Zadvarje

The real Croatia is waiting away from the coast. How is Croatia not genuine on the coast? The Dalmatian Adriatic coast, with its Venetian architecture, eventually starts to feel more like Italy. If, however, you’re looking that Balkan feeling, you can find it in the hinterland at the farmers’ market in Zadvarje. 10 kilometres from the Adriatic coast, on a karst plateau between Omiš and Makarska, lies the town of Zadvarje. On Tuesdays, a market is held in the village that is definitely not geared toward tourists, where overzealous vendors call out, “Hello, my friend, good price, cheap cheap.” The people from the Makarska Riviera and the hinterland meet, negotiate by gesticulating wildly, and exchange the latest gossip. There aren’t any fake brand name sweaters, but plenty of everyday goods for the average local. Doesn’t sound exciting?