North Dalmatia extends from the town Zadar in the north to the town Sibenik in the south. Along the coast, there are hundreds of small islands. This archipelago is what is left of a chain of mountains that were once located parallel to the Velebit mountains at the Gulf of Kvarner. The North Dalmatian stretch of coast used to belong to the medieval Croatian kingdom, and was later under Venetian rule, which has influenced the architecture in the area.

The landscape in North Dalmatia

Most of the region is rather mountainous. In North Dalmatia, there are many wonderful national parks, but the landscape along the coast is characterised by wonderful beaches and rugged nature. Waterfalls and rivers permeate the landscape around the mountains in the Paklenica area and the whole region has the most fantastic plant life, with fir and pine forests along the coast.

Large cities in North Dalmatia: Zadar and Šibenik 

Zadar is the largest and oldest town in North Dalmatia. Zadar is located on a peninsula and its rich and turbulent history is reflected in its numerous monuments. The town has fortifications and churches that can be dated back to the early Christianity, the Roman and gothic periods, the Renaissance and the Baroque.

Šibenik includes an old part of town, with cobbled streets that are steep and narrow and a large harbour area. The townscape is dominated by three old forts. This town has many interesting culture monuments.

Tourist attractions in North Dalmatia

Zadar, which is also called ”the gate to the national parks”, borders five national parks, which can all be seen on a one-day trip.
Paklenica, the Plitvica lakes and the Kornati islands each offer beautiful areas that are suitable for trips.
Hidden in the amazing plant life in the area are very special plant species, caves and a chain of mountain tops that have all contributed to UNESCO including the North Velebit national park in the international network of biosphere reserves.

Sports activities in North Dalmatia

The Large and Small Paklenica mountain areas with waterfalls and steep cliffs are ideal for climbers and a challenge to all nature lovers and hikers. In North Dalmatia, you can enjoy many different activities. Outdoor sports and water sport activities are particularly popular in the mild climate. Along the coast, you can swim, fish, surf and dive in the crystal-clear Adriatic.

Gastronomic characteristics in North Dalmatia

Similarly to the rest of Croatia, the cuisine in North Dalmatia is dominated by locally produced vegetables, such as tomatoes, aubergines, onions and peppers. A well-known starter is Pršut, air-dried ham with olives, goat cheese and capers. Along the coast, fish and shellfish are the most popular ingredients. Usually, local wine is what you drink with the food – in the northern part of the country, they especially drink Gemišt, a dry white wine with mineral water.

The climate in North Dalmatia

Inland, the climate is temperate, while there is pleasant climate along the coast that is subtropical in some areas. The spring begins approximately one month earlier than in Northern Europe and the winter begins a month later. The summers are warm and dry and with no or very little precipitation. The temperature in the summer months is around 25 °C, while it is around 12 °C during the winter.