tourist information centre split

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Welcome to Split

The story of Split began when Roman Emperor Diocletian decided to build a palace for his retirement days here, on a peninsula close to the great Roman city of Salona. Many centuries later, that palace and the city that was born within its walls was to become part of UNESCO's World Heritage List.

Walking around this ancient city is like travelling through time, from antique-era Aspalathos to modern day Split. You will enjoy outstanding architecture, visiting museums and numerous events. At the same time, Split will absorb you into its special state of mind.

No matter how magnificent it is, Split is much more than just an architectural setting. It's a city where you can enjoy top-notch gastronomy, film, theatre, music festivals and exhibitions. It's also a city which offers a lot of entertainment. And if you want to avoid the urban bustle, there is the green oasis of Marjan forest park and kilometres of beaches giving onto crystal clear water.

With all this, don't be surprised when the people of Split, with all possible enthusiasm, explain to you that you have just arrived at the centre of the world.

Meet.Feel.Explore. Split

Swimming in Split

Beaches for Dogs

Beaches with Accessibility

Split – City of Sport

Spend a Day like a Local in Split

A Medieval City in a Roman Palace

Five Reasons to Visit Split in Spring

Welcome to Antiquity

Best of upcoming events.

Split Carnival

Sailing Festival: Mrduja Regatta

Split Summer Festival – The City of Theatre

Celebrate Domnius and his City

Advent: Winter Joys by the Sea

A complete travel guide to Split, Croatia

Split, Croatia is the largest town in Dalmatia and the second-largest in Croatia. Split is a coastal city, with a small-town vibe, noisy streets, and easy-going locals. 

Once a stopover place for tourists catching a ferry to nearby islands, or a bus to other more exciting tourist destinations, Split is today among the most popular places to visit in Croatia.

Located in the middle of the Dalmatia, Split makes a great base for your tour of Croatia. It is also an important transport hub and a port city.

In this Split Travel Guide, you’ll learn where Split is, the best time to visit Split, and the reasons to visit. We also share the best things to see and do in Split, places to stay, eat, and drink as well as provide all necessary travel information to help you plan your stay in Split, Croatia.

Split is a wonderful town to visit from June to October. Its old town offers a variety of attractions, including lively cafes, a scenic seafront promenade called Riva, charming restaurants serving delicious dishes, beautiful beaches, historic boutique hotels, and cozy wine bars that attract many visitors each year.

The town also has beautiful beaches and accommodation options for all budgets and styles, from historic boutique hotels to hip hostels and vacation rentals.

You can find some late-night bars and nightclubs in various areas of the town. With convenient public transport and car rental options, getting around Split is easy, and we explain it all below.

Let us help you plan your visit to Split, Croatia with this comprehensive Split Travel Guide.

Table of Contents

Where is Split, Croatia?

Split is situated in central Dalmatia, a region in southern Croatia, along the Adriatic Sea coast.

It is located on a small peninsula which is bounded by Marjan Hill on the western side, while Mounts Kozjak and Mosor rise to the north and northwest of the city.

The old town of Split is compact and walkable. Visitors can easily access the city’s primary attractions, including Diocletian’s Palace and the Riva promenade.

Below is the map of Split.

Below, you will find the distances between Split and some major Croatian and European towns.

Croatian Towns

• Dubrovnik: 230 km
• Plitvice Lakes: 240 km
• Pula: 520 km
• Zagreb: 410 km
• Zadar: 160 km

European Cities

• Budapest: 750 km
• Milano: 900 km
• Munich: 870 km
• Sarajevo: 240 km
• Vienna: 760 km

Best time to visit Split Croatia

Although Split is a great destination all year round, the ideal time to visit is from June to October. However, June and September offer better conditions compared to July and August due to the scorching heat and the huge crowds of tourists in July and August. In comparison, June and September offer pleasant weather, but September has a slight edge over June because the sea is warmer.

The best time to visit Split is during the second half of September. This is when the weather is still warm, dry and sunny, but not too hot. Moreover, the sea temperatures are still high enough for swimming. By mid-September, school holidays are over, so there are fewer tourists in Split and Croatia in general.

Therefore, the second half of September is the perfect time to visit Split if you want to enjoy the weather, the sea, and the attractions without the crowds.

How many days do you need in Split?

Although Split is the second-largest town in Croatia, the old town is compact and small enough that you can easily visit Split in one day .

But if you want to experience more of Split, including the town’s beaches, nearby islands, and surroundings, consider staying there for at least three days.

You can also use Split as your base in Croatia and explore from there many must-visit places in Croatia and beyond. If you decide to base yourself in Split during your trip to Croatia, consider staying there for up to seven days.

weather in Split Croatia

Split has a Mediterranean climate with dry and warm summers and wet and mild winters. Weather in Split in winter is mild, with average winter temperatures in the range from 8°C to 12°C and it is uncommon for it to snow. However, Split gets a strong northwest wind, called Bura, in winter. When this wind blows, it gets really cold in Split.

On the other hand, the summers in Split are very dry and hot. Rainfall is scarce during summer, and on the rare occasion when it does rain, it doesn’t last long. The average temperature in July and August is around 25°C, but this is an average for the month and includes both daytime and nighttime temperatures. This means that during the day, temperatures rise well above 30°C.

Below is a graph that displays the average monthly sea temperatures in Split. Keep in mind that these are just average values and don’t always reflect the actual temperature. For instance, the sea temperature at the start of June is always lower than at the end of June when it is warm enough for comfortable swimming.

Why should you visit Split?

Reasons attracting thousands of visitors to Split every year include Split’s rich history, vibrant urban vibes, and stunning coastal beauty. From the ancient ruins of Diocletian Palace to the bustling cafes and charming restaurants, Split is a place in Croatia that you can’t miss.

Moreover, Split is more affordable than other popular spots in Croatia, and it has a central location, breezy beaches, historic boutique hotels, and cozy wine bars.

If you are not sure if you should visit Split during your time in Croatia, here are the reasons to add Split to your Croatia itinerary.

• The vibe! We absolutely love the vibe in Split! It has an incredible urban atmosphere, yet it feels slow-paced and relaxing. The 1,700-year-old Diocletian Palace, the heart of the town, is full of cafés, cool bars, and lovely restaurants. The seafront promenade, Riva, is a source of pride for all the locals and is always bustling with people. You’ll even find locals playing a ball game in the shallow sea of the Bacvice beach, even during winter.
• Split is still affordable!  Split isn’t the most budget-friendly place to visit, but it is still relatively cheaper compared to other popular destinations in Croatia, such as Dubrovnik and Hvar. You can enjoy a good quality meal for as low as €13 ($14.30, £11.20), coffee at some bars in Split’s old town for only €1.30 ($1.40, £1.10) and a 0.5L of local draft beer for €3.5 ($3.90, £3). Accommodation is also affordable, with the exception of the Ultra Festival period when prices get crazy expensive. Therefore, if you’re planning to visit Split, it’s better to do it sooner rather than later as prices are continually increasing, making it hard to keep track.
• Split is a perfect base to explore Dalmatia! Split’s central location makes it an ideal starting point for exploring the surrounding area of Dalmatia. From here, you can effortlessly reach the islands of Hvar , Brac , Vis, and Solta; spend a day exploring Trogir and the Roman ruins of Salona; get active in Omis; or visit Krka and Plitvice National Park .
• Great food! Dalmatian food is yummy, and many restaurants in Split offer these traditional dishes : a baby beef stew with gnocchi, called pasticada; stuffed bell peppers with mashed potatoes; meatballs in a tomato sauce; grilled oily fish with Swiss chard; and like.
• History! You don’t have to wait in long queues in front of museums to experience the history of Split. The old town is a 1,700-year-old living museum where people live and breathe every day.

What to do in Split Croatia?

Whether you travel solo, as a family, or as a couple, you won’t find yourself short of activities, attractions, and things to do in Split .

Below we shortlist some of the things to do in Split to give you a feel of what to expect.

• Relax on Riva! Split’s famed seafront promenade, Riva, is always abuzz with people; it’s lined with cafés and bars where locals spend hours over a coffee or a beer. Simply do like locals do, sip a coffee, and watch the world go by … for hours.
• Explore the old town! Just get lost in a maze of allies, cobbled streets, and passages in Split’s old town, and explore 1.700 years of history.
• Eat local!  The food and restaurants here are awesome! We’ve written a post on the best restaurants in Split, along with reviews on restaurants we’ve visited recently. Our fave restaurants are Villa Spiza , Uje Oil Bar , and tavern Nikola in nearby Stobrec.
• Have a coffee at Zbirac! Zbirac is the coolest day bar in Split. Located just above Bacvice beach, Zbirac is the locals’ favorite place to grab a drink. The bar is small, but it has a great terrace overlooking the beach and the sea. It’s protected from the north Bura wind, so the outdoor terrace is open all year.
• Play picigin at the Bacvice beach!  A sandy beach located a 10-minute walk from the old town, the Bacvice is, along with a seafront promenade, the most popular place in town. Picingin, a beach ball game invented here, is played in shallow water with players keeping a ball from touching the water.
• Go on a day trip! Among many day trips from Split , a day trip to Hvar stands out as the most popular.

What to see in Split?

You’ll never need to walk far to see Split’s top sights! The majority of them are located within the Split old town.

