The southernmost part of Croatia comprises the tourist region of Dalmatia, which makes it the largest and the best known Croatian historical region. This is a region of sun, quality food and high water quality Adriatic Sea along with the number of islands, coves and channels, and enchanting settlements with stone-built houses makes Dalmatia an attractive place for tourism.
Dalmatia region is the real Mediterranean and includes several national parks which are favorite tourist attraction: Kornati Archipelago, Paklenica, Krka River and Mljet Island.
Dalmatia is divided between four sub regions or four counties: Zadar region, Sibenik Region, Split Region and Dubrovnik Region.
Zadar region
This northernmost Dalmatian region, encompassing the County of Zadar, has three areas: islands, littoral and mountainous. The mountainous area is where Paklenica National Park and Velebit Nature Park are.
The main nature attraction of the littoral area is Vransko Lake while the attraction of the island area is Telascica Nature Park.
The Zadar County includes the islands of Dugi otok, Ugljan, Pasman and most of Pag, as well as a number of other, smaller islands. Notable towns in this region are Zadar, Benkovac, Biograd, Nin, Pag and Obrovac.
Sibenik Region
Sibenik Region is situated in north-central Dalmatia. The region encompassing the County Sibenik - Knin, as county has been named after two largest towns, one of the source and the other at the confluence of the River Krka.
From town Zadar southwards the well indented archipelago of Northern Dalmatia grows ever more fragmented, until it turns into the spell binding intricacy of the Kornati National Park, islands of stone, strewn across the blue expanse sea, and the river Krka weaves its green magic in the rock bound bleakness of the Dalmatian hinterland. It this small region those two National Parks are situated and thought by many to be most precious natural jewels of the whole Dalmatia.
The Sibenik - Knin County includes the islands of Murter, Zlarin, Krapanj and Kornati, as well as a number of other, smaller islands. Notable towns in this region are Sibenik, Knin, Drnis and Skradin.
Split Region
Split Region is situated in the central-southern Dalmatia. The region encompassing the County Split - Dalmatia and is the largest country county.
As the largest Dalmatia tourist region, the area around Split town is the most densely populated and, historically and culturally, the richest in this part of Dalmatia. And if, by many Dalmatia is the true Mediterranean, and then its part, around Split, is the heart of the whole Mediterranean.
The visitor of this region can find beautiful Dalmatian islands, several Rivera’s with lovely beaches, the imposing rugged mountains which rise practically right from the shores, and the broad hinterland which contains a wide range of precious natural heritage sites.
The Split - Dalmatia County includes the islands of Brac, Hvar, Vis as well as a number of other, smaller islands, as the most far Adriatic islands of Jabuka and Palagruza. Notable towns in this region are Split, Trogir, Makarska and Omis; in the hinterland Sinj and Imotski; and on the islands Supetar on Brac, Hvar and Stari Grad on Hvar, and Vis and Komiza on Vis island.
In this region is just one nature park Biokovo Mountain and there are no national parks, but there you can find many other smaller protected areas as special reserves, park woods and natural monuments.
Dubrovnik Region
Dubrovnik Region is situated in the southernmost Dalmatia and Croatia. The region encompassing the County Dubrovnik – Neretva and is a very special area, regard to nature and for its cultural and historical significance, with Dubrovnik as one of the most beautiful Croatia town.
Among the islands in this region it is difficult to decide which is more beautiful, between green Lastovo and Mljet, or Korcula as the largest island in region; or the Elafiti islands, with their splendid old summer residences.
On the mainland there is Peljesac peninsula with its vineyards; the unique wetlands landscape of the Neretva Delta; Trsteno, the beautiful arboretum; the small Prevlaka peninsula, protected as an outstanding landscape and many other features. Altogether this area is one of the most attractive in the whole of the Mediterranean.
It this small region is situated National Park Mljet on the homonymous island and Nature Park Lastovo Islands, and there are also a number of other, smaller protected areas.
Among the ancient city of Dubrovnik, a pearl of World Cultural Heritage and a trade mark of Croatian tourism, other notable towns are Metkovic and Ploce in the Neretva river delta, and small town Cavtat south of Dubrovnik.
