Holidays in Dalmatia - 10 favourites on the Croatian coast

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: August 2026 | Dreaming of a holiday in Dalmatia, Croatia? Along the Dalmatian coast, historic towns, beautiful islands, dramatic mountains and the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic Sea await. We've travelled extensively in the area and returned several times - here are ten of our favourite places in Dalmatia, from Zadar in the north to Dubrovnik in the south.

Holidays in Dalmatia

Stretching along a large part of Croatia's Adriatic coast, Dalmatia is one of the country's most popular holiday regions, home to historic cities such as Zadar, Šibenik, Split and Dubrovnik, as well as seaside resorts along the Makarska Riviera.

Off the coast, a large archipelago spreads out with well-known islands such as Brač, Hvar, Korčula and Vis. The combination of old towns, islands, beaches, mountains and clear sea means there is plenty to choose from – whether you are looking for a beach holiday, history, nature or a round trip along the coast.

1. island of Pag

Pag is an elongated windswept island known for its salt production, special sheep's cheese and beautiful beaches. You can come here to sunbathe and swim, enjoy beautiful nature and discover the island's history.

2nd Kungastaden Nin

Nin has a history of over 3,000 years and was an important political and religious center of the emerging Croatian Kingdom during the early Middle Ages. Here you can find, among other things, the remains of a Roman temple and the small Church of the Holy Cross, often marketed as ”the world’s smallest cathedral.” In addition, Nin is known for its long sandy beaches.

3. zadar

Zadar is an exciting coastal city, full of history from different eras and modern attractions such as the Sea Organ and the Greeting to the Sun. Zadar is also an excellent starting point for excursions to national parks and islands in the Croatian archipelago.

4. trogir

Trogir is a stunning old town with its historic center located on a small island between the mainland and Čiovo. The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is filled with narrow alleys, churches, palaces and other historic buildings. It is also home to the mighty Kamerlengo Fortress from the 15th century.

5. Split

We have visited Split several times, and love this historic city, with its arches and sturdy palace walls. Diocletian's Palace in Split was built around the year 300 and still forms the very heart of the historic city center. Split also offers lots of nice outdoor cafes, a lovely promenade and a quay with ferries that go out to the various islands in the Croatian archipelago.

6. Omiš

The small town Omiš is almost unbelievably beautiful as it is sandwiched between high mountains, with the great river Cetina running right through it. This city was known in the 13th and 14th centuries as the city of pirates. The feared gangs used fast boats to attack merchant ships at the mouth of the river, and then quickly made their escape upstream. Today, the river is used for much quieter boat trips for tourists, through the intense greenery.

7. island of Brač

Feel free to visit the island Brač during your holiday in Dalmatia! On the island, you can relax in the popular tourist resort of Supetar, or cross the island to the village of Bol. Here you'll find the famous Zlatni Rat beach, which sometimes appears on lists of the best beaches in Europe or even the world. The most magical time to be here is just before or just after high season.

8th Makarska

Who has not heard of Makarska Riviera? The centre of this Riviera is of course the resort of Makarska. We thought there were perhaps a few too many Scandinavian tourists here, but on the other hand we loved the dramatic mountains, the shimmering green sea water and the long fine promenade. This is also the place where we saw the most squirrels at one time, ever.

9th Island of Hvar

Where is both the name of the island and of the well-known town of Hvar on the island's southwestern coast. Here, boat life is intense, and you can sit for a long time and watch everything from fishing boats to luxury yachts. Here is also Stari Grad, which was founded by Greek colonists in 384 BC and is considered one of Croatia's oldest towns. Don't miss it during your holiday in Dalmatia!

10. Dubrovnik

I Dubrovnik You have to be prepared to be crowded with many other tourists, but on the other hand you get to do it in a historically fantastic environment. The city's historic parts are on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and if you want you can walk on the mighty city walls and get a view of both the Adriatic Sea and the old city. Those who like fiction more than history can also get their fill here, since Dubrovnik was the filming location for many scenes in the TV series Game of Thrones.

More tips for a holiday in Dalmatia?

Have you ever been on holiday in Dalmatia, Croatia? Perhaps you have more tips on nice places along the Croatian coast?