The 28-mile narrow and winding road of the Amalfi Coast has tempted tourists by the droves for years and after nearly three years of living in Italy, we finally ventured south of Rome to the famed coastline earlier this year. While the Amalfi Coast was pretty and we thoroughly enjoyed our time in Ravello (and we certainly indulged as we ate our way along it!), we think the Amalfi Coast- GASP! -ain’t got nothin’ on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast!
We drove the entire length of the Dalmatian Coast from Italy to Montenegro. It is a mix of craggy cliffs, hidden coves and beaches, islands dotting the horizon as far as the eye can see, thousands of inlets, olive groves, and pine forests. As we rounded each bend in the road, openings between Cyprus trees gave way to the sea in an array of shades of blue. Dare we say that this is Europe’s most beautiful coastline?
If that doesn’t paint a picture for you and have you immediately adding a road trip down the Dalmatian Coast to your bucket list, then here are 8 reasons why we think you should!
1. Hidden coves.
Each summer our fellow European residents flock to the beaches in droves and we find ourselves vying for a towel-sized spot of sand to soak up some rays after taking a dip in either the Adriatic or Mediterranean. Along Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast, we spied hidden cove after hidden cove with nary another soul in sight.
2. Thousands of islands.
Okay, 1,246 to be exact. Most of the islands are small and uninhabited but there are a number that are easily reached on day excursions or by ferry. We particularly enjoyed our day sail to Solta, where we found our own little slice of beach perfect for enjoying the crystal clear water. And had we had more time, we spotted some beaches as we sailed around Lokrum Island we would have liked to relax on.
3. Stunning views.
Definitely skip the freeway and drive the coastline. You won’t be sorry! Around each bend in the road was another picturesque view. Sometimes it was a church bell tower punctuating the blue of the Adriatic, other times it was national parks and lakes like Bacina Lakes.
4. Historic towns.
Split surprised us with its’ lovely ruins and easy accessibility to beautiful islands. And Dubrovnik knocked our socks off with its’ Medieval walls and stunning old town. We also found its’ more recent history fascinating and left with a different take on the world after watching videos of a city under lock-down as it was shelled consistently for nearly one year barely 20 years ago.
5. Take a leap of faith.
Off the Šibenik Bridge near Split, that is! And if that sort of adrenaline rush just isn’t your thing, stop by and watch others throw themselves off the bridge and live to tell about it.
6. Traffic. What traffic?
Come July and August we are guaranteed to double the amount of time it takes to drive just about anywhere in Italy. In fact, leaving on this road trip we were stuck in traffic on the autostrada just trying to get out of Italy. But it was smooth cruising and we didn’t hit a spot of traffic from the Croatian border to the Montenegrin border.
7. Budget friendly.
While July and August are the most expensive months to visit because tourist season is in full swing, Croatia is still a budget friendly destination. Apartment rentals are readily available for less than $100 per night and give the flexibility of being able to eat some or all meals in.
And if you’re into camping, there were certainly no shortage of beach-side auto camps along the entire Dalmatian Coast. Campsites offered shower facilities and some even had on-site restaurants.
September is one of the best months to visit while the sea is still warm enough to swim yet the crowds have thinned out with children returning to school. Off-season accommodation rates are also in place.
A suckling pig freshly put over the spit-fire
8. Spit-fire roasting pigs.
We’ve just got to add the roasting pigs to our list! Barbecue Eastern European style, these pigs can be seen slowly rotating over a spit-fire from Slovenia to Montenegro. We tried it in the village of Drage between Zadar and Split and it was the perfect balance of moist meat and crispy skin. Paired with Croatian potato salad, it was the perfect meal before an afternoon at the beach.
Would you add a road trip along the Dalmatian Coast to your bucket list?
