Croatia

Istria, Croatia’s Little Italy

Istria was previously part of Italian territory. The architecture, culture, way of life, rolling vineyards, and delicious cuisine reflect the region’s blending of Italian and Croatian culture. Part of the population in Istria is Italian and place names are frequently displayed in both Italian and Croatian. Istria is close to Italy, so it is possible to go on a day trip to Venice.

The 5 most beautiful towns & cities in Istria

1. Romantic Rovinj

By far our favorite place in Istria is Rovinj. This picturesque city has a vibrant historic center with colorful houses, winding streets, atmospheric bars and restaurants and magical glimpses of the water around the city.

The best thing to do is to get lost in the Old Town’s maze of charming streets. Then climb the hill to St. Euphemia Church. From here, you can see the Adriatic Sea and the surrounding small islands. Many artists gather in this area of the city to create the most beautiful paintings of Rovinj’s colorful streets. Lovely to have as a souvenir!

Continue strolling through the center, notice the cute balconies and cozy squares, and stop for a delicious Italian ice cream at Gelateria Italiana, which is run by an Italian family. Meanwhile, stroll down to the harbor to enjoy the pleasant atmosphere and the bobbing boats.

Finish the day with a cocktail at bar Mediterraneo. This bar, nestled among the rocks on the water, is ideal for watching the sunset. The last rays of sunlight illuminate the waves on the water, and when it gets dark, all of the little lights turn on. Cheers to a fantastic day!

2. Ancient port city Poreč

Poreč is an old port city in western Istria, right on the Adriatic Sea. The crystal clear water here turns several shades of blue. Poreč is vibrant, and strolling through the streets lined with restaurants, wine bars, and boutiques is the best thing to do.

The Euphrasian Basilica is a must-see in Poreč. This stunning basilica, believe it or not, dates from the 6th (!) century. It is no surprise that it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can enter the complex for €7 per person (prices are from in May 2022). Admire the centuries-old mosaic floors, explore the bishops’ former residences, and climb the bell tower for a 360-degree view of the city’s orange-colored rooftops.

3. Artistic Grožnjan

The hilltop village of Grožnjan is reached via winding narrow roads. This walled city was once an important Venetian fortress. The Italian influences can be seen in the narrow streets, squares, stone houses, and views of vineyards and olive trees. Grožnjan is now the only village in Croatia where there are more Italians than Croats.

Grožnjan is a great place for creative people. It is a cultural hotspot with numerous art galleries and studios to visit. Concerts, festivals, and exhibitions are held here beginning in early May and continuing through the summer. There are also workshops in dance, art, music, and drama led by well-known experts.

The village is automobiles-free. There are a few paid parking spots just before entering the village. You can also park for free here. Grožnjan is a 10-minute walk from this parking lot.

Stop by this viewpoint by car for scenic views of Grožnjan and its green surroundings.

4. Enchanting Motovun

Motovun, located at the top of a hill, has a population of just over 500 people and about as many cats. This charming walled village has plenty to see and do. Explore the medieval city walls, admire the 17th-century Church of St. Stephen, and discover the 27-meter-high bell tower from the 13th century.

What you should not miss is the magical sunset, which can be seen from the many viewpoints in Motovun. You look directly out over the valley, the river Mirna, which flows beneath the village, and the Motovun forest.

The Motovun forest is plentiful in black and white truffles, which are found by specially trained dogs. The world’s largest white truffle, weighing 1.3 (!) kilograms, was found in the Motovun forest in 1999. A place in the Guinness Book of World Records drew foodies from all over the world to Motovun to taste its delicacies. In Motovun, there are several restaurants with beautiful views of the green interior and delicious dishes made with Istrian truffle. You can also do truffle tastings at one of the many truffle shops, get the best local truffle products, or go on a truffle expedition with the dogs and their trainers in the area.

Butoniga, a beautiful water reservoir, is a 20-minute drive from Motovun. Navigate to the Ukotići viewpoint for the best views of the reservoir.

5. Roman Pula

Pula was a bustling trade center during the Roman era, and Roman influences can be found throughout the city. The Temple of Augustus, the Cathedral of Pula, and the Triumphal Arch of Sergius are all impressive sights.

