Biograd is a small historical Croatian town in the northern part of Dalmatia near Zadar. It developed on a small peninsula from where it later spread to surrounding areas. It is mentioned already in the early middle ages and with reason it carries the name Royal City since during the 11th century, Croatian kings were crowned here and nobility was seated here. It abounds in important monuments such as the Church of St. Stošije and the remains of the monastery of St. John the Evangelist, and its stone streets, full of charm and spirit of the Mediterranean, are also considered monuments. Biograd today is a modern city and a leader of the tourist offer in Dalmatia and beyond. It is surrounded by the Bošana Bay and Soline with beautiful beaches and a thick pine forest. It is also known for its numerous events held during the year, such as Croatian Porin Awards and the Biograd Boat Show, the largest in Croatia, because of which it is considered as one of the leading destinations for boaters.
View on mapPakoštane is a small village in northern Dalmatia, situated on a unique location between fresh and sea water, on a thin part of land between Lake Vrana and the Adriatic Sea. This position gives it a special appeal because visitors can enjoy both aquatic worlds. Pakoštane has evolved as a traditionally agricultural and fishing town, and today it is one of the favourite destinations for a quiet family holiday with an excellent range of accommodation. It boasts beautiful beaches surrounded by pine forests, an excellent gastronomic offer in its many taverns and restaurants and an abundance of entertainment events for tourists and locals which are organized from early spring to late fall.
View on mapZadar is situated in northern Dalmatia, which is its administrative and economic centre. After Split, Zadar is the largest city in Dalmatia and in the past it has long been its centre. The area of the town has always been attractive for life so long ago it was inhabited by Illyrian tribes and the city itself was founded by the Romans as a colony for its retired soldiers. Originally developed on a peninsula from which it gradually spread to the surrounding area, each period left its end so Zadar today is like an open museum with numerous monuments and valuable buildings and a walk through its cobbled streets is a real pleasure. And since it does not lack in bars and restaurants, it is easy to get refreshed with a glass of excellent wine and try the great food prepared by traditional Dalmatian recipes. Regarding modern attractions, be sure to visit the unique sea organ whose player is the sea and the Greeting to the Sun. Shopping lovers will also be pleased in Zadar because in addition to nice shops in the centre, Zadar has two shopping centres with global and local brands so the offer is truly excellent.
View on mapIn the central part of Dalmatia is Šibenik, and in its vicinity the river Krka flows into the Adriatic Sea. Šibenik is one of the few cities in Dalmatia which was founded by the Croats and it was first mentioned in 1066 in the grant of King Peter Krešimir IV. The town developed at the foot of the fortress of St. Mihovil and the old centre has an interesting network of stone streets with numerous houses and stairs. Other than St. Mihovil, the town and its surroundings have three more forts so their tour is a great opportunity for a good hike and to learn about the history of the town. Concerts of local and foreign performers are held in the fortress of St. Mihovil during the summer, so be sure to check the schedule of events prior to visiting the town. Šibenik can also be proud of the beautiful Cathedral of St. Jakov, a Renaissance-Gothic building which is under the protection of UNESCO and is the work of the famous Juraj Dalmatinac, one of the numerous artists and humanists who formed the city. In addition to the rich cultural and artistic heritage, the town is also the economic and administrative centre of this part of Dalmatia since it is the formal centre of the Šibenik-Knin County.
View on mapNational Park Krka is located in the hinterland of the town of Šibenik in central Dalmatia and covers almost the entire flow of the river of the same name. On its way through the karst cliffs, Krka makes a wonderful contrast to the rich river flora with bare cliffs and the Mediterranean maquis surroundings. The Park is best known for waterfalls on seven rivers, and the largest and most well-known is Skradinski buk, near the small town of Skradin. The waterfalls were created by the forming of travertine. Besides its natural beauty, Krka is rich in numerous monuments of human inhabitance so it is well worth visiting the Franciscan monastery of Visovac, situated on the river island. Regarding sacral sites, there is also the Krka Monastery, which is located down river, in the upper part of the course of the river. In this part there are still the remains of the Roman military camp Burnum where one can see a quite well preserved amphitheatre and other monuments. Along the entire river the remains of many fortresses can be seen that were used in the surveillance and defence of the area.
