Omis is a very nice and ancient resort town in Croatia. Located between the famous port and historical city of Split and the popular resort region of Makarska Riviera.
I liked Omis very much for its beautiful landscape – the city is nestled at the mouth of the Cetina River, which flows into the Adriatic and creates an incredibly beautiful canyon among the rocky mountains.
Omis is also one of the few resorts on the Croatian mainland with sandy beaches. This is a separate story about why they are here and who will like them for recreation.
I tell you what to do in Omisha, what to see, what the beaches are like, and where to eat delicious seafood.
The beaches in Omis
The beaches near the town and in Omis are different from those on the Makarska Riviera and in the northern part of the Croatian coast. Here they are sandy, while in most places (except for the islands) pebbles dominate almost everywhere – large or very small, depending on the resort.
The sandy beaches in Omisza were formed thanks to the Cetina River, which has been flowing through the rocks for millions of years, grinding stones into fine sand. Unlike in places where rivers flow into the sea, the water here does not get dirtier (at least in summer you hardly ever see it), because the Cetina River is mountainous and clean. And even in the place where it flows into the sea, there are rocks, so it has almost no place to get dirty. The water may be cooler than on Makarska because of the mountain water, but it is not noticeable in the hot summer months.
There are several small beaches located in the neighboring villages: Bjet, Nemira, Stanici, Lokva Rogoznica, Medici, Marušić and Pisak, which form the 20-kilometer-long Riviera Omis.
If you head north, the entire stretch of coastline between Omis and Split is almost one huge beach, most of which is untouched by a single soul. Just park or get off the bus in the place you like
Beaches in and near Omish that are popular with vacationers:
- Beaches Duce
- Big Plaza
- Brett
- Mala Luke
Big Plaza
The city beach of Omis is the Great Plaza, a long sandy beach near the city. This is the main beach of the Riviera and a popular summer vacation spot in Croatia. The beach is really big, which confirms its name. This is actually the main city beach in Omisha, where all vacationers come. There are bars and cafes, so eating and drinking during the day is not a problem. You can come to the beach with your own towel to sunbathe or hide under a palm tree (yes, there are palm trees here instead of the usual pine trees in Croatia), or pay for a sun lounger with an umbrella.
The strip of sand is wide, the sand is not very white, but this does not affect the color of the water. The water here is as clean as in other places with pebble beaches. The beach has a gentle entrance to the water, so it is an ideal place for families with small children. But during the season there are a lot of people here.
Beaches near Duce
The town of Duče is located on the Omiska Riviera after the bridge over the Cetina River, if you drive from Makarska to Split. It begins just after the mouth and is the closest town to Omish. Duce stretches for about 6 km along the highway and the sea – of course, there are several wonderful bays with sandy beaches. Really beautiful beach Galeb, belonging to the camping area Camp Galeb . But there are also others, such as the Duce beach in the cool beach bar Shooko . If you are planning a beach vacation with sightseeing, Duce will come in handy.
Bget Beach
Another beautiful beach, just a 15-minute walk from the old town of Omis is Bjet Beach. There is no more sand here, but swimming on the pebble beach with crystal clear sea is a special pleasure. A karst mountain hangs over the beach, and there are already pine trees growing along the hiking trail and near the cafe, a picture that is more familiar to those who have been to the Makarska Riviera.
Mala Luka
Very beautiful and a little hidden from the rest is the small beach of Mala Luka. In this unusually beautiful bay, everyone will find their own style of relaxation. There is a small pebble in the middle of the bay, and on its sides there are large rocks where you can even snorkel, because there are many fish around the rocks on the edge. The highway to Omish runs above the beach, between the two. and the sea, there are several nice hotels.
Vruya beach
Another attraction of the beach and one of the most amazing things about Omis is the Vruya beach. The descent to the beach takes a little longer. But from the parking lot to the observation deck of the St. Mary’s statue, you are within walking distance. The view of the coast and the beach is breathtaking. Many people who want to swim also visit this bay by boat.
What to see during your vacation in Omish
Omis does not compete with the neighboring city of Split, because it is much smaller in size, and there is no such mixture of architecture that has remained in Split for almost 3000 years. But I really liked Omish – a small pirate town with an interesting history, where you can not only spend a great day, but also spend a good vacation.
Old town of Omish
The first thing we did in the old town was to plunge into its narrow streets. Dozens of restaurants are located here among the old buildings. But we left them for a visit a little later – we wanted to see the city with our own eyes, walk around a bit, and then order something delicious.
In the city center, there is a Renaissance building known as the House of the Happy Man. It is named after the Latin inscription above the entrance: “Thank You, Lord, for living in this world” (Gratias ago tibi dne quia fui in hoc mondo).
Look at the traces of the medieval wall – it was blown by pirates on the riverbed to stop their pursuers at the entrance to the mouth of Cetina. It is said that there was a secret passage through which smaller pirate ships passed.
The well-preserved 10th-century St. Peter’s Church on the western bank of the river is considered one of the most important examples of pre-Romanesque sacred architecture in Croatia.
Climbing the Mirabella fortress
Then we went up the stairs to see the city of Omis from its best observation deck, located on the towers of the pirate fortress Mirabella. The 13th-century fortress is located on a cliff overlooking the city, offering fantastic views of Omis and the surrounding beauty of the Brac Bay.