Pula’s main attraction is its well-preserved amphitheatre, which can hold up to 23,000 spectators to watch the gladiator fights. You can go inside the amphitheater for 70 kuna (prices are from May 2022). This fantastic location also hosts concerts and festivals during the summer.

All of Pula’s highlights are close around each other and can be easily explored in two hours.

Visit Kamenjak National Park

Istria’s southernmost part, Kamenjak National Park, is home to tropical bays and beaches, as well as white cliffs surrounded by clear blue water. In all of Istria, this area has the most sunshine hours (2300 hours). You could easily spend an entire day exploring the national park. Prepare for a day of cliff jumping, sunbathing, cave kayaking, windsurfing, snorkeling, and beach bar hopping. In Kamenjak National Park, everything is possible.

How much time do you need in Istria

To make the most of your time in Istria, we recommend staying for at least 3 to 4 days. This allows you to visit several villages and towns at your leisure and alternate sightseeing with a day in nature.

Best time to visit Istria

Istria has a Mediterranean climate, so temperatures in the summer range between 25 and 30 degrees. Staying here in the spring is also a good idea because of the mild temperatures. That is why the months of May to August are ideal for visiting Istria. Because Istria has a maritime climate, it rains all year, with a higher chance of rain and peaks from September to February. In the winter, temperatures can drop to 9 degrees. So, Istria is not a winter sun destination.

Staying in Istria

Because Istria is a small province, it is possible to stay in one location and explore the entire region from there. In our opinion, Rovinj is the ideal destination for lodging. It is the perfect atmospheric city to return to every evening.

Find the perfect accommodation

Traveling to Istria

Istria can be reached in several ways.

By plane

Flying is the fastest way to get to Istria. Airport Pula is Istria’s international airport. Direct flights are available from a number of European cities. Find the most affordable flight.

By car

Traveling to Istria by car is by far the most practical option. This way, you have complete freedom to visit every location listed in this guide. Are you traveling by plane to Pula? Then, to explore the area, consider renting a car. Istria can also be the starting point for an unforgettable road trip through Croatia.

Rent a car

8 best things to do & see in Dubrovnik

1. Discover the Old Town 

The walled Old Town is in its entirety a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can enter the Old Town through several city gates, such as the Pile Gate or the Ploča Gate.

Stradun is the main street of the Old Town. This is the busiest part of the Old Town. Here you will find many local shops, bars and restaurants.

The best thing to do in the Old Town is to get lost in the labyrinth of dozens of charming side streets of Stradun. A little further away from the busy city center, you will find yourself in the quiet streets, where you can experience authentic Dubrovnik and local life. These are the streets towards the city wall on the sea side.

The narrow streets lead you to impressive squares, small harbors and ancient architecture. Some cathedrals, fountains and towers date from the 14th and 15th centuries. The buildings that you should definitely not miss are the Jewish fountain Onofrio, the Gothic Dominican Monastery, the Dubrovnik Cathedral, Rector’s Palace, the Church of St. Blasius and the Franciscan Monastery.

Across from Rector’s Palace, is a small and cozy square where you can visit the Gunduliceva Poljana market daily in the summer months. Locals sell their local products such as fruit and vegetables.

2. Walk the city walls

The Old Town is completely surrounded by a 2 kilometer long city wall. The walls were built in the 13th century to protect the city and its inhabitants. At some points the walls are 25 meters (!) high and 6 meters (!) thick. You can climb the walls and walk all the way around the Old Town in 1-1.5 hours.

From the walls you have a panoramic view of Dubrovnik and its orange colored roofs, the beautiful buildings, the Adriatic Sea and Lokrum, the island next to Dubrovnik. You will also spot cozy gardens and rooftop terraces.

Ticket prices

The walk on the walls is without a doubt the highlight of our time in Dubrovnik. An entrance ticket for the city walls costs 250 kuna / €33 per person. This is a lot of money, but we thought it was worth every euro.

Get your tickets for the city walls at the ticket office. You can also discover the city walls and the old town with a guide.

Note: The prices are from May 2022

Best time to go & entrances to the city walls

As a walk on the walls is one of the most popular things to do in Dubrovnik, it is definitely worth going early. You can go up the walls from 8 a.m. and it is certainly less crowded at this time slot. And if you go early you won’t be walking the walls in the afternoon during the heat either. There is hardly any shade, so it can get very hot. There are 3 entrances where you can start the walk on the city walls.