• Town gates!  Split old town is located within a 1.700-year-old Diocletian Palace. The Palace measures approximately 160 m by 190 m. Each of the four town’s walls has a gate (Golden Gate, Silver Gate, Bras Gate, and Iron Gate) located at the center of the wall, dividing the Palace into four quarters.
• A bell tower!  The bell tower of the church of St. Dominus is one of the symbols of Split. First built in the period from the 13th to the 16th century, the bell tower went under complete renovation in the 19th century. The views from the top are fantastic and worth a climb via a narrow staircase.
• Peristyle!  A narrow public square near the Cathedral, the Peristyle is the heart of the Palace and the place where all guided tours of Split begin or end. Ancient Roman columns made of red granite, an Egyptian sphinx, an entrance to the Palace’s basements, a Cathedral, and the Temple of Jupiter, can all be found on the Peristyle. It’s one of the main landmarks of Split, and it gets crowded at times.
• Varos! One of the oldest neighborhoods in Split, Varos is a charming place consisting mainly of traditional stone houses with wooden green shutters. It’s located on the south side of Marjan Hill, just northwest of Diocletian’s Palace. This neighborhood was established in the 17th century by peasants and fishermen. Today, it’s full of cozy apartments and room rentals.
• Peskerija and Pazar!  Fish market (Peskarija) and Split’s green market (Pazar) are the two best places to feel the pulse of the city and observe locals as they go about their daily business.

Restaurants in Split

You can’t go hungry in Split with so many great places to eat. It is a foodie’s dream destination. From small, family-run taverns showcasing delicious Dalmatian cuisine, and yummy street-food joints serving a quick fix like hearty burek, or cevapi for late-night food cravings, to harbor-side elaborate fine dining restaurants, Split restaurants offer something for everyone’s budget and style.

What is a typical food in Split?

Typical meals in Split include grilled meat, fish, or seafood with sides like Swiss chard, french fries, or grilled veggies, various stews like cuttlefish or beef stew, pasta dishes, and risottos, especially black risotto with squids and squid ink.

Cheap local fast food includes savory phyllo-dough pies (burek or pita) with various fillings like cheese, spinach, potatoes, or minced meat, as well as cevapi, finger-shaped minced meat grilled and served with pepper spread (ajvar), onions, and pita bread.

How much does it cost to eat out in Split Croatia?

Eating out in Split is still affordable, although the prices are on the constant rise. You can eat for as cheap as €3 to €6 ($3.30 – $6.60, £2.60-£5.20) in local fast food joints.

A handful of local taverns offer a choice of fresh, tasty, and well-cooked daily dishes for as little as €8 to €20 ($8.80 – $22, £6.90 – £23.20) per dish. Dishes can include grilled tuna, tuna stew, pork, beef or veal chops with Swiss chard, calamari stew, pasta with zucchini and prawns, and like. A meal in an upscale restaurant will set you at around €70 ($77, £60) per person.

Restaurants In Split

Below we list our three favorite Split restaurants, all three of them showcase delicious Dalmatian cuisine. For more info, check out our full post on the best restaurants in Split .

Villa Spiza!  Villa Spiza is a tiny little place serving traditional, fresh, and unpretentious food, using only locally sourced produce. There are just a couple of tables. The menu is simple, and it changes daily. Expect to pay €8 to €30 ($8.80 – $33, £6.90 – £26) per dish.

Contacts | Kružićeva 3 | t: +385 91 152 1249

Fetivi!  Fetivi is a small, family-run tavern with a friendly atmosphere and excellent food. Located close to the Matejuska, a small fishing harbor west of Split’s seafront promenade, Fetivi serves traditional Dalmatian food, like fried small oily fish, octopus, chickpeas stew, black risotto, various grilled dishes, etc. Expect to pay around €15 to €40 ($16.50 – $44, £13 – £34) per dish.

Contacts | a: Tomica Stine 4, Split | t: +385 21 355 152

Kadena! Locals’ favorite restaurant in Split, Kadena is an elegant place with a nice terrace, shaded, and fantastic views over the sea. The place is rather large, and it often accommodates large groups that can be noisy at times. However, the food is sublime, and the service is excellent. A bit pricey; expect to pay around €70 ($77, £60) per person for a 3-course meal with drinks.

Contacts | a: Ivana pl. Zajca 4, Split | m: +385 91 522 6685 | t: +385 21 389 400 | e: [email protected]

Accommodation in Split

If you plan to stay in Split for more than a day, you’ll find plenty of accommodation options to suit your needs. From historic boutique hotels and charming vacation rentals to trendy hostels and villas, the town caters to every traveler’s preferences. However, it’s worth noting that large full-service hotels and international chains are uncommon in this area, apart from Lav Meridien Split and Radisson Blu.

Regarding pricing, the average cost of a double room with breakfast in Split during the low season (April, May, November) is around €120 ($132, £103) per day. In the shoulder season (June, September, October), the price increases to approximately €180 ($198, £155), while in the high season (July, August), you can expect to pay an average of €250 ($275, £215) per day.

Of course, you may find lower prices if you’re willing to venture further from the city center or opt for a guest house instead of a hotel. Additionally, special deals due to low occupancy can sometimes offer even better rates. On the other hand, if you’re looking for an upscale boutique hotel in the old town of Split, the prices of a double room with breakfast can go up to €350 ($385, £300) or more per day during the high season.

If you’re looking for a more affordable option, vacation rentals are a bit cheaper than hotels but range from €120 to €250 ($132 – $275, £103 – £215) per day for an apartment that accommodates 2 to 4 people during high season.

For the best experience in Split, we recommend staying in the lively neighborhoods of Diocletian’s Palace and Varos. Both areas provide convenient access to historical sites and immerse you in the city’s vibrant atmosphere. The only drawback is parking, as these neighborhoods are mostly car-free.

Within the Diocletian Palace area, some of our favorite hotels include the Palace Judita Heritage Hotel , Piazza Heritage Hotel, and Cornaro Hotel . For a more local experience, Divota Apartments in the Veli Varos neighborhood are a great option.

Hostels Downtown and Dvor provide budget-friendly accommodation options in the town’s center.

Booking.com and Airbnb are the best websites for searching for accommodation in Split.

Check our list of recommended accommodations in Split! Or, if you are ready to book, check out Booking.com for the best rates!

Split Beaches

Split, the largest town on the Adriatic Sea, is a vibrant beach destination with diverse beaches. From the sandy shores of Bacvice to the rocky beauty of Kasjuni and Bene Beach, Split offers a range of options for beach enthusiasts. The most popular beaches in Split are Bacvice, Kasjuni, Bene, and Znjan.

Bacvice is a sandy beach within a 10-minute walk from the old town. Trstenik and Znjan beaches offer excellent facilities for families with children. Kasjuni Beach awaits visitors at the base of Marjan Hill with its pebbly shores, trendy beach bar, and chill music. Bene Beach offers direct access to the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic Sea, complemented by the shade provided by numerous pine trees.

For further information, check out our comprehensive post on the best beaches in Split .

Bars, Clubs & Nightlife in Split

Split offers a lively nightlife scene, with bars and nightclubs scattered throughout the old town and various neighborhoods. A bar crawl usually starts in the old town, across bars in Dosut Street and Pjaca.

Popular spots include Ghetto Club , known for its art gallery and bohemian atmosphere, Shotgun Shooters Bar for cheap shots and drinks, and Charlie’s Backpackers Bar for a chance to meet fellow travelers.

Leopold’s Delicatessen Bar is a must-visit for craft beer lovers, while Marvlvs Library Jazz Bar and Bar Sistema offer a more relaxed ambiance. For a good drink with finger food, visit The Daltonist Craft Bar .

Fabrique Pub offers food, more than 50 local and international beer labels, and late-night DJ or live band parties. The Central and the Adriatic Social Club are great choices for clubbing, while Bacvice Club provides a low-key option.

Read more about Split’s bars, clubs, and nightlife here.

Popular events

Split, Croatia hosts a variety of fascinating events and festivals throughout the year. While some are more geared towards locals, there are several noteworthy ones that are worth attending if you happen to be in town.

The largest music festival in Croatia, Ultra Europe , takes place in Split every July, featuring renowned artists and a week of entertainment.

The Split Summer Festival , held from mid-July to mid-August, offers dance, music performances, and open-air theater at different venues.

Lastly, the Days of Diocletian in mid-August celebrates Split’s Roman heritage with costumed performers, exhibitions, and traditional food.

• Find here a wide selection of affordable accommodation!
• Get familiar with the city, learn about history, architecture, culture, food and people with this Split walking tour.
• With limited time in Split, this half-day speedboat tour from Split offers a great way to visit three islands and the famous Blue Lagoon.
• Experience an adrenaline-rush speedboat ride and visit Bisevo, Vis, Budikovac, Hvar, and Pakliniski islands on this full-day speedboat tour from Split.
• Spend an active morning or afternoon with this Cetina River Rafting with Cliff Jumping Tour.
• Explore nearby must-see sites such as Dubrovnik, Mostar, Peljesac Peninsula, and Makarska or venture off the beaten path by renting a car.
• Have a peace of mind with Safety Wing Travel Insurance.
• Surf worry-free with Airalo eSIM card!

Practical info on Split Croatia

Finally, if you need some practical info on public transport, parking in Split, or traveling to Split, you’ll find it in this post!

Split, the second-largest travel hub in Croatia after Zagreb, is easily accessible by various modes of transportation. You can reach Split by plane, car, train, bus, or ferry. The airport is located 20 km northwest of downtown Split, with a shuttle service available. It is well connected to major European cities, making it easily accessible by air. Split is also well-connected by train and bus, with frequent services from Zagreb and other coastal towns. Additionally, Split serves as a major ferry port, offering connections to local islands and even Ancona in Italy. Traveling by car is convenient, with a motorway option available.

Split, the second-largest travel hub in Croatia after Zagreb, is easily accessible by various modes of transportation. You can reach Split by plane, car, train, bus, or ferry.

The airport is located 20 km northwest of downtown Split, with a shuttle service available. It is well connected to major European cities, making it easily accessible by air. Split is also well-connected by train and bus, with frequent services from Zagreb and other coastal towns. Additionally, Split serves as a major ferry port, offering connections to local islands and even Ancona in Italy. Traveling by car is convenient, with a motorway option available.

Split is a small and walkable town, with major sights within 30-40 minutes from any location. Split public transport is well-organized. The bus network is extensive.

