Omis is a gorgeous city not even an hour away from Split. The city lays below a canyon and is where the river and the sea meet. The Old Town of Omiš is compact but packed with charm. Think stone alleyways, colorful shutters, family-run cafés, and markets selling local lavender, olive oil, and handmade souvenirs. Continue your stroll by the sea and Riverwalk where there are even a couple really nice and popular “rooftop bars”.
It’s less polished than Split but way more relaxed—and there’s a raw authenticity here that makes it feel lived-in and loved.
There is lot’s to explore that I didn’t even get to touch the surface on, but here are a couple things to check out that I definitely think are worth it.
Cliff Views And The Statue of Mila Gojsalić
The Mila Gojsalic statue is one of the main symbols of Omis. Mila had sacrificed herself to save the entire village from the Ottomans. A rough synopsis was that she pretended to be willing to lose her virginity to the Turkish king as a means to infiltrate their camps and blow them up. The history is fascinating and definitely something to look further into if you’re interested. At the statue, you have some of the most incredible views of the city and canyon of Omis.
The Riverwalk:
White Water Rafting Experience
For those adrenaline junkies, White water rafting and adventure sports in the Cetina are definitely a must. White water rafting is such a fun activity to do with a larger group of people. There are moments where you just peacefully paddle in the beautiful river and moments where it get’s a little rougher. I would say though, anyone can handle this, even those afraid of more “extreme” sports. I didn’t find it to be very dangerous or anything that brings your heart rate up TOO much. It is just a great bonding experience with friends, and gorgeous views along the way.
We did our excursion with NOA Rafting. Our guide was great and very professional, but also really fun as well. We stopped twice on the excursion, once to swim, and then at another spot where we could jump off these higher rocks. Be warned, the water is very, VERY cold. Our guide had a Go-Pro and snapped shots of us the whole time as well as a few short videos. There are also tons of other great excursions to choose from in the cetina. I’ve been canyoning before and it was also an amazing experience.
For those adrenaline junkies there are also fun adventures on the Cetina including canyoning, rock climbing, zip-lining and kayaking
Food – Kod Mije
On the outskirts of town is a little local spot that is not your average traditional dishes. At Kod Mije, local fresh ingredients are used for some standout and unique renditions of the classics. Take their seafood caviar spread or their palacinke doused in this custard sauce.
Balica Rat
This tiny seaside village offers a more local, untouched vibe compared to its tourist-heavy neighbors — think pine-covered cliffs, serene coves, and long, lazy swims in the Adriatic.
Whether you’re looking for a peaceful base while exploring Omiš and the Cetina River canyon or just want to bask in the simplicity of coastal Croatian life, Balica Rat is the kind of spot that makes you want to ditch your itinerary and stay just a little longer.