💛 Opposite St. Luke’s Church
💛 Next to St. Savior’s Church
💛 At the fortress of St. Ivan

Facilities on the walls

On top of the walls you will come across a few cafes where you can have something to eat or drink. From here you have a beautiful view, but expect high prices.

3. Visit the St. Lawrence Fortress (Lovrijenac Fort)

Save your City Walls ticket as it will also allow you to visit the St. Lawrence Fortress (Fort Lovrijenac) within 3 days of purchase. This fortress is located just outside the Old Town. It is one of the 6 fortresses of Dubrovnik, built on a rock. The fortress offers beautiful views of the city walls and the center of Dubrovnik.

4. Climb Mount Srđ for spectacular views of Dubrovnik

For the best view of Dubrovnik, Lokrum and the Elafiti Islands, go to the viewpoint on Mount Srđ. The sunset here is spectacular! The night we were there it was partly cloudy and that made the sky magically beautiful. The clouds were lined with dreamy pink, orange and yellow colors of the setting sun.

Get up at least an hour before the sun goes down, especially in the spring. Then the sun disappears behind the mountain faster and Dubrovnik will not be lit until the last ray of sunshine.

There are plenty of spots on Mount Srđ where you can relax and enjoy the view all evening. To dine with a bizarrely beautiful view, you can eat at the Panorama Restaurant on top of the mountain.

How to get to the top of Mount Srđ

The top of Mount Srđ can be reached in several ways.

🚡 By cable car: A return ticket costs 200 kuna / € 26 per person, a single ride is 110 kuna / € 15 per person. Check the official website for current prices.

🥾 On foot: From the old town it is a 3 – 4 hour walk in total. From the starting point of the hiking trail it is a 1.5 – 2 hour walk in total.

🚗 By car: It is a 15-20 minute drive to the top. There are plenty of parking spaces. The road up is narrow and has many curves, so the ride can be a challenge.

5. Enjoy a refreshing drink at one of the cozy (beach) bars

We have listed some of our favorite bars in Dubrovnik. It is useful to always have cash (Kuna) with you, because most bars do not accept card payments.

Buza Bar I & II

A visit to one of the Buza Bars is wonderfully relaxed. The location is the biggest plus, as the bars are hidden between rocks on the outside of the city walls. The entrance is literally a hole in the wall. The best part is to go here around sunset. Keep in mind that it can be very busy at that time. Besides drinking drinks, you can also cliff jump and paddling, overlooking the sparkling Adriatic Sea.

Good to know is that the sun sets on the other side. Yet this is a magical place where you can enjoy the most beautiful colors from golden and blue hour.

Beach Bar Dodo

Beach Bar Dodo is hidden in the bay of Šulić Beach. It is the ideal place to escape the bustle of the city and enjoy a cold drink. There is also plenty of choice in terms of good food. From the Old Town it is a few minutes’ walk to Beach Bar Dodo. From the bar you have a view of the fortress Lovrijenac, the beach and the sea.

Ala Mizerija

Located on a cliff, right next to Beach Bar Dodo you will find Beach Bar Ala Mizerija. There is a relaxed atmosphere and you have the same beautiful view of the fortress Lovrijenac, the idyllic bay and the clear, refreshing sea water.

6. Relax on one of the beaches for a morning or afternoon

If you decide to take it easy, a morning or afternoon at the beach is the ultimate activity. Dubrovnik has a number of incredible beaches, including Banje Beach. This is the most popular beach just outside the Old Town and from here you have a fantastic view of the city walls. The water is crystal clear and great to cool down. Other nice beaches are Beach Đivovići or Šulić Beach.

Are you traveling through Croatia by car? Then Pasjača Beach is a nice beach to drive to. It is a 35-40 minute drive from Dubrovnik and is known as one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe (!).

Most beaches in Croatia are pebble beaches, so it is very convenient to take water shoes with you to Croatia.

7. Spot the Game of Thrones filming locations

Dubrovnik’s popularity has been greatly increased by the Game Of Thrones series. In Dubrovnik, better known as King’s Landing, many scenes were filmed. If you wander through the Old Town you will recognize a lot from the serie. Organized Game of Thrones tours take you to the various filming locations and tell you fun facts about the production.

If you are going to search for the locations yourself, make sure you go to the places below.