The historical part of Split, the Diocletian Palace, a seafront promenade, and most of the Varos are all car-free zones . Parking is possible on streets, parking lots, and garages.

Traveling to Split

Getting to Split is easy as it is the second-largest travel hub in Croatia, after Zagreb. You can reach Split by plane, car, train, bus, or ferry. The bus, train station, and ferry port in Split are located next to each other and are within a short walking distance from the Split old town. On the other hand, Split Airport (SPU) is situated 20 km northwest of downtown Split, near Trogir.

If you decide to travel by plane, a shuttle service operates between Split Airport and the city center. Shuttle buses depart 20 minutes after landing and take around 30 minutes to reach Split downtown, costing €8 ($8.80, £6.90) per person.

Alternatively, you can take a taxi which will cost you between €30 to €45 ($33 – $50, £26 – £39).

The cheapest option is to take a local bus no. 37 or no. 38, which both have a scheduled stop near the airport. A one-way ticket costs €4 ($4.40, £3.50).

Zadar Airport, located 150 km northwest of Split, is also a viable option for reaching Split, with some pretty cheap Ryanair flights available.

You can also reach Split by train from Zagreb, with one-way tickets costing approximately €15.10 ($16.60, £13) and return tickets €26.50 ($29, £23).

Trains run three times a day from June 15th until September 15th, while during the rest of the year, they run once a day. The train journey takes six hours.

Intercity buses connect Split with Zagreb and many coastal towns, running frequently throughout the day and year-round. It takes around five hours to reach Split from Zagreb, with one-way tickets costing around €20 to €25 ($22 – $27.50, £17 – £21.50), depending on a bus company and time of traveling. The best place to check bus timetables and book your ticket online is the Bookaway website.

Split is also a major ferry port for the central Dalmatian islands, and also with ferries connecting Split with Ancona in Italy. You can book ferry tickets online. Jadrolinija operates the line year-round, with prices starting from €50 ($55, £43) per adult and €64 ($70, £54) for a car.

Helpful tip on local ferries:  In high season, ferries get crowded. Arrive at least two hours prior to departure (if you travel by car).

If you’re traveling by car, getting to Split is easy as it is centrally located and easy to reach from many places in Croatia. If you’re coming from the direction of Rijeka or Zagreb, you can take motorway A6/A1, which takes around four hours to reach Split from either city. This motorway has tolls, and a trip from Zagreb to Split will cost you around €24 ($26, £21). If you’re looking to save on tolls, you can take an old D1 road, but keep in mind that it’s a single-carriageway road that goes through villages.

Budget tip: If you try to save on tolls but don’t mind driving through villages on a single-carriageway road, you can take an old E65 / D1 road. 

Split public transportation

Public transportation in Split is highly organized, with an extensive bus network. City buses operate within Split, connecting various neighborhoods and nearby towns like Trogir and Omis.

The Split Metropolitan area is divided into four zones, with Zone 1 covering the wider city center and other zones encompassing nearby towns such as Solin and Kastela.

Within Zone 1, buses run every half an hour from 5 am to midnight. Night lines are no longer operating, so taxis are the way to go if you require transportation after midnight.

Zone 2 and 3 buses have less frequent schedules, with some lines departing every hour or even less frequently. If you stay outside the town center, check the bus schedule and plan accordingly.

Tickets can be purchased directly from the bus driver, with varying prices based on the zone. A one-ride ticket costs €2 for Zone I, €2.50 for Zone II, €3 for Zone III (Airport), and €4 for Zone IV (Trogir, Omis). Alternatively, tickets can be bought at any kiosk for a 50% discount (Zone I: €1, Zone II: €1.25, Zone III: €1.5, Zone IV: €2).

Check the detailed Split bus network .

Taxis in Split

Taxis in Split are quite expensive, but they are a convenient option if you’re traveling with a group and willing to split the cost.

The starting fares for Cammeo and UberX are €1.05 ($1.10, £0.90) and €1.40 ($1.60, £1.20), respectively, while Radio Taxi Split charges €3 ($3.30, £2.60). Additionally, the cost per kilometer ranges from €0.80 / $0.90 / £0.70) (UberX), €1.05 / $1.10 / £0.90 (Cammeo), to €1.80 / $2 / £1.60 (Radio Taxi Split). Cammeo has a minimum fare of €2.40 ($2.60, £2.10), whereas UberX’s is €3.80 ($4.20, £3.30), and for Radio Taxi is €8 ($8.80, £6.90).

Alternatively, you can conveniently explore Split on foot. Split is actually a perfectly walkable town due to its car-free, compact old town, and relatively small size. No matter where you’re staying, you’ll never be more than 30-40 minutes walk away from the old town. This way, you can enjoy the charm of Split while saving money on transportation.

Parking in Split

When visiting Split by car, it’s important to note that the historical areas, including the Diocletian Palace, the seafront promenade, and most of Varos, are car-free zones. If you plan to visit Split by car, remember that parking within the old town is unavailable.

Parking is available on the streets, lots, and garages, but fees apply. For reference, check out the Split Parking Map below.

The closest parking lot to the old town is at the eastern end of the Riva promenade. This is the busiest and most expensive parking lot in Split, costing €4 ($4.40, £3.40) per hour in summer and €2 ($2.20, £1.70) per hour in winter. This parking option is still the most convenient for visiting the old town despite the cost.

Another convenient parking lot is located behind the main train/bus station. The rates here are €1.50 ($1.70, £1.30) per hour for the first hour and €2 ($2.20, £1.70) for each subsequent hour, or €23 ($25.30, £19.80) per day.

For a more budget-friendly option, street parking is the best option. For example, parking on Plinarska Street costs only €1 ($1.10, £0.9) per hour. Street parking is available in designated areas throughout the city, with four different zones and varying fees. The Split Parking app provides real-time information about parking in Split. Payment can be made through SMS or at self-operated parking machines.

Street parking is divided into different zones, and a parking app provides real-time information. Payment can be made through SMS or at self-operated parking machines.

There are additional parking lots in residential parts of Split .

Car rental in Split

Those who plan to rent a car while in Split will be happy to know that all major national and international car rental companies have their branch offices in Split. You’ll find them all at Split airport, but also many keep a second office in Split downtown. Whatever works better for you!

In Croatia, the car rental business is very seasonal, and rates increase dramatically from June through September.

We always use Rentalcars.com for car hire. They have good prices, work as consolidators with all major car rental companies, and generally are reliable.

On their site, you can easily compare the prices and availability of many car rental companies. Their filter options give you a chance to narrow your search down in accordance with your preferences: automatic or manual transmission, supplier, number of seats, etc.

If you prefer to rent a car directly with a local car rental company, below you’ll find info and contacts.

1 | Nova

Nova is a national car rental company with offices across Croatia.

Contacts (Main office)  | a: Obala Kneza Domagaoja 1, Split | t: + 385 21 775 388 | e: [email protected]

Working hours | Mon-Sun: 8 am-8 pm

Contacts (Airport Office) | t: + 385 21 203 308 | e: [email protected]

Working hours | Mon-Sun: 7 am-9 pm

2 | Oryx

Oryx is the largest Croatian car rental company with offices all around Croatia.

Contacts (Town office) | a: Sv. Petra Starog 1, Split | t: +385 21 318 800 | e: [email protected]

Working hours | Mon-Fri: 8 am-3 pm | Sat:, Sun 9 am-2 pm | Sun: upon request

Contacts (Airport office) | t: +385 21 895 164 | e: [email protected]

Working hours | Mon-Fri: 8 am-8 pm | Sat:, Sun 9 am-5 pm

3 | Enterprise

Enterprise is a global rent-a-car company with offices in all major Croatian towns.

Contacts (Town office) | a: Poljicka Cesta 26, Split | t: +385 99 382 4783 | e: [email protected]

Working hours | Mon-Sat: 8 am-8 pm | Sun: 9 am-12 pm

Contacts (Airport office) | t: +385 99 392 0362

Working hours | Mon-Sun: 7 am-11 pm

Shopping in Split

In Split, one will immediately notice the locals’ impeccable fashion sense and attractive appearance. Historically, Split has been a shopping haven for people from all corners of Dalmatia. In recent years, this reputation has only grown stronger with the opening of numerous shopping malls in and around the downtown area.

For a comprehensive shopping experience, two prominent shopping malls stand out: City Center One Split and the Mall of Split. City Center One Split, located at the eastern end of town on Vukovarska Street, is a mere 15-minute drive from the center. With over 150 shops, cafes, and restaurants, including popular brands like H&M, Lacoste, C&A, and Swarovski, City Center One Split offers something for everyone.

The old town of Split also boasts many shops, designer boutiques, and artisan stores. Marmontova Street, the main shopping street in Split, is a must-visit for any avid shopper.

For those seeking fresh produce, we highly recommend visiting Split’s green market (Pazar) and the fish market (Peskarija), both in the old town. Additionally, several supermarket chains, such as Lidl, Konzum, Spar, and Tommy, cater to general grocery shopping needs. While all are reliable options, Konzum stands out with slightly lower prices and faster checkout service. Spar Supermarket is in the old town, occupying the ground floor of the 13th-century Palace Papalic. The shopping experience here feels more like a visit to a museum than a typical supermarket.

Visiting a few concept stores in Split’s old town is a must for those interested in unique, locally-made designs. Break Time on Trogirska Street 8 offers exquisite handmade nautical bracelets. Jaman Art serves as both a gallery and a shop, showcasing and selling paintings, cellphone cases, sculptures, and prints by the talented academic painter Danijel Jaman. If you have a penchant for exceptional design, Nered Shop is the place to go for lovely, handmade souvenirs designed in Croatia. Designer store Krug is a treasure trove of authentic clothing and jewelry, all handcrafted in Croatia in limited series.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant shopping scene of Split and discover the true essence of Croatian craftsmanship.

