3 Best Sights in Central Dalmatia, Croatia

One of the oldest Croatian museums houses more than 20,000 Croatian archaeological artifacts, only a quarter of which are regularly on display. Among the most interesting exhibits are fine stone carvings decorated with traditional plaitwork designs. In the garden are several stećci, medieval monolithic tombstones. The museum also conducts archaeological excavations in the southern Croatian regions between the Cetina and Zrmanja rivers and has a large collection of cultural and historical guidebooks on early medieval monuments in Croatia.

Trogir's riva (waterfront walkway) is not as expansive or bustling as Split's, but it's worth a leisurely stroll that takes about five minutes—or longer, if you detour into one of the restaurants or cafés dotting the promenade. Flanked by palm trees and the city walls on one side and the sea on the other—with Čiovo Island peeking out between cruise ships and yachts across the bay—Trogir's riva leads up to to the 15th-century Venetian Kamerlengo Fortress, which can be climbed for a seagull's-eye view of the city.

The town of Bol is backed by the highest peak on all the Croatian islands, Vidova gora, and from here, at a height of 778 meters (2,552 feet) above sea level, the Adriatic Sea and the islands of Hvar and Vis spread out before you like a map. It's possible to reach the top following a clearly marked footpath from Bol, but be sure to wear good hiking boots, take plenty of water, and expect to walk at least 2½ hours to reach the summit. Alternatively, rent a mountain bike from Big Blue Sport and cycle up—note that you need to be pretty fit to face the challenge by bike or by foot.  If you have a headlamp and are relatively fit, wake early and hike up before sunrise, or go in the late afternoon and watch the sun set.