Croatia: The Dalmatian Coast

1-2 miles, easy

Enjoy an included breakfast at your hotel then meet your guides in the lobby of the Hotel Park in Split at 1:00 p.m. (after lunch on your own). They’ll be wearing Country Walkers shirts. Please be dressed for city walking.

After a brief orientation meeting, depart the hotel on foot for a short walk to the nearby ferry terminal. Reaching the port, you board the (50-minute) public ferry to Brač—the longest island in the archipelago and also the one with the highest elevation. You disembark in Supetar, a vibrant little town on the island’s north side dominated by a church.

Brač, the third-largest island in the Croatian archipelago, is best known for its luminous white stone, from which both Diocletian’s Palace and elements of the White House in Washington, DC, were constructed. It’s also famous for its olives, including the rare Buhavica olive found only on the northeastern side of the island. A short minibus drive along the tranquil northern coast brings you to your hotel, a comfortable property with a pool overlooking the sleepy village of Postira. After getting settled, you gather for a welcome meeting and stroll along the town’s pretty waterfront to a favorite restaurant, where you can savor the first of many delicious dinners featuring the bounty of this distinctive coast.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

5 miles, easy to moderate, 800-ft. elevation gain; 3 miles, easy

Today’s walk takes you along a pine-clad northern coastal path from Postira to the fishing village of Splitska. A steady ascent winds through olive groves and cultivated terraces, culminating at the village of Škrip, the island’s first settlement, founded by the Illyrians in 1000 BC. Remains of the original city wall can still be seen around the citadel. You stop for a brief visit to the tower and Roman mausoleum, today a museum dedicated to the history of the island. Your lunch today is pašticada, a traditional Dalmatian specialty of slowly braised beef served with homemade gnocchi.

The afternoon presents two options. Join your guide(s) along the lungomare, or seaside trail, from Lovrečina cove to Postira past ruins of a Roman basilica en route to your hotel. Or, you may opt to return to the hotel via minibus. Either option allows you time to relax poolside before dinner on your own at the hotel or one of the many waterfront eateries.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

3-5 miles, moderate, 1,400-ft. elevation loss

After a breakfast of fresh fruit, homemade bread, cheese, and yogurt, you set out to explore some of the island’s finest attractions. A 45-minute drive by minibus takes you to the trailhead. A rocky dirt path descends gradually to the 16th-century Pustinja Blaca, originally a hermitage founded in 1551 by Glagolitic priests during the Ottoman advance. You stop for a visit to the monastery before continuing to a secluded cove. Here, a short ride on a private boat brings you past the famous Zlatni Rat, or “Golden Cape,” one of the most picturesque beaches in all Croatia. Afterward, you proceed to a former shepherd’s hamlet for a traditional peka lunch (meat and vegetable stew simmered slowly over hot coals beneath a dome-shaped lid).

This afternoon, you take a drive to Vidova Gora, the highest point on Brač, for a panoramic view over the islands you will explore during your journey.

Late afternoon, you board a catamaran ferry for a short trip to your next island—chic Hvar, famous for its lavender production. After you check into your comfortable seaside hotel, the evening is yours to stroll the promenade and admire Hvar town’s main historical buildings, including the old theater—the first in Europe to be open to the public. For dinner, you are free to choose from among the many restaurants and cafés, with recommendations from your guides and hotel staff.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

5.5 miles, easy to moderate with challenging sections, 1,200-ft. elevation loss

After a buffet breakfast of fresh fruits, cereals, prsut (Dalmatian smoked ham), and eggs, you embark on a scenic excursion to the island’s northern coast. Today’s exploration begins with a short drive to your trailhead at Vidikovac Lavanda. From this vantage point, you take in stunning views of the island of Brač to the north and the Pakleni islands to the south. You descend steadily for approximately two and a half hours along a rugged hiking trail, the final portion of which includes some challenging, rocky terrain before reaching the tranquil town of Stari Grad (literally Old Town). Considered one of Croatia’s oldest towns, Stari Grad dates to the 4th century BC when it was a Greek colony called Faros. It lies on the edge of a UNESCO-preserved agricultural plain in a deep and protected cove. Upon arriving in town, you visit the fortified castle of Croatian poet Petar Hektorovic before an independent lunch at a konoba (tavern) or café of your choice.

