Only 25km from the bustling city of Split, the pretty town of Omis boasts sun, sea and sand in ample supply. Known for its extreme sports scene in the canyon of river Cetina, including rafting, canyoning, diving and paragliding, it also offers plenty for those hoping to simply wander and soak up the views.
With notable landmarks including the 15th century Fortress Starigrad, which was built to defend against the Ottoman Empire, there's plenty for history buffs here too. We have an incredible collection of Omis villas to choose from, including villas near the beach, villas with hot tubs and villas with pools - an excellent base for uncovering all Omis has to offer.
Style and character are everything at Oliver’s Travels, and our collection of handpicked villas in the Omis have this in spades.
We have destination experts who know the ins and outs of all our regions, picking villas, chateaux and holiday cottages in Omis that aren’t only unique, but also in the best locations. What's more, our villas are 100% family-friendly, and have the ‘wow’ factor.
Our helpful concierge team are on-hand to make your stay extra special. Whether you want a fully-stocked fridge, a local in-house chef to cook your meals, housekeeping or any other extra service – consider them your holiday genie, who will happily grant your wishes.
You can't talk about Omis without mentioning its intriguing past - the town served as home for real-life pirates in the 13th and 14th century! While they've long since left, that legacy still informs many a visit, with movie buffs and history fanatics alike keen to uncover swash-buckling stories.
Of course, tourists will have ample opportunity to get out on the water themselves too, with the river canyon and Adriatic Sea tempting you to take a dip. Even if your main focus is relaxing in one of our luxury Omis villas with a pool, most days will probably see you either lazing by or swimming in some fresh saltwater.
With our luxury Omis villas, you'll be at the heart of it all. But if you're hoping to explore more of this beautiful country, you can check out our full collection of holiday homes in Croatia.
No visit to Omis is complete without taking a walk through the old town. Situated on the southern side of the Cetina River, this charming area will transport you back in time, with highlights including St Michael's Square plus the Mirabella Fortress. A climb up there may be challenging, but it's worth it for the beautiful views.
However, our top fortress pick is Starigrad. Again, you'll need to pack your walking shoes for this one as it's a pretty steep incline, but you'll be snapping away once you reach the top. Perhaps pack a picnic and enjoy your lunch up there too?
There's plenty more for active adventurers to enjoy if those walks aren't enough - from river canyoning and ziplining, to hiking in the Omiska Dinara mountains, you could easily turn your relaxing villa holiday in Omis into an adrenaline-packed one!
But never fear if your main goal is getting a little r&r in - Velika Plaza is one of few sandy beaches in Croatia, offering cooler waters as a reprieve from the hot summer sun. And if you're lucky enough to visit in August, you can also witness the pirate battle re-enactment that takes place every year on the 18th.
View from Mirabella Fortress
Traditional Croatian food combines fish, vegetables, and liberal amounts of olive oil. The result? Tantalisingly fresh food that's perfect for those long summer nights. Typically the seafood served in Omis restaurants will have been taken from the water that day. It's then expertly seasoned for an utterly delicious result.
Prefer your meats? There are still plenty of options, but we'd most recommend trying peka. This hearty dish sees meat and vegetables baked under a bell-like lid that's covered with hot ash.
For a tasty, vegetarian-friendly option, give soparnik a go. A Croatian alternative to pizza, it consists of a thin, savoury dough that's filled with Swiss chard, and typically potatoes too. It originated in the Poljica area between Split and Omis, and is prepared over an open fire - a fascinating process you'll enjoy watching as much as eating the end result!
And when it's time to satisfy that sweet tooth, you can't go wrong with rozata. Similar to a creme brulee or flan, yet lovingly topped with caramel sauce, this medieval dessert continues to prove popular today.
Great for kids: While the town may seem calm and peaceful, there are so many ways to stay active in Omis - do they dare give ziplining a go?
Great for teens: The food is varied and interesting, but not entirely unfamiliar - great for picky eaters to widen their palate!
Self-catering: If you choose to cook for yourself, find out when and where the local markets are held to get the freshest produce at the cheapest prices.
Due to its location at the mouth of the Cetina River, there's so much to do here if you love being on the water. Sea swimming or kayaking? You decide!
Omis is abounding with natural beauty and history to uncover, but you may find that you want to venture away from the town throughout your villa holiday. Along the Omis Riviera, you'll find plenty of picture-perfect villages with their own idyllic beaches, while travelling a little further afield brings you to some of Croatia's top resort towns.
Want to extend your trip further? We offer holiday homes to rent across Croatia, covering areas including Split, Trogir and Istria.
Home to just over 2000 people, Jesenice invites you to enjoy traditional Croatian life. Boasting stunning beaches and secluded coves, this small town is known for its wooden sailing ships, formerly used to extract sand from the mouth of the rivers.
Split is one of the most popular places to stay in Croatia, and it's not hard to see why when you take in its pretty shingle beaches, ancient old town and historic monuments. While here, enjoy traditional Dalmatian dishes, visit some Game of Thrones filming locations, and then dance the night away.
This seaside town is great for families and large groups who all want slightly different things out of their visit. You'll find relaxing beaches, a buzzing nightlife, and plenty of hiking routes - Mount Biokovo makes sure of that! Throw in the Franciscan monastery for a bit of history and you truly have a complete day out.
Encapsulating the traditional Mediterranean town, Mimice is quickly increasing in popularity among day-trippers. While here, you can enjoy the car-free promenade, take in the old town's original stone houses, and stop in various coffee shops and cafes as you explore. Save time for a dip in the crystal-clear waters!
Due to its remote location, you won't be able to travel directly to Omis. However, many airlines from across the UK fly into Split, with an average journey time of under 3 hours.
From Split airport, you can either get the bus, hire a taxi or your own car, taking around an hour to reach Omis.
Due to the lack of public transport options, we'd suggest hiring a car. While it may be tempting to stay in your luxury Omis villa 24/7, it's worth exploring the wider town as well as other nearby villages, and this is only really possible with your own wheels.
The main parking area in Omis is a 400m walk from the old town and charges hourly fees. If you're fine with parking a little further away, you can do so for free after driving through a tunnel along the Cetina River.
Be sure to hire your car ahead of time to pick up at Split airport - during the summer, there may not be one available if you wait until you land.
Want a ride down to the beach? You can call a taxi to pick you up from the villa and also drop you back. Airport transfers are available too, but we'd suggest booking in advance.
Bus 60 runs regularly from the Split local bus station to Omis, taking around 45 minutes. A one-way ticket costs 21 Kunas. You can also use other inter-city buses to reach further destinations should you want to day trip.
Walking is an excellent way to get around this small Croatian town, allowing you to stumble across its notable landmarks without even trying! Pack supportive but breathable shoes to avoid overheating in summer.