Money and ATM

As of January 1, 2023, the Croatian currency is the euro. The exchange rate is around US$1.10 for 1 euro, £0.86, AUD1.64, and CAD1.47. You can exchange money at many places in Split, including exchange offices, banks, and hotels.

ATM machines are also everywhere; near every bank, at prominent places in town, and at many hotels. ATM machines have an option for different languages, so they are easy to operate. Beware that some ATM machines have higher fees than others. We find that generally, ATM machines that belong to banks are cheaper than independent ones.

If you decide to pay with a credit card, you might be offered the possibility to be charged either in your own currency or in euros (local currency). You might intuitively opt to pay in your own currency. However, don’t do this! The banks use something called a dynamic currency exchange rate, and most of the time (read always) it’s less favorable than if you decide to pay in local currency.

I always hear people complain that the internet in Croatia is slow. I generally don’t need super-fast internet, 4 Mbps is fast enough for me.

Anyway, during the high season, with so many tourists around, the number of users increases so much that our infrastructure can’t really take it. So, at times, the internet gets really slow in summer. This doesn’t happen everywhere, and not on all networks, but there aren’t really rules. You just learn to live with it.

However, the closer you stay downtown, the better the internet you should get. Almost all accommodation comes with free WiFi internet, and you should expect a speed of at least 20 Mbps. Mobile now mostly runs on 5G, although 4G is still standard in some areas.

Many bars and restaurants offer free WiFi for their guests, but you need to ask for a pass. Towns also offer free WiFi hot spots, but this connection, unfortunately, doesn’t work most of the time.

More Info about Visiting Split, Croatia

• Learn all Split essentials with our Split Travel Guide .
• Plan your activities in Split with our detailed guide to things to do in Split .
• Looking for the unusual things to do in Split, Croatia ? Check our in-depth guide!
• If you plan to stay in Split, check a list of recommended accommodation in Split Croatia .
• Find out where to eat in Split with our post on best restaurants in Split .
• Detailed info on Split beaches you’ll find here.
• A list of Split bars and clubs .
• If you are staying in Split only for a day, here is our One Day in Split Itinerary .
• Planing a day trip from Split? Here is our list of the best day trips from Split, Croatia !
• Arriving to Split by plane? Here is our Split airport guide, including tips on how to get to Split center from the Split Airport .
• Want to visit Hvar from Split? Check out our ultimate guide on visiting Hvar from Split !
• Planing your Croatia trip, but not sure where to go first? Our Split or Hvar? and Split or Dubrovnik ? posts will help you decide!
• Visiting Dubrovnik from Split? Find here all details on how to get from Split to Dubrovnik !
• Interested in other Split restaurants? Read our reviews on Villa Spiza , Uje Oil Bar , Buffet Fife , and Zinfandel Food & Wine Bar .

Frankaboutcroatia.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This post might also contain affiliate links to other sites, like accommodation or activities. And if you purchase anything using these links, we earn a little commission with no extra costs for you. Thank you for supporting our blog! Read full disclaimer here.

Home / Destinations In Croatia / Split, Croatia / A complete travel guide to Split, Croatia

38 thoughts on “A complete travel guide to Split, Croatia”

Hello. My husband and I are traveling to Split next week. Do you recommend we purchase one of the Split City Cards on offer for 3 day passes to various places? If so, which one?

You can get from Hvar to Stari Grad by bus. As for direct Dubrovnik – Stari Grad ferry – I am not aware of any, they all go directly to Hvar Town.

Hi Frank – If we arrive from Split via ferry into Hvar town and wanted to spend some additional nights in StariGrad – what’s the easiest way to get to Stari Grad for Hvar town (without a car)? And also, are their direct Ferries from StariGrad to Dubrovnik?

Split is OK to stay for a week if you don’t mind staying in a big town. It has lots of things to do, good restaurants, beaches within walking distance, and it is a good base to do day trips to many nearby places. You can visit Hvar, Brac, Vis or Solta island. You can go to Krka National Park, or visit Trogir. You can also go wine tasting in the vicinity, or check some of the beautiful beaches along Omis and Makarska Riviera.

You can hire a private transfer, or simply board the shuttle bus. Both is simple!

How do you suggest 9 people get to downtown split from the airport on July 3? Thanks in advance!

First of all, thank you for all the information on your site. We first had the idea of visiting Croatia listening to an NPR report of about Dubrovnik. While we initially hoped to go there, we were slow to book and missed out on the chance. We do have the opportunity to go to fly into Split in July (I know, not the best time). Do you think that 7 days is too much time to stay there? We have beach lovers in our group as well as history buffs. With the different tours and close locations will we run into too much idle time? Thanks again for the information.

Hi Charanjeet, thanks for reading! 1) Yes, you can visit Plitvice from Split for a day (it will be a long day, but it is doable) 2) Hm, hard to say. Plitvice is more concentrated. All the sites are one next to another, while Krka is more spread out (if you want to see all the sites you will use the car between some of them). Plitvice has bigger falls. But both sites are nice. Krka will be less stress also because is much closer, and then you can have a more relaxed visit. Food is also better around Krka Waterfalls (Konoba Vinko in Konjevrate is highly recommended as well as a visit to Bibich or Sladic winery). Hope these few comments help you choose. 3) The most famed oyester and shellfish place in Croatia is Ston on Peljesac peninsula. Particularly restaurants in Mali Ston, but we like even more Ficovic in Hodilje. Wineries around Split include Putalj (the closest), but if you want to see the best ones, you need to go more south, like WInery Rizman and Terra Madre in Komarna (views are top), Saints Hills, Korta Katarina, Bura, or Milos on Peljesac (don’t miss a visit to Postup and Dingac wine growing hills). Some of the nicest sites you will see! And also previosuly mentioned Bibich and Sladic near Skradin.

Great blog Frank! I have learned so much about Croatia from your website, and it has been absolutely useful in planning my trip. Would you be so to guide me a bit further? (1) I’m thinking of a day trip from Split to Plitvice Lake. Do you think that’s unreasonable? We will have a rental car, so I’m thinking if we leave early AM, do they allow entry at a certain time. (2) Also, between Krka and Plitvice, if you were to choose, which would you? We just have one day and we can’t make up our mind. (3) Would you recommend any particular oyster restaurants (small town or fancy), any mature olive orchards and wineries? Thank you much

Usually, you can get by bus, and you should be able to check it on Getbybus. The problem is that this year is specific with Covid, and there are fewer buses at the moment, some lines are even completely ceased. However, by summer this should stabilize. Already now if you check dates in June, the Getbybus shows availability.

Hello, how to get to split from Plitvice? where to check the routes. can’t find on GetByBus.

Hi Frank, any thoughts on staying in Trogir vs Split? Niceness of Old Towns, cost of accommodations, parking? we figure we can do a day trip to whichever one we don’t stay in. We’re not that interested in the nightlife .

Thanks. Love your blog

Thanks, Rachel, so glad to hear that :)

Your site is SO useful. It’s our go-to and we are very grateful. Sadly we saw your villa too late but promise this will be our choice for Istria when we’re back in a few years. Rachel

Planning to do it this winter. Do you have any tips?

I am afraid that there isn’t any easy solution. You can either plan an overnight in Hvar, take a private boat transfer to Hvar, book a group tour to Hvar from Split, or take a car ferry from Split to Stari Grad (for this you will need a car as you need to travel from Stari Grad to Hvar).

Frank can you help we are going to Split in October and the only ferry we can find to Hvar is at 10 am from split and we only get 2 hours there is there a ferry service that gives us more time time. Thanks. Susan

Hi Frank, what is the best way to get from Split airport into town? Uber? Taxi? Something else? Thank you!

Your travel guides have been great for Porec & Split, I am going to Pula in September 2018 you wouldn’t happen to have anything on this region. We are also going to Zadar next May

Hi! I am visiting Split & Hvar in June. Everything is planned out except where to stay our last night.

On Saturday morning we have a 6:15 AM flight out of Split. Where would you recommend staying that is easy to get to the airport for probably 4AM?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Hello Frank, I have a question regarding non agency hotels, apartments, private apartments. I am planning our trip from July 15 to July 29th. Most of the agencies are 80% booked. Is it possible to find accommodations by simply inquiring at smaller places, like we do when we travel in the states? Thanks

My boyfriend, our little dog and I are going to Split in July. So far we’ve only booked out flights and are currently looking around for places to stay. We’d like to stay in central Split a couple nights and for the rest of the week we’re are looking for a place that has nice food and beaches. We’re not into partying, so someplace a bit more mellow would be preferred. We’ve looked at Makarska and Brac. Do you have any suggestions?

Many thanks :) Emily

Hi Gordon, beside writing this blog, and providing some info, we don’t offer other services. Have a nice time in Croatia with your gran daughter.

Hello Frank, I am a 84 year old retired male in good health. I will be traveling with my gran daughter in October for two weeks. We do not drink, except during dinner or lunch. Please explain what services you provide.

Dear Frank, I am a 71 year old Canadian widow in good health living in London, Canada. My income is limited to my gov’t pension of $1900CA per month and I have no savings. I am tired of our cold winters and am starting to contemplate a move to an affordable, warmer location. I came across Split, Croatia online as a place recommended for expats to retire to. I do not speak Croatian, but my mother tongue is Hungarian and I have studied Italian, French, and German. Since you have personal experience living there, can you please give me your honest opinion on whether this could be a good move for me? What do I need to be aware of in order to make this life-changing decision? Could I survive (or even live comfortably) on my frugal resources? Any advice or precautions you can offer would be greatly appreciated!

Hi Frank Me and my sisters will by fly to Croatia from London fir about 7 days. 3 days in Zagrenb, 1 day in Split and 3 dsys in Dubrovnik. We would like to visit Montenegro too.

We have searched lots of reviews and do not know where to start from. Any recommendations?