💛 West Harbor (Blackwater Bay)
💛 The Jesuit Staircase at St. Ignatius Church (the infamous ‘walk of shame’)
💛 Lovrijenac Fort (Red Keep)
💛 Pile Gate

8. Active kayaking on the waters around Dubrovnik

Kayaking on the waters around Dubrovnik is a fun, adventurous way to see Dubrovnik and the city walls from different, amazing perspectives. Several local companies offer half or full day tours, or sunset tours. While kayaking, you will go to sea caves, secluded beaches that you can only get to by water or paddle around Lokrum Island.

Keep in mind that you will be sea kayaking and paddling the waves can be quite challenging.

Day trips from Dubrovnik

Besides discovering the Old Town and the beaches, there is much more to do. Many day trips are organized from Dubrovnik, such as a trip to Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, or boat trips to various islands nearby.

A day trip to Lokrum

Since your city trip to Dubrovnik will consist of a lot of sightseeing, we chose to take a relaxing day trip to the island of Lokrum. It is a 10-15-minute boat ride from Dubrovnik port. On Lokrum you can expect a tropical paradise. Where you will be welcomed by the most colorful inhabitants of the island, beautiful peacocks!

Lokrum is a small island that you can easily explore on foot. There are a number of special highlights such as a botanical garden, fortress, olive grove, monastery and Lokrum’s own Dead Sea. After visiting the highlights, find a wonderful place to relax. The island is surrounded by clear blue water, nice swimming spots and there is plenty of greenery to relax.

Discover Dubrovnik in a unique way!

How to travel to Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik can be reached in several ways.

By airplane

Dubrovnik has an international airport with direct flights from several European countries. Shuttle buses leave from the airport and will drop you off at Pile Gate in 30-40 minutes, just in front of the Old Town. Tickets for the shuttle buses can be purchased from the driver.

Find the best flights

By car

Are you taking a road trip through Croatia? Then Dubrovnik should definitely not be missed on the route! You can fly to Dubrovnik and rent a car here to start your road trip. If you have your own car, it takes 2 hours 45 minutes from Makarska or 3 hours from Omiš or 3 hours 15 minutes from Split to Dubrovnik.

By boat

You can also reach Dubrovnik by sea. From Split you sail in 5 hours to Dubrovnik. The Jadrolinija catamaran only sails in high season and once a day. Kapetan Luka’s catamaran sails in both high and low season.

With the bus

From Split there are buses to Dubrovnik. You can choose from Arriva Croatia or Flixbus. The bus journey takes just over 5 hours.

How much time do you need in Dubrovnik?

We recommend a minimum of 3 to 5 days to make the most of your time in Dubrovnik. You can visit the highlights in 1 to 2 days. The rest of the time gives you the space to discover the city at a relaxed pace, enjoy the great atmosphere, relax if it gets too hot during the day for sightseeing and you can also go on a day trip.

Best time to visit Dubrovnik

The best time to visit Dubrovnik is just outside the high season, in the months of May and June and September and October. It is not too busy and not too hot. The temperatures have a lovely average between 20 and 24 degrees. Try to avoid the months of July and August, it is hot and there are sometimes queues to enter the Old Town through the city gates.

Where to stay

The atmosphere in the Old Town is great and there are many nice accommodations to be found. If you don’t travel by car, we definitely recommend booking a nice accommodation in the old city center.

Find your stay

We were traveling through Croatia by car and wanted an accommodation with free parking. Because parking in Dubrovnik is expensive. The Old Town is car-free, so if you want to stay there, you have to park the car outside the center. But there are also plenty of nice places to stay in the neighborhoods outside the Old Town. We found a cute studio with great views of the Old Town and walked there in 10-15 minutes.

If you stay outside the Old Town, keep in mind that you often have to walk a lot of stairs from the suburbs to reach the Old Town.

4 must-see sights in Krka National Park

1. The famous Skradinski Buk waterfall

Skradinski Buk is the largest and most popular waterfall in Krka National Park. With a width of more than 100 meters, the water falls through 17 smaller waterfalls. Impressive!

In the surroundings of the Skradinski Buk waterfall you will find a diverse walking route along nostalgic houses, water mills and waterfalls. You walk over wooden bridges and clear green pools where you are surrounded by beautiful nature.

