An entire UNESCO old town on a tiny island: marble lanes, the cathedral of St Lawrence with its Radovan portal, and Kamerlengo fortress. An open-air museum.

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25 km from Split

Omiš

A town where the Cetina river breaks through a 300 m gorge to the sea: once a pirates' lair. Two clifftop fortresses, rafting, ziplining and long sandy beaches.

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45 km from Split

Krka NP

A national park of thundering waterfalls and emerald pools, with wooden walkways over the water. Don't miss the main falls, Skradinski buk.

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40 km from Split

Zlatni Rat (Brač)

Croatia's most famous beach: a golden pebble spit jutting into the turquoise sea, changing shape with the wind. Ferry to Supetar, then on to Bol.

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60 km from Split

Hvar

The glamorous sunshine island: lavender fields, a chic harbour town with a fortress, crystal-clear coves and the Pakleni islands offshore. Fast catamaran from Split.

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25 km from Split

Šolta

The closest, quietest island: olive groves, silent coves, almost no crowds. Dalmatia the way it used to be.

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30 km from Split

Čiovo (Okrug Gornji)

An island reached by a bridge near Trogir: the long 'Copacabana' beach promenade, shallow water, family-friendly. No ferry needed.

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8 km from Split

Stobreč

A headland beach with soft sand in the shallows and crystal-clear sea, pines, a campsite vibe. Very family-friendly and calmer than the city beaches.

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12 km from Split

Podstrana

A long pebble coast southeast of Split with views back to the city and Marjan, beach bars, water sports and a fine cycling promenade.

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15 km from Split

Kaštela

Seven old coastal towns between Split and Trogir, each around a Venetian castle: palm promenades, small beaches, few tourists. Kaštel Gomilica is 'Braavos' from Game of Thrones.

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130 km from Zagreb

Plitvice Lakes NP

16 turquoise-emerald lakes linked by dozens of waterfalls in cascades, threaded by wooden walkways: UNESCO and Croatia's most famous park. Start very early.

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15 km from Zagreb

Medvednica / Sljeme & Medvedgrad

Zagreb's home mountain: Sljeme (1,033 m) by cable car or on foot, hiking trails and rustic mountain huts (bean stew, štrukli). On a spur sits medieval Medvedgrad with a wide city view.

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20 km from Zagreb

Samobor

A charming little town with a brook, a pretty main square and a hilltop castle ruin: famous for its 'kremšnita' custard slice. A perfect calm half-day.

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80 km from Zagreb

Varaždin

The baroque 'little Vienna': pastel palaces, a white castle and a flawless old town: Croatia's baroque jewel, barely touristy.

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75 km from Zagreb

Trakošćan

A fairy-tale white castle above a lake in green Zagorje, with a park all around: straight out of a picture book. A lovely walk around the lake after the tour.

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50 km from Zadar

Velebit

Croatia’s largest mountain range with Paklenica NP: the dramatic Velika and Mala Paklenica canyons, world-class climbing and trails to the Velebit peaks.

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12 km from Makarska

Biokovo

Steep massif above the Makarska Riviera: the glass Skywalk platform, Sveti Jure peak (1762 m) and views as far as Italy.

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20 km from Split

Mosor

Rocky ridge above Split: demanding trails, viewpoints over the Adriatic and a mountain hut for a break.

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75 km from Split

Dinara

Croatia’s highest peak (Sinjal, 1831 m) in Dinara Nature Park: vast karst pastures and the source of the Cetina river.

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22 km from Rijeka

Učka

Nature park above Opatija: the Vojak summit (1401 m) with its stone tower and sweeping views over Kvarner and Istria.

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35 km from Rijeka

Risnjak

Risnjak National Park in Gorski kotar: dense forest, lynx country and the source of the Kupa river near Rijeka.

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