Dalmatian Coast
Why go?
There are over 1,200 islands along the insanely indented Dalmatian
coast, some of them uninhabited, others home to glitzy
French-Riviera-style resorts. For the time being we have
concentrated on our two favourites, upbeat Hvar and secluded Lopud,
each of which has one (or more) beautiful hotels in which to base
yourselves, and reasonably easy access to Dubrovnik or Split.
For now, we have concentrated on a few of our favourite
islands.
HVAR
Hvar is an 80km-long island to the south of Split, which borders
the islands of Brac, Vis, Korcula and Peljesac. The mainland is
just 3km from the eastern end of the island. Its main town, which
is also called Hvar, is a picturesque harbour with well-preserved
Venetian buildings, including a hilltop castle and Europe's oldest
public theatre (dating from 1612). A recent surge in tourism has
drawn celebrities and local bigwigs to its trendy bar and
restaurant scene; in July and August it positively buzzes with
nightlife, mega yachts and boardwalk promenades, almost like the
French Riviera.
LOPUD
Lopud, one of the tiny, green, scattered Elafiti islands, lies a
50-minute ferry ride from Dubrovnik. Arriving over the turquoise
sea, the island’s only settlement unfolds as you enter a deep
bay, guarded by a small 16th-century Gothic-Renaissance chapel, the
final resting place of a local admiral and diplomat.
With a population of just 220 and no cars, this sleepy village of
old stone cottages, a park with towering palm trees, and an
abandoned, 15th-century Franciscan Monastery was once a favourite
bolt-hole of Dubrovnik aristocrats, who used to build their summer
villas here during the republic’s heyday.
RESIN ISLANDS
Off to the south of Hvar is a group of low islets with beautiful
beaches and swimming spots, named the Resin Islands
(Paklenski otoci). Most of them are served by regular taxi-boats
from Hvar town.