Kaštela

Kaštela comprises seven settlements spread across roughly 17 kilometers along the Dalmatian coast between Split and Trogir, each with fortified buildings and beach access. The settlements gradually blend together as you travel north from Split, creating a continuous coastal strip with coves and pebble shores.

The area took shape during the 15th and 16th centuries when nobility from Split built fortified residences along the coast as a defensive response to threats. Over the following centuries, control of these structures passed between different powers, leaving marks on the landscape that remain visible today.

Traditional music remains part of daily life here, with local groups performing tamburica and mandoline at summer festivals throughout the settlements. These performances connect visitors to the region's long musical heritage and how communities celebrate together.

Split Airport sits within Kaštel Štafilić, making arrival to the region straightforward. Bus route 37 connects all the settlements to each other and to Split and Trogir, allowing you to move easily along the coast without a car.

Wine here comes from crljenak grapes, which are genetically identical to California Zinfandel, grown in vineyards below Mount Kozjak. This unusual link between the Dalmatian coast and American wine regions reveals how connected the world's agricultural heritage can be.