Best Day Trips from Stomorska: Split, Islands & Hidden Bays

There are three main ways to explore the area.

The easiest option is to stay on Šolta and travel by car, scooter or e-bike. Maslinica, Nečujam, Grohote and the island’s inland villages can all be visited without using a boat.

For Split and some of the larger islands, you can travel from Rogač. The car ferry from Rogač to Split takes approximately 60 minutes, and a purchased ticket reserves a place on the selected departure. Schedules change during the season, so always check the official timetable before planning a connecting journey. (Jadrolinija)

The third and most enjoyable option is a private boat.

Casa Vidan’s small Yamaha 25 HP dinghy is ideal for beaches and bays close to Stomorska. It is not intended for long open-sea crossings to Hvar, Vis, Korčula or the more distant parts of Brač. For those trips, you need a larger and faster speedboat, preferably with a skipper if you do not have sufficient experience.

We can help Casa Vidan guests contact local boat owners and skippers in Stomorska and choose a boat suitable for the planned route.

Maslinica developed around the estate of the Marchi family. In 1703, the brothers received permission from the Venetian Republic to construct a defensive tower, a settlement and a church. The western coast of Šolta was exposed to pirate attacks, so the new settlement was intended to protect and populate this remote part of the island.

The fortified castle was completed around 1708. Today it has been carefully restored and operates as the Martinis Marchi heritage hotel, restaurant and marina.

Even if you are not staying at the hotel, it is worth walking around the harbour and viewing the castle from the waterfront. The combination of the historic building, modern marina and small islands at the entrance to the bay makes Maslinica one of Šolta’s most photogenic places.

Many first-time visitors are surprised to learn that Šolta also has a sandy beach.

Šipova is located in a largely undeveloped bay near Maslinica. The shallow sandy bottom makes it especially popular with children, who can spend hours building castles, digging holes and playing in the water.

There are no cafés, shops or organised facilities in the bay, and there is almost no natural shade. Bring plenty of water, sun protection and, for very small children, a beach tent or large umbrella.

During July and August, we prefer visiting early in the morning, late in the afternoon or on a slightly cloudy day. The Šolta Tourist Board also identifies this as the island’s only sandy beach.

Maslinica has several different options depending on the kind of experience you want.

Martinis Marchi Restaurant is the choice for a polished meal, quality wine and a historic setting.

Sampjer offers a beautiful elevated view over the harbour and is a popular choice for seafood and Mediterranean dishes.

Sakajet Food & Wine is a smaller restaurant in the village with a modern interpretation of local food.

For a relaxed drink, choose Beach Bar Punta, Kažela on the waterfront or the café inside Martinis Marchi Marina. Tripadvisor currently lists Konoba Šešula, Sampjer and Martinis Marchi among the more established dining choices in and around Maslinica.

Our family usually opts for afternoon coffee or beer at Beach Bar Punta, a fish feast at Restaurant Šampjer at sunset, or dinner at Martinis Marchi Manor on special occasions.

Split is the most practical mainland day trip from Stomorska.

We recommend travelling as a foot passenger rather than taking the car. You can drive to Rogač and leave the car there or use the island bus when its timetable matches the ferry.

The Rogač–Split crossing takes around one hour. Once you arrive, the ferry terminal, Riva, market and Diocletian’s Palace are all within walking distance.

Start with Breakfast or Brunch

First of all – skip the crazy expensive coffee or food on the Jadrolinija ferry and be patient until Split: it will be worth it.

Choose one of the earliest suitable ferries from Rogač (early in the morning) and begin your day on the Riva before the temperature and crowds increase.

For this particular itinerary, our practical choice is Brasserie on 7 or Baza food bar. Brasserie is located directly on the Riva, serves a substantial breakfast and allows you to begin sightseeing immediately afterwards. This way, you can immediately observe the Riva in Split, one of the most famous promenades in Croatia, and feel the morning pulse of the city.

It is more expensive than a simple local bakery, but recent reviews consistently praise the breakfast selection and waterfront location.

We recommend Baza food bar to those who absolutely need a hearty breakfast for a perfect day, as they will definitely find one of the breakfasts to their taste.

For guests who only want excellent coffee and something small, D16 Coffee inside the old town is a strong alternative and continues to receive excellent reviews from coffee lovers.

When the sun becomes stronger, walk through the outdoor market (called »Pazar«) beside the eastern wall of the palace. Be careful – if you visit the bazaar with children, you can expect to spend quite a bit of time here.

The market is a good place to buy fruit, local products and something cold to drink. There are also toy stands and a bunch of clothes, sunglasses and football items.

