Dubrovnik and Dalmacija travel guide

Omiš
Set at the point where the
Cetina river emerges from its
rugged gorge to discharge into
the Adriatic, Omiš is a good base
for rafting trips (see p44), and a
convenient jumping-off point for
the gorge and its enjoyable fish
restaurants. Once a notorious
pirate bolthole, these days Omiš
is a largely modern town, although
it does have a small historic
quarter, and there are some
atmospheric old fortifications in
the hills above the town. Map
E5 • Tourist info: Trg Kneza Branislava bb.
021 861 350. www.tz-omis.hr
Živogoše and Zaostrog
At the southern end of the
Makarska Riviera is the small
resort of Živogoše. The oldest
settlement on this stretch of the
coastline, it is home to a 17thcentury
Franciscan monastery
with an impressive Baroque altar
and a renowned library whose
holdings shed light on life during
the Ottoman occupation of the
region. Slightly further south is
Zaostrog, home to an older (16thcentury)
Franciscan monastery,
an attractive site with a small art
gallery and folk museum. Map
H1 • Tourist info: Živogoše bb. 021 605
069. www.zivogosce.hr
Island-hopping
Morning
During high season, a
number of companies
operate hydrofoils that
help the big Jadrolinija
ferries (see p103) transport
passengers around the
central Dalmatian islands,
making it possible to spend
a long day island-hopping.
Start the day with a light
breakfast at one of the
small quayside cafés near
the ferry terminal in Split
before heading out on the
first Jadrolinija ferry to Vis
(see p84). After a stroll
around Vis Town’s waterfront,
head for the Venetianstyle
Kut district (see p37)
in time for lunch at one of
its excellent restaurants
(see pp48, 87). Head back
to the ferry terminal and
catch a fast ferry to Hvar
Town (see p36). If you’ve
overindulged, you can
work off lunch with a brisk
hike up to the fortress
above the town.
Afternoon
Time now for the last island
of the day, so head by
hydrofoil to the resort of
Bol on the island of Bra
(see p84), home to Croatia’s
most famous beach, Zlatni
Rat (see p42). If the fancy
takes you, you could relax
and spend the night here.
Otherwise, head back to
Split – either from Bol, or
from the port of Supetar on
the other side of the island,
where Jadrolinija ferries
run till late.
Around Central Dalmatia
Franciscan monastery, Zaostrog
Note: sailing schedules are
liable to change as often as
the unpredictable Adriatic
winds, so this itinerary
should be carefully
planned. Check timetables
at the ferry terminal in Split,
or at the kiosks at the
southern end of the Riva.
When travelling by ferry, take plenty of sunscreen if you plan on
sitting or standing outside for any length of time.
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