Beautiful beaches, crystal-clear sea, stunning old cities and rich history make the Adriatic
coast one of the best summer destinations in the world. As a tour guide I can't wait to show you
the most stunning places on the Adriatic coast. We are starting with a spectacular but little-known
Croatian town of Omis. Small town is set in a spectacular setting at the mouth of the Cetina
River where steep cliffs meet the Adriatic sea. On the surrounding peaks a couple of fortresses
look over the town adorned with beautiful old architecture, tightly packed under the mountain.
In the middle ages Omis was home of pirates, but is now a popular summer destination. Along the
coast stretch modern houses, hotels, and beautiful beaches set in a spectacular landscape. In the
heart of central Dalmatia the mountain of Biokovo rises above the Adriatic sea. From one of its
best lookout points, Skywalk Biokovo, a glass walkway hangs out of the cliff from where you
can see many Adriatic islands. At the foothills of the mountain is a 50 km stretch of coastline
known as Makarska Riviera. The spectacular landscape started to develop as a tourist
destination in the 1960s. Here are beautiful pebble beaches, long promenades along the sea,
pine forests, and an array of hotels, apartments, and tourist amenities.
Further south, in Montenegro, is a popular summer holiday destination of Budva, known for its sandy
beaches and wild nightlife. Despite being the center of modern tourism, this place still has
its wow factor. The core of modern holiday resort is a beautiful medieval coastal town
with defensive stone walls built by the Venetians. Impressive surroundings feature several islands
and bays topped with gorgeous mountains backdrop. Beautiful scenery, history, modern infrastructure,
great climate and many beautiful beaches makes Budva the perfect summer destination.
Another beautiful part of the Adriatic coastline is the Istria peninsula. Just off its western
coast is a group of small islands called Brioni. They are a popular national park with safari,
which holds animals given as a gift to Yugoslavian communist leader Josip Broz Tito. Here was his
summer residence where he hosted heads of states and movie stars. Islands are also famous for more
than 200 dinosaur footprints and Roman remains. Most people visit Brioni as a half-day or
full-day trip using the national parks regular and frequent boat service. On the coast of the
Istria peninsula are several beautiful old towns and one of them is Porec. The old town has a
rich history dating back 2,000 years, reflected in charming, winding streets with cafes, restaurants,
art galleries, and shops. But the most impressive landmark of Porec is a beautiful Byzantine
basilica with mosaics from the 6th century. Town is surrounded by beautiful coastline, with beaches
bearing the Blue flag, an international symbol of clean sea and well-kept beaches.
The largest mountain range along the Adriatic coast is called Velebit. This
spectacular area is one of the wildest part of the whole Mediterranean. It is a protected
park reserve with dramatic coastal landscapes and a unique combination of Mediterranean and
mountain climate. Under the mountain range runs a beautiful coastal road
passing by historical villages and medieval towns with small beaches. Velebit ends with
Paklenica national park, famous for canyons, climbing opportunities and beautiful beaches.
The Adriatic coast has an amazing heritage and one of its oldest cities is Zadar. It dates back
more than 3,000 years and the entire old town is an open-air museum. The oldest squares are
dating back to Roman times, and on one of them is a beautiful 9th century round church built
from reused parts of old Roman buildings. Zadar is also famous for its beautiful waterfront promenade
and a very unusual instrument called the Sea Organ, which plays music by way of sea waves.
From Zadar you can take a day trip to a spectacular and the most dense archipelago
in the entire Mediterranean, Kornati Islands. On the stretch of 35 km or 22 miles, are 109
islands riddled with cracks, caves and rugged cliffs. Since there are no sources of freshwater,
islands are mostly barren, but there are numerous secluded coves and bays featuring
smaller or larger beaches, perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The capital of the Croatian
coastline region, known as Dalmatia, is Split. The city started as a huge retirement palace
for Roman emperor Diocletian more than 1,700 years ago and amazingly, you can still see parts of the
original palace. Over the centuries, the palace was transformed into a magical old town that
was used as a filming location for the Games of Thrones. Here is the oldest Catholic cathedral in
the world that is also one of the best preserved Roman buildings. Along the walls of the ancient
Roman palace is Split's lively and spectacular waterfront full of restaurants and bars.