Along the way you will encounter different wildlife. There are signs that tell you which animals live in the area, such as frogs, turtles, foxes, otters and over 200 bird species. Something that makes this trip more adventurous are the snakes that also live here, 2 of which are poisonous! But don’t worry, the chance of encountering them is very small.

On the way you can already see the Skradinski Buk waterfall from different angles and at the foot of the waterfall you walk close to the waterfall via a bridge. Here you will experience the power of nature at its best.

In the area you will find several eateries where you can relax and look out over the waterfall.

Most tourists come to Krka National Park to visit the Skradinski Buk waterfall. The waterfall is therefore crowded. Do you want to be ahead of the crowds? Then come early in the morning when the park opens.

How to visit Skradinski Buk waterfall

You can visit the Skradinski Buk waterfall in different ways.

Through the main entrance Lozovac

The first entrance can be found near the village of Lozovac. Just in front of this entrance is a large free parking lot. From April to October, shuttle buses run from here every 15 minutes and take you to the Skradinski Buk waterfall and drop you off at a parking lot (this is also the place where they pick you up to go back to the entrance). The bus ride takes 10 minutes. For the shuttle buses you pay a small amount extra. If you decide to walk this part yourself (about 2 – 2.5 hours in total), you have to take into account a steep path of about 900 meters in length. The views are beautiful!

Note: In the winter months there are no shuttle buses and you can drive the route with your own car.

Through the Skradin entrance

The second entrance, with a paid parking lot, can be found at the village of Skradin. From May to October you can take a boat from here to the Skradinski Buk waterfall. The boat departs every hour and the trip takes about 25 minutes. From the point where the boat drops you off, it is a few minutes’ walk to the Skradinski Buk waterfall. For the more adventurous ones, a 4 kilometer long walking and cycling path starts at the entrance to Skradin towards the Skradinski Buk waterfall.

2. Manojlovac

Manojlovac waterfall is the highest waterfall in Krka National Park and is located in the north of the nature reserve. It is about 40 minutes drive from Skradinski Buk waterfall. Here you will find a free parking space where you can walk to a spectacular viewpoint in 5 minutes. Watch the two layers of the Manojlovac waterfall from above and have a panoramic view of the canyon and the Krka River.

But the best is yet to come! If you like adventure, you can climb to the bottom of the Manojlovac waterfall and admire the waterfall up close. But be warned, the hike is quite intense. You can walk to both layers of the waterfall via a winding path. The walk takes about 1 – 1.5 hours in total. Here you go off the beaten track and you will encounter few other tourists.

To get to the first layer you have to squeeze yourself between two narrow rocks and you end up at a beautiful place. With clear green water, the waterfall as a beautiful backdrop and dense nature. For a moment you imagine yourself in the lush jungle of Croatia.

To get to the second layer, maneuver through a dilapidated house. The route gets steeper and steeper after this and you have to hold on to the roots of trees to get down safely. It’s intense for a while, but this hike can be done by anyone (even Danique who had her boots on and was totally unprepared for this).

After a good focus you reach the bottom of the impressive waterfall and that is so refreshing and rewarding after the intense hike. Here you will see how big and beautiful the waterfall really is. It is possible to swim here but we wouldn’t recommend it.

Roški Slap

The Krka River flows in the area of ​​Roški Slap through a gigantic gorge. The water is brought through dozens of layers, also called mini waterfalls, to the 15 meter high Roški Slap waterfall where the water pours directly into the Visovac lake.

The multiple layers give a magical sight and can be viewed from a number of viewpoints. Our favorite viewpoint is the first steep path on the right after the entrance (before the climb to the cave a little further). The path is made of rock and you can hold on to the wooden railings.

The climb to the viewpoint is tough, because you have to climb uphill on a steep path with slippery rocks. So put on shoes with extra grip and bring enough water with you. At the top you will be treated to an amazing view and you will soon forget the intense climb of about 20 minutes.

Visovac lake

If you visit Krka National Park by car, we definitely recommend driving to this viewpoint during sunset. Here you can expect pure magic! From here you look out over the lake and the layers of mountains in the surrounding. On the lake lies a small island with a beautiful monastery. It is possible to visit the island by boat during the day.

If you do not visit the park by car, then there are also organized boat excursions to Lake Visovac from the entrance at Skradin.