Hi Frank , Your website is so useful . Huge thanks . We are here in Split for a few days before hiring a boat on Saturday for a week & returning it to Split. We are then hiring a car for a few days , again returning to Split & wonder if you can offer any hints for further travel . We don’t necessarily need to stick to the coast, but it is is so beautiful are happy to . Travelling with husband & 2 kids 19 & 21 . All fairly fit . Happy to cycle, walk etc . As yet no accomadtion boooked & we’d favour getting away from the crowds & eating hood local food . Many thanks , Cheryl

Very useful guide thank you.

We will be visiting Split in early October for 7 days and plan to travel to Hvar and Brac possibly spending a night on each. We like nice restaurants and bars and generally exploring the sights. We would not have ny interest in spending time on the beach or in the water.

With regard to the islands particularly can we expect that most restaurants will still be open or might it be out of season for some?

If you prefer beach over the city, then definitely Brac.

We wish to enjoy beach more than city, is it better to stay in one of the islands like Brac or should I stick to Split city? We have 4-5 days. Thanks.

Frank – my wife and I are visiting Split in late June and want to visit Rovinj from Split. Can you recommend the best way to get to Rovinj from Split. Any recommendations re: car hire with driver? Are there ferries from Split to Venice? Any recommendations on boat/yacht rental companies for island hopping while we are in Split? Thanks.

Hi Annette, thanks for your comment. We recommend Viator. Let us know if we can help with anything else.

My husband and I will be in Split in September 2017. We would like to take a boat tour to visit a couple islands; maybe Vis, Hvar, Brac. Can you recommend a good company and a good itinerary please. Thank you.

Hi Marie-Claire, Sibenik is wonderful! It’s less known than Split, Zadar, or Dubrovnik, but in the last years its tourist offer and infrastructure is really developing. I think you’ll be happy in Sibenik. It’s less hectic than Split. You can visit Split easily from Sibenik for a day.

Hi Frank, I have been reading about an International Children’s Festival at Sibenik. Do you know anything about it or about the town of Sibenik itself? It is not very far from Split. Would Split be a nicer place to stay? I love all your advice and pictures on your website btw! M-C

Frank, my wife and I will be cruising from Dubrovnik to Split in early October. Once we get to Split we were thinking of staying a couple of days there and then driving up to Plitivice for a couple of days and then to Zagreb to fly home, could you recommend some stops along the way from Split to Zagreb?

We spent 2 months in Split and absolutely loved it. Our time there was the highlight of the last year of travelling. As you say, it is centrally located – we used it as a base to explore Dubrovnik, Mostar, even as far as Kotor. Lots of highlights in the immediate vicinity too (my personal favorite was the little town of Omiš). By the way, I took your recommendation of Konoba Matejuska and it is fabulous. We became regulars. I have to say that Buffet Fife was absolutely horrible the one time we went. Terrible. Maybe they had a bad day or something has changed. Excellent guide to Split. Frank (bbqboy)

I’ve always loved Split and prefer it to Dubrovnik, mainly because it isn’t as touristy and crazy. We spent 5 days in Split towards the end of June. We’d take the kids for a walk after dinner every evening, get an ice-cream and sit around the Peristyle (I had no idea it was called that!) listening to the accoustic musician playing every evening outside the Luxor. We used Split as our base to get to Brac- we did 2 day trips to Brac. Im glad tourists are starting to notice Split.

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Authentic experience of ancient Roman culture. Amazing beaches and sights

Split, the second biggest Croatian city, is known for ancient sights, sandy beaches, and rich nightlife options . Alongside Dubrovnik , Split is the most important Croatian tourist destination , featuring millions of visits every year. Continue reading to find out the main beauties of Split that attract so many people to visit this interesting town.

Table of Contents

What to visit in split, golden gate, marmont's street and prokurative, split market (piazza), marjan forest park, split beaches, beach bacvice, beach znjan, beach kasjuni, beach firule, beach kastelet (obojena svjetlost), split in one day, day trips from split, culture and tradition of split, safety in split, nightlife in split, climate in split, events in split, shopping in split, how to get to split, map and location of split, accommodation in split, split photo gallery.

Diocletian's Palace , the most significant cultural tourist attraction of Split, was built by Diocletian, a Roman emperor notorious for the persecution of Christians. In his luxury palace, he spent the last few years of his life. Being located in the narrow centre of Split, the palace is a must-see attraction for every visitor. It contains a lot of originally preserved ancient sites that include streets, squares, and churches. Although it was called a palace, in reality, it was more like a big fortress surrounded by walls and towers. The Split Peristyle , a square located at the eastern part of the palace, is considered the most beautiful in the city. Cathedral of St. Domnius is an architectural masterpiece of art which dates back to the emperor Diocletian, who wanted to build his mausoleum in the place of today's cathedral. But history has decided otherwise. Diocletian's bones were moved away from his mausoleum. Instead, the bones of Christian martyrs persecuted by Diocletian, including St. Domnius, were brought into the building, which became Split Cathedral.

Golden Gate , the most attractive entrance to the Diocletian Palace, is almost completely preserved. The statue of Gregory of Nin (Grgur Ninski), located just near the entrance, reveals the master craftsmanship of Ivan Mestrovic, the most famous Croatian sculptor. Gregory of Nin, known as a Croatian national hero, was a medieval bishop and proponent of Slavic worship. Papalic's Palace , a 15th-century gothic-renaissance masterpiece made by Juraj Dalmatinac, is located next to the gate. Nowadays, it is the location of the Split City Museum. Find more info on our Diocletian's Palace page.

Riva in Split is promenade along the sea located near the Diocletian's palace. Being special and emotional place for locals, Riva hosts the most important political, social and entertainment events. Riva is also a place of romantic walks, love and socializing . Looking around yourself, you see people feeling pretty relaxed and having a great time . There is a special Mediterranean atmosphere out there. While walking on the Riva, take an ice cream or pancakes. Sit in the coffee bar and enjoy coffee and the sun. The biggest party in Split is held every year in Riva on May 7, when the patron of the city St. Duje is celebrated. The celebration is held throughout the day, from morning mass to evening concerts.

Marmont's street , located between Croatian National Theater and Riva, is another highly attractive street. It was named after Napoleon's General Marmont , which is a very interesting fact because Napoleon and Marmont were actually the occupiers of Split. Still, people liked this man because of huge contribution to the city architecture. Marmont was also responsible for the architectural design of a Prokurative , a square similar to the Venetian Square of Saint Mark. The square is located just near the end of Marmont's street and monastery of St. Francis located on Riva. There are many events and festivals held in Prokurative such as the Split Festival of Pop music (original Festival Zabavne Glazbe). The festival gathers the most famous Croatian singers. Enjoy your walk on this beautiful street and view of the nice and interesting square.

Sustipan (or the peninsula of St. Stephen) is located in district called Zvoncac, close to the West Coast . In the Middle Ages, there was a Benedictine monastery and a church. In the 19th century, one of the most famous cemeteries in Croatia was built on Sustipan. Today, there is a beautiful small forest park ideal for socializing and romantic walks.

The most vibrant area of Split is piazza (Split market) . Piazza manifests the agricultural wealth of the Split hinterland. You can taste and buy real Dalmatian and Mediterranean specialities. Olive oil , characterized by exceptional and unique taste, is one of the most delicious Mediterranean specialities. Many of Dalmatian wines are famous, for example, red wine Babic from Primosten is widely known. Dalmatian prosciutto and cheese are worth tasting as well.

If you are looking for a place for recreation, running, cycling, romantic or family walking in Split, there is one which includes all those activities. It is Marjan forest park . The main Marjan path is about 1700 meters long. It is ideal for families with small children because there are no cars. It is only necessary to watch out for bikers. Pedestrian and bicycle paths are separated, which makes walking and riding a bike even more comfortable. If your child doesn't know how to ride a bike, Marjan could be a great place to learn. It is possible to rent a bike at an affordable price. For all those who are engaged in running or MTB cycling, Marjan is also an ideal place. There are numerous forest roads, trim trails and workout places . There are three beaches located at the foot of Marjan hill: Kasjuni, Bene, and Kastelet.

Poljud is part of Split known mostly for the stadium of football club Hajduk . Hajduk was founded in 1911, and for many people in Split, it is far more than a football club : a symbol of the city; almost like a religion. Hajduk and football are the most common topics in Split cafes. Besides Hajduk, stadium Poljud is famous for Ultra Europe Festival , which is held there every year in July. From 2019. Ultra Europe Festival will be held at Park Mladezi Stadium . Ultra Europe 2023 will take place on July 7, 8, and 9. Be aware that the accommodation in Split during that period is much more expensive than the other dates. It is worth mentioning the beautiful 15th-century Franciscan monastery and the Romanesque church of Holy Trinity, both located near the stadium.

Split features amazing beaches , which are one of the main aces of its tourist offer. There are all kinds of beaches in Split : pebble, concrete and sandy. Some of them usually get busy during the peak summer season, yet some are less popular and more intimate.

Bacvice is the most famous beach in Split . It is less than half of a kilometre away from the main bus station in Split. It covers an area of several hundred meters in length. It is mostly sandy beach but there is also a concrete area. The sand is very soft, making it ideal for picigin , a game included in UNESCO's immaterial cultural heritage. It is played in shallow waters. Players are throwing a small ball at each other with acrobatics. The ball must not fall into the sea. The aim of the game is to keep the ball in the air as much as possible. Bacvice is a great place for swimming and jumping into the sea. The swimming area is fenced for security reasons. There are many beach bars and nightclubs around the beach. You can refresh yourself with ice cream or your favourite cocktail. Two popular nightclubs are La Playa Day & Night and club Bacvice . They work every night during June, July and August. The clubs open at 11 pm and work till 5 am. The entrance to Bacvice is not free during the summer season - you need to pay the entrance fee 10 - 20 euros. The prices for drinks are not cheap either: If you want to take a small beer, you will pay 5 euros . Additional service available near the beach is renting a jet ski, kayak or paddleboat.

