Where is Dalmatia?

• Dalmatia is a coastal region in southern Croatia, known for its historic cities, scenic islands, and crystal-clear Adriatic waters.

• Travellers can reach Dalmatia via major airports like Split and Dubrovnik, with ferries and car rentals offering easy access to islands and inland areas.

• Top experiences include island hopping, exploring national parks, wine tasting, and enjoying local cuisine along the Dalmatian Coast.

Dalmatia’s history stretches back for centuries, when it was a Roman province, later part of the medieval kingdom of Croatia before being ruled by the Republic of Venice, and today it’s one of the most popular areas of Croatia and Montenegro to visit.

To answer the question ‘where is Dalmatia?’, officially the region stretches from the island of Rab in the north to the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro in the south, and includes the coastal region of Croatia around Dubrovnik and Split, as well as a string of Adriatic islands. In practice, the islands of the Kvarner Gulf are not normally considered part of Dalmatia, although they may be combined with Dalmatian islands on holidays in Croatia.

Not only one of the loveliest parts of Croatia, Dalmatia is also one of the easiest to explore, via its cities or on a small ship cruise along the Adriatic coast.

There are a string of direct flights from the UK to Dalmatia, in particular to the area’s two biggest cities, Dubrovnik and Split. You can also find direct flights to the northern end of Dalmatia, to Zadar international airport, from various UK airports, including Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Edinburgh, along with London airports. It’s also possible to cross from Montenegro to nearby Dubrovnik and explore southern Dalmatia.

With the Dalmatian coast stretching for around 300 miles, the easiest way to get around is by water, hopping between the mainland cities and the Dalmatian islands to see some of the highlights of the area. The best option is a small ship cruise, whisking you from destination to destination without any hassle.

MV Dalmatia small ship

Our Dalmatian Island Explorer cruise visits Split and Dubrovnik, several islands and the Dalmatian coast, while the Adriatic Coast Explorer takes you to the northern part of Dalmatia, including Krka National Park, along with Zadar, Split and some of the islands. Or the Croatian Island Discovery cruise visits Opatija and Krk, just north of Rab before heading south along the Dalmatian coast. There are also ferry links running between some islands, but travelling independently does take longer, so you’ll need more time to get around as well as needing to plan your own transport.

The shoulder season of May-June and September-October are the best times to visit Dalmatia, as you’ll find pleasant sun without the soaring temperatures of midsummer, and fewer crowds than the busier months.

The weather is usually good if you’re planning to walk in the national parks or sightsee in the cities, and to swim in the sea – water temperatures tend to be higher in September after the summer’s sun, while June is also good if you’re hoping for a dip, although early May can feel a little brisk for a swim.

One of the most tempting reasons to take a holiday in Dalmatia is the chance to mix Croatia’s coast and cities in one trip – here’s where to include on your wishlist.

Dubrovnik Old Town

Dubrovnik coast

Diocletian Palace, Split

Split harbour

Zadar Sea Organ

Zadar

Dalmatia is home to two of Croatia’s most popular cities, Dubrovnik and Split. Packed with history, it’s easy to fill days exploring, before heading off to explore the surrounding coast and countryside.

• Dubrovnik – the medieval walled city is one of the most memorable locations in the country, a republic for centuries which rivalled Venice for wealth and power. Don’t miss the chance to walk Dubrovnik's historic city walls, as well as visiting the Rector’s Palace, where the city’s ruler lived during his brief term in office.

• Split – Dalmatia’s largest city, Split was once the palace of the emperor Diocletian, with the ancient streets now transformed into the historic centre. Once you’ve visited the ancient sites, save time to stroll along the Riva, as the palm-lined waterfront promenade is known, and to explore the forest trails of Marjan Hill park.

• Zadar – in the north of Dalmatia, this port city often gets overlooked by visitors to Croatia, but you’d be missing out. Alfred Hitchcock called Zadar’s sunsets the most beautiful in the world, while the city’s Sea Organ uses the movement of the waves to make music.

Hvar

There are 1,244 islands dotted off the coast of Croatia, hundreds of them in Dalmatia, ranging from better-known spots like glamorous Hvar to quiet unspoiled nature reserves.

• Hvar – a favourite with celebrities and the jetset, who flock to the beach clubs in summer, there’s a quieter side to Hvar. Ancient Stari Grad is one of Europe’s oldest towns, while you can also explore the Renaissance cathedral in Hvar Town, and soak up the views from the island fortress overlooking the harbour.

• Brač – the third largest island in the Adriatic, Brač is a quieter alternative to its more high-profile neighbours. Famous for its olive oil and gleaming white stone, you can hike through forests or relax at Zlatni Rat, in the island’s south, where the wind and waves changes the shape of this beach each day.

