Šolta
Quiet and rugged, the island of Šolta is ideal for travelers looking to drop off the grid for a few days. Its lush vegetation gives way to stone chapels, charming farms, and pocket-sized vineyards that are spread across eight historic villages. Šolta’s scenic coastline is a favorite locale for yacht owners and casual swimmers alike, and it’s all reachable by a quick 30-minute ferry ride from Split.
The best things to do on Šolta
Taxis are available for advanced booking for transfers from the Rogač ferry port to all points across Šolta. But the better option is to book a local tour guide who can help you get acclimated to the island. Sandra Marie Vrandečić, who goes by Sandra the Island Storyteller, is a top choice, with a variety of experiences ranging from moonlit tours and historical storytelling walks to in-depth excursions in Šolta’s picturesque towns as well as customizable itineraries. Third-generation beekeeper Goran Tvrdic cultivates Olynthio, a specific type of rosemary honey that’s native to Šolta, and he’s opened his family’s garden estate to public tours. Visitors to Tvrdic Honey get a rollicking crash course on the importance of bees as pollinators in the world’s ecosystem and how to help support bee habitats. Maslinica’s beach is one of the island’s most scenic and offers crystal clear water for swimming, plus kayaks and boat rentals for exploring Šolta’s surrounding small islets.
Where to eat and drink
Agroturizam Kaštelanac is a family-owned winery and farm that specializes in producing Dobričić wine, an ancient red varietal indigenous to Šolta. A visit to the quaint shop set in the middle of a working garden includes a discussion about the island’s grape hybrids, tastings of Dobričić blends, whites, and rosés accompanied by olives from the on-site grove, samples of homemade olive oil, and Mediterranean sardines. For a heartier meal, Martinis Marchi Restaurant has a menu chock full of satiating regional classics, including creamy crab soup, linguine with clams, and beetroot risotto, all served on an outdoor terrace overlooking the Maslinica harbor. But the ultimate al fresco dining experience on Šolta might be the pop-up picnic experience organized by Sandra the Island Storyteller. Guests are shuttled to a secret, cliffside location and given a full setup with a blanket, table, cushions, and tableware, and a “marendin,” or light simple meal of local products like wine, fruit juice, cheeses, figs, and cured ham. The experience is designed to help visitors slow down, enjoy the mesmerizing views of the sea, savor the island’s delicacies, and ease into a “pomalo” state of mind.
Where to stay
The island has just one hotel, Martinis Marchi, a striking boutique property offering nine suites in a restored limestone castle from the 18th century. Amenities include a spa, courtyard pool, sprawling garden, and the hotel’s own publicly accessible marina with 50 bays for private yachts. Aside from the single hotel, Šolta has an abundance of highly rated Airbnbs, with a range of options from snug seaside cottages to extravagant villas.