Making the Most of your Last Day in Croatia

All good things have to come to an end but the good news is that once you have said goodbye to your yacht you will still have the chance to discover more of Croatia before you set off home. The usual time for disembarkment is 9.00am and many flights back to the UK do not leave until the evening, so you will have plenty of time for a final adventure.

Here are our personal recommendations – all tried and tested by the HELM team - and which cater for those wishing to relax and those which want to try out something a bit more physical!

And there are also the beaches. The coast is dotted with pebbly coves and the town beaches – although often busy – make for a handy spot for a last swim and sunbathe.

This medieval town is a popular tourist destination, celebrated for its spectacular medieval architecture, busy market and great places to eat and drink.

• The entire historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site and dominated by the soaring St Lawrence’s Cathedral that originally dates back to the 13th century but was not completed until the 1600s. Check out the impressive decorative portal, created by Master Radovan, the most important sculptor of Croatian medieval art.
• For great views, visit the medieval fortress of Makerlengo. Built by the Venetians in the 1400s, the fortress gives superb views over the historic centre and beyond to the mainland of Croatia.
• Explore the network of back streets before stopping for a leisurely late lunch.

Distance to Split Airport: 10 mins by taxi

A 30 minute taxi ride from Trogir will get you to the buzzing city of Split. As well as being the location for the popular Game of Thrones TV show, the city is a great combination of ancient and modern.

• Within its white stone walls is the fortresslike complex of Diocletian’s Palace, built by the Romans in the 4th century. The sprawling remains include more than 200 buildings – some still lived in today – alongside numerous shops, bars, cafes and restaurants.
• Split market is worth visiting. Pick up some fresh fruit, salad, bread and cheese for an easy lunch or simply wander through to enjoy the array of colours and flavours. The fish market on the other side of the Old Town is equally spectacular.
• Climb the tower in Split’s cathedral. Take the dizzying climb and reward yourself with a panoramic view of the palace, the city, the sea and beyond.
• Cool off with a dip. Bacvice is a popular local beach which may lack the exclusivity and tranquillity of some of the coves you may have stopped at by boat, but has a fun atmosphere and is just a few minutes’ walk from the centre of town.

Distance to Split Airport: 28 mins by taxi

After a week at sea, why not take to a quad bike for the chance to explore the unique Dalmatian brush land and mountain trails. It is an exciting way to experience the beautiful scenery the Dalmatian coast has to offer and is suitable for all ages and experience levels.

The company can put a package together that suits your party and can even organise a BBQ lunch afterwards. The trips are popular so we advise you book ahead.

Distance to Split Airport: 18 mins by taxi

For those with energy and after an adrenalin boost before the flight home, why not visit the Cable Park in Split? Located on a beach close to Split Airport, the park offers wakeboarding off cables linked to a pier. No experience required as full instruction will be given and before long you will be popping ollies and carving up a water storm! For more details, take a look at the website.

There is also a nice beach bar here, a nice place to relax for your final few hours before catching your flight.

Distance to Split Airport: 2 mins by taxi - or just a 10 minute walk

The stunning Krka National Park makes for a great day out and is easily accessible by car. The park runs alongside the River Krka from the Adriatic inland to the mountains of the Croatian interior and offers a network of forest pathways to explore. It’s a magical place of waterfalls and gorges, with the river gushing through a canyon 200m deep.

• Bring your swimwear and stop for a dip at Roski Slap, a beautiful pool
• Drive up to Krka River canyons
• Take a boat tour and get up close to the park’s magnificent waterfalls including the famous Skradinski Buk Falls

Distance by taxi to Split Airport: 1hr 5 min

Distance by taxi to Zadar Airport: 45 mins

Dubrovnik’s impressive medieval walls harbour a wonderful collection of Gothis, Romanesque and Baroque churches, palaces and monasteries, beautifully complemented by Renaissance fountains and facades all laid upon gleaming marble streets.

• Walk along the city’s walls to enjoy the view of the old town and the Adriatic
• One of the finest examples of Gothic and Renaissance styles is Sponza Palace. Originally a customs house, it is one of the few buildings to survive a massive earthquake in 1667.
• In the heart of the old town you will find the Cathedral of the Assumption. Built on the site of a 7th century basilica, the cathedral was enlarged in the 12th century funded by a gift from England’s King Richard I, the Lionheart, who was saved from a shipwreck during the Crusades.
• Visit the market and hang out in a café in Gundulic Square
• Cool off in Park Gradac. The lush pines will offer shelter from the sun and a place to chill before your flight home
• Pick up one of the regular ferries and hop over to Lokrum for a few hours. Head for the large medieval Benedictine monastery which houses a restaurant and will also be familiar to fans of ‘Game of Thrones’ which was partly filmed here.

Distance from Dubrovnik Airport: 26 mins

More low key than nearby Zadar and Split, Sibenik has plenty offer for a day out. As well as the pretty buildings, churches, restaurants and cafes, it’s worth checking the following out:

• The Solaris Aquapark boasts a range of attractions including slides, waterfalls, jets and sprinklers. There’s also a fairytale cave to explore.
• There are good ferry connections to several small islands. Zlarin is only 30 minutes by boat, boasts a sandy beach and pine woods, making a tranquil retreat from the city.
• Learn medieval falconry at the Sokolarski Centa, a sanctuary for falcons where you can observe the tricks and training needed to master this ancient art.

Distance from Zadar Airport: 1 hr

Distance from Split Airport: 45 minutes