Split and the Dalmatian Coast
- Split, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Dalmatian islands of Brac and Hvar
- Stroll through the wonderful village of Vrboska, nicknamed “little Venice”
- Many opportunities for refreshing swims and paddles in turquoise blue seas
- Coastal walks through olive groves, vineyards and ancient villages
- Delicious mouthwatering local cuisine such as black risotto and seafood stew
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Split and overnightWelcome to Split, a beautiful waterfront city that has a wonderful promenade and the 1700-year-old Diocletian Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit Varos, the ancient fisherman’s quarter and perhaps stroll around the beautiful bays close by.
Meet your local representative for a briefing at around 7pm.
Nestled in the old quarter of Veli Varos, this villa is perfectly located just a stone’s throw away from the famed Diocletian Palace. The rooms are a stylish blend of traditional and modern and all have air-conditioning and free WiFi.
Enjoy your time in Split staying in these apartments right in the heart of the city. They are decorated in a modern style and you will have a very warm weclome by your local host.
This stylish hotel is located in Varos, which is one of the oldest areas of Split with charming narrow streets and stone houses. It has warm and friendly staff and interiors infused with ancient history. There is also a pool and wellness centre.
Start your walk along the coast, passing through beautiful bays and beaches. If you like you can explore the Mestrovic Gallery before following a trail which leads you to Marjan Park Forest, a famous recreational place for the citizens of Split. Discover many charming churches and trails with amazing views over Split, the sea and the nearby islands.
Later in the evening stroll through the narrow alleyways of the old town and try one of the numerous cafes and restaurants serving fresh Mediterranean seafood!
Nestled in the old quarter of Veli Varos, this villa is perfectly located just a stone’s throw away from the famed Diocletian Palace. The rooms are a stylish blend of traditional and modern and all have air-conditioning and free WiFi.
Enjoy your time in Split staying in these apartments right in the heart of the city. They are decorated in a modern style and you will have a very warm weclome by your local host.
This stylish hotel is located in Varos, which is one of the oldest areas of Split with charming narrow streets and stone houses. It has warm and friendly staff and interiors infused with ancient history. There is also a pool and wellness centre.
Enjoy a ferry ride to Brac, the biggest and the highest island in central Dalmatia, located just 50 minutes away. Brac is known for its white marble used to build many important sites such as the Diocletian’s Palace in Split and the White House in Washington DC.
Today take a loop walk to the west side of the island which at first takes you through olive groves and between stone walls built centuries ago. En route discover Sutivan, a charming sleepy village on the north shore of Brac, before returning to Supetar, where you will overnight.
Please note that your luggage will be transferred at 8am from your accommodation in Split and be taken to Supetar on Brac Island. You can choose to take a ferry at a time of your choosing as they depart every couple of hours.
This family guest house has been built in traditional Dalmatian-style, using the Brac white marble. It is just 70 metres away from the beach.
All rooms are en-suite, have air conditioning and a balcony. Many rooms have sea views.
The hotel is situated in the town enabling you to enjoy the local vibe in the evenings.
This resort is situated on the west side of Supetar in a peaceful bay. Its the perfect place to relax and unwind as it has beautoful gardens and the scents of rosemary, thyme and lavender fill the air. You can also hear the sound of the sea. Your room will either face the sea or the gardens. You spacious room has all modern amenities.
At around 9am this morning a short transfer (20 minutes) brings you to Lovrecina, a sandy bay and the site of important 5th century archaeological excavations. From here follow a pine-shaded northern coastal path to Postira and Splitska, two relaxed fisherman villages located on the northern shores of Brac. An optional loop will take you to Dol, a small village featuring caves in the middle of the mountain which is highly recommended.
The afternoon is at your disposal to either swim at one of many beaches surrounding Supetar, or discover historical sites and local culture.
This family guest house has been built in traditional Dalmatian-style, using the Brac white marble. It is just 70 metres away from the beach.
All rooms are en-suite, have air conditioning and a balcony. Many rooms have sea views.
The hotel is situated in the town enabling you to enjoy the local vibe in the evenings.
This resort is situated on the west side of Supetar in a peaceful bay. Its the perfect place to relax and unwind as it has beautoful gardens and the scents of rosemary, thyme and lavender fill the air. You can also hear the sound of the sea. Your room will either face the sea or the gardens. You spacious room has all modern amenities.
