What to know before visiting the Dalmatian coast

This guide will give you an overview of the Dalmatian coast: things to do, the best places to visit, what to expect weather-wise, and more.

Where is the Dalmatian coast, Croatia?

The Dalmatian coast stretches down Croatia’s Adriatic coast, covering some 400km north to south.

The region of Dalmatia, which reaches a little way inland, is split into three regions: North, Central and South Dalmatia.

• North Dalmatia is considered to begin with the Kvarner Riviera and end at the coastal town of Primosten

• Central Dalmatia runs from Trogir to Ploce, and includes Split, Hvar and Brac

• Southern Dalmatia continues all the way down to the border with Montenegro

What’s the weather like on the Dalmatian coast?

Summer temperatures on the Dalmatian coast are hot and mainly dry, with average highs of 28-30°C. The maestral wind often blows, keeping things from getting too hot. Rainfall is slightly higher in the north than in the south.

Spring months are warm rather than hot – expect temperatures in the high teens and early twenties – while autumn sees similar temperatures but a little more rain, particularly as you move towards the end of October and into November.

When it comes to winter in the Dalmatian coast Croatia, weather tends to be cool and rainy. Northern areas may experience the bura wind at times, which can be strong and brings the temperature down. The jugo wind is warmer but often brings rain.

When is the best time to visit the Dalmatian coast?

Spring, summer and autumn are all great times to visit the Dalmatian coast.

• In the spring, you can enjoy cooler temperatures, fewer crowds in the cities and on the islands, and an abundance of wildflowers.

• Summer is hot and perfect for making the most of the beaches, though it can get busy in spots like Hvar, Split and Dubrovnik.

• Early autumn is one of our favourite times of year for Dalmatian coast small ship cruises, as sea temperatures are at their warmest – ideal for swims straight off the boat.

Things to do in the Dalmatian coast

Soak up the history in the cities

You’ve got three big-name cities to choose from along the Dalmatian coast: Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik.

Zadar is the least crowded in terms of tourists, and boasts some wonderful Roman ruins. Split is home to the glorious Diocletian’s Palace (read more about this in our ‘best places to visit in Dalmatian coast’ section). And Dubrovnik boasts one of the best-preserved old towns in the world.

It’s easy to visit two, if not all three, on your trip – a number of our Dalmatian coast small ship cruises include the cities in the itinerary.

Hop between island towns

Make time to visit a few island towns – they might be lesser known that the big cities, but they’re still packed with historical charm. Particular favourites include Stari Grad on Hvar, Korcula Town and Rab Town.

Exploring on foot with a guide will unlock some of the fascinating stories of these towns and allow you to get up close to the beautiful architecture.

Enjoy the beaches

Spending time on the beach is one of the top things to do in the Dalmatian coast. Croatia’s beaches tend to be pebbly, rather than sandy, which makes for beautifully clear waters. While some beaches will have beach clubs where you can rent loungers and parasols, the majority of beaches – particularly on the islands – tend to be unspoilt coves.

One of the benefits of exploring Croatia on a small ship cruise is that your captain will be able to drop anchor close to quieter, off-the-beaten-track beaches, so you can enjoy swims in secluded bays.

Sample local cuisine

Menus in this part of Croatia lean heavily on local produce – think seafood, fresh herbs and plenty of olive oil. There’s an Italian influence too, which you’ll notice through the abundance of pasta and risotto dishes available.

Look out for seafood stews, fish drizzled with rosemary-infused olive oil, and black risotto (the colour comes from cuttlefish ink – watch out for black teeth after you eat!). You’ll also find some delicious beef stews (often slow-cooked and melt-in-the-mouth tender) and smoky pršut (similar to prosciutto).

Try Croatian wine

The Dalmatian coast produces some excellent wines, often grown on fairly challenging terrain. Local varieties to look out for include: plavac mali, a robust red; spicy babić; fruity zinfandel; and pošip, Croatia’s best-known white wine. There are also a number of specialist grapes only grown in certain areas of the Dalmatian coast, such as Žlahtina, a white wine grape grown exclusively in Krk.

Best places to visit along the Dalmatian coast

Dubrovnik

UNESCO-listed Dubrovnik is well worth adding to your itinerary for the Dalmatian coast. Things to do here include walking the historic city walls (time it for sunset if you can), exploring the cathedral and visiting one of the grand palaces.

Dubrovnik is also a great jumping-off point for day trips to the Elaphiti Islands of Sipan, Kolocep and Lopud.

Split

Split is Croatia’s second largest city, and nestles along the coast in Central Dalmatia. The highlight here is Diocletian’s Palace, built as a retirement residence and fortress for a Roman emperor back in AD 295.

The architecture is beautiful (and instantly recognisable to any Game of Thrones fans), but what’s really interesting is how the city has grown in and around the palace, with apartments, shops and businesses housed within the old buildings.

Trogir

Trogir is one of the lesser-known spots along the Dalmatian coast, but it’s a real beauty and well worth visiting.

The UNESCO-protected old town displays a diverse collection of architectural styles, from the Romanesque cathedral to Venetian palaces and Gothic churches.

Along the seafront you’ll find a wide promenade flanked by palms, cafes and bars – a fantastic place to spend an hour or two.

Hvar

One of Croatia’s most glamorous locations (and supposedly its sunniest), Hvar is a popular pick with the yacht set in the summer months. Look beyond the beach clubs and pricey restaurants, though, and you’ll find there’s a lot more to this island than meets the eye.

Hvar Town and Stari Grad both boast a wealth of historical buildings, while the fertile plain of Velo Polje is the place to go to sample island-made wine and walk through purple-haze lavender fields.

Rab

Nicknamed Croatia’s ‘happiest island’, Rab is a beautifully green island of pine forests, olive groves and vineyards. Its picture-perfect old town is a jumble of cobbled streets and terracotta-roofed stone houses, with a quartet of bell towers dotting the skyline.

The island has plenty of beaches too, and (unusually for Croatia) many of them are sandy. Paradise Beach is one of the most popular; for a quieter atmosphere, try Cifnata (busy in high summer but blissfully quiet in shoulder seasons).

Korcula

Korcula’s medieval main town is its biggest draw (though it does also boast some beautiful beaches and unspoilt countryside). Quieter than nearby Hvar, Korcula still has a pleasantly lively atmosphere.

Wander through the streets of its walled old town (arranged in a ‘fishbone’ pattern to shelter residents from the chilly northern winds that blow in winter), stopping to visit the Gothic-Renaissance cathedral and the interesting town museum.

Cruising the Dalmatian coast

Dalmatian coast small ship cruises offer a relaxed way to see more of this spectacular region. Our ships welcome around 30-35 guests at a time, so they have a friendly, laid-back atmosphere with truly personal service.

Routes are planned in advance, with stops in quiet bays and ports that the bigger ships can’t reach. That said, small ships can be flexible – there’s always the chance that you might divert to catch a particularly beautiful sunset over an island, or pit-stop for a swimming opportunity.

With a week’s cruise, you’ll be able to tick off multiple islands and cities, with the journey between each being as much a part of the experience. Chat with new friends on deck, perhaps enjoying a glass of Croatian wine. Or relax with a good book and a backdrop of the glittering Adriatic Sea.

Find out more about our small ship cruises and Croatia holidays.