Boasting a spectacular setting where the Cetina River flows into the Adriatic Sea, Omiš is a picturesque port town on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast. It was notorious for pirates during the 13th and 14th centuries before becoming part of the Bosnian Kingdom and was later sold to the Venetian Republic. Today, Omiš is a popular holiday resort town on the doorstep of the historic city of Split.
Things to do in Omiš
Stroll through the atmospheric old town of Omiš, which is clustered with beautiful churches and a Franciscan monastery that dates back to the early 18th century. For sweeping views across Omiš, climb to the top of St. Michael’s Church, a 17th-century landmark that features fish scale-patterned Corinthian columns and a gilded high altar.
Overlooking the old town is the Mirabella, a Romanesque fortress that was constructed in the 13th century and was a popular hideout for the pirates of Omiš. Another fortress not to miss is the Starigrad, a 15th-century fortification that was built during the Croatian–Ottoman wars. Its ridge-top position offers spectacular Omiš town and sea views.
Want to get active? Omiš makes an ideal base for exploring the Cetina Canyon, a protected natural landscape that provides an ideal setting for river rafting and canyoning. For a bird’s eye view of the canyon, get your adrenaline pumping while riding the zipline that traverses the river. Scenic cruises offer views of Cetina River’s unspoiled beauty and sightings of ruined medieval forts and historic water mills.
Getting around Omiš
Omiš is a 30-minute drive from Split and 45 minutes from Split Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Buses connect Omiš to destinations along the Dalmatian Coast while the town centre is compact enough to explore on foot.