Omis (Croatia) is an ancient resort town located on the Adriatic coast. In addition to the beautiful scenery, you should come here to see the fabulous pirate fortresses (which, by the way, used to be cities) and swim in the clear sea. Tourists who have visited Omis, Croatia, leave good reviews: they say that this city combines the past and present in an amazing way.
General information
Omis is a Croatian city located between historical Split and Makarska on the Adriatic coast. The population is about 6,500 people. Despite the fact that Omish is a small town, it is connected by bus with the largest cities of the country.
Omis is a good resort not only for beach lovers, but also for sightseeing: people lived here during the Roman Empire, later the Slavs settled here, and a few centuries later Omis was annexed to Venice-so there are a lot of historical attractions here. What are the pirate castles built in the XIII century alone?
Omish has a memorable appearance, it feels its own unique flavor. The town is located at the mouth of the Citina River, which seems to cut through the surrounding rocks. Stone houses with tiled roofs look like toys. In such a place, it is pleasant just to walk along the streets, and the view from the height will definitely impress even sophisticated travelers.
Beach
As on other beaches in Croatia, the water in Omis is clean and warm. There are no sea urchins, and the entrance to the sea is gentle, ideal for children. The beach itself is sandy, which is rare in Croatia.
Active tourists will enjoy entertainment, which is very much here: rafting, playing beach volleyball, various water attractions (banana, water balloon). Perhaps the only drawback of the beach is that only low trees that do not give shade grow nearby. You can only take shelter in a cafe that is located nearby.
As for the infrastructure, there are showers and toilets on the beach, there are free sun beds and umbrellas. Cafes are located nearby.
If you are primarily interested in relaxing by the sea, you can stop at one of the beaches of neighboring Split, and come to Omis for a guided tour.
Attractions
The pirate city of Omish once had a rich history, but, unfortunately, not all interesting structures have been preserved. Therefore, the symbols of this town are rightfully considered two attractions.
Pirate Fortress (Fortress Starigrad)
A tourist attraction from pirate times, Omisha is located on the very top of the mountain. As the name implies, pirates used to live here: after another successful robbery, they went up the mouth of the Cetina River and found themselves in their shelter (and earlier, by the way, it was not just one structure, but an entire city). There was everything for a comfortable life: high stone walls to protect against enemies, beautiful gardens and even vegetable gardens where tomatoes, eggplants, and various berries were grown. The end of the pirates came at the end of the XVI century, when the Republic of Venice, led by the Pope, turned to the Crusaders for help – they finally calmed down the robbers.
Today, the pirate fortress is one of the main attractions of Croatian Omis. A large number of foreign visitors come here. However, getting to the fortress itself is not as easy as it might seem at the beginning: you need to climb numerous stairs, which are not always in good condition. For the elderly or children, this tour may be too difficult, so before starting the ascent, you should sensibly assess your strength.
But if you reach the top, your efforts will be rewarded: the tower offers a stunning view of the city and the sea. Here you can stand for hours and admire the passing ferries and soaring gulls in the air. From here you can also take beautiful photos of Croatian Omish.
- Visit fee: 30 kuna, payment in cash only.
- Opening hours: from 7: 00 to 20: 00.
- How to get there? There are two roads leading to the top. The first one starts at the mouth of the Cetina River. This path passes through a local park, and the road itself is strewn with small stones. It’s easy enough to fall here. The second option is to follow the road that starts in the city. It is more difficult to fall on it, but it will take longer. In any case, the shoes should be comfortable.
Fortress Mirabella
Another pirate fortress is Mirabella. It was built in the XIII century, and has already been restored twice. Along with the previous attraction, it is a symbol of a small town. A large number of tourists come here, and many of them say that it is not even the structure itself that is interesting, but the beautiful view of the city that can be seen from the tower.
Getting to the building is not so easy: you need to climb numerous (often steep) stairs. Therefore, you need to prepare for such a trip: put on good shoes with thick soles, take some water and food, do not forget about comfortable clothes.
- Address: Subic Street, Omis, Croatia.
- Entrance fee: 40 kuna (in low season — 30 kuna), cash only is accepted.
- How to get there? The ascent to the attraction should be divided into three stages. The first — from the city to the intermediate platform (by the way, the view from here is also impressive); the second – from the platform to the tower; and the third — from the foot of the tower to the roof along a steep narrow staircase.
How to get
To Omis from Split
By bus
Croatia has a well-developed public transport system, so you can easily reach your destination by bus. You must purchase tickets at any convenient bus station. Then take the Promet Makarska bus at the Obala kneza Domagoja bus station in Split. The estimated travel time is 30 minutes. The price is 30 kuna. They run every 15-40 minutes depending on the season and time of day.
To Omish from Makarska
By bus
The journey from the relatively large resort of Makarska to Omis will take about 45 minutes. To do this, take the Promet Makarska bus at the central bus station of the city. Get off at the Omish central bus station. The ticket price is 38 kuna. Buses run every 2 hours. Carrier’s website — www.promet-makarska.hr/en/.
Omis (Croatia) is a cozy resort town that is ideal for both beach and sightseeing holidays.
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