The source of the Cetina River, Izvor Cetine: Most surreal place in Croatia

Izvor Cetine is the beginning of the 105 kilometer long Cetina River in Croatia. The karst spring is also called 'the Eye of the Earth'. From above it looks like a dragon's eye and you can see that it is an infinity blue hole in the earth. It is certainly one of the most fascinating and surreal places to see in all of Croatia! In this blog we share all our tips for a visit to Izvor Cetine.

The source of the Cetina River, Izvor Cetine: Most surreal place in Croatia

Izvor Cetine is the beginning of the 105 kilometer long Cetina River in Croatia. The karst spring is also called 'the Eye of the Earth'. From above it looks like a dragon's eye and you can see that it is an infinity blue hole in the earth. It is certainly one of the most fascinating and surreal places to see in all of Croatia! In this blog we share all our tips for a visit to Izvor Cetine.

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.

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.

Plan your next trip

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We are Abel & Danique, the enthusiastic travel couple behind HappyTravelSpots. With this blog we want to prepare you for your next travel so you know where to find all the happy travel spots. 

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