Znjan is the biggest beach in Split . It is an ideal vacation spot for all generations because of a large pebble beach which is a few miles long. Another reason for the popularity of Znjan is a very large free parking space , which is a great advantage of this beach compared to other beaches in Split. If you decide to go to Znjan in a car, you can be worry-free regarding parking.

Bene is a beach located at the foot of Marjan forest park. It is characterized by the natural beauty of Marjan forest park. The beach is almost completely in the woods, which means there is plenty of shade . You can spend even the hottest hours of the day at the beach. Unlike Znjan or Bacvice, Bene is a little harder to access. It can't be reached directly by car. After you leave the car at the entrance of the forest park, you need to walk around 15 minutes to reach the beach. (It is not a bad idea at all, because Marjan is really beautiful). Another option to reach Bene is local bus number 12 , which circulates around Marjan all the time. Its starting point is Split Riva, near the church of St. Francis. Restaurant Benedict is located near the beach. It is a place with great food choices at affordable prices. Mediterranean specialities that include fish from the Adriatic sea and seafood are a little more expensive. Right next to the restaurant there are football and tennis courts. There is also a field for water polo and a gym. Facilities for children are included in the beach's offer which includes tracks for toy cars and an amusement park. Having all these facilities makes Bene an ideal place of refreshment for athletes and recreationalists . Nature lovers will also enjoy Bene because of its beauty. Another advantage is peacefulness which is not featured on other popular beaches. The price for renting a deck chair is 5 euros per person per day, which is less expensive compared to Bacvice or Kasjuni.

Kasjuni is a large pebble popular beach, a favourite among tourists and locals. It is located on the south side of Marjan , a few kilometres away from Bene. Many people consider it to be the most beautiful beach in Split . The big advantage for Kasjuni over Bene is ease of access : the beach can be reached by car and there is a free parking space . Those who are don't have a car in Split can reach it local bus number 12 . The prices on Kasjuni are a little bit higher than average in Split. The price for a sun lounger and umbrella is 20 euros per person per day . The beach features a rescue service and a small pebble part reserved for pets.

Firule is a beach located between Znjan and Bacvice . Just like Bacvice, Firule is a sandy beach ideal for Picigin . Right next to the beach there is one of the most famous disco clubs in Split: Zenta .

Zenta is club with excellent music. Often guests are world-famous Djs. The club consists of 2 floors. Usually, a different type of music is played on each floor, so you can choose the one that you like more. During the day, Zenta works as a beach bar. The prices are reasonable. For a coffee you pay 8 kn, which is approximately 1 euro. The beer (0.3l) will cost you 15 kn , which is approximately 2 euros .

Beach Kastelet (called " Obojena Svjetlost ", which means Colored Light) is another beautiful Marjan beach located 1 km away from Kasjuni. The beach characteristics are pretty similar to Kasjuni: it's a pebble beach reachable by car and there is a free parking space. It is a favourite spot among locals and tourists of all generations. More info on tourist events and attractions in Split can be found on Split's tourist board page .

If your time in Split is limited to one day or less, then I advise you to visit Diocletian's palace first. The visit includes walking through the old city, sightseeing squares and buildings like Split Peristyle, Piazza, Museum of Split, Golden Gate etc. The next thing I would do is walk on Split Riva and enjoy its Mediterranean atmosphere. It would be a great idea to just sit for a coffee in Riva's bars and enjoy the atmosphere together with domestic people. Another attraction that should be visited is some of the beaches in Split, preferably Bacvice . You could try playing Picigin there for a while. In the end, I would visit some of the Marjan attractions like Marjan forest park or the top of Marjan Hill.

Except for being an amazing tourist destination, Split is a good base for day trips . If you are the type of person who wants to visit more than one place during your holidays, Split has some great opportunities. The first recommended day trip is a visit to Trogir , a UNESCO town featuring Romanesque and Renaissance architectural masterpieces of art, like Cathedral of St. Lawrence . If you want to explore a bit of nature, you can reach NP Krka in less than two hours from Split. You can add a visit to Sibenik to this trip as well, which features Renaissance Cathedral of St. James , and Sibenik fortresses The integral parts of Split tourism are islands Brac and Hvar . They are connected to Split via ferry lines. The ride to Brac takes 50 minutes and the ride to Hvar takes 2 hours. Many visitors who arrive in Split take at least a day trip to each of these islands. Others take island hopping tours organised by tourist agencies. If you arrive in Split outside the high tourist season, you can even visit places like Dubrovnik and Plitvice Lakes in one day. However, a more comfortable option is to sleep over in those destinations to avoid too much travel in one day. A visit to Dubrovnik is even more appealing in 2023 due to the Peljesac Bridge construction. Omis is a small coastal town located 40 kilometres south of Split. Omis is known to be the top Croatian adrenaline destination, featuring zip-line, kayaking, rafting on the Cetina River, canoeing, and mountaineering. Biokovo Skywalk is the new glamourous attraction located in the hinterland of Makarska Riviera. It's a small bridge entirely built of glass. Tourist agencies will organize day trips to Biokovo from Split in 2023. Last, but not least, we recommend visiting Klis fortress , one of the most prominent fortification buildings in Croatia, located less than half an hour's ride from Split. You can join this trip with a visit to the ancient Salona .

Getting to know the culture of Split is an essential part of the travel experience. People in Split are pretty relaxed all the time . That's the way of life in Split. "Nema zurbe" (no hurry) - is well known saying among people. I believe you will feel that vibe when you get there. Split is a city with many cafe bars. Socializing in bars is a characteristic of the culture. Split is among the cities with the highest rate of average time spent in cafes in Croatia. Common topics are football club Hajduk and politics. The population of Split is a mix of indigenous citizens, newcomers from nearby islands (called boduli ) and newcomers from the hinterland (called vlaji ) and Herzegovina (a region from the nearby country). Boduls are emotionally connected with the sea. That's why they engage in sea activities like fishing and diving. Another interesting characteristic of culture is the care of own appearance . Many men hit the gym. It is socially expected for them to be strong and fit. Similar is for women. They are expected to take special care of their looks. Just like the whole Croatian culture, Split culture is mix of Balkan and Western culture . It can be easily noticed by the type of music being played in clubs. Some nightclubs play Balkan turbo-folk music. while others play current popular Western music. During the summer season most of the clubs play the latter because it is a favourite among visitors.

Split is considered a safe city and it has a low crime rate , meaning that people can feel free to move anywhere they want. Most of the people in Split are hospitable and ready to help if needed. However, there are a few things to pay attention to. The first one is to take care of personal stuff while on the beach. I would not recommend taking too much money with you. Take only enough money for ice cream and cocktails. Euro is the only official currency in Croatia, starting in January 2023. ATM cash machines and currency exchange offices are everywhere around the city, so it's easy to claim money.

The nightlife offer in Split is rich. This is especially true during the summer season when most of the nightclubs work every night . That period includes the second half of May and the whole months of June, July and August.

Club Inbox is usually a first destination of night out. It is outdoor nightclub located two hundred meters away from the main bus station in Spit. People gather around 10 pm when DJ starts to play music, and they leave around 1.30 am, when the club is closing. Prices in club Inbox are a little higher than average in Split; for a small beer, you may pay around 4 euros.

Another option is Fabrique pub located in the centre of the city, between West Coast and Marmont's street. It's also a restaurant with a great food choice. It is a favourite among the middle-age population, most people being in the 21+ age range. The club closes at 2 am

Many people decide not to enter clubs before 1 am. Instead, they just have fun and enjoy drinking in places of socializing. Some of these are beaches Bacvice, Ovcice and Firule . Bars Bacvice and Tropic are located few hundred meters away from club Inbox, near beach Bacvice. They open at 11 pm, but people gather there around 1 am. These clubs are usually a second night out destination. Entrance to the clubs is free. Club Tropic is a little fancier than Bacvice, so if you plan to go there, you need to take care of the dress code. On the other hand, the atmosphere in club Bacvice is more relaxed without a special dress code. The prices are average for Split. If you take a small beer in Bacvice, you will pay less than 3 euros.

Club Central is located near Croatian National Theater, in the centre of the city. It is known as the fanciest club in Split, so if you want to go there, take special care of the dress code. Entrance is usually free for women, and men need to pay around 10 euros. The entrance fee is higher if there is a special DJ guest having a performance. The club opens at 00:30 am. Zenta is a favourite among locals club located near beach Firule. It's a two-floor nightclub, with each floor playing a different type of music. Usually, on the first floor there is house and Hip Hop music being played, and on the second-floor Croatian trash music. If you want to join a group when going for a night out, Pub Crawl may be for you. It has become common in Split in recent years. Two most famous ones are Tower Pub Crawl and Pub Crawl Ziggy Star .

The climate in Split is mild with Mediterranean characteristics. Summers are hot, with an average temperature of 26 degrees Celsius. Winters are mild with only a few snowy days during the year (if any). The temperature rarely goes below zero. The sea is warm enough for swimming in June - September period and sometimes in May.

Split Summer Festival (Splitsko Ljeto) is a manifestation held during July and August in Split. It is held in various locations, including Croatian National Theater, peninsula Sustipan, Split Peristyle and others. The manifestation consists of theatre plays, concerts and exhibitions. Find full program on Split Summer festival's website and tickets on National Theater's website . Ultra Europe Festival is one of the most famous European music manifestations that is held in Split, on stadium Poljud in July every year. It gathers together the world's best DJs. Solin Summer Festival is manifestation held in Solin , a small city near Split. It is similar to Split Summer Festival, with advantages of cheaper tickets and many free events. Find full program on Solin's website . Few open-air cinemas are working in Split during the summer months. The most famous ones are Bacvice and Golden Gate . The entrance fee for Bacvice is 25 kuna, which is around 3.5 euros. Some of the movies being played are recent date, yet some are older. Most of the movies are Hollywood ones with Croatian subtitles. There are also a few Croatian movies with English subtitles. You can find program of Bacvice cinema here .

