To enjoy endless sunshine and beautiful beaches, go to the Dalmatia-Split region. The Makarska Riviera, a stretch of coastline, is complete with beaches, restaurants, cafes, clubs, kayaking, sailing, and hiking. Hvar, a large island in the area, boasts of being one of the sunniest spots in Europe, having 2715 hours of sunshine a year. Several festivals and events are held in sunny Hvar as well, meaning there is always something to do. Sailing Croatia is the best way to explore the abundant beautiful sites the country has to offer.
If ever there was a coastal region in the world considered to be the most endowed with natural beauty, Split Region in Dalmatia would likely hold the reigning title. Unique for its ever lively, yet relaxed stone quayside, Diocletian’s Palace, a monument from UNESCO’s list of world heritage, the beach of Bačvice and the game of picigin plus the Marjan forest-park, with the most beautiful view of the city, as well as a haven for all those who come to it. The guardian of Split is the centuries-old, imposing fortress of Klis, from the 9th century the centre of the Croatian princes and kings of the Trpimirović dynasty, today the filming location of the series ‘Game of Thrones’, whilst nearby Solin, ancient Salona, in the little Church of Our Lady of the Island on the Jadro River the memory of the coronation of Croatian kings is preserved.
The town, port and tourist centre of the Makarska Riviera lies between Biokovo Mountain, protected as a nature park, and the sea, among the cleanest in the entire Mediterranean. This area can boast of having long, splendid beaches, pine trees and olive groves.
Cuisine
The abundance of fresh or cooked vegetables, typically local greens, homemade cheeses, and of course lots of fish and other seafood (clams, squid, cuttlefish, octopus, lobster, shrimp).
Thin slices of air-dried Dalmatian prsut (prosciutto) are often on the appetizer list, served with olives and cheese and followed by variety of meat dishes (like pasticada) or grill meat (Veal and lamb prepared under a baking bell – Peka).
Fish like bream, sea bass, gilt-head, grouper, mackerel, sardines, the main source of protein, are prepared in Dalmatia in different ways: boiled, fish soup, dense fish stews, risottos, grilled, baked in oven, marinated and salted.
Some islands also have unique dishes prepared only here:
- Brac island Vitalac – a traditional Brac dish prepared of lamb innards, typically grilled.
- Hvar island – goat cheese in olive oil with pepper.
- Hvar Gregada – A typical Hvar dish of several kinds of fish, boiled with potatoes.
- Foccacia with salted sardines on Vis island (Vis and Komiza towns)-
- Sinj town – Arambasici, the Dalmatian specialty quite similar to sarma (stuffed cabbage rolls), just not with minced meat, but cut with a knife.
Resources
- https://croatia.hr/en-GB/experiences/active/cycling/dalmatia-split-region
- https://www.find-croatia.com/dalmatia/
- https://www.absolute-croatia.com/split-region-dalmatia
- https://split.gg/dalmatian-food/