Today starts at around 9am with a transfer to Gazul village to start the walk to Vidova Gora where you will have stunning views over the Adriatic. From here continue the walk down to the coastal town of Bol. If time permits there maybe the chance explore the famous Golden Horn Beach which is a 30 minute walk along the coast. Have a swim and relax here or explore the pretty port of Bol before catching the catamaran to Jelsa on Hvar Island. The catamaran ferry crossing normally departs at around 17.40 (this will be confirmed to you on arrival in Croatia) and takes 20 minutes.
B&B Aurora is located in the centre of Jelsa. It was renovated in 2017 and is decorated in a modern style and you will be served a freshly prepared breakfast. Walking into town takes only three minutes.
Stay in a traditional Croatian stone building overlooking the harbour in Jelsa. It is perfectly positioned to explore the town and the rooms have the old stonework but are contemporary in design.
The first option is a Jelsa loop walk (11km) via Pitve. Follow a narrow trail starting above Jelsa and continue to the charming inland village of Pitve before returning to Jelsa.
The other choice is a walk (15km) that takes you along a pretty coastal road to a fisherman’s village and port called Vrboska. Little stone houses, romantic bridges and narrow alleys are reasons why Vrboska has earned the name “little Venice”. Then continue your walk along a small peninsula, a fantastic location for a midday swim before returning to Jelsa.
From Vrboska if you wish you can walk to Stari Grad Plain, a World UNESCO Heritage Site. This amazing place represents a comprehensive system of land use and agricultural colonization by the Greeks and was built in the 4th century BC. If you walk to Vrboska, then straight to Stari Grad, without adding on the walk to the peninsula the total walk is 10.8km. Double it if you want to walk or you can take a taxi back.
B&B Aurora is located in the centre of Jelsa. It was renovated in 2017 and is decorated in a modern style and you will be served a freshly prepared breakfast. Walking into town takes only three minutes.
Stay in a traditional Croatian stone building overlooking the harbour in Jelsa. It is perfectly positioned to explore the town and the rooms have the old stonework but are contemporary in design.
Today leave the sleepy and tranquil town Jelsa and depart for the trendy Venetian Hvar Town. Begin with a short transfer (30 minutes) at around 9am to Velo Grablje, an abandoned village once famous for lavender oil production and where you can still see the lavender fields and a traditional lifestyle. Walk down to the coast and then take the mostly flat walk along the island's south coast where you will discover charming and hidden beaches. In the afternoon discover Hvar Town and treat yourself with a well-deserved aperitif or glass of local wine in one of the numerous bars along the Venetian-influenced piazza.
This small boutique-style hotel is made of the traditional stone of the area and situated in an ancient palace which was built in the 16th century. All the rooms have been colourfully and tastefully decorated and are nice and spacious.
This hotel offers views over the Mediterranean Sea and is only a 9-minute walk from Hvar Cathedral and a 12-minute walk from Španjola Fortress. Enjoy relaxing by the outdoor pool and enjoy an apertivo in one of the 2 bars.
This family-run hotel in the heart of Hvar is just a few steps away from the square and St Stephen's Cathedral. As this hotel is located in an old stone building you can feel the sense of Dalmatia's cultural heritage.
Today your tour ends in Hvar Town, after breakfast. Take a ferry back to Split for your return journey (payable locally). If you do not need to rush back to Split, you might want to visit Fortica Španjola, a 16th-century fortress located on the hill above the town.
This trip has a carbon score of 10kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 10kg is equivalent to 18 lattes. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.
Other Information
Is it for me?This tour is the epitome of a relaxed walking adventure. You will take easy to moderate walks along Roman, Venetian and Greek trails to visit ancient villages, drink delicious local wine and sample the delights of this areas incredible gastronomy. There will also be time to absorb the local history and culture.
Slower Adventures | Where walking and cycling meet easy-going exploring, our Slower Adventures are the perfect combination. Most days are filled with picturesque journeys with some free time to dive into the destination and experience the people, local food and culture as you go.
Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.
Solo Travellers, Families with Teens
The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years
This tour is suitable for people that are in good physical condition and it is rated easy to moderate. Generally walking paths in Croatia tend to be quite rocky so you do have to be careful with your footing when negotiating the trails. There are some small sections on roads where care should be taken.