Other than being a popular tourist destination, Split is also a great place for shopping. We will list the most important shopping centres in Split. Mall of Split is the largest shopping centre in Split. It's all in one place for shopping. If your shopping time is limited (and it should be because there are so many other things to do in Split), then you don't need to look for another shopping place except this one. It can be easily reached by car. There is a large garage with free parking spaces. Another option is to reach it by local bus. More info can be found here . City Centre One is another shopping place located a few kilometres away from Mall of Split. Shopping Centre Joker is located a few kilometres away from Poljud. It's the main advantage is the location. It is shopping centre closest to the centre of city . Mall of Solin is located in nearby city called Solin .

The easiest way to reach Split is by car. You can take A1 highway and exit in Dugopolje, which is only a few kilometres away from Split. Another option is to take a bus. Many European cities have direct bus lines to Split, especially during the summer season. Others do have lines to Rijeka or Zagreb, which are very well connected to Split. Trains are a little bit worse option than buses due to fewer train lines, longer travel time and more expensive tickets. On the other hand, travelling by train could be more comfortable. The busiest train line is Zagreb-Split, driven by a tilting train. Usually, there are three to four departures a day from Zagreb to Split and vice versa. Train timetable and online tickets are available on HŽ website . The next option to reach Split is by plane. Split Airport is located 24 kilometres away from the centre of the city. The distance can be traversed by bus, taxi (including Uber) or private transfer. Another option is to rent a car . Important news for Asian visitors (especially Korean) is that Korean Air introduced direct flight lines Seoul - Zagreb three times a week, starting in September 2018. Travel time is only 11 hours. Unfortunately, due to pandemics, the line has been cancelled, but it may return back in 2023. The flight from Zagreb to Split lasts only 30 minutes. This means Croatia is accessible to Asian visitors more than ever before.

Split is located in Dalmatia on the Adriatic coast, between the cities of Zadar and Dubrovnik. The attractiveness of its location lies in the beautiful Adriatic coast and the naturally preserved Marjan.

The best accommodation option in Split is hotel Park . It features amazing luxury rooms and vicinity of all places of visitors interest in Split.

Another highest quality accommodation option is Raddison Blue Resort , located near beach Trstenik. Its rooms feature an amazing sea view.

Good accommodation option in the centre of Split is Prima Luxury Rooms , located just near north entrance to Diocletian's Palace (Golden Gate). More affordable place to stay is Split Urban Rooms , also located at the entrance to Diocletian's Palace. The map below is provided by our partner, booking.com

Enjoy the beauty of Split through the photo gallery below.

Zvonimir Peran     2023-07-18

I enjoy Croatia, beautiful country with interesting places, history, culture, and people. I want you to enjoy it as well. Contact me on email [email protected] , or using the form below.

We will help you experience the best of Split.

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• 1.1 Tourist information
• 2.1.1 Ground transport
• 2.3 By boat
• 2.4 By train
• 3.2 By bike
• 3.3 By boat
• 3.4 By train
• 3.5 By ride hailing
• 4.1 Diocletian's Palace
• 4.2 Beyond the Diocletian's Palace
• 5.1 Sailing
• 6.1 Shopping malls
• 7.1.1 In the Old Town
• 7.1.2 Near the Old Town
• 7.2 Mid-range
• 7.3 Splurge
• 8.1 Nightclubs
• 9.2 Mid-range
• 9.3 Splurge
• 9.4 Out of town
• 10.1 Dentist

Split is a city in Central Dalmatia , Croatia , and the seat of the Split-Dalmatia county. The city was built around the Diocletian palace (a palace/fort built for the retired Roman emperor Diocletian) where the locals sought refuge centuries ago. Wandering the historic centre of Split you can still clearly see the Roman walls, squares, and temples.

Understand [ edit ]

Because of its ideal climate, with 2,800 hours of sunlight each year, local people have a few nicknames for Split: "The most beautiful city in the world" and "Mediterranean flower". Many famous Croatian sports people were born in Split, so locals often nicknamed their city "The sportiest city in the world". The most popular sport institution is the football club Hajduk. Large portions of the city are painted with the club's colors and logo. This is done by Torcida, the oldest supporters group in Europe, established in 1950.

Besides the bell tower of St. Duje, the symbols of city are the Dalmatian dog and a donkey. Locals have a high regard for the donkey because of its past indispensable place in field work and transport across the Dalmatian mountains.

Winters in Split are generally mild for Europe , with temperatures above 0 °C (32 °F), but despite the popular saying that the city experiences snowfall once every 30 years, there is actually at least one snowy day nearly every winter, usually in January or early February. If you find yourself in Split on a day with significant snowfall, expect serious traffic disruption.

Tourist information [ edit ]

• 43.5082 16.437671 1 TIC Riva ( Tourist Information Centre ), Obala Hrv. narodnog preporoda 9 . ( updated Aug 2016 )
• 43.508311 16.440345 2 TIC Peristil ( Tourist Information Centre ), Peristil bb ( at a tiny former chapel ). ( updated Aug 2016 )

Get in [ edit ]

By plane [ edit ]

Ground transport [ edit ].

• To Split: the Airport Shuttle Bus [dead link] runs at least hourly between the airport and inter-city bus station, taking 30 min. From town it runs 05:00-21:00 ; into town it runs 07:30-23:00 . One-way fare is €8 .
• Bus 37 plies every 30 min 04:00-00:00 between Trogir , the airport, and Split's local bus station Sukoišan; it doesn't run to the inter-city station. The bus stops are just outside the airport, walk south out of the parking lot onto the highway Cesta Dr. Franje Tuđmana. The stop on the near side is westbound for Trogir, which takes 10 min, fare €1.80 ; the opposite-side stop is eastbound via Kaštel Stari and Solin to Split, taking 50 min, fare €3.00 . You can pay the driver.
• Further north towards Šibenik, Zadar and Rijeka, buses fly past on the main highway and don't call at the airport, but they do call at nearby Trogir every hour. So you can save some time and money by taking transport to Trogir rather than doubling back via Split. In July and August only, there's a direct bus between the airport and Šibenik every couple of hours, taking almost 3 hours.
• Going south towards Makarska and Dubrovnik , simply head for Split and change. For the islands , most ferries sail from Split, but those for the Drvenik Veli i Drvenik Mali sail from Trogir.
• Taxi: the taxi stand is just left as you exit the terminal. To Split expect to pay €46 , 30 minutes; to Trogir €14 .

By bus [ edit ]

Most international services to Split involve a change of buses in Zagreb, but Flixbus have direct buses from Vienna (11 hr), Munich (13 hr) and Mostar (4 hr). There is also a direct service to Sarajevo which runs multiple times daily.

Croatian inter-city buses run north to Šibenik , Zadar , Rijeka and Zagreb , and south to Makarska and (via Neum in Bosnia & Herzegovina) to Dubrovnik .

The long-distance bus station, 43.503896 16.443014 2 Autobusni kolodvor Split is next to the railway station and ferry port. It has ticket offices, toilets, left luggage and indoor seating; outside on the quay are lots of little cafes and kiosks.

The airport bus runs to this station, but most local services (e.g. west through Solin to Trogir) depart instead from the local bus station 1 km north, see "Get around".

By boat [ edit ]

Cruise ships, long distance and short-run ferries all dock at the passenger port next to the bus & railway stations. Ferries run three times a week across the Adriatic to and from Ancona and Pescara ( Italy ). There is also a large ferry that runs twice a week up and down the coast between Dubrovnik and Rijeka , stopping off at a couple of islands along the way. Split is the main hub for local boats and hydrofoils in Central Dalmatia . Several a day run to and from Brač , Hvar , Šolta , Vis , Korčula and Lastovo.

The major operators here are:

• Jadrolinija . State-owned sea shipping company. They have regular lines connecting the Croatian shore to its islands and with Italy.
• SNAV . Italian sea shipping company with ferries from Ancona to and from Split. Tickets starting at €30 for a single crossing without cabin. Operates April-October only.
• Krilo Shipping Company Croatian private sea shipping company with regular ferry lines connecting Split with islands Brač and Šolta. The ferries offer mediocre views for passengers as they travel, as the ships travel as far as possible from coastlines (except when approaching a port), the ships generally lack any outside deck, and window sight lines often poor.

By train [ edit ]

Trains run to Split from Zagreb once daily (with a second train mid-summer) taking six hours, and once overnight. Zagreb has trains from Vienna and Budapest, and connections across the rest of Europe. From Rijeka (which has trains from Zagreb, Ljubljana and elsewhere) there is one daytime and one overnight service changing at Ostarije, seven hours. From Šibenik there are five services changing at Perković, taking a couple of hours. During summer season, Regiojet runs a sleeper service from Prague , Brno , Bratislava and Budapest , arriving in Split at lunchtime.

The main railway station (Kolodvor Split) is next to the bus station and ship terminals. The station is grubby and basic but has left luggage. Many of these trains also stop at Split Predgrađe station in the north of the city.

Get around [ edit ]

Central Split is quite compact and most sights can be easily seen and best experienced on foot, but there are frequent local buses to outlying attractions and the airport.

Public transport is run by Promet . Most of the city buses in Split are new, but some are very old and dilapidated. You can find routes and schedules from Easyway journey planner. The station for town and local buses is 43.515584 16.443229 5 Kolodvor Sukoišan - these don't use the main station 1 km south by the harbour. To transfer between stations use Bus 9 / 10 or just walk.

