The Dalmatian hinterland

Though for most people the first things that come to mind when you say Dalmatia are the beautiful coast, wonderful beaches and the Adriatic Sea, a large part of Dalmatia is often forgotten by tourists and Croatians alike. We are talking about the historically rich, naturally diverse and fascinating Dalmatian hinterland.

In Croatian, the word we use—Zagora, meaning ‘beyond the hills’—encompasses the continental part of Dalmatia, separated from the coast by the Kozjak, Mosor, Dinara, Biokovo and Rilić mountain ranges. The landscape and nature of this region are primarily karstic and fairly dry. As a result, its culture and history grew to be somewhat different from the Mediterranean lifestyle of the coastal and island regions. In the past, the population relied heavily on shepherding and agriculture.

Its history stretches back to ancient times and the Illyrian Delmatae, from whom Dalmatia got its name, through the medieval Kingdom of Croatia and the later period of Ottoman rule. The region has witnessed turbulent times, and the scars of history are still visible today in the many ruins of old fortifications, bridges and churches found throughout the landscape.

Some of the hinterland's most attractive features are its many hiking trails across mountains and hills, river canyons, streams, waterfalls and the landscape as a whole. All this makes the Dalmatian hinterland an ideal place for an active holiday.