Returning to Hvar by minibus, a free afternoon affords several options for you to explore Hvar independently, on land or by sea. A walled, medieval port town with stunning beaches, Hvar is a delight to explore. The surrounding waters are home to picturesque islands, while the city’s Old Town features elegant Renaissance architecture. Visit the elegant Cathedral of St. Stephen or visit the town’s impressive 17th-century theater (the first of its kind). Consider popping into the Benedictine convent where, over the centuries, the convent’s nuns perfected the art of lacemaking—a small on-site museum showcases their handiwork. (A map of the town noting the location of noteworthy attractions is provided.) Embark on the short (steep) climb to the Španjola Fortress, a medieval castle occupying the site of an ancient Illyrian settlement dating to 500 BC. The trail to the citadel rewards you with a bird’s-eye view of the picturesque harbor and the nearby Pakleni islands. (Route Notes provided.) Explore vibrant Hvar town on a self-guided tour. Rent a kayak for a paddle through the narrow straits and into the hidden coves of the nearby Pakleni islands. Or, indulge in a soothing facial or a relaxing massage treatment at your hotel’s luxurious Sensori Spa.

This evening, reunite with your guides for a festive dinner of traditional Dalmatian specialties at one of our favorite konobas.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

5.5 miles, moderate, 600-ft. elevation loss

This morning, after a copious breakfast, perhaps on the harborside terrace, depart on foot from your hotel for a walk to the peaceful cove of Milna. As you trace the trail along the shoreline, admire views of the nearby Pakleni islands (Pakleni otoci), the name refers to the “resin”—from the pine trees that once covered this island chain—used in shipbuilding. Your route continues across a rocky beach, beautiful bays, and a wooded trail culminating at Milna, where you may opt for a swim in the turquoise sea. A light lunch refuels you before a minibus shuttle back to Hvar town, where you have time for a stroll or perhaps a gelato before you bid the island farewell. Spend a late afternoon relaxing on a scenic public ferry (catamaran) to Korcula Island, the sixth-largest Adriatic island. Settle in at your seaside hotel and base for the next two nights. This evening, dinner is on your own, either at the hotel or at one of the many konobas in town. (Your guides and hotel staff will provide you with suggestions!)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

5 miles, easy to moderate, 450-ft. elevation loss

After breakfast in your hotel’s panoramic dining room, you set out to explore the wooded hills above Korčula, an island blanketed in vineyards and olive groves and sprinkled with picturesque villages. Traditional culture has been preserved on this island, from religious festivals to folk music to dancing to shipbuilding. A short drive brings you to Žrnovo, where you explore the village and St. Martin’s Church before continuing along a wide, rocky path dotted with cypress and aromatic Mediterranean maquis (low-lying vegetation). As you emerge from the wooded trail, you spy beautiful views of the Peljesac Peninsula just across the channel. A special lunch at a nearby winery rewards your efforts.

This afternoon affords free time in or around Korčula’s UNESCO-preserved Old Town. Known for its vineyards and olive groves, Korčula is also home to ancient Croatian traditions and an impressive medieval Old Town. One of the most picturesque of the Adriatic islands, it’s surprisingly uncrowded, offering delightful opportunities for exploration. Take to the water, and admire the view looking back at Korčula from the sea. You can rent a kayak, SUP (stand-up paddleboard), or windsurfer, and take a self-guided tour of the nearby waters. Or, enjoy a plunge in the hotel’s outdoor pool. You may wish to discover Korčula town’s small museums, including the Town Museum and the Icon Museum, or explore the narrow alleys leading off of the main street dotted with charming boutiques and art galleries.

Later, reconvene as a group for a guided walk through Old Town—often referred to as a miniature Dubrovnik for its beautiful medieval buildings and stonework. Dinner is a special affair this evening at a friend’s restaurant up in the hills above Korčula. A traditional feast awaits, featuring a seasonal menu that may include prawns, calamari, grilled meats, and a salad of sheep’s cheese and olives, paired with a local wine or beer. Returning to town, you may have enough energy for an after-dinner stroll along the enchanting streets of Korčula, town, providing perfect closure to the day.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

1-2 miles, easy

Your guides will meet you in the lobby of the Hotel Park, Hatzeov perivoj 3, in Split at 1:00 p.m. (after lunch on your own). They’ll be wearing Country Walkers shirts. Please be dressed for city walking.

