"Kaštelanska Riviera" Kastela by diocletianvs

Kastela Travel Guide: 23 reviews and 47 photos

If you ever take a plane to Split, you will actually land in Kastela and pass them on your way to central Split. The image from the road is of quite an ugly place - hundreds of ugly, unfinished houses dotted on both sides of the road, followed by some scenes of post-industrial landscape of abandoned factories and dirty brownfields.

But don't let this put you off from visiting this place that was once promising to become one of the best "Rivieras" of Dalmatia. This dream of 1920s and 1930s soon ended when Yugoslav decision makers decided to make Split one of the most powerful industrial centres of the country. Smart as they were, decision makers of Split located their huge industrial zone on their back side which happened to be the only side of Kastela - along the Bay of Kastela.

Heavy industry is now a thing of the past, and Kastela are discovering and reinterpreting their past once again. The name comes from the local word for Castles - Kaštel - and there are seven different settlements along the bay on a long strip between Split and Trogir.

Kastel Luksic was once the dividing line between the lands that belonged to noblemen of Split and those that belonged to Trogir families. Starting from the Middle Ages all through the Renaissance and Baroque those families built a series of castles and palaces that gave names to seven Kastelas and are the main element of local cultural heritage.

The dividing line of Kastel Luksic also roughly divides the Upper Kastelas (Sucurac, Gomilica and Kambelovac) from the Lower Kastelas (Luksic, Novi, Stari and Stafilic). While the former still retain their post-industrial landscape the latter are better known for their beaches, sea promenades, hotels and pensions.

The area is definitely worth a visit if you are in the wider area of Split.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Historic castles and palaces, beaches and sea promenades
Cons:Heavy industry and uncontrolled urbanization

Intro Updated Jan 7, 2008
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Reviews (20)

Kastela accommodation Hotels (1)

The old lady of Kastela's tourism - hotel Palace in Kastel Stari that dates back to 1928 - is waiting its better days,... more travel advice

Walking around Favorites (4)

With a short exception of the area around the former Jugovinil chemical factory, it is possible to walk by the sea from... more travel advice

Industrial heritage Favorites (4)

The Kastela Bay was one of the largest industrial sites of former Yugoslavia. Huge shipbuilding yards and a port were... more travel advice

Kastela beaches Favorites (4)

While Upper Kastela (Sucurac, Kambelovac, Gomilica) have lost its once picturesque coast due to heavy industrialization... more travel advice

Things to Do (11)
See All Kaštel Novi
Transportation (3)
See All Marina Kaštela

Warnings Or Dangers (1)
Low flying planes
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Comments (10)

KristaB Jun 13, 2010 at 12:05 AM Report Abuse

Bas krasna stranica! :o)
halikowski May 17, 2009 at 1:54 PM Report Abuse

Excellent page on a place which, as the author suggests, has interesting history behind the urban sprawl. P.S. Would you mind sending me your answer to my forum posting on import taxes -- it was deleted I think by the administrators
Gili_S Sep 15, 2008 at 1:33 PM Report Abuse

What an amazing place to visit with so much to see around. But no food & drinks tips here, obviously I am not invited ;-)
TheWanderingCamel Aug 26, 2008 at 9:35 AM Report Abuse

I wish you'd been our guide when we drove from Split to Trogir! I'm sure we'd have been left with a very different impression of this area. We'll just have to come back sometime! Thanks for a great page. leyle
craic Jul 26, 2008 at 11:53 AM Report Abuse

hi ya
HORSCHECK Jul 5, 2008 at 2:07 PM Report Abuse

Niksa, I just had to revisit your fabulous page. As you might know we will be in this area at the end of our September trip. I like your tips about the airport and especially the one about bus #37. Well done.
ATLC Jun 11, 2008 at 12:48 PM Report Abuse

I promised to be back... excellent page and indeed a thinker how to use the industrial area. The marina is a great start!
Jeca011 Jan 30, 2008 at 4:45 AM Report Abuse

Znaci posle sto godina udjem na VT i odusevim se stranicama o kastelima. Vidim da je Dobrilin tj dvorac Vitturi totalno renoviran. Prelepo je. Pozz :)
Nemorino Jan 22, 2008 at 1:02 PM Report Abuse

Yes, it would be great if someone could come up with a project to find a new purpose for that abandoned chemical plant.
yumyum Jan 16, 2008 at 10:06 PM Report Abuse

Amazing how many castles can be found in one town. I like your smiling bus :)