January 7, 2025

With 20°C in Winter and Autumn, Dalmatia is an Ideal Off – Season Escape

Pleasant Mediterranean climate is why Croatia, especially its southern region, Split-Dalmatia County, is becoming a year-round destination, with visitors coming in October, November, April, and May.

Winter blues are not just a myth, and one of the biggest causes of winter depression is the lack of sunlight. Residents of northern Europe are particularly affected by this phenomenon, and their countries, even in warmer months, can’t receive as much sunlight as some southern European countries. If you’re craving soaking up vitamin D, but with plenty of other activities to do, then Split-Dalmatia County, where temperatures can reach up to 20°C in winter, is the best choice.

Here’s a travel guide on Split – Dalmatia County in every season.

Winter: Enjoy Warm Advent or Restore Your Mind with a Spa

Advent

Residents of Split especially love their city in winter. The locals’ favorite activity is taking a walk through the empty stone streets of the magnificent Diocletian’s Palace, enjoying coffee in the ancient squares surrounded by thousands of years old statues. The city feels like it belongs to them, with only a few stray tourists who happen to wander in, enchanted with the impressive Roman remains.

Sasa Buric / Cropix Winter in Split

Advent on the Mediterranean is especially magical. While this may evoke images of bundling up in winter coats and warming up by outdoor heaters while sipping mulled wine, in Split, you’ll experience a different scenario. With more than 2,600 hours of sunshine annually, here you can enjoy Advent in a light jacket. Also, you definitely must try fritule, the beloved local sweet treat.

Fritule

Traditional Dishes

Winter is the perfect time to try gastronomic specialties. Fortunately, Split-Dalmatia County is the region with the most diverse cuisine in Croatia. For the real experience, it’s best to head to a local family-owned taverns, and you can find their list here.

The queen of Dalmatian cuisine is certainly pašticada (beef stew). This meat delicacy has its roots in ancient Roman and Greek cookbooks and is served with gnocchi, in a rich sauce. For more local dishes, try meat or octopus prepared ‘under peka’.

Octopus under peka

Wellness Retreats

Is there a better feeling than relaxing in a heated pool or jacuzzi, with a drink of your choice, while enjoying the view of the sea and islands? Well, such scenarios await you in Split-Dalmatia County, where numerous hotel resorts with top-notch wellness offerings and pools, are open year-round. If you’re not sure where to stay, here is a list of hotel resorts. Split and the Makarska Riviera boast many 4 and 5-star resort hotels with excellent spa facilities, all located right by the sea.

Hotel resort, Split

Spring: Awakening of Nature and Spirit

Active Vacation in Omiš

If you love nature and picturesque landscapes, then Omiš is the destination for you. This is a town where the river, mountain, and sea come together, making it one of the most unique areas in the whole country.

Omiš, Gradac Hill

The best way to experience this nature is by engaging in outdoor activities. You can choose between rafting and canyoning on the Cetina River, hiking to nearby fortresses (Fortica and Mirabella), or perhaps something more extreme like ziplining. Also, Omiš has a long stretch of sandy beaches, so if you’re not exactly the adventurous type, you can always take it easy.

Skywalk Biokovo

If you’re craving stunning panoramic views, then you must visit the Skywalk on Biokovo. It’s a heavenly walkway offering a view of the Adriatic at your fingertips. The walkway is built as a glass structure that extends out from the mountain itself, at an altitude of 1,228 meters. Spring is the best time to visit as you’ll avoid the crowds, while excursion tours to Biokovo depart from Makarska.

Skywalk Biokovo

Hvar Lavander Fields

Hvar has held the title of the most beautiful European island for years, and another attraction on the island is the lavender fields that bloom from May to mid-June, with the peak in early June. You can find lavender fields in the higher areas of the town of Hvar, Pitve, Zastražišće, the Stari Grad Plain, and Malo Grablje. You can also buy various lavender souvenirs, such as oil, cosmetics, and even sweets.

Lavender field, Hvar

Summer: Sun, Sea, and Unforgettable Moments

Beaches

Summer in Split – Dalmatia means life outdoors, a Mediterranean rhythm, and endless blue horizons. The most beautiful beaches on the coastline are Punta rata beach in Brela, which was acclaimed as the world’s most beautiful beach, followed by Nugal beach in Makarska. If you go further south, you’ll discover a divine stretch of beaches in Drvenik.

Nugal beach, Makarska

Pakleni Islands

Island hopping is everyone’s favorite summer activity. Just off the town of Hvar, a few minutes by taxi boat, lies a group of small, lush green islets – perfect for a day trip. You’ll find secluded bays and beaches, along with a well-developed hospitality offer, including restaurants and beach bars.

Festivals

During the summer the Split – Dalmatia County comes alive with numerous evetns and gatherings, from open – air plays and various concerts ranging from classical to urban and pop music. The cities are vibrant, with everyone out on the streets. Check out the rich events program here , with the Split Summer Festival and The Split Festival being the center events.

Pakleni islands

Autumn: A Time for Wine and Dalmatian Flavors

Wine Tours

Autumn brings a slower pace and is the perfect time to discover authentic flavors. Imotski, Kaštela, and Hvar are renowned for vineyards and exquisite wines like Plavac Mali, Kujundžuša and Crljenak. Crljenak is a local variety from Kaštela, proven to have an identical genetic code to the Californian Zinfandel, which means that Zinfandel is actually the American version of the indigenous Dalmatian variety.

Red Lake, Imotski

Blue and Red Lakes

The Imotski area is rich in lakes and water springs, and the two main attractions are Red and Blue Lakes. Both lakes are fascinating due to their great depth, with Red Lake being said to be one of the deepest lakes in the world, with a measured water depth of up to 300 meters. The Blue Lake will amaze you with its turquoise blue color. You can walk down to its shore and take a swim in the endless blue.

Klis Fortress – City of Meereen

Game Of Thrones Tours

When the crowds thin out, it’s the perfect time to explore filming locations. Many scenes from the famous series Game of Thrones were filmed in the area around Split. Take a walk through Diocletian’s Cellars in Split, where iconic dragon scenes were filmed, then head up to Klis Fortress, where the city of Meereen was originally portrayed. Also, don’t miss the magical Kaštilac castle in Kaštela.

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