sitting.
They sell it as "the Mediterranean as it once was", which is quite an advertising campaign hook, quite unrealistic in my opinion. In any case, the Dalmatian coast is a beautiful place to visit and a good way to explore it is on one of the small cruises that run through it. These boats have a limited number of berths (about 15 or so) but this made us build a really good rapport with the other passengers. During the day you can sunbathe on deck and in the evenings you make stops at Dubrovnik, Korcula, Hvar, etc.. One of the most interesting places was the famous Zlatni Rat beach or Golden Horn and, although the ship cannot dock at the shore, it is well worth it.
Ancient and beautiful, Trogir is a small town on the Adriatic very near Dubrovnik. The city is on an island and its harbor are private cruises of kings and princes. No wonder: Trogir is a spectacular Gothic-Romanesque city that traces its origins to when a Greek colony was established there. The amazing thing is that through the centuries the city was growing and changing, but always keeping a Greek colony. Medieval Trogir was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Walled, gleaming white (the streets are paved with marble), full of palaces, towers, noble houses, and Romanesque churches, Trogir is a beautiful ride from Dubrovnik. Inescapable.
Mljet is an island in the south of Croatia and can be reached by ferry from Dubrovnik. It is not simple, the hours are not practical or frequent. The journey from the capital lasts 1 hour. From the port of Polace one cannot appreciate the beauty of the island which is covered with forest in 70% of the area, 3000 hectares of park that is a nature reserve in the. Enjoy the scenery, the sun and the breeze is great if on a bike, which is the best way to get around the island and can be rented by the hour. The island is made up of 2 salt lakes where you can go swimming quietly and enjoy the silence. You can also get close to the Monastery of Santa Maria in Unije, the setting for many works of Croatian literature. The island has a population of about 1000 people and has only one hotel. Except tourist excursions from Dubrovnik in August, you will find peace and tranquility in this beautiful island in the Adriatic.
Historically, the port of Split was nothing more than a dock and a pier for the boats passing by. But trade gradually grew and, as Split expanded, it became one of the main ports of the Mediterranean in the seventeenth century. However, between wars with Candia in 1645 and Morea in 1685, and the endless struggles between the Venetians and Turks for control of the city, its glory didn't last forever. Today it is a major port with daily ferries heading to the nearby islands. It only costs 2-3 euros to take the ferry on foot, but it can get more expensive if you bring a car.
Croatian tourist brochures constantly show the image of Zlatni Rat beach, and it's not a surprise since it's one of the most unique beaches in Croatia. The famous Golden Horn is a projection of sand several feet high, forming a kind of crescent over the waters of the Adriatic sea. When it's not too crowded and the weather is nice, the beach has spectacular views. The only problem is that the beach is very popular, meaning sometimes its a bit cluttered and uncomfortable. Next to the beach there is a rocky area which you can bathe in, enjoying the calmness of the sea without the tourists, even in midsummer. In any case, I recommend visiting the beach out of season or early in the morning, before the masses arrive!
It is impossible to miss the enormous Grgur Ninski Statue that welcomes you at the entrance to the walls of Split. People touch the foot for good luck, so you can see that the big toe of the statue has worn to a golden color from people following this custom! Gregory of Nin (Grgur Ninski) was a tenth-century bishop, known for standing up to the Pope and conducting Mass in the Croatian language. Prior to that, it was only said in Latin, and a largely illiterate population had no idea what was being said. Before the Second World War, this statue used to stand in Diocletian's Palace, but the Italians took it down during the occupation of the city.
La Isla de Mjetes is an authentic paradise! Lose yourself in its wonders for few days and relax! It has two lakes (Veliko and Malo jezero jezero). On the island of Santa Maria, in the big lake, lies a convent, rebuilt several times, which is from the Renaissance period. A Mjet can be reached by boat from the port of Dubrovnik, so if you visit do not miss going to this island!
The Riva is the main promenade of the city of Split. I like it because on one side you can see the walls of Split and Diocletian's Palace, full of small shops and bustling activity, while on the other you can see the harbor with pleasure craft and ferries going to the nearby islands. This is where people go to have an ice cream, but all day you'll only see tourists here: the locals know that the heat is just too much to come here for a walk! There are lots of restaurants here with outdoor seating and while none of them offer cheap food, the quality is good. Go downtown if you're just after a slice of pizza: here you'll find white linen tablecloths and silver cutlery. During the summer you'll see street markets, festivals and performances along the Riva.