From there, enter the historic centre along the eastern (silver) gate and allow yourself to get slightly lost.

The main sights include:

• the Peristyle;
• the Cathedral of Saint Domnius;
• the Temple of Jupiter;
• the Golden, Silver, Iron and Bronze Gates;
• the palace substructures;
• the narrow streets around People’s Square;
• the small courtyards, stone passages and medieval houses built into the Roman structure.

Visit the monument to Gregory of Nin, where legend says that if you touch his big toe and make a wish, it will come true. For this reason, the entire statue is bronze, while the big toe is gold-coloured from the many touches.

The central passage through the substructures connects the Riva with the Peristyle, while the paid sections reveal the scale and original layout of the imperial apartments above.

Stop for Gelato

For gelato, our first choice is Gelateria Emiliana.

It regularly attracts a queue, especially in the main season, but recent 2026 reviews still place it among Split’s most popular gelaterias. The line can look long, although it generally moves steadily.

Art Patisserie is another well-known choice, especially if you also want cakes or less traditional flavours.

Eat Ćevapi at Kantun Paulina

For a simple lunch that does not interrupt your sightseeing, visit Kantun Paulina, the legendary Split mini restaurant with ćevapi.

The small takeaway has been serving ćevapi since 1967 and remains one of Split’s best-known casual food institutions.

Order ćevapi in lepinja with onions and ajvar (a Balkan condiment made from roasted red peppers, eggplant, garlic and oil), find a shaded bench and eat like a local rather than spending two hours in a restaurant.

Several generations of our family can confirm that this is the meal we stop for most often in Split.

When you return towards the centre, choose one additional stop rather than attempting to see everything. You can walk up the first part of Marjan Hill for a view over the old city, visit the fish market, swim at Bačvice or simply spend another hour exploring the streets inside the palace. Split is far more enjoyable when you leave some time for sitting, watching people and wandering without a strict route.

It is possible to visit other islands using public ferries, but the logistics differ significantly.

The least expensive option is to take an early ferry from Rogač to Split and connect to another ferry to one of the islands.

This can work well for Brač and, depending on that day’s timetable, Hvar. It becomes much less practical for Vis and Korčula because the onward journeys are substantially longer. Vis alone is approximately 140 minutes from Split by car ferry.

Drvenik Veli is connected by a public route from Trogir rather than directly from Split, making it inconvenient from Stomorska without a private boat.

A larger rented speedboat is faster, more flexible and far more enjoyable, although naturally more expensive. A skipper is strongly recommended for longer routes unless you have relevant experience, the correct licence and a good understanding of local weather.

Brač lies directly across the Splitska vrata channel from eastern Šolta.

By private boat, the natural first stop is Milna, a protected harbour village on the western coast of Brač. It is ideal for a morning coffee, a short waterfront walk and refuelling before continuing along the coast.

From Milna, a faster boat can continue towards Bol and Zlatni Rat.

Zlatni Rat is Brač’s (or even Croatia’s) most famous beach, but it becomes extremely busy in the middle of summer. Arrive early in the morning or later in the afternoon. The beaches around the Dominican monastery, including Martinica and Kotlina, usually offer a calmer alternative.

If travelling by public transport, take the Rogač ferry to Split, connect to the Split–Supetar ferry and continue to Bol by bus, taxi or rented vehicle. This is possible, but a large part of the day will be spent travelling. The Split–Supetar route operates frequently, but connections should be checked carefully.

Our opinion: by boat, combine Milna and Bol. By public ferry, choose one part of Brač and do not attempt to see the entire island.

Vis is one of the most spectacular islands in Dalmatia, but it is also a serious full-day trip from Stomorska.

The main attractions are spread across Vis, Biševo and the small island of Ravnik, so this trip requires a fast boat, an early departure and stable weather.

The Blue Cave on Biševo is illuminated when sunlight enters through an underwater opening and reflects from the pale seabed.

The strongest blue effect is generally seen in the late morning, often around 11:00–13:00, although the precise timing changes with the season, weather and sea conditions. Arriving very early can reduce the waiting time, but the colour may be less intense.

The cave has a very low entrance and may close when the sea is rough. This means no operator can guarantee entry before the conditions are known that morning.

The Green Cave is located on Ravnik. Sunlight enters through an opening in the ceiling and produces the strongest green effect around midday.

Stiniva is a dramatic cove enclosed by high cliffs and a narrow entrance from the sea. Visit early, before the larger excursion groups arrive. Later in the day, the small beach and entrance can become congested.

