Exploring the Region -- There are many ways to approach Upper Dalmatia, but transportation vagaries make travel logistics difficult for people who want to see a lot in a short time. However, covering the maximum amount of territory during a trip to the Dalmatian coast north of Split can be accomplished with careful planning.
For example, most visitors to Pag spend a weekend or more on the beach or on the water, while visitors to Zadar might make that city a base for a week or more for excursions to nearby Paklenica National Park and Nin. Yet others might spend their whole stay in Zadar investigating its imposing churches and monuments, and then venture out of the city for half- or full-day trips with local cruise lines to see some of the area's numerous offshore islands. The latter is a strategy that makes good sense for those who don't like roughing it but who want to see Dugi Otok and Pasman in the Zadar Archipelago because those two island destinations and several others have few accommodations options, making day trips the pragmatic way to see them.
Senj, Nin, and Primosten each can be thoroughly explored in a few hours, but you'll need at least a day each to explore Zadar, Sibenik, and Trogir; a day to see each of the national parks (more if you want to do some hiking or camping); and a day or more for each of the islands you choose to visit (mostly because of ferry timetables).
It's fairly simple to access all the major coastal sites in Upper Dalmatia by driving Croatia's version of California's Highway 1 from Senj down, but it's much trickier to coordinate ferry connections from the mainland to the islands or to travel between islands.
Visitor Information -- Coastal Dalmatia is Croatia's most visited region, so it is not surprising that tourism services are fairly well organized and developed. For contact information for tourist offices in Upper Dalmatia; or contact the Croatia National Tourist Office.
Getting There -- Bus travel is the most popular mode of public transportation in Croatia and many other European countries, because it is the most efficient and economical. Buses are air-conditioned and can not only get you from one mainland destination to another, they can get you to islands served by larger ferries. See contact details for the Jadrolinija ferries.
Getting Around -- Private auto is the most efficient and comfortable way to visit the Upper (or Lower) Dalmatian coast because you'll be able to set your own schedule and linger where you find something you like, and move on when you don't, without worrying about bus or ferry schedules. For those who don't have their own transportation, buses are the next best way to get around because they are frequent and serve almost all coastal towns. Ferries link coastal towns with major Croatian islands and with each other or, if you have the means, you can rent a yacht and map out a sea tour of your own. Split and Dubrovnik have major airports, and Zadar has a small one. All are connected by air with Rijeka and Zagreb. Rail travel is the least desirable way to travel up and down the coast, however, because not all towns have train service, and connections are often difficult.