Jennifer Dombrowski
Jennifer Dombrowski is a location independent globe trotter and bases herself in Prata di Pordenone, Italy. She works as a social media and innovation strategist in higher education and is a regular contributor on johnnyjet.com. Her website, jdombstravels.com, is the 2012 Destinology Travel Bloggy Best Newcomer award winner. Google+
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We’re Jennifer and Tim and we love traveling! We are just one ordinary couple who have found that travel brought us closer together, taught us patience, the art of compromise, and how to truly appreciate the diversity of this extraordinary world. So far, we've visited 37 countries, lived in the United States and Italy, and Tim has lived in Korea. And we do it all while both holding down full time jobs. 
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Katryna Marshall Robertson
September 5, 2012 at 10:09 am (UTC 2) Link to this comment
Just got back from staying at a Villa for Labor day weekend in Isteria with 4 of our 5 children and loved it. Would you think the weather would be good enough in October (when work has slowed down) to do this trip? How long were your driving days, wondering b/c of our children?
Thanks!
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Ali
September 5, 2012 at 4:27 pm (UTC 2) Link to this comment
Ok, I still want to see the Amalfi Coast (I haven’t been there yet) but this does sound pretty great. I love that the Dalmatian Coast is less crowded, that definitely sounds appealing. If I can ever figure out how to get a German driver’s license without having to sell a kidney, I might see about doing a road trip like this someday.
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Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
September 5th, 2012 at 8:25 pm
I’d love to get a small group of bloggers together and sail or yacht down the coast and to the islands!
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Amanda
September 5, 2012 at 6:16 pm (UTC 2) Link to this comment
I only got a brief taste of the Dalmatian Coast this summer, but I think I would have to agree – it definitely gives the Amalfi Coast a run for its money!!
The fact that it’s less crowded and lots cheaper than its Italian rival definitely makes it more attractive to me!
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Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
September 5th, 2012 at 8:27 pm
Definitely agree, Amanda! I know I want to spend some more time along the Dalmatian Coast and exploring the Dalmatian islands next summer. Such a gorgeous area!
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Lisa at Amalfi Blue
September 6, 2012 at 1:11 am (UTC 2) Link to this comment
Since my upcoming book affirms where my soul’s home lies, I am sold on the Amalfi Coast. But, Croatia is on the to-do list this spring. Your pics make me want to go right now!
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Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
September 6th, 2012 at 6:01 pm
Thanks, Lisa! I must admit I feel like a very bad resident of Italy saying the Dalmatian coast is better.
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Shamis @ Gawaya Travel Blog
September 6, 2012 at 9:06 am (UTC 2) Link to this comment
Looks like I’ve been reading a lot about beautiful destinations lately. I love beaches and Dalmatian Coast seem to offer lot more than just beaches. Going to add this to my bucket list. Thanks for a great read!
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Tony
October 2, 2012 at 4:05 am (UTC 2) Link to this comment
We stayed 5 weeks in a small town about an hour south of Split… the Dalmatian coast is AMAZING! Couldn’t agree with you more.
Incredible coast line, super nice people, and some of THE best Italian food we’ve eaten anywhere.
So somebody else agrees!
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Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
October 2nd, 2012 at 2:15 pm
Lucky you, Tony, to stay for 5 weeks! We were saying we could totally live in any of the little towns we drove through. We’re very bad Italian residents to say so, but we think the Dalmatian Coast is better. It’s just more pure, more natural. Not over commercialized.
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D.J. - The World of Deej
October 29, 2012 at 12:06 am (UTC 2) Link to this comment
I would have to see both in order to compare, but it looks like Dalmatian could give Amalfi a run for its money:)
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Turtle
November 12, 2012 at 1:48 am (UTC 2) Link to this comment
That’s a big call, declaring it to be the most beautiful coastline. But from your photos it looks like you might be right. Looks like I’m going to have to go and check it out for myself to be sure!!
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Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
November 13th, 2012 at 12:47 am
Don’t get me wrong. The Amalfi Coast is beautiful, but there is just something about Croatia’s unspoiled coastline that makes it even more beautiful.
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