View on mapThe oldest national park in Croatia, Plitvice Lakes, is located in the mountainous part of the country, Lika. These 16 Lakes of emerald green and blue colours are like a string of pearls among mountain slopes covered with thick forest. The lakes were created by the formation of travertine on the river course. They are laid in a cascade manner and are interconnected by numerous waterfalls and streams. The most famous waterfall in the Park is Veliki Slap, which with its 78 meters, is the highest waterfall in the country. Flora and fauna of the park are mountainous and are rich in interesting animal and plant species so Plitvice Lakes can boast of numerous orchids because about fifty species of these beautiful plants grown in the area of the park. Other than the lakes and lush mountainous vegetation, another natural curiosity are the numerous caves and pits that are located here. Golubnjača cave and Šupljara above lake Kaluđerovac are open for visitors.
View on mapThe Kornati Islands are an archipelago in the western part of the Šibenik aquatorium and are partly located also in the Zadar aquatorium. They consist of about 100 islands, islets and reefs, and the entire archipelago was named after the largest island, Kornati. They look like great stone necklaces scattered throughout the blue Adriatic Sea, so a visit to the National Park Kornati is an excellent opportunity for a boat trip. Kornati was never permanently inhabited and therefore there are no settlements on the Islands, but people almost all year stayed on its islands on which they kept sheep and cultivated the land and so today we have a number of dry stone walls and a small house next to the sea which testifies of this. On Kornati island you can see the remains of the Byzantine fortress Tureta, along which there are the remains of the Basilica of St. Mary, both from the 6th century. The Kornati Islands are a favourite nautical destination so there are a few marinas and excellent restaurants where you can enjoy seafood delicacies. The Kornati submarine world is also very interesting and can be visited with diving tours organized by diving centres.
View on mapLake Vrana is the largest freshwater lake in Croatia and an important ornithological habitat for waterbirds. This nature Park is situated right by the Adriatic Sea in the northern part of Dalmatia, near Zadar and Šibenik. From the sea, it is divided by a thin piece of land. The park is primarily known for the numerous species of birds (migratory and non-migratory) that reside in it, and can be observed on the well-arranged educational ornithological trail. Besides the birds, the Lake has a rich fish stock and therefore attracts many fishermen (fishing is allowed in the area which does not fall under the park). In the area of the park, in addition to the natural beauty, there are cultural and historical monuments such as Mašković han, the westernmost example of Ottoman profane architecture and the remains of the Benedictine monastery. The visitors have at their disposal hiking and biking trails and a viewpoint on a hill above the lake with a beautiful view of the lake and the surrounding area.
View on mapTelašćica nature park is located in the extreme southeastern part of Dugi Otok, and it is a large bay and the largest and safest natural harbor on the Adriatic. Telašćica is surrounded by 13 Islands and islets, and inside of it there is another six islets. Because of its size and protection, it is extremely popular among boaters. Apart from the bay itself, the attractions of the Park include the exterior part of the island which is made of cliffs that rise as high as 160 m above the sea and plunge up to 90 meters in depth, and the salt lake Mir, whose water due to increased salinity has medicinal properties. Along the Lake there is a refuge for donkeys, so park visitors can hang out with these beautiful animals, a symbol of Dalmatia. In the park it is possible to dive at a few places in the vicinity of the cliffs, and when walking, one should not miss reaching the viewpoint Grpašćak which offers a beautiful view of Telašćica and its surroundings.
View on mapVrgada is the ideal place for a true escape from civilization. This small island is located near Pakoštane and Lake Vrana, and there are no cars on it so it is truly a quiet location. It is filled with thick pine forests and lined with sand and pebble beaches and in its waters there are 15 islets. In the past, it served as a supervisory point of the Adriatic maritime road towards Zadar, and today it is a favourite tourist destination for those who want true peace and total relaxation. Due to its excellent beaches and islets, it is often visited by boaters.
View on mapThe first Croatian amusement theme park is located in northern Dalmatia, between Pakoštane and Biograd na moru, immediately along the Adriatic Highway, so it is easy to get to it. Mirnovec fun Park is composed of three thematic sections (the Wild West, the Pirate City and Outer Space), each of which has many attractions for children and adults. The park has a gift shop, restaurants and cafes, so a full day trip with family and friends is not a problem.
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