If you like scenic drives, Dalmatian islands are definitely the place to be, especially in summer. Ferries connect them to the mainland very well, so no matter which archipelago you choose as your destination you will have plenty of excellent options. Picturesque towns, the beautiful Adriatic, and wonderful nature will make sure your day trip is a memorable one. Or you can hop around and maybe visit more than one island in one day, the choice is yours if you have the time. However, if you want a few tips on where to go for a nice ride, you’ve come to the right place.
Brač
Brač is an excellent place for a drive for several reasons. First, it’s very close to Split (if you are travelling by plane, go for car rental at Split airport), the largest city in Dalmatia, which means you can expect the ferry to get you to the town of Supetar in about 45 minutes. So, just rent a car from Lutar, buy a ferry ticket and get aboard.
Once on Brač, you have plenty of options. The island is full of amazing villages like Splitska or Pučišća, but you can also go and visit the amazing town of Bol and its spectacular beach called Zlatni rat. A very special treat awaits you at Vidova gora, the highest peak of all Croatian islands. The view from up there is simply amazing, and you can climb all the way to the top by car.
So yes, Brač alone has more than a day’s worth of scenic drives.
Hvar
Another great choice for scenic drives is the island of Hvar. It’s actually Brač’s closest neighbor, so you may even want to consider hopping from one island to the other if you’d like.
There are three main towns on the island – Jelsa, Stari Grad and Hvar Town – and they are all connected with fairly good roads. Driving around will lead you to some amazing beaches, but you will also see some incredibly beautiful lavender fields, something that has made this island quite well known.
But even that’s not all because the most amazing place on the island is the Stari Grad Plain, a field that was parcellated by the ancient Greeks almost 2500 years ago and has remained intact all this time. The stone walls here have plenty of stories to tell, that’s for sure.
Dugi otok
We’re moving just a bit north for this one. Dugi otok is a part of the Zadar archipelago with some truly mesmerizing nature to offer. Sakarun beach, for example, is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful beaches in Croatia, but you can also visit the Telašćica nature park to enjoy more wonderful nature.
There are even two lakes that can be explored, so you can count on having quite a full day on your hands.
Add to that the fact that there are quite a few picturesque villages scattered all over the island, and you get plenty of opportunities for exploration. If you’re at all adventurous, renting a car out and just going up and down this amazing island will be the best decision you’ve made in a very, very long time.