Dalmatian Coast

Emperor Diocletian retired to Split and built the best-preserved Roman...

Emperor Diocletian retired to Split and built the best-preserved Roman palace in the world, surrounded by vineyards. This adventure follows the Adriatic coast from Split to Dubrovnik, exploring islands where Zinfandel's ancestor grows and wines that rival Italy's finest.

A Wine Memories curated trail · winememories.fi

10 experiences 🇭🇷 Croatia moderate 1-2 weeks

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Curated by Wine Memories

  1. 1
    🗺️

    Diocletian's Palace & Split Wine

    Emperor Diocletian retired here in 305 AD and built the best-preserved Roman palace in the world. Wine bars in the basement cellars serve local Dalmatian wines in spaces where Roman amphorae once stood.

    tour $$
  2. 2
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    Split Wine Bars

    The Riva promenade and palace alleys are lined with wine bars serving Croatian wines. From underground palace cellars to rooftop terraces, Split is a wine city with 1,700 years of drinking culture.

    wine_bar $$
  3. 3
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    Salona Roman Capital

    Salona was the capital of Roman Dalmatia and birthplace of Emperor Diocletian. The amphitheater, baths, and early Christian sites are sprawling and largely crowd-free. Bring wine and picnic in the ruins.

    tour $
  4. 4
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    Kaštela Wine Route

    The coastal castles of Kaštela are home to Crljenak Kaštelanski — the genetic ancestor of Zinfandel and Primitivo. DNA proved this Croatian grape is the father of California's most popular red.

    tasting $$
  5. 5
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    Hvar Island

    The sunniest island in Croatia with 2,718 hours of sunshine per year. Roman Pharos colony. Lavender fields, fortress views, and wine from ancient terraces. Bogdanuša and Plavac Mali are the local specialties.

    adventure $$$
  6. 6
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    Stari Grad Plain

    UNESCO World Heritage agricultural landscape unchanged since Greek colonization in the 4th century BC. The stone-walled field system (chora) is the best-preserved example of ancient Greek land division in the Mediterranean.

    tour $
  7. 7
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    Pelješac Peninsula

    Croatia's best red wine region. The steep south-facing slopes of Dingač and Postup produce powerful Plavac Mali that rivals Italy's best. This is Croatia's first protected wine appellation.

    tasting $$$
  8. 8
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    Korčula Island

    Claimed birthplace of Marco Polo, Korčula town is a miniature Dubrovnik without the crowds. The island produces excellent white wines — Pošip and the rare Grk (grown only in Lumbarda sand).

    adventure $$
  9. 9
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    Dubrovnik

    The "Pearl of the Adriatic" isn't Roman, but makes a perfect Odyssey endpoint. The wine bars within the walls serve Croatian wines overlooking the Adriatic. Walk the walls at sunset, then descend to drink.

    wine_bar $$$
  10. 10
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    Konavle Valley

    The valley behind Dubrovnik, still producing wine from ancient vines. Malvasija Dubrovačka is the local specialty. Traditional farmhouses offer tastings with local ham and cheese.

    tasting $$

Plan the trip

Insider tip. Visit Kaštela to taste Crljenak Kaštelanski — then tell Americans you've drunk Zinfandel's grandfather in its ancestral home.

Getting there and around

Car required
Yes
Parking
Limited in old towns; use public lots
Nearest airport
Split (SPU) or Dubrovnik (DBV)
Drinking and driving
Island hopping requires ferries, not driving
Other airports
  • Zagreb (ZAG) - 4 hours to Split
Without a car
Ferries connect islands; catamaran Split-Dubrovnik skips islands

Where to stay

Base yourself in
Split, then Hvar, then Dubrovnik
Why there
Moving bases as you island-hop south
Booking tip
Book ferries in advance for summer; Dubrovnik 2+ months ahead
Nightly range
€80-300/night

Recommended stays

Budget
Split: Heritage Hotel Antique Split; Hvar: Guesthouse Ivica
Luxury
Split: Vestibul Palace; Dubrovnik: Hotel Excelsior
Mid-range
Split: Judita Palace; Hvar: Amfora
Vineyard stays
Pelješac has several wine estate stays

What it costs

Includes
Accommodation, tastings, meals, ferries, transport
Meals
€40-70/day with wine
Per person
€700-1,400
Ways to spend less
  • Ferries are cheaper than private boats
  • Konoba (taverns) are much cheaper than restaurants
  • Split and islands better value than Dubrovnik
Tasting fees
€10-25 per winery

Booking and timing

Lead time
1-2 weeks for wineries; ferries book up in summer
Closed days
Sunday limited; winter hours vary
Peak season
July-August is extremely crowded and hot
Best time of day
Morning for ruins; afternoon for islands
Group size
Most wineries are small family operations

Where to eat

Lunch
  • Split: Konoba Marjan for seafood with wine
  • Hvar: Gariful for upscale waterfront
  • Pelješac: Kapetanova Kuća for oysters
Dinner
  • Split: Zinfandel Food & Wine Bar
  • Korčula: LD Restaurant for refined local
  • Dubrovnik: Nautika or Proto
Winery restaurants
  • Many Pelješac wineries offer tastings with local cheese and prosciutto
  • Bibich in Kaštela has excellent food pairings

If your time is short

Do not miss
If you only have one day
If it rains
Diocletian's Palace cellars and Split museums perfect for rain
Skip if time is short

Mistakes to avoid

  • Don't come in August — it's unbearably crowded and hot
  • Don't skip Kaštela for Zinfandel DNA — it's a unique story
  • Don't only drink Plavac Mali — try Pošip whites too
  • Don't rely on last-minute ferries in summer — book ahead
  • Don't expect Dubrovnik to be cheap — it's Croatia's most expensive city

Worth stopping for

  • Diocletian's Palace at dawn before crowds
  • Hvar fortress at sunset
  • Dingač cliff vineyards with Adriatic below
  • Korčula old town from the water
  • Dubrovnik walls at golden hour