Have a drink at Alte Mühle Kristijan

Close to the Roški Slap waterfall you will find the unique restaurant Alte Mühle Kristijan hidden among all the greenery. Where you literally sit in a waterfall with your table and both feet. And yes, that is quite cold! That is why we chose another table on the terrace. It is the perfect spot for lunch or a drink. Take cash with you, because you can only pay with cash here.

Entrance tickets Krka National Park

You can buy entrance tickets at both the entrance Lozovac and Skradin. The entrance tickets are valid that day and with that you can visit all the sights in Krka National Park. You can also buy entrance tickets in advance via the official website.

Best Time to Visit Krka National Park

Every season has its own charm and it just depends on what you prefer. The waterfalls are at their most powerful in spring and autumn. In the summer the park is in bloom and in the winter it turns into a fairytale world full of snow and frozen waterfalls.

Opening hours Krka National Park

It is important to know that there are only opening times for the Skradinski Buk waterfall, Roški Slap waterfall and the Kistanje monastery. The other sights can be visited at any time of the day. Check out this page of the official website for current and opening times.

How much time do you need to discover Krka National Park

Our advice is to plan 2 days to discover all the beauty of the Krka National Park at a normal pace. We did all the sights and hikes in one day, but that was actually way too much. Do you want to enjoy all the unique, undiscovered places and take multiple walks? Then two days is ideal. You only need to buy an entrance ticket for one day, with which you can visit the Skradinski Buk waterfall and Roški Slap waterfall. On the other day you can see the Manojlovac waterfall and the Visovac lake, you do not need entrance tickets for this.

How to visit Krka National Park

By (rental)car

The best way to visit Krka National Park is by car. This way you can easily drive to all parts and highlights. Šibenik is the ideal base to visit Krka National Park. It is a very nice town to stay in and it is about a 15-20 minute drive to the entrance at Lozovac.

Find a rental car

With an organized tour

With a bus

There are several cities from where you can go to the Krka National Park by bus, such as Split, Šibenik, Zadar and Zagreb. Click on the city from where you want to go, to see the latest timetables and prices. The bus stops near the entrance of Skradin, where the boat departs from May to October.

The Cetina River

With a total length of 105 kilometers, the Cetina River flows through the interior of Central Dalmatia. The beginning of the Cetina River is the special source Izvor Cetine, which is also called ‘the Eye of the Earth’. This karst spring, which colors all shades of blue and green, resembles a dragon’s eye from above and is an infinitely deep hole in the earth. It is the most fascinating and unreal place to see in all of Croatia. The source is located at the foot of the Dinara Mountains. Further inland it creates a fast-flowing river that flows the last part through a gigantic canyon and flows into the Adriatic Sea at Omiš.

Ziplining, an unforgettable experience

The best way to discover the canyon and to get the best views of the Cetina River is by ziplining. The zipline trail starts in the middle of the canyon, 3 km outside Omiš. In 2-3 hours you descend the canyon by 8 ziplines with a total length of 2100 meters. Sometimes you hang up to 150 meters above the canyon!

The meeting point is at the main office in the center of Omiš. With a bus you drive to a higher point in the mountains which is the starting point of the ziplines. You get your equipment here; a harness, gloves a helmet and a tool that you can use on the steel cables to accelerate and slow down. Then you hike to the first zipline hidden in the forest. At this ‘baby’ zipline you practice how to move forward and brake and experience what it feels like to hang on the zipline. You can ask all your questions to the two experienced instructors and you will learn everything you need to know to descend independently.

When everyone is ready, you hike to the first zipline in about 10 minutes. This is immediately the longest (700 meters) and the highest (150 meters). You start with the most intense zipline, so there is little time to get used to ziplining. Seeing the instructor disappearing in nothingness with 60 – 70 kilometer per hour (depending on the wind), we wondered what we have started. And when I saw Abel’s worried face, I almost regretted always dragging him into my crazy ideas.

Full of adrenaline and with a fast speed I crossed the canyon. The views from here are spectacular. At this point, going back was no longer an option for Abel and he soon followed me. Super brave, because Abel has fear of heights. So he has really challenged himself with this exciting activity.

And guess what, it was so awesome and we both liked it. We looked forward to the next ziplines. Shorter ziplines followed. Some were steeper, went straight through the woods and with 2 ziplines you literally fly over the Cetina River, very spectacular. Along the way you can enjoy the beautiful nature. Watch here our video of our zipline experience.