The fare is determined by the number of zones traveled, ranging from €2 for within Split to €4 between Split and Trogir one way. These can be purchased from the driver, at a kiosk, or using the Promet ticket app from a smartphone. Two-way tickets cost €2.30 , but you have to buy them in blocks of 5 or 10 from a kiosk. A one-month ticket is €39 .

Local buses you might use are Bus 37 to the airport and Trogir described earlier, and Bus 60 to Omiš and Ravnicki Most which runs every 30 min. Long-distance buses from the inter-city station also pass through Omiš en route to Makarska.

By bike [ edit ]

Rent a bike and enjoy beautiful biking along Split's waterfront (Riva), continue to Marjan hill (approximately 7 km), climb to the top of the hill for great view on the Split town and surrounding islands. You can bike to the east side, along the coast to nearby village of Stobrec. Another great option from Split is to take a day tour to nearby islands of Solta, Brac, Hvar or Vis. You can take the bike on a regular ferry (they leave approximately every couple of hours in the summer season) and bike along quite roads and charming villages, explore great beaches and restaurants and return in the evening to Split!

Older but rideable mountain bikes are available for €2/hour (March 2012) at the northern entrance to Marjan hill (near Mandalinski put).

• 43.506432 16.440408 3 RAFT Croatia ( RAFT Croatia ), Obala kneza Domagoja , [email protected] . daily 24 hr . Online ferry platform to search, compare and buy ferry tickets in Croatia.  

Speed taxi boat is an excellent solution for fast transportation of passengers on whole Adriatic. Said service is available through Dalmatia-express for direct transportation from airport Split to Split Riva or from Split Riva to Dalmatia islands.

If you don't know how to sail, there are a few companies that offer skippered charters in the area..

A suburban train uses the main line from Split as far west as Kaštel Stari. It doesn't reach the airport: they've announced an extension there by 2025, but have yet to identify funding so it's probably more like 2035.

By ride hailing [ edit ]

• Bolt . ( updated Jul 2022 )
• Uber . ( updated Jul 2022 )

See [ edit ]

Diocletian's Palace [ edit ]

• 43.508056 16.440278 3 St. Duje's bell tower . Beautiful belltower which provides you a great panoramic view of Split, nearby islands and Marjan hill. The ascent is certainly not for those with vertigo, but the views from the top are marvelous. It costs €1.40 to go up the bell tower. €4 . ( updated Oct 2019 )
• 43.50885 16.440333 5 Getski vrtal , Ul. Dominisova . is the smallest park in Split, situated in the Diocletian's palace at the Dominisova street (Marko Antonio De Dominis street). In that park are beautiful traditional Dalmatian tiramolas. During the summer these are full of clothes drying in the sunshine. In every guidebook about Split you have pictures from the Getski vrtal. It is the location of a 500-year-old stone house which was destroyed during World War II.  
• Two original Egyptian sphinxes - One is located on Peristil square, and the other in front of Jupiter's temple or St. John's church. They were brought from Egypt by Roman emperor Diocletian.
• Basement halls of Diocletian's Palace . Exceptionally well preserved substructure of Diocletian's Palace now open as a museum. One of the locations in Game of Thrones . €6 . ( updated Oct 2019 )

Beyond the Diocletian's Palace [ edit ]

• Riva is the main city promenade. Since 2007, Riva has a new, more modern appearance, which isn't up to the taste of some who used to it's authentic look.
• Marjan - a hill situated on the west of Split. Marjan is an oasis for many people who look for a natural stress relief, a great place for long walks, jogging, and bike rides. Marjan's peak, Telegrin is 174 m high and gives a wonderful panoramic view of Split. South cliffs are popular within alpine climbers. St. Nicholas church is situated on the east of Marjan, on its south side are beautiful St. Jeronimus church and "Gospe od Betlema" church (Madonna of Betlehem). House building is strictly forbidden in order to save Marjan - the lungs of Split.
• Varoš - one of the oldest parts of town. A place where most of the city peasants and fishermen lived. Charming streets and beautiful small houses.
• Old graveyards . Sustipan and old Jewish cemetery  

Do [ edit ]

• 43.500815 16.445582 1 Split city beach ( continue south past the bus station, follow the road which goes by the tracks, and from the bridge over the tracks you can take a stairs down to the beach ). If you have a longer stop-over in Split, 5 min south of the passenger terminal and the train and bus stations lies Split's city beach where you can take a plunge in the Adriatic. free .  
• 43.50241 16.44705 2 Picigin , Bačvice . Traditional beach game with a small ball (Bačvice beach). In summer every year there is a world championship in picigin. ( updated Sep 2022 )
• Grgur Ninski . It is said that if you touch the big toe of the statue and make a wish your wish will come true.  
• Watch football ie soccer at 43.52 16.432 3 HNK Hajduk Split , Stadion Poljud, Osmih mediteranskih igara . They play in Prva HNL, the top tier of football in Croatia; indeed they've never been out of it, and have won it several times. Their home ground of Poljud stadium (capacity 34,000) is 1 km north of the main bus station, harbour and old city. Don't go for the cheapest seats as these are in the north stand, the Torcida bastion of home fanatics. ( updated Sep 2019 )
• Seabob . Explore some beaches above or below water with a SEABOB.
• Go white river rafting on the beautiful river Cetina.
• 43.50226 16.44684 4 Beach at Bačvice ( Bus No. 12 travels there ). To reach this beach walk south along the waterfront from the bus station and then follow the road that crosses the railway line. There are many cafes and places to eat ice cream. This is certainly not the best beach in Croatia (it is packed solid most of summer), but it will give you a feeling of 'real' Croatia as the vast majority of people who go there are from Split. Here you can also play Picigin. ( updated Sep 2022 )

Sailing [ edit ]

There are lots of companies running boats, such as Busabout, RAFT Croatia, Topdeck and Contiki.

The majority of sailing charters start from the city of Split. There are many charter agencies where you can charter a sailing or motor yacht which are based in Split. Most of them operate from ACI marina Split, marina Zenta or marina Spinut. There are also many charter agencies based in marina Kastela which is based in the vicinity of Split.

When you charter a yacht through a charter agency and arrive to the designated marina there are a few things that need to be done.

The most important thing is the yacht check in (usually Saturday around 16:00). Take your time doing yacht check in. Familiarise yourself with the chartered yacht and with the yacht equipment. The rule of thumb is the more time you take for the yacht check in, the less time you will need for the yacht check out.

After that you have to do the shopping for the charter vacation. Don't neglect the groceries shopping because the sea is unpredictable and you don't want to get stuck on the boat without sufficient provisions of food and drink.

You can do the shopping in a marina although the prices are usually much higher there, or you can order from yacht provisioning services who usually deliver the products to the marina at no extra fee. In Jam Yacht Supply offer an online provisioning catalogue and you can order from a large selection of groceries and other products months in advance, everything you order awaits for you at the marina.

Buy [ edit ]

• 43.507363 16.441673 1 Pazar , Stari Pazar 2 . Farmers market with perfect fruit, vegetables and more. The best time to visit the market is Saturday or Sunday morning.  
• 43.509114 16.437392 2 Ribarnica , Obrov 2 . Fresh fish market.  
• 43.508954 16.436829 3 Marmontova . Shopping street in the centre.  

Shopping malls [ edit ]

• City Center One , Vukovarska 207 . daily 09:00-21:00, cinema and caffe bars 09:00-23:00 . Opened in 2010. 3 floors (5 garage levels) and Cineplexx cinema.  
• Mall of Split , Ul. Josipa Jovića 93 . daily 09:00-22:00, cinema and caffe bars 09:00-23:00 . Opened in 2016.  
• Joker Put Brodarice 6. Opened in 2007. 50 shops on 4 floors with Tommy supermarket, DM, Hervis sports shop, Deichmann and a McDonalds. 15-20 min walk from the city center with buses stopping near the front of the centre. There is a cinema on the first floor. The top floor has fitness club, restaurant and a sky bar with an outdoor swimming pool.

Eat [ edit ]

Italian influences dominate Croatia's coast: a sample of the best of their legacy is risotto with tender white scampi or black calamari, a dish beloved by all Croatians. Dalmatinski pršut ("Dalmatian ham", comparable to Parma or speck) and cheese from the island of Pag are well worth trying, as is the large variety of excellent Croatian wines and beers.

Do not miss Dalmatian pašticada s njokama (gnocchi).

In a world suffocating under the weight of processed foods, Croatia's version of a traditional Mediterranean cuisine is one that is completely reliant on local produce, most of which is organic.

Additionally, as any major city in the Balkans, Split is also a locus of general Balkans-style eating: Ćevapi / ćevapčići (diminutive), a ubiquitous Bosnian dish, are small grilled rolls of minced beef, pork, or lamb, or a combination of any of these three. Usually served with chopped onions, kajmak (similar to clotted cream) or, sometimes, ajvar (a relish made from bell peppers, aubergines, garlic and chilli).

Split's eateries are to be found in a variety of settings, ranging from the romantic to the vibrant. It isn't difficult to enjoy superb food and wine in a classical environment with good friends and/or family.

There are plenty of fast food joints between the Old Town and the bus station.

Budget [ edit ]

In the old town [ edit ].

• 43.508502 16.436715 1 Pizza Cut Planet 1 , Marmontova ul. 2a . A good offer for those who want to try several types of pizzas without buying them completely. Great pizza idea. Several flavours to choose from. ( updated May 2022 )
• 43.507135 16.441946 2 Vege , Ul. Stari pazar 7 . Delicious and fresh vegan food. The best veggies in Split. Good atmosphere and homemade food made live. ( updated May 2022 )
• 43.510068 16.436792 3 Sandwich Bar Rizzo , Tončićeva ul. 4 . The best sandwiches in Split. Always fresh food and very helpful staff. ( updated May 2022 )
• 43.509568 16.436113 4 Ba!Će , Križeva ul. 1 ( in the old town ). Balkan atmosphere. Ba!Cevapi is their flagship dish, which consