Podstrana is located in the very heart of Central Dalmatia, both geographically and administratively speaking.
Podstrana used to be part of the city of Split, and it is located just 6 kilometres from its centre. This proximity means that Diocletian’s Palace (protected by UNESCO), together with everything else this urban metropolis has to offer, are within arm’s reach to all visitors of Podstrana. You can reach Split in a mere fifteen minutes via regular bus routes (Promet no. 60 and Dalmatinac) if you head from Strožanac, or in half an hour at most if you’re leaving from Mutogras.
Stobreč and Podstrana are connected by river estuaries. A ten minute walk from Strožanac via the camp in Stobreč will take you to the centre of Stobreč, and another ten minutes are enough to reach the intriguing cliffs and beaches on the western side of the Stobreč peninsula.
Žrnovnica and Podstrana are part of the unique pre-Slavic sacral landscape of the first Croatian settlers and share the hill of Perun and the river of Žrnovnica. The mystique of the Žrnovnica region is additionally enhanced by the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which features an intriguing relief that depicts a crucial sequence from pre-Slavic mythology – the battle of the gods. Here are also Antonica’s mill, located on the riverbank in the centre of the village, the Antique-period locality of Gračić and the Church of St Michael, and the source of the Žrnovnica river that is located beneath.
Dugi Rat is a neighbouring municipality that borders with Podstrana on the southeast, sharing a similar geographical position and all the advantages it brings: a tame sea coast, picturesque bakcdrop of hills and Mediterranean, i.e. Poljica culture.
Omiš, a city that Dugi Rat borders with, is connected with Podstrana via bus routes that depart from Split (Promet no. 60 and Dalmatinac), i.e. half an hour away from Strožanac and 15 minutes away from Mutogras. The cliffs of the Cetina estuary and a fortress that ˝springs out˝ from the rocks on the southeast part of the estuary dominate the views of the city. Owing to the Cetina river and its impressive canyon, Omiš is the centre of many adventure activities. Omiš’s wide offer of culture, entertainment and arts draws its inspiration from the rich Antique-period and, in particular, mediaeval history of the city. Here is also the sanctuary of St Leopold B. Mandić, nestled among the cliffs on the west in the village of Zakučac.
Makarska is the crown jewel of the sub-Biokovo region, and is surrounded by the magical pebbled beaches of the famed Makarska Riviera. Makarska is a city that has yielded several of Croatia’s greatest names in culture and the natural sciences and is an important Franciscan centre. Within the Franciscan monastery in MAkarska, you can also find the one-of-a-kind Malacological Museum. Several hiking trails that lead to Biokovo originate in the city, while the pilgrimage site of Vepric with its Shrine to Our Lady of Lourde is located at the entrance to the city. Makarska is served by regular intercity bus routes that depart from Split, and the ride takes approximately one hour.
Solin, the successor of the Antique-period metropolis of Salona, is an ancient Croatian city and Marian shrine that features the Church of Our Lady of the Island. It is located just ten kilometres away from the western border of Podstrana and is connected via several frequent city bus routes that depart from Split (Promet’s routes 1, 2, 10, 16). The Antique Salona (located in Starine) is served by route no. 1.
Kaštela and the peninsula of Vranjic are located on the estuary of the Jadro river and are definitely well worth visiting. The picturesque Vranjic hosts one of the largest aquariums in Croatia, and out of the numerous attractions of Kaštela we would like to highlight the following: Vitturi Castle, which features the Museum of Kaštela and the office of the Tourist Board, the lush botanical garden of Ostrog Primary School and the Church of St John the Baptist featuring the graves of Juraj and Dobrila (the Romeo and Juliet of Kaštela), which are located in K. Lukšić. Here are also the 14th-century Kaštilac on the cliff in K. Gomilica, the Church of St George of Radun in K. Stari and the unique Biblical Garden in K. Novi. All the villages of Kaštela are served by the exceptionally frequent bus route no. 37 (Split – Trogir), and can also be visited by train via the local rail route that stops in Kopilica.
Trogir was erected on a cliff between Čiovo and the mainland. Its entire mediaeval core that features multiple palaces, churches, monasteries, squares and streets, together with the Cathedral of St Lawrence and Radovan’s celebrated portal, is under the protection of UNESCO and is definitely worth visiting. You can reach Trogir with bus no. 37 (the ride from Split lasts about an hour) or by boat.
Brač, Šolta and Čiovo are the islands that are located nearest to Podstrana, and all of them can be visited with a day trip. They are connected with Split via regular boat and ferry routes, or via direct boat tours form Podstrana. Day trips to more remote islands, such as Hvar, Vis, Drvenik, Korčula and Lastovo can also be organised.
Sinj and other places in the Dalmatian hinterland (Trilj, Drniš, Knin, Vrlika, Imotski, Vrgorac), well-connected via intercity bus routes that depart from the bus terminal in Split, together with the smaller villages in Srednje and Gornje Poljice all represent unique pieces in the colourful mosaic of Dalmatia. Day trips are also possible (especially when it comes to Sinj, for which buses head from Split every hour), but you have to organise yourself well and adapt to the conditions at hand.
Šibenik, Zadar, Dubrovnik and Krka National Park are several other possible day trip destinations for visitors to Podstrana. A package can be organised to visit them all within a single day, though this takes a bit of doing. Visits to Krka National Park are offered by most travel agencies.