A well-planned Vis tour may also include Komiža, Budikovac or a short stop in Hvar Town on the return route. Do not attempt to include every advertised location simply to create a longer list.

Our opinion: Vis offers the most impressive boat day, but it is also the longest, most expensive and most dependent on weather.

A boat changes the way you experience Šolta.

From the road, the island may appear relatively small and simple. From the sea, it reveals a long chain of coves, cliffs, tiny beaches and sheltered anchorages that are invisible from the main villages.

Our small Casa Vidan dinghy is suitable for short trips close to Stomorska, such as Gornja Krušica and nearby swimming spots.

It is not the right boat for circling the entire island. For a full coastal tour, rent a larger speedboat with sufficient range, comfort and safety equipment. The direction of the route should be chosen according to the wind and sea conditions on that specific day.

We have already described most of the better-known bays and beaches in the article “The Best Beaches on Šolta”, so now we will focus on the lesser-known ones, which can be reached more easily by boat than by car.

Donja Krušica

Donja Krušica is a small former fishing settlement on the northern coast of Šolta. Stone houses line the sheltered bay, creating a traditional atmosphere that feels very different from the island’s larger tourist settlements. It can also be reached from Donje Selo by a narrow road, but arrival by sea is more memorable. Use it as a quiet morning swimming stop rather than expecting extensive facilities.

The Seven Islands in front of Maslinica

Approaching Maslinica from the sea offers the best view of the castle, marina and seven small islands outside the harbour. Stop for coffee, supplies or a short walk, but save the main lunch stop for nearby Šešula.

Šešula

Šešula is a deep bay immediately south of Maslinica and one of the island’s best-known nautical locations.

Its shape offers natural shelter, and two restaurants – Šišmiš and Konoba Šešula – serve guests arriving by boat. Both are located directly in the bay, and mooring assistance is commonly available for restaurant guests. This is the most practical lunch stop during a full circuit of Šolta. Reserve a table and mooring in advance during July and August. There is also a fish farm in Šešula, so you can stop and buy some fish if the owner is there.

Jorja

Jorja is a smaller and more intimate bay on the southern side of the island. It is surrounded by steep rocky slopes and is especially attractive to guests who want to combine swimming with lunch in a secluded location. A small family-run restaurant Lero operates in the bay during the season. Compared with Šešula, Jorja feels less like a busy nautical destination and more like a hidden stop.

Grabova

Grabova is one of the more remote swimming stops on Šolta’s southern coast. There is little or no tourist infrastructure, so treat it as a place for swimming, snorkelling and enjoying the scenery rather than a serviced beach. Access information is limited, and the bay is most commonly approached by boat.

Livka

Livka lies at the far south-eastern end of Šolta, close to Brač and the Splitska vrata channel.

At the end of the bay is a small pebble beach and intensely clear water. The bay is exposed to winds from the south, so it should only be included when the forecast is suitable.

Because of its location, Livka is a logical final swimming stop before returning to Stomorska.

It is also one of our favourite fishing spots (personal hint).

Omiš offers a completely different landscape from the islands.

The town stands where the Cetina River passes between steep mountains and meets the Adriatic Sea. Within a very small area, you can experience a river canyon, sandy coastline, medieval old town and dramatic mountain scenery.

Omiš is around 25 kilometres south of Split and can be combined with a mainland visit using a bus, taxi or organised tour. It can also be approached from the sea by private speedboat.

The Town of Pirates

The area around the Cetina mouth has been inhabited for more than 2,000 years.

During the 12th and 13th centuries, Omiš became famous for its pirates, led by the Kačić family. Ships travelling along this part of the Adriatic were forced to pay for safe passage or risk being attacked.

The old town still reflects this defensive history, with narrow streets compressed between the river, sea and mountains.

The best day trip depends on the weather, the season and the people travelling with you. Families may prefer Maslinica, Brač or a short boat day around Šolta. Couples may enjoy Hvar, a quiet lunch in Jorja or sunset in Maslinica. Adventurous guests may choose Vis, the Blue Cave or the Cetina canyon. Guests staying at Casa Vidan can contact us for help with:

• local boat and speedboat rentals;
• finding a skipper;
• restaurant reservations;
• ferry and bus information;
• selecting a route suitable for the weather;
• organising transfers from Stomorska.

After a long day exploring Split, the islands or hidden bays, you will return to the quiet waterfront of Stomorska – and perhaps appreciate even more why most of your holiday does not need to be complicated.

Stay at Casa Vidan

Three unique apartments, crystal-clear sea and one of Šolta’s most authentic fishing villages.

You can click on the apartment of your choice below to see pictures, description and available dates.