It is not easy to determine which the most beautiful islands in Dalmatia because there are over 1,200 of them. Karst processes over the millennia have made the Dalmatian coast one of the most indented in the world so that today the islands, peninsulas and bays make up 74% of the eastern Adriatic coast.
The collision of African and the Eurasian tectonic plates approximately 30 million years ago, the Dinarides were formed, and part of the plates remained under what we now call the Adriatic Sea.
More than a million years after this event, during the ice age, the sea level was about one hundred meters lower than it is today. Almost the entire northern part of the Adriatic was dry, and the islands were connected to the mainland. Back then, the islands were part of the Dinarides mountain chain, which can still be seen on the map today when you compare the extent of the mountains and islands from northwest to southeast.
With the end of the ice age and the rise of the sea level, these mountains turned into islands whose beauty we enjoy today. It was tough, but we managed to narrow it down to our five favorites.
This aptly named island is the largest island (45 km long!) in the group of North Dalmatian islands. Those looking for a challenge can go to the southeast side of the island, which is rugged and full of cliffs, and visit the enchanting Telašćica Nature Park. On the opposite side of the island, you can relax on sandy beaches, among which the most popular is Sakarun.
You can travel around the island by car or bicycle and enjoy numerous views and good food, attend local festivals , go trekking, play paint ball in the Saljsko polje olive grove or visit over fifteen archaeological sites.
In addition to all this, you can visit several cultural sites such as the romantic chapel of St. Nicholas and the famous Veli Rat lighthouse, which with its 42 m height is the highest lighthouse on the Adriatic. We highly recommend getting on it (the fee is symbolic) because the view is fantastic! It is interesting that part of the lighthouse is rented. If this accommodation does not suit you, you can look for other properties for rent or even on for sale on Dugi otok< /a>.
It is certainly one of the main attractions of Dugi otok. It extends to 70.5 km2 if the surrounding sea and 13 islets are included. The diversity of this nature park does not stop there. It is home to over 400 plant species (including some rare and endemic), 250 species of underwater plants and 300 animal species.
Some of the most fascinating are the world-famous red coral and the unusual carnivorous sponge. We must not forget salt lake Mir, which attracts tourists because of its healing mud and which is the habitat of an endemic species of eel. Furthermore, on the slope that rises 200 m above the sea, you will find numerous birds, among others the peregrine falcon and the eleanor's falcon.
At the bottom of these cliffs, there is Telašćica Bay, which is praised as one of the largest, most beautiful and safest natural harbors on the Adriatic.
In this nature park you will find many other attractions: several archaeological sites, organized tours, water sports, cycling, cruising and a rich gastronomic offer.
There are also business opportunities here because < a href="https://www.terradalmatica.hr/nekretnina/restoran-u-parku-prirode-telascica/" target="_blank">in the middle of Telašćica, a commercial space is currently for sale, specifically a former restaurant whose location it can't be better than it is - right next to the waterfront, next to the boat mooring.
At the northwestern end of Dugi otok is the sandy beach Sakarun which appears to be almost opposite the cliffs of Telašćica. Here, the sea temperature is always perfect for swimming, since the beach is located in a deep bay. Due to the warmth, natural beauty and clarity of the sea, it attracts many visitors.
But don't worry, there's room for everyone! The bay is 800 m long, and the shallow sea allows the youngest to swim carefree. Hide from the sun in a pine tree, rent a parasol and deck chair or refresh yourself in one of the cafes and restaurants on the beach. jpg" alt="Sakarun - Dugi otok" style="width: 100%;">
On the southwestern part of the island is the mysterious Golubinka cave. It is known for the rich fauna that lives there; 50 species of sea sponges have been counted in it and it is home to about 3000 bats! In addition to the animal world, you will be able to enjoy the wonderful plays of light when the sun's rays pass through the cracks and reflect on the surface of the sea.
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Pag has a reputation as the most exposed island in the Adriatic and, in contrast to Dugi Rat, it is characterized by a weak vegetation coverage (the island is even 86% bare!). The result is a dazzling rocky landscape. The island can be reached from the north by boat from Prizna port, and from the south it is connected to the coast by the Pag Bridge.
If the coast and landscape were not as they are, Pag would not be adorned with the following two beauties.
The path to the top can be as easy or as difficult as you choose; you can follow the marked hiking trail from Dubrava or Kolan, and if you want to be relaxed, access by car is possible from Šimun.
Perhaps precisely because of the bare terrain, there are numerous beautiful beaches on Pag, some rocky, some sandy, and some mixed. Most of the beaches on Pag are perfect for family visits and children's entertainment.
Ručica Beach is a combination of sand and gravel. The easy entrance makes it a great choice for families with children.
Plaža Planjka (also known as Trinćel) is another sandy beach, near Stara Novalja. Opposite Ručica, there are significantly more attractions such as slides, trampolines, children's playgrounds, sea rides, sports activities, catering facilities, etc. Due to the clean sea and sand, it is decorated with the Blue Flag. All this makes it another a favorite choice for families with children.