The fortress is easy to get to, you just have to walk uphill all the time. By purchasing an entrance ticket for 20 kuna, you can climb to the higher levels or to the roof of the tallest tower of Mirabella, which will give you even more pleasure from the views.
The 17th-century St. Michael’s Church has a very beautiful decorative portal and window rosette above it. The church is adorned with a statue of St. Michael and the Omis coat of arms on the side. The bell tower of this church is clearly visible from the observation deck on the fort
Viewpoints near Omis
The 500-year-old Starigrad Fortress offers one of the most stunning views in Dalmatia. An hour of easy hiking will take you to this beautiful spot, which offers a magnificent view of the Cetina Canyon and the islands of Brac and Hvar.
Located about 5 km from the center of Omis, the observation deck near the statue of Mila Gojsalic is one of the largest in the entire region. Rent a car in Omishee, or hike the winding road up the hills and cliffs. Near this iconic statue, you can enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Omish Canyon and the surrounding mountains.
Not far from this observation deck is a small chapel, which also has a nice view of the canyon, river, and sea.
Outdoor recreation in Omish
During your vacation on the Riviera Omishe, you can engage in various activities – you won’t be bored.
- One of the most popular activities is rafting on the Cetina River. These tours can be booked at the Omish waterfront or online.
- In addition, it also offers canoeing and kayaking in the beautiful river area.
- For those looking for more thrills, try the Omis Zipline. Its total length is almost 2 km, which can be flown at a speed of up to 65 km/h over Cetina Canyon. A great experience for adrenaline junkies.
- In addition, the mountains around Omish are a proven place for rock climbing. Many climbing routes pass through steep slopes, and a beautiful ferrata leads even to the Starigrad fortress. There are numerous agencies in Omisha that offer guided tours and climbing courses.
- But Omish is also a good place for hiking. There are excellent hiking trails in the high mountains of the Riviera. For example, you can climb Kula, the highest peak in the region, or the Dinara, Mosor and Babnjaca mountains, which offer magnificent views of the sea.
Restaurants and cafes in Omish
If you want to try something delicious seafood in the city center, I recommend the Bastion restaurant. They have dish options that change depending on the day’s catch.
Located just over 2 kilometers inland, on the shores of Cetina, Kaštil Slanica was once a safe haven for fugitive pirates. Today they offer peka – meat and vegetables cooked in an oven under a metal bell, which is used instead of a lid. As well as the much rarer cuisine of the Dalmatian hinterland, including dishes from frogs, eels and river fish. Book a seat here in advance if you want to sit overlooking the river.
Aga restaurant is located not far from Omish. Low prices for fresh grilled fish, beautiful sunset watched while sitting at the table. The average bill is 40 euros for three: fish, salads and a carafe of white wine. The restaurant has its own parking lot.
Getting to Omish
Omis is located in the heart of Dalmatia and only 25 kilometers from Split. The port city of Split has an international airport (SPU), and cheap flights can be found online.
You can then take a public bus, a taxi or take a rental car. If you are traveling by car to Croatia and Omis, it is best to take the A1 highway and exit at Blato.
Parking in Omish
The biggest and best parking lot in Omish is the huge parking lot in front of the bridge. You can hardly miss it. Parking here is paid and costs about 5 kuna (0.66 euros) per hour. From there, it is about 400 meters to the city center. Other parking options can be found directly on the beach of the Great Plaza.
If you’re looking for free parking in Omisha, you’ll find another parking lot after the bridge that remains behind the tunnel(43°26’51.5 “N 16°41’40.8 “E). There is a small free parking lot where we left the car. From there, you can walk to the city center in 10 minutes, stopping to take pictures.
Where to stay in Omisha
There are many great places to relax along the Riviera Omishe. Whether you prefer a hostel, a campsite or an apartment by the sea or a hotel, there are completely different options for accommodation here in Omisza:
- Beach hotel: Hotel Plaža is one of the closest and best hotels near the beach of Velika Plaža.
- Alternative – the Jana Apartment on the beachapartments located directly on the beach.
- The best hostel for tourists: Hostel Omiš is an ideal place for backpackers. The rooms are clean and cheap, and the rooftop terrace offers great views of the old town.
- Apartments near the Galebbeach in Duce: Apartments Duce – Just cross the street and you’re by the sea.
- A campsite consisting of mobile homes: Mobile Homes Camp Galeb – is another very nice place to stay in Omis. Large private territory, beach, and plenty of space for families with children.
Conclusion
Omis in Croatia is a great place for a perfect vacation. Here you can combine the sea, active recreation in the mountains and on a mountain river. In addition, it is worth visiting the old town of Omis and relaxing on one of the beaches of the Omiska Riviera. In general, it is one of my own top places to spend a vacation in Croatia.
Useful articles and links:
- Zadar – the city and airport to start your trip to Croatia
- Primosten – a review of a beach vacation in Croatia
- Brela – the most beautiful beaches of the Makarska Riviera
- Trogir – one day in the little pearl of Croatia
Booking of hotels and apartments – Booking.com
Car rental – I am looking for inexpensive options on Rentalcars.com