• Korčula – said to be the birthplace of Marco Polo, this jewel of an island is packed with Venetian-style buildings, lining a winding maze of cobbled alleys inside the medieval walls. It’s been called a mini Dubrovnik, with art by Tintoretto in the cathedral and wonderful views from the Revelin Tower.

• Mljet – according to legend, Mljet inspired the paradise island of Ogygia in Homer’s Odyssey, with a chance to visit Odysseus’s cave, where the hero is said to have been held as an enchanted captive for seven years. As you wander the forest, discovering lakes and vineyards, that doesn’t seem a terrible punishment.

• The Elafiti Islands – this small group of islands is just a short journey from Dubrovnik, with beautiful golden sand beaches on Lopud, peace and tranquillity on car-free Kolocep, and the colourful fishing boats bobbing in the harbour of Sipan.

• Vis - One of the smallest islands in Croatia, Vis is also easily one of the country’s most unusual. This former Yugoslav military base, it has only been open to the public since Croatia gained independence in 1991. Still undeveloped, its unspoiled scenery is the biggest draw.

Krka National Park

You’ll find one of Croatia’s most popular national parks in Dalmatia, with the waterfalls of Krka, as well as two sets of protected island reserves.

• Krka National Park – the spectacular string of waterfalls are what make Krka National Park stand out. Around an hour from Split, it’s a haven for wildlife, especially the less visited areas of the national park, with trails through the forests and a river running to the coast and the town of Skradin.

• Kornati National Park – more than 140 uninhabited islands and islets make up the archipelago of the Kornati Islands, one of Dalmatia’s three national parks. You’ll find vineyards amid the forests, and it’s one of the loveliest areas to swim and snorkel.

• Mljet National Park – covering around a third of the island of Mljet, this protected corner of Dalmatia was given national park statue in 1960. There are trails through the forests of the reserve, with two saltwater lakes; one is home to its own smaller island, with a 12th century monastery at its heart.

Although it’s easy to spend days in Dalmatia’s cities, the best holidays to this part of Croatia include a mix of things to do – here’s our pick of the best.

Croatia’s islands are one of its jewels, scattered through the deep blue Adriatic, with a chance to discover unspoiled nature as well as historic towns as you go. One island is simply never enough, so island-hopping along the Dalmatian coast to destinations such as Hvar, Brac, Korčula, Mljet, the Kornati islands and the Elaphiti islands is one of the best things to do in Dalmatia.

If you prefer to base yourself in one or two locations in Dalmatia, you can still explore further with boat tours taking you along the Dalmatian coast. From Dubrovnik, it’s easy to explore the little island of Lokrum, home to wild peacocks, as well as the Elafiti islands. Or from Split, you’re just a short journey from Hvar and Brac, and the Makarska Riviera with its beaches and pretty villages. UNESCO-listed Trogir, a short journey up the coast from Split, still has some of its medieval walls, along with a beautifully preserved old town.

Dalmatia’s cuisine is a delicious mix of traditional Croatian and Mediterranean flavours, packed with herbs, olive oil and fresh ingredients. Unsurprisingly given the long coastline, Dalmatian food is known for its fantastic fish and seafood, including calamari, mussels and shrimp, which also turns up in stews.

Don’t miss Mali Ston oysters, which have been farmed here since Roman times, and which are regarded as one of the greatest seafood delicacies in the world.

Dalmatinska pašticada

But you’ll also find meat, including dalmatinska pašticada, a beef stew which takes two days to prepare and is traditionally served for celebrations and feast days, along with other meats cooked under a bell-shaped lid known as peka. Or from the island of Pag, the local hard sheep cheese regularly wins awards, thanks to the diets of grass, herbs and flowers eaten by the sheep which provide the milk. Finish with a glass of Maraschino, made in Zadar from local Marasca cherries.

There are more than 300 geographically-defined wine-producing areas in Croatia, and you’ll discover vineyards dotted everywhere you look, including some of the little islands of the Adriatic. Dalmatian wines are known particularly for vintages made using is the red Plavac Mali grape and the white Pošip grape, particularly on Korcula island. Look out too for Maraština, once the most widespread white variety in Dalmatia and which has been grown in the area since before official records began.

From coastal walks to the countryside of the national parks and island escapes, Dalmatia is the perfect place to get outdoors in nature. The island of Mljet is mostly national park, while the unspoiled islands in the Kornati National Park are another great place to explore on foot.

On Brac, climb Vidova Gora, the highest point in the Adriatic islands, before relaxing by the clear turquoise waters. On the mainland, Krka National Park has some beautiful and easy walks past the waterfalls, as well as more challenging hikes into other parts of the park. Even in the cities, you can find some lovely walking; in Split, Marjan Hill park has a string of tempting paths under the trees, many leading to little coves, while you can also hike up Mount Srd in Dubrovnik.

Discover Dalmatia on one of our holidays to Croatia. Explore the coast on a small ship cruise or escorted tour, or stay in one of our selected hotels.