After a brief orientation meeting, depart the hotel on foot for a short walk to the nearby ferry terminal. Reaching the port, you board the (50-minute) public ferry to Brač—the longest island in the archipelago and also the one with the highest elevation. You disembark in Supetar, a vibrant little town on the island’s north side dominated by a church.

Brač, the third-largest island in the Croatian archipelago, is best known for its luminous white stone, from which both Diocletian’s Palace and elements of the White House in Washington, DC, were constructed. It’s also famous for its olives, including the rare Buhavica olive found only on the northeastern side of the island. A short minibus drive along the tranquil northern coast brings you to your hotel, a comfortable property with a pool overlooking the sleepy village of Postira. After getting settled, you gather for a welcome meeting and stroll along the town’s pretty waterfront to a favorite restaurant, where you can savor the first of many delicious dinners featuring the bounty of this distinctive coast.

Included Meals: Dinner

5 miles, easy to moderate, 800-ft. elevation gain; 3 miles, easy

Today’s walk takes you along a pine-clad northern coastal path from Postira to the fishing village of Splitska. A steady ascent winds through olive groves and cultivated terraces, culminating at the village of Škrip, the island’s first settlement, founded by the Illyrians in 1000 BC. Remains of the original city wall can still be seen around the citadel. You stop for a brief visit to the tower and Roman mausoleum, today a museum dedicated to the history of the island. Your lunch today is pašticada, a traditional Dalmatian specialty of slowly braised beef served with homemade gnocchi.

The afternoon presents two options. Join your guide(s) along the lungomare, or seaside trail, from Lovrečina cove to Postira past ruins of a Roman basilica en route to your hotel. Or, you may opt to return to the hotel via minibus. Either option allows you time to relax poolside before dinner on your own at the hotel or one of the many waterfront eateries.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

3-5 miles, moderate, 1,400-ft. elevation loss

After a breakfast of fresh fruit, homemade bread, cheese, and yogurt, you set out to explore some of the island’s finest attractions. A 45-minute drive by minibus takes you to the trailhead. A rocky dirt path descends gradually to the 16th-century Pustinja Blaca, originally a hermitage founded in 1551 by Glagolitic priests during the Ottoman advance. You stop for a visit to the monastery before continuing to a secluded cove. Here, a short ride on a private boat brings you past the famous Zlatni Rat, or “Golden Cape,” one of the most picturesque beaches in all Croatia. Afterward, you proceed to a former shepherd’s hamlet for a traditional peka lunch (meat and vegetable stew simmered slowly over hot coals beneath a dome-shaped lid).

This afternoon, you take a drive to Vidova Gora, the highest point on Brač, for a panoramic view over the islands you will explore during your journey.

Late afternoon, you board a catamaran ferry for a short trip to your next island—chic Hvar, famous for its lavender production. After you check into your comfortable seaside hotel, the evening is yours to stroll the promenade and admire Hvar town’s main historical buildings, including the old theater—the first in Europe to be open to the public. For dinner, you are free to choose from among the many restaurants and cafés, with recommendations from your guides and hotel staff.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

5.5 miles, easy to moderate with challenging sections, 1,200-ft. elevation loss

After a buffet breakfast of fresh fruits, cereals, prsut (Dalmatian smoked ham), and eggs, you embark on a scenic excursion to the island’s northern coast. Today’s exploration begins with a short drive to your trailhead at Vidikovac Lavanda. From this vantage point, you take in stunning views of the island of Brač to the north and the Pakleni islands to the south. You descend steadily for approximately two and a half hours along a rugged hiking trail, the final portion of which includes some challenging, rocky terrain before reaching the tranquil town of Stari Grad (literally Old Town). Considered one of Croatia’s oldest towns, Stari Grad dates to the 4th century BC when it was a Greek colony called Faros. It lies on the edge of a UNESCO-preserved agricultural plain in a deep and protected cove. Upon arriving in town, you visit the fortified castle of Croatian poet Petar Hektorovic before an independent lunch at a konoba (tavern) or café of your choice.