Due to the cleanliness of the sea, the ease of access and the wide selection of restaurants, the sandy beach of Caska near Zrć is also a great choice for families with children.
Jadra, only a 20-minute walk away from Novalja, is one of the few pebble beaches that we single out. However, it is also very popular among a wide range of visitors, including families with children, because its entrances to the sea are arranged, and above it there is a sunbathing area sprinkled with sand. Most of the beach is great for families, and one part is set aside as a beach for dogs. It has a separate nudist beach.
Plat Beach is rocky, but as soon as you enter the sea, you step on soft sand. It is a great choice for friends and family gatherings, even if you have a dog. Fun is guaranteed on it with canoes and pedal boats!
As the last attraction on Pag, we highlight the famous pebble beach Beritnica, which is 12 km from Novalja. This oasis is much more secluded than other beaches. It is possible to approach it by boat or on foot (about 20 minutes from Metajna). It is a great choice for active types, because the Stogaj climbing area is immediately above it, and in February/March, the trail run Life on Mars is held there.
Brac is the most accessible island from this list and the closest to the mainland , and the visit is definitely worth it! Due to the good connection with the mainland and numerous benefits, Brac is becoming more and more popular, so it is increasingly difficult to find real estate there. However, occasionally one comes across a gem like this land on the south side of Brač, which has access to a pebble beach and a divine view of the nearby islands.
If you are interested in cultural assets, on Brač it is worth visiting the defense walls of the Illyrian settlement from the 3rd century in Škripa (the oldest settlement on the island), the Roman castle Radojković, which today houses the Museum of the Island of Brač, the baroque church of St. Mary in Nerežišći, church all. Peter and Paul also in Nerežišći, from whose roof a pine grows, etc.
For nature lovers, there are quarries in the vicinity of Pučišće from which the stone from Brač was extracted, from which Diocletian's Palace was built in nearby Split and the White House in Washington! In the Zmajeva spilja, in the 15th century, there was a temple of Glagolitic priests, the same ones who founded the Blacu hermitage in 1551. In addition to this, there are numerous other natural assets.
At 778m above sea level, Vidova gora is the highest peak of all the Adriatic islands.
The ascent begins on an asphalt road that starts on the Kneževravan plateau near Nerežišće. An alternative is to start from Bol, but this route is much more difficult, but also more beautiful. The well-marked and maintained hiking trails on that side start from the church of Our Lady of Carmel and lead you through rugged terrain to the very top.
The steep mountain climb pays off when you see the Adriatic sea and the nearby islands of Hvar, Šolta and Vis, and on the mainland the mountains of Mosor and Biokovo. In addition, you will be greeted by the remains of an Illyrian fortress and an old Croatian chapel and, to refresh yourself, a tavern!
This pebble beach attracts many tourists and has been declared one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world! Favorable wind and sea current make it a popular destination for sailors. The famous peak of Zlatni Rat constantly bends under the influence of sea currents, so it looks different every time you visit!
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Hvar also becomes a more and more popular destination year by year< /b> so people struggle to find an apartment to rent or a property they can buy on Hvar< /a>.
Why? In addition to an extremely rich social (and night) life, on Hvar you can see the fortress Fortica from the 16th century, the Hvar Cathedral of St. Stjepana, the Hvar theater, the Franciscan monastery from the 15th century, the Benedictine monastery from the 17th century and the old town field whose history dates back to antiquity. Swim on one of the many sandy beaches around Jelsa, treat yourself to a ride through the lavender fields near Gdinje or take a boat trip to the Paklenski otok.
This group of about 20 islets is located directly in front of the town of Hvar and is today a well-known Hvar tourist resort. With the smell of heath that covers these islands (as opposed to lavender that smells all over Hvar), numerous restaurants, bars and picnic spots, these islands attract many visitors and are full of life. They are also known for their nudist beaches, but also sailing bays such as Vinogradisc on the island of Saint Klement.
Somewhat quieter than the other islands we mentioned, Šolta is a favorite destination for those looking for a vacation.
Whether you visit the main port of Rogač, the "deaf" bay in Nečujmo (named after its specific acoustics) or the bay in Stomorska, you will be accompanied by the clear sea, cute stone houses and boats sailing around. Šolta is full of hidden charming parts such as Maslinica bay and other small bays that adorn this island. If this environment sounds attractive to you, you can also look for property in Solta to enjoy the peaceful environment anytime.
If you want to go on vacation to one of these islands and rent an apartment or a house, you won't go wrong. Many of those who visit them continue this tradition year after year because they simply fall in love with these islands, and many even end up buying real estate so they can come whenever they want. If you find yourself in this last category, you can view the available properties on Terra Dalmatica.
Šibenik
Šibenik
