The island of Šolta is located in the Adriatic Sea in southern Croatia and is part of the Dalmatian group of islands. Nestled only 185km from the Italian coast and 10km from the Croatian coast, Solta is easiest to reach via Split, the city in 16km from the island.

Despite its diminutiveness (it is only 19km long and 5km wide), with its 4 harbours and 24 bays, Solta boasts 60km of coastline. Major settlements are Grochote (the town's administrative centre), Donje Selo, Sredne Selo and Gorne Selo (Lower, Middle and Upper Selo, respectively). Major bays/resorts are Rogac (main port of the island), Nečujam, Stomorská and Maslínica.

A bit of history

Over the centuries, the natural beauty of the island has attracted many famous people. In 295 AD, the Roman emperor Diocletian, who built his summer palace in Spalatum (today's Split), planted gardens, vineyards and orchards, and founded a fishery in one of the gulfs of Solta. The father of Croatian literature, Marko Marulić, wrote part of his epic poem "Judith" here. In 1555, another Croatian poet, Petar Gektorovic, dedicated a poem to the memory of Marulic, "Fishing and Fishermen's Tales", in which he described his fishing adventure Nečujame.

How to get there

The nearest airport to the island is in mainland Croatia at Split, from which Solta can be reached by ferry.

Direct flights from the airport to the port can be operated by Croatia Airlines buses, the departure of which is coordinated with the incoming Croatia Airlines flights. The bus stop is located at the right side of the terminal. Buses leave 45 minutes after the arrival of the next flight and arrive at the port 45-60 minutes later. Tickets are sold at the driver's stand. Passengers are dropped off in front of the ticket offices of the passenger terminal. Back to the airport, the buses leave 90 minutes before Croatia Airlines departure. Using buses does not oblige you to arrive/departure via Croatia Airlines flights.

By Car

There are car rental shops both at the airport and in the centre of Split. It is advisable to make reservations prior to arrival. Otherwise you can take a taxi. A taxi from the airport to the port costs 250-300 HRK.

With the construction of the new motorway A1/E71 that leads from the north of Croatia, you can now access the port of Split more easily. There are plans to continue the construction of the highway to Dubrovnik in southern Croatia.

By train

Trains from Central Europe arrive in the Croatian capital of Zagreb, from where you can catch a connecting train to Split. Split railway station is located in the port area and 200 m away from the passenger terminal Jadrolinija.

By ferry

Ferries to Šolta depart from two terminals. Car ferries depart from the south side of the main building of Jadrolinija terminal, while passenger ferries depart from the quay, right in front of the ticket offices of the passenger terminal. Car ferry tickets cost HRK 19-26 per passenger without a car; 120-160 HRK for a car with a driver. Before boarding the ferry, make sure that it departs for the port of Rogac on the island of Solta, as there are other ferries from the passenger terminal.

Solta Island Hotels

Solta Island is one of the most beautiful and secluded islands in the Mediterranean. It is located in the north of the Dalmatian Coast, near the city of Split. Solta is a small, lush and green island that is perfect for a relaxing holiday. There are a number of excellent Solta Island Hotels, most of which are located in the town of Rogac. The Hotel Heide Park is a luxurious 4-star hotel that offers amazing views of the bay and the surrounding islands. The hotel has a swimming pool, a spa, and a number of restaurants and bars. The Heritage Hotel Martinis Marchi is another great option on the island. This 3-star hotel is located right on the water and has its own private beach. The hotel has a pool, a spa, and a number of restaurants and bars. Solta is the perfect place to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The hotels on the island offer beautiful accommodations and amazing views, and the island itself is a paradise of natural beauty.

Entertainment and attractions in Sholta

The oldest and largest settlement on the island, Hrohote is the economic and administrative centre of Sholta, located on the north-eastern outskirts of Sredne Selo and at the crossroads of the island's main road linking Gorne Selo in the east and Maslinica in the west with the road leading to Rogac. In Grochot, the old Christian basilica of St. Stephen has been preserved, and the village is also famous for its primitive painters.

Rogac is the main port of the island and simultaneously the tourist resort of Solta. As for when it was founded, Rogac is the oldest coastal settlement on the island and has been inhabited since Roman times. Proof to this are the remains of Roman buildings and ancient walls found in the Bay of Banja.

The island's youngest resort, Nechuyam, is the centre of tourism and, according to many, the most beautiful bay on the island.

Many traces of ancient life have been discovered in the Nechuyama area: the ruins of a Roman building in Pisciera Bay, graves and fragments of pottery and coins in its surroundings, and underwater, the remains of the walls that Diocletian fenced off the bay to make it a "fishing ground".

Maslina is the only village in the Sholta, situated in a picturesque bay on the western side of the island. The beauty of the natural "scenery" in the form of olive trees in Maslinitsa is complemented by the historical and architectural merits of the Baroque castle and the colour of local cottages. Maslinitsa was founded in 1703, when the Marchi family petitioned the Viceroy of Venice to found a new settlement and build a castle to defend against frequent pirate attacks.

Stomorska is the oldest port on the island with the first families settling here in the 16th century. Once upon a time Stomorska was famous for its "fleet" of large wooden ships which were used to transport the local wine and olive oil to the markets on the mainland and in Italy. Today only 5 or 6 of these vessels remain moored in the port of Stomorska, but instead of wine and oil they now carry passengers on Adriatic cruises.