The beauty that is Dalmatia
Dalmatia is a place of relaxation, breathtaking views and new experiences. Nurtured in the embrace of the Adriatic, Dalmatia prides herself with mountains, islands with barren desert landscape and lush hinterland, coupled with a turquoise Adriatic Sea. The Kornati Archipelago are the biggest attraction, island-wise, because of their untouched natural beauty and clear waters, with other two national parks nearby: Paklenica and Krka. The most important towns in the north of Dalmatia are Zadar and Šibenik, containing numerous historical monuments. Cape Ploče separates the northern from the central part of Dalmatia and the islands of Brač, Vis, Šolta, Korčula, Čiovo, Hvar and Lastovo are considered to be in the domain of middle Dalmatia, with Split and Makarska being the most popular towns for touristic activity. Southern Dalmatia incorporates the islands of Mljet, Elephite islands and the Pelješac peninsula with the city of Dubrovnik proudly standing tall with its high walls joinging the sea on the horizon. Dubrovnik, the most famous tourist destination on the Mediterranean, is a town of unique cultural heritage, where most of the town is under UNESCO protection.
While staying in one of many towns in Dalmatia, do not miss out on a chance of getting to know the beauty of Dalmatian cultural heritage. The Church of St. Donat in Zadar, St. Jacob`s Cathedral in Šibenik, Diocletian`s palace in Split and the whole city of Dubrovnik, to name a few. All of this and more can be witnessed if you have a full stomach, and that won’t be difficult to accomplish in Dalmatia. Adriatic gastronomy is based on a farm-to table concept, meaning naturally grown and fresh vegetables, fish and shellfish directly from the sea, seasoned with locally grown olive oil and numerous spices. A unique blend of Mediterranean, Italian and Slavic influences produces the most wonderful dishes.
Each year in the summer, all over Dalmatia, an incredible amount of cultural happenings, musical evenings and music festivals are organized, like Sinjska Alka, a folkloric festival of knights competing at lancing. There are also Ultra Europe, the largest outdoor electronic music festival in Europe, Sound Wave Festival and SunceBeat in the town of Tisno and Fresh Island Festival in Zrće. Clubbing is also a popular option in Dalmatia, being that there are many clubs and discotheques in major cities, but smaller towns do get quieter as the night progresses: Zrće in Novalja, on the island of Pag, is known as Croatian Ibiza and is a popular party destination. Summer is the most common time for visiting Dalmatia, but sailing is possible in May and September also. It is always crowded on the mainland and big islands from July to August, but crowdedness is not encountered by those who decide to rent a boat and sail. Dalmatia has a rich touristic offer, where everyone can find something for themselves, regardless of taste.