Stay overnight in a mix of B&B's, guesthouses, hotels and also apartment-style accommodation. During the high season, you might be booked into alternative accommodations which are not listed in the description. Any alternative accommodation will be of the same or better standard as those described.
Solo Walkers & Single Rooms
If you require single rooms within your party we would be happy to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable. Solo walkers are also welcome for an additional charge.
Meals
7 Breakfasts are included. The information that you receive upon arrival will give you suggestions regarding where to eat lunch and dinner each day. On some days you will need to buy picnic supplies to take on the walk with you, but again all of this information about where you can buy these supplies will be listed for you.
You will be provided with the GPS tracks in the Macs Smartphone App and although our local partner supplies detailed route notes and maps we recommend the app as the best form of navigation. The routes are sometimes way-marked but at times they are not, so you will have to keep focused on the app and its maps as you walk.
- 7 Nights in small hotels, guest houses and B&B’s
- 7 Breakfasts
- Baggage transfers
- All the boat transfers (except for the one on Day 8 back to Split from Hvar)
- All necessary transfers to walks as described in the itinerary
- Orientation briefing
- GPX tracks on the Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app
- Route notes and detailed information pack
- Organizational assistance and backup from our area manager in Croatia and our office
- Travel insurance (required)
- Dinner and Lunch
- Drinks and snacks
- Personal equipment
- Public transportation when not included as part of the itinerary
- Entrances to museums, galleries, etc
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single Room Supplement
- Solo Walker Supplement
You can start this trip on any day between March to June and from September to October. As it gets so hot in Croatia during the middle of summer, we do not recommend this walk in July or August.
Time of Year
You should expect a warm Mediterranean climate with usually clear, sunny days from March right through to around September, although rain is possible at any time of year. In March the spring is starting to arrive and the amount of rainfall is lessening. It's a good time to go walking before the temperatures in Croatia start to rise, and before the main tourist season kicks off, so the towns and cities will be quieter. The springs months offer warm sunshine, and pleasant walking conditions. May is when most wildflowers are coming into bloom and when the majority of restaurants and shops have opened for the start of the main tourist season. The autumn months are also a favourable time of year, boasting cooler weather and a striking landscape made up of autumnal colours. In autumn, you can also expect some thunderstorms, normally in the afternoon or evening. It's worth noting that the earlier or later in the year you choose to travel the higher the likelihood of rain (October-March is when the rainfall is more likely). Also before May and in late October some local shops, and restaurants may have reduced opening times or have closed for the winter. If the accommodation has a swimming pool these will normally be closed prior to May/June and after September.
The closest airport to fly into is Split Airport which is located 25km outside the city. It is served by numerous airlines. To get from the airport to the centre of Split there is a shuttle bus that runs frequently. The journey time is approximately 25 minutes. You can find information for the shuttle bus on the Split Airport website of here. You can a ticket locally or in advance on the shuttle bus website. There is also a local bus that runs which is less expensive but takes longer. A taxi also takes about 25 minutes and costs approximately £60-£80.
Your tour finishes in Hvar. Take a ferry back to Split. You will find the schedules on the Croatia Ferries website. You can either book in advance online or simply choose a ferry and pay locally.
Door to door baggage transfer is included in the price of your trip. We ask you keep your baggage to a maximum of 1 bag per person (maximum weight 20kg)
The distances and descents / ascents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necesssary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat and sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking/ cycling gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.
This tour is suitable for people that are in good physical condition and it is rated Easy to Moderate. Generally walking trails in Croatia tend to be quite rocky so you do have to be careful with your footing when negotiating the trails.
Spring in Croatia is sublime and April, May and June are absolutely lovely. Autumn is beautiful so September and October are unmissable. July and August can be hot so we do not offer the tour during these months.
You will need good walking shoes/boots, comfortable walking clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers, a daypack and hats/gloves etc. You can download a full equipment list from the downloads page of our website.
Some of the walks on this trip are way marked but many are not and you will need to follow the GPS tracks in the Macs Adventure Smartphone App. We highly recommend using this so that you don't get lost. However we do also provide seperate route notes and maps.
You will need good walking shoes/boots, comfortable walking clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers, a daypack and hats/gloves etc. You can download a full equipment list from the downloads page of our website.
Your bags will be transferred between your accommodation as per your itinerary. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.
You can use public transport or local taxis to continue to your next overnight stop.
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