Zmajeva špilja

The cave at Zmajeva špilja keeps a steady chill all year. Bring a layer even in midsummer.

Worth knowing

Zmajeva špilja stands in Dalmatia, one of the six regions that make up the Croatia most visitors fall for. From the Adriatic shore to the karst mountains and the quiet inland valleys, this part of the country gives you something worth the detour.

Book ahead in peak season, and check whether a tour is compulsory, many caves are.

Practical info

• Entry: confirm entry fees and hours on the official site before you set out. They shift with the season, and some places shut altogether off-season.
• How to get there: Tap the map for the route. Croatian town parking is mostly paid and marked with blue P signs; if your trip involves an island, build buffer time in for the ferry.

Timing your trip

Zmajeva špilja rewards a visit between May and October. The sweet spot is June or September, when the water is warm and the crowds thinner than in July and August. Come in winter and you find a quieter, cheaper country, at its most likeable inland.

Every location in this library is one I would send a friend to. Found this helpful? Share it with a fellow traveller.