Off the shore of Split is the island of Brac with one of the most spectacular
beaches on the Adriatic coast, the Golden Horn Beach. This fine pebble beach is famous for its
distinctive shape, golden color, and its surrounding crystal clear turquoise water.
Beach is also special for the phenomenon of a pebble cape that changes its shaped
depending on the winds. The cape is covered by a small pine grove that provides shade and
holds the remains of an 1800 years old water tank, once part of a Roman villa.
Just off the Dalmatian coast is a beautiful island of Korcula, named after its glorious
medieval town. Picturesque Korcula town was built on a small peninsula in a spectacular
setting and is still surrounded by medieval town walls and defensive towers. They were
built by the Venetians when the island was part of Venetian Republic. Town streets are
linked by stone steps and lined by beautiful stone made Venetian architecture. According to
the local legend, this was the birthplace of fames Venetian explorer Marco Polo.
At the southern part of the Adriatic coastline is the most southern fjord in Europe, a spectacular
bay of Kotor in Montenegro. Bay was named after the beautiful coastal town wedged
between steep mountains and the Adriatic sea. Kotor town has a medieval maze of stone paved
streets and beautiful Venetian palaces and churches. Besides the stunning landscape,
the most impressive features are spectacular fortification surrounding
the town and stretching from the coast to the mountains. Thanks to the amazing Kotor walls,
the town managed to resist the attacks from the land and sea.
Back to Istria and it's romantic Rovinj. Set on a small peninsula,
its cobblestone streets are adorned by arches and porticos and lined by
old stone houses with wooden window shutters. On the top of the town is a beautiful church
with rich artwork and a bell tower offering spectacular views. Just south of the town
is one of the most beautiful nature parks in Istria with beautiful unspoiled beaches. No
wonder that Rovinj is one of the most popular and beautiful tourist resorts on the Adriatic coast.
On the Slovenian coast is a picturesque seaside town of Piran. Charming old town in a spectacular
location is set on a small peninsula. It has beautiful Venetian architecture and an impressive
maze of winding stone streets, passageways and small squares. Above the old town rises a cliff
with a church and a free-standing bell tower, a replica of st. Mark's bell tower in Venice,
as for more than half a millennia Piran was part of the Republic of Venice.
Adriatic also has the sunniest and one of the most beautiful islands in Europe, Hvar. Island is set
in a spectacular setting of the nearby chain of wooded Pakleni Islands and is famous for
its amazing beaches and rich history. Hvar town has beautiful Venetian stone made architecture,
narrow stone streets, imposing fort and the biggest main square on Croatian coast. Interior
of the island is just as amazing with small stone villages and amazing landscape lined with
handmade dry stone walls, hillsides covered with vineyards, olive trees, and lavender fields.
The Adriatic coast also has one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe,
world-famous Dubrovnik. The most spectacular feature of the town are its medieval defensive
walls that still completely surround the old town. Dubrovnik is set on a spectacular location between
the mountain and the crystal clear blue sea, and its old town is like a time capsule often used
as filming location, including for the Games of Thrones. There are also great beaches and
wonderful restaurants that make Dubrovnik a perfect holiday destination. But the most
impressive place on the entire Adriatic coast is spread on more than 100 small islands in a lagoon
with no roads. Thanks to its amazing architecture, art, and beauty collected in more than
1,000 years of Venetian Republic, Venice has been declared as the most beautiful city in the world
over and over again. Unique network of canals is crossed by more than 400 bridges, and the most
impressive one is Rialto, spanning the Grand Canal. There are also beautiful Doge's Palace,
spacious st. Mark's square with impressive basilica, and iconic bell tower. Venice has
so many stunning landmarks that despite its fame, they still leave visitors speechless.
If you plan to visit the Adriatic coast, check my favorite Adriatic tours and experiences in
the description below. To learn more about this spectacular Adriatic places, check this playlist!