The most important cities in Dalmatia

With its 72 thousand inhabitants, Zadar, situated on a spit of land, is the largest city in northern Dalmatia. International trade flourishes here in the region's largest harbour, as it did in the past, yet over the centuries the focus of maritime business shifted towards tourism. Even so, Zadar's old town is pleasingly free of hotels and holiday clubs. Historic showpiece buildings line up one after another along the narrow lanes, and in a good many of the thick old walls one finds boutiques of young artists today. The newest trends in Zadar are contrasted by the relics of the city's rich history: the Roman forum, the famous cathedrals and numerous residences of the wealthiest families testify to the fame and power of this city.

Unexpectedly quiet it is in Sibenik, if one wants to apply the turbulent town history as a yardstick. Since its first mention in the year 1066 the place was regularly besieged, fought over and conquered, since its good location was noticed not only by today's tourists. Correspondingly numerous and many-sided are the testimonies to their wealth and good taste built by the various rulers: palaces and churches, town gates and fortresses, dwelling houses and museums show what was felt to be important in which era and still astonish visitors as before. As if this were not enough, nature too seems to want to show off in Sibenik: the Krka National Park, the Kornati archipelago and quite a few small, uninhabited islands are located in the immediate vicinity of the town and turn even convinced city dwellers into friends of nature.

No visitor should miss the old town of Split. In the former palace of the Roman Caesar Diocletian lies the lively focal point of the city of Split today. All around the old temple buildings, in the catacombs of the imperial residence and on the promenade between the palace or city wall and the Adriatic, there are new wares to marvel at on the markets every day. Less than twenty minutes' walk away is the city's local recreation area; well-kept beaches are likewise within walking distance, and the regular ferry service calls several times a day at neighbouring islands, more distant cities and Italy. Yet before you get the feeling of having seen even remotely enough of the cultural metropolis of Split, several days are guaranteed to pass!

According to George Bernard - and most other visitors - Dubrovnik is "paradise on earth". The mild climate, flora and fauna, the warm-hearted serenity of the inhabitants and the varied townscape make it very hard not to feel at ease here. Since the city has always cultivated friendly dealings with strangers (Dubrovnik preferred making arrangements of mutual benefit to entering into warlike confrontations), it is no surprise that today the focus is on tourism. Expectations of, and the standard in, restaurants, hotels, museums and leisure facilities are correspondingly high here. Beyond that the city regularly offers cultural events such as film festivals and theatre nights - paradise could still learn something from that…