Top 10 Dalmatian Sights (With Insider Tips)

1. Diocletian’s Palace (Split)

This 1,700-year-old Roman palace forms Split’s living heart, where shops, cafes, and apartments exist within ancient walls. The basement halls, central peristyle, and Jupiter’s Temple showcase remarkable Roman architecture that’s still in daily use.

Insider Tip: Enter through the small Bronze Gate from the Riva, then immediately turn left into a narrow passage – you’ll find a hidden Roman arch with original carvings that 99% of visitors miss.

2. Dubrovnik City Walls

These massive medieval fortifications offering spectacular views have protected the “Pearl of the Adriatic” for centuries. The 2km circuit provides stunning vistas of the old town’s terracotta rooftops and the azure sea beyond.

Insider Tip: The walls are much less crowded after 4pm in summer. Start at Ploče Gate and walk counterclockwise to have the best lighting for photos.

3. Plitvice Lakes National Park

A natural wonderland of 16 terraced lakes connected by waterfalls amid lush forests. Wooden walkways take you right across the water and alongside cascades ranging from gentle trickles to thundering falls.

Insider Tip: Most tour buses arrive at Entrance 1. Enter through Entrance 2 instead and follow route H first thing in the morning to experience the Upper Lakes before crowds arrive.

4. Krka National Park

Famous for its series of seven waterfalls and crystalline swimming pools. Unlike Plitvice, you can swim in designated areas beneath the magnificent Skradinski Buk falls.

Insider Tip: Most visitors never reach Roški Slap (the upper waterfall). Take the boat from Skradin early and spend the afternoon there among locals rather than tourists.

5. Hvar Town

This glamorous harbor town blends 13th-century walls with Venetian palaces, crystal-clear swimming spots, and vibrant nightlife. The Spanish Fortress offers panoramic views of the town and Pakleni Islands.

Insider Tip: Skip the taxi boats to crowded Jerolim beach and instead walk 20 minutes east to Pokonji Dol for equally beautiful water with half the crowd.

6. Korčula Old Town

A miniature Dubrovnik on its own island, with medieval walls, narrow marble streets arranged in a fishbone pattern, and towers built by the Venetians. Claimed as Marco Polo’s birthplace.

Insider Tip: The small Massimo Cocktail Bar atop the Zakerjan Tower has no interior – drinks arrive via pulley system from below! Come at sunset for the best experience.

7. Split’s Marjan Hill

This forested peninsula overlooking Split features jogging trails, lookout points, hidden medieval chapels, and secluded beaches. It’s the city’s green lung and outdoor playground.

Insider Tip: Follow the path to St. Nicholas Church, then take the unmarked narrow trail behind it down to Kaštelet Beach – a peaceful cove that even locals consider a secret.

8. Zadar’s Sea Organ & Sun Salutation

These modern installations transform natural elements into art. The Sea Organ uses wave action to create hauntingly beautiful sounds, while the Sun Salutation captures daylight to create a nighttime light show.

Insider Tip: Visit the Sea Organ during windy afternoons when the waves create the most dramatic sounds, then stay for the Sun Salutation which is most impressive 15-20 minutes after sunset.

9. Šibenik Cathedral

This UNESCO-listed masterpiece of Renaissance architecture was built entirely from stone without mortar. The 71 sculpted faces around the exterior are believed to represent actual citizens from the 15th century.

Insider Tip: Look for the small door on the cathedral’s north side – it leads to a narrow staircase that takes you to the roof galleries with close-up views of the dome construction rarely seen by tourists.

10. Mljet National Park

This forested island paradise features two interconnected saltwater lakes with a 12th-century Benedictine monastery on a tiny islet in the larger lake. Paths for cycling and walking circle both lakes.

Insider Tip: Rent bikes at the park entrance, but don’t just circle the lakes like most visitors. Take the marked trail to Odysseus Cave on the southern coast – according to legend, the Greek hero spent seven years here with the nymph Calypso.