Ziplining in Omiš

We recommend this unforgettable experience to everyone. We felt safe and the professional instructors introduce you to ziplining in a fun way and with a lot of humor. At each zipline, one of the instructors demonstrates the descent and stands on the other side to signal when to go faster or slower and to catch you. The other guide stays with the group to secure everyone to the zipline. If you find the experience a little bit too scary, there is a possibility to descend together with the instructor.

This activity is not sponsored.

Would you dare to go ziplining? Book a tour by appointment through Zipline Omiš. Check the website for current prices and available times. Transport to the zipline location and back to the main office and equipment is included in the price.

Helpful tips for ziplining

• Wear comfortable (sports) clothing.
• Do not bring too many loose items. It is possible to carry a backpack.
• It is useful to attach your phone to a cord. There are two ziplines that go a bit slower and where it is possible to take photos and/or videos. That way you can not lose your phone in the abyss.
• Bring plenty of water. It is a bit of a climb every now and then.

The winding Cetina River

With a total length of 105 kilometers, the Cetina River flows through the interior of Central Dalmatia. The river’s origin is located at the foot of the Dinara Mountains and the river flows through a gigantic gorge into the Adriatic Sea at the coastal town of Omiš. An adventurous way to discover the gorge and the river is by rafting or ziplining.

Also read: Ziplining at 150 meters through the canyon of the Cetina River

The unreal source Izvor Cetine

The source is a hidden gem in a beautiful setting. It is surrounded by a hilly landscape and on top of one of the hills you will find a beautiful old church.

The mysterious thing about this blue hole is that it has never been possible to measure exactly how deep it is. Divers and the Croatian Institute of Nature have taken measurements and reached a depth of 155 meters, but that was far from the bottom.

The water of the karst spring of the Cetina River turns different shades of blue and green. Through the crystal clear water you can see that it is infinitely deep. Beforehand, we doubted whether the content we had seen from the source was not extremely photoshopped, but this place is exactly like the photos and videos in real life. So insane!

When you stand in front of the source you see that the water is carried away via a small stream. So special that this is the beginning of a gigantic river that flows through a large part of Croatia.

The view from above

To see the blue-green dragons eye from the perspective on the photo below, you need a drone. From the air you have the best view of this special phenomenon. Photography and filming tip: Visit this place on a sunny day so that the colors of the water pop out in the photos and videos. And photograph and film with a polarizing filter, this filter removes reflections and glare from the water so you can perfectly capture the depth of the water.

Find the best polarizing filter for your DJI Mavic Mini 1 & 2 or the DJI Mavic Mini 3

Even without a drone this place is definitely worth a visit. From a higher platform you also have a great view, from where you get a good idea of ​​the different colors and the depth of the source.

Take an adventurous dive in the source

Because it is not known how deep the water is, it can be creepy to swim here. There are stories that there are creatures living in the depths. But because of the cold water you will soon forget that you are swimming above an infinitely deep hole. The water is ice-cold groundwater that rises from the depths of the earth. The water temperature varies between 4 to 8 (!) degrees Celsius. Brrr. Still, taking an ice bath in Izvor Cetine is definitely an activity to put on your bucket list. It is a challenge, but certainly an unforgettable experience.

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Een bericht gedeeld door ABEL & DANIQUE | DUTCH TRAVEL COUPLE | BLOGGERS (@happytravelspots)

During your visit, animals will also pass by to cool off from time to time. The cold water clearly doesn’t scare them off.

How to get to Izvor Cetine

To visit the fascinating Izvor Cetine you need a car, as it is quite hidden in the interior of Croatia. This is the exact location of the source. For this you have to type ‘Izvor Cetine’ in Google Maps, otherwise you will be led to another place.

Find a rental car

A visit to this place is a real must do during a road trip through Croatia. The source can be visited from several popular holiday destinations. It is 1 hour 10 minutes drive from Šibenik, 1 hour 25 minutes from Split and 1 hour 45 minutes from Omiš. It is quite a drive, but the route to it is beautiful. You drive through authentic villages, where time has stood still, past several fortresses and untouched landscapes. Once you have arrived at the source, you can park for free next to the nearby church. From the parking lot you only have to walk a short path down.