UNESCO World Heritage Sites to Visit on Your Dalmatia Sailing Route

When you plan to come sailing in Croatia, the first thing you probably picture is the sun and the sea, the next might be the gastronomy, but Croatia also has a rich tapestry of history which many of the towns and monuments bear witness to. Croatia boasts 10 UNESCO World Heritage sites, and has 15 sites and monuments on the ‘Tentative’ list, many of which you can see during your Dalmatia sailing itinerary.

Let’s start North; on a Northern Dalmatia sailing route, you can visit many of the tentative sites. The city of Zadar is one of these; with its famous sea organ and sunsets – which Hitchcock dubbed “the most beautiful in the world”. National Parks Telašćica and Kornati are also featured; and it is no wonder, with their pristine nature, unique flora and fauna, geological and geomorphological phenomena – not to mention they are fantastict sailing destinations!

Primošten is another gem which shouldn’t be missed on a Northern Dalmatia sailing route, and it is the Primošten vineyards which are on the UNESCO Heritage tentative list. The vineyards are synonymous with the region and have been recognised by UNESCO. The rocky terrain was originally cleared by hand, creating lots with dry-stone walls (UNESCO Protected Intangible Heritage). Evidence of winemaking here dates back to the 8th Century; and today, the terrain and agricultural techniques of maintaining the land have been relatively unchanged since. Vines grow out of the red soil on these steep hillsides, producing one of the region’s most well-known and awarded grape varieties – the rich, ruby red Babić. Anchor in the bay in front of Primošten, wander the alleyways and enjoy a wine tasting.

Sailing further south, you will reach the gorgeous town of Šibenik which has not one, but two UNESCO Heritage protected sites. As you sail towards the Šibenik channel, you will sail by the St. Nicholas’ Fortress, which stands guard at the entrance. Built by the Venetians between the 15th and 16th Century; today, it is one of Dalmatia’s most well-preserved examples of defence architecture. And, it is the perfect greeting for the understated grandeur of Šibenik; after mooring along the Riva, a light stroll will find you in the main square where you can marvel at the 16th Century St. James Cathedral. The St. James Cathedral is built entirely from stone (limestone and marble), and is considered one of the most significant monuments of Renaissance architecture in the country. Sip on a coffee in the main square and take in the beauty, or go inside and witness many masterworks.

Continuing south, you have two UNESCO Heritage protected sites – the historical towns of Trogir and Split. Trogir has 2,300 years of continuous history, occupation and tradition; from the Greeks, Romans and Venetians, to the modern day Croatians. For a tiny town, it has one of the highest concentrations of palaces, churches and architectural gems; you will see examples of architecture from the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods. Trogir is a great place to start or finish a sailing itinerary. Split is also a popular destination for sailors, and where many choose to begin and end their sailing Croatia adventure. The old town of Split lies within the walls of Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace, which was built in 305 AD. However, just like Trogir, the area was originally inhabited by Greeks, then Romans, Venetians and since the 7th Century, the palace has been continually inhabited. Split is a living breathing monument to the past; lose yourself in the winding alleyways, history, culture and gastronomy.

As you continue your journey south, anchor in Blaca bay on the southern side of island Brač. From here, you can hike to the 16th Century Blaca Monastery which is on UNESCO’s tentative list. In the 16th Century, two monks were fleeing Turks and found shelter in a cave on island Brač near Bol; they later transformed the area into a Monastery to dedicate to their spiritual practice. The Monastery was in use for 400 years, and, being that they were cut off from everything, it was also its own self-sustaining community. They produced wine, olive oil, honey, fruit and vegetables and had many animals. Up until 50 years ago, the Monastery was also an operating school; local children hiked the trail every day, carrying a piece of wood (for the furnace) as tuition! Walk the trail, explore the Hermitage and imagine eras gone by. The Blaca Hermitage is a spiritual, cultural and National treasure; it doesn’t make it to the top of many ‘must-see’ lists, but it should and now you know!

Stari Grad on island Hvar is also an underrated destination, its idyllic town rests around the harbour and is bursting with local charm, gastronomy, art and music; it is also one of Europe's oldest towns. Enjoy the town during the day, and in the late afternoon, catch a ride to the UNESCO Heritage protected Stari Grad Plain. This landscape was first established and cultivated by the Ancient Greeks in the 4th Century BC. The ancient layout has been maintained over the centuries by the use of dry-stone walls; crops, olives and vineyards still thrive there today. Enjoy this best by booking a table at an Agro-Tourism farm, enjoy the traditional peka dish, and sip on indigenous local wines while you watch the sunset over the plain.

As we near the end of our sailing journey, we reach Korčula town (tentative list) on the island of Korčula. Evidence shows that Korčula was settled in prehistoric times during the Mesolithic and Neolithic area. Korčula town itself was founded between the 12th and 13th Century, it has heavy Venetian influences and is said to be the home of Marco Polo. It is a small, fortified town, structured in a herringbone fashion – with one main street running through the centre, and smaller streets running parallel off of it. A picturesque town, where you will find many boutique shops, incredible gastronomy, local wines and live music tucked away in tiny courtyards or town squares. Also, keep an eye out for the Moreška sword dance which has been performed in in Korčula for more than 400 years! It is an incredible spectacle of tradition, history, stamina and choreography! Moreška is performed on Thursday evenings in the shoulder season, with an additional performance on Mondays added during the peak-season.

Finally, we arrive in the last UNESCO Heritage protected site along the Dalmatian coast, the ‘pearl of the Adriatic’ or perhaps better known today as the ‘King’s Landing’, Dubrovnik. Originally founded in the 7th Century under the name Ragusa, Dubrovnik began to rise to its glory in the 12th and 13th Century, thanks to Maritime trade and diplomacy. Dubrovnik’s appeal is obvious, the grandeur of its architecture, with likes of the Renaissance Sponza Palace, the Gothic-Renaissance Rector’s Palace, the 18th Century St. Blaise Cathedral and Master Onofrio’s fountain which greets you (with fresh drinking water) at the entrance to Stradun. Get lost in the streets, exploring the many palaces, Churches and museums, and enjoy some of the fine restaurants – including one of Croatia’s few Michelin-star restaurants.

Sailing in Croatia has so much more to offer than just the sun and the sea, which is why – even though we may be biased – we think it is the best sailing destination in the world. Let us help you create the perfect sailing holiday in Croatia.

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