Returning to Hvar by minibus, a free afternoon affords several options for you to explore Hvar independently, on land or by sea. A walled, medieval port town with stunning beaches, Hvar is a delight to explore. The surrounding waters are home to picturesque islands, while the city’s Old Town features elegant Renaissance architecture. Visit the elegant Cathedral of St. Stephen or visit the town’s impressive 17th-century theater (the first of its kind). Consider popping into the Benedictine convent where, over the centuries, the convent’s nuns perfected the art of lacemaking—a small on-site museum showcases their handiwork. (A map of the town noting the location of noteworthy attractions is provided.) Embark on the short (steep) climb to the Španjola Fortress, a medieval castle occupying the site of an ancient Illyrian settlement dating to 500 BC. The trail to the citadel rewards you with a bird’s-eye view of the picturesque harbor and the nearby Pakleni islands. (Route Notes provided.) Explore vibrant Hvar town on a self-guided tour. Rent a kayak for a paddle through the narrow straits and into the hidden coves of the nearby Pakleni islands. Or, indulge in a soothing facial or a relaxing massage treatment at your hotel’s luxurious Sensori Spa.

This evening, reunite with your guides for a festive dinner of traditional Dalmatian specialties at one of our favorite konobas.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

5.5 miles, moderate, 600-ft. elevation loss

This morning, after a copious breakfast, perhaps on the harborside terrace, depart on foot from your hotel for a walk to the peaceful cove of Milna. As you trace the trail along the shoreline, admire views of the nearby Pakleni islands (Pakleni otoci), the name refers to the “resin”—from the pine trees that once covered this island chain—used in shipbuilding. Your route continues across a rocky beach, beautiful bays, and a wooded trail culminating at Milna, where you may opt for a swim in the turquoise sea. A light lunch refuels you before a minibus shuttle back to Hvar town, where you have time for a stroll or perhaps a gelato before you bid the island farewell. Spend a late afternoon relaxing on a scenic public ferry (catamaran) to Korcula Island, the sixth-largest Adriatic island. Settle in at your seaside hotel and base for the next two nights. This evening, dinner is on your own, either at the hotel or at one of the many konobas in town. (Your guides and hotel staff will provide you with suggestions!)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

5 miles, easy to moderate, 450-ft. elevation loss

After breakfast in your hotel’s panoramic dining room, you set out to explore the wooded hills above Korčula, an island blanketed in vineyards and olive groves and sprinkled with picturesque villages. Traditional culture has been preserved on this island, from religious festivals to folk music to dancing to shipbuilding. A short drive brings you to Žrnovo, where you explore the village and St. Martin’s Church before continuing along a wide, rocky path dotted with cypress and aromatic Mediterranean maquis (low-lying vegetation). As you emerge from the wooded trail, you spy beautiful views of the Peljesac Peninsula just across the channel. A special lunch at a nearby winery rewards your efforts.

This afternoon affords free time in or around Korčula’s UNESCO-preserved Old Town. Known for its vineyards and olive groves, Korčula is also home to ancient Croatian traditions and an impressive medieval Old Town. One of the most picturesque of the Adriatic islands, it’s surprisingly uncrowded, offering delightful opportunities for exploration. Take to the water, and admire the view looking back at Korčula from the sea. You can rent a kayak, SUP (stand-up paddleboard), or windsurfer, and take a self-guided tour of the nearby waters. Or, enjoy a plunge in the hotel’s outdoor pool. You may wish to discover Korčula town’s small museums, including the Town Museum and the Icon Museum, or explore the narrow alleys leading off of the main street dotted with charming boutiques and art galleries.

Later, reconvene as a group for a guided walk through Old Town—often referred to as a miniature Dubrovnik for its beautiful medieval buildings and stonework. Dinner is a special affair this evening at a friend’s restaurant up in the hills above Korčula. A traditional feast awaits, featuring a seasonal menu that may include prawns, calamari, grilled meats, and a salad of sheep’s cheese and olives, paired with a local wine or beer. Returning to town, you may have enough energy for an after-dinner stroll along the enchanting streets of Korčula town, providing perfect closure to the day.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

5 miles, easy to moderate, 700-ft. elevation gain and loss

After an included breakfast, you bid farewell to Korčula to walk the hills along the Peljesac Peninsula. This area is home to some of the best beaches in southern Dalmatia, with wide, sandy coves bordered by groves of tamarisk and pine. After a short boat ride to the tiny town of Viganj, you ascend a rocky trail for approximately 20 minutes. You are quickly graced with gorgeous views across the channel to Korčula before descending to Orebic. Once an important maritime center, the town is now home to a small maritime museum. Enjoy lunch and a stroll through town on your own. Afterward, bid farewell to your guides and travel companions, and proceed with your driver to magnificent Dubrovnik, where your tour ends at approximately 5:00 p.m. Continue your independent adventure or make connections for your next destination.

Included Meals: Breakfast