One of the most amazing things you can see in Croatia is the Palace of Diocletian, built nearly 2,500 years ago. The incredible thing about it is that this palace has been merged into part of the city, and more than 2,000 people live there today. Inside you'll find homes, pharmacies, shops...it's amazing how well-preserved it is, as you'll see as you stroll through the streets. Only one drawback: the huge number of tourists from large cruise ships, which makes it lose much of its charm.
The Cathedral of St. Duje (or San Domnius, in Croatian, Cathedral of St. Svetog Dujma) is a Croatian Catholic cathedral that belongs to the Archdiocese of Split-Makarska. Originally the mausoleum of Emperor Diocletian, it was later made into a cathedral in the 8th century and makes up part of Diocletian's Palace, and is considered now a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The Golden Gate, or Porta Aurea, is one of the main entrances on the eastern half of the Split city walls. In front of the door is a huge statue of Grgur Ninski which has become an emblem of the city. Residents touch his toe for good luck. The entire old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and there are four entrances to the palace. But you're not entering a ruin: this is the way into the old city, and what was once an exclusive palace is today lived in by ordinary citizens. A wonderful example of living history.
This beautiful city called Makarska (Italian: Makarska, in German: Macharscha) is a town on the Adriatic coast of Croatia, about 60 km. Southeast of Split and 140 km. Northwest of Dubrovnik. It belongs to the region of Split-Dalmatia. Many tourists come to the spot. The bay where it is situated is between the Biokovo mountains and the Adriatic Sea, over a spread that is shaped like a horseshoe. One of the most known aspects of the city is its promenade, which is beautifully adorned with palm trees, and cafes, bars, and nice shops can be strolled which overlook the small port and the moored boats. Along the beach there are several hotels and a campsite. The center of Makarska is a citadel of cobblestoned streets with a main square in front of the church where there is a flower and fruit market, and a Franciscan monastery that houses a collection of seashells. Makarska is the center of the Makarska Riviera, which stretches 60 miles Larto. Between the towns of Brela and Gradac. In summer, tens of thousands of tourists come to the area from Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Sweden, Slovenia, Hungary, Bosnia-Herzegovina and other countries.
The peristyle is a monumental courtyard, which was formed on the northern entry point to Diocletian's imperial apartments. Now it is the heart of the palace, which is still very lively with tourists of course, but there is also a bar where people come to enjoy drinks, a bank, and tourist information desk. The peristyle used to offer access to the mausoleum of Diocletian, which is now the cathedral Sv Domnio of Split, and three temples on the west. Two of them were destroyed, the third is now a baptistery. The door through which you could enter this part of the palace was the most magnificent, the golden door. It is a magical place, surrounded by birds, it is truly unique. There is Roman and Greek architecture, the peristyle was a place with columns surrounding a courtyard, a place of life most of all, where people gathered to talk, teach and sell their stuff. The entire is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The 'Stari Grad' (which in Croatian means 'old city') of the paradise island of Hvar is located approximately 30 minutes from the center of Hvar, by bus, and recommend having a visit. The city, which is clustered on a deep bay, is surrounded by a landscape dotted with olive groves and vineyards, being one of the oldest in Croatia, as it was founded in 384 by Greek sailors. Stari Grad is little, and just as many years ago, it is centered around its harbor. It is a pleasure to walk down its promenades. It overlooks the pretty stone houses, some with Greeks remnants, craft shops and small inns and taverns. Going from the port into the town, the streets become narrow for a couple of blocks only to open again into a square which is dominated by a simple church. The pace of life in Stari Grad is slow and calm, as if time did not exist.
Without doubt this bar has the best views of the ancient city of Split! It's up on Marjan hill the green lung of Split. It's amazing because when we got to Split we only saw large buildings everywhere but this beautiful and green hill appeared in front of us. We loved going up there to have at drink in the bar at dusk.
The beers cost you 1.50 or 2 euros, offering snacks, like most restaurants on the Croatian coast, there is a strong Italian influence in the food, for example pizzas and other Mediterranean tapas. But most of all you have to go for the views. The name of the bar, as you can see in the pictures, is in Hebrew, so you'll have to look for it, luckily there's only one. It's at the top of the stairs rising from the center of the city.
It is the part that starts next to the peristyle of Diocletian's Palace, in the center of the town of Split.It is very well preserved, with Romanesque arches, and now hosts a market of souvenirs and local products. Diocletian's apartments were just above this structure. They tried to fill this part with cement to cover it, but protection agencies landmarks saved it and now it is a lovely place that combines history with modernity. With the shape of the arches, we realize we were above the flat spaces of the emperor. The rest, you already know. The typical souvenir market with postcards, sunglasses, useless objects, some with white stone from the region itself is beautiful, and that the early morning till late.