November the 16th, 2025 – When you first think of Dalmatia, your mind likely goes straight to Split. Which is actually Dalmatia’s biggest town, however? Many have no idea that it isn’t technically Split…
As Putni kofer writes, Split is by far the largest city in Dalmatia by population and one of the most important cultural, historical and tourist centres on the entire Adriatic. However, as soon as we put population figures aside and focus on something completely different, for example the actual areas that towns and cities span, the picture changes fundamentally. Looking at it from that perspective, it quickly becomes clear that individual Dalmatian cities and towns, although many times smaller in population, occupy vast areas that far exceed that of Split. What’s even more interesting is that most people don’t even actually realise that Split is neither first nor second, or even third in this ranking.
which town is dalmatia’s biggest if it isn’t split?
Spanning an area of 514.5 km², Benkovac is arguably the largest town in all of Dalmatia. Located in Ravni Kotari in the rugged Dalmatian hinterland, this old town covers a huge area that includes numerous settlements, spacious fields, hilly areas and a rich cultural heritage. While it may seem strange at first glance that a relatively small town in terms of population occupies such a large area, the answer lies in its administrative structure. Benkovac encompasses a large number of suburban and rural settlements spread across a wide inland Dalmatian area, actually making it Dalmatia’s biggest town, far overshadowing Split.
benkovac is actually bigger than andorra!
It sounds incredible when you first realise it, but Benkovac is actually comparable in size to smaller European countries. With its 514.5 square kilometres, this Dalmatian town covers an impressive area that exceeds most people’s expectations. How big it is is best shown by a comparison with Andorra, a small country located in the Pyrenees that spans a mere 468 square kilometres in total.
When someone mentions Benkovac, your mind probably immediately conjures up images of the famous fair that has been held every tenth day of the month for decades now. This well known fair takes place in the heart of the town, a place where the spirit of Ravni Kotari traditions can still be seen and felt. The scent of local products and roasting meat, the rustling of bags, the sound of bargaining and chatter… it all creates an atmosphere reminiscent of some distant time. Although the fair is now held at a new location, outside the actual centre of Benkovac, it has remained just as lively and diverse and will more than likely continue to do just that.
In addition to the fair, Benkovac is also home to all kinds of history worth visiting. The 15th-century fortress Kaštel Benković rises above the town, which is now home to the Local History Museum which boasts a rich ethnographic and archaeological collection. From its walls, the view extends to Ravni Kotari, Dalmatia’s flattest landscape in which you can still find medieval churches and ancient ruins. Visitors on the hunt for a very authentic experience can visit the many local taverns, where they can enjoy local wines and specialities from this underrated part of Dalmatia.
Šibenik is actually almost five times bigger than split
The second largest Dalmatian city by area is not Zadar or Split, but Šibenik, which spans an impressive 399.5 square kilometres. Šibenik is exceptionally special in many ways. “Krešimir’s Town” is one of the rare places in the world that has two monuments inscribed on the UNESCO list of protected cultural heritage.
tiny trogir…
Trogir is one of the smallest cities in Dalmatia, but despite its modest area of only 35 square kilometres, it really gives all those who visit it the impression of being a much larger place. It’s by far one of the most beautiful Croatian historical towns, a famous UNESCO-protected gem whose magic is hidden in an exceptionally compact, densely intertwined historic core. It isn’t known as Croatia’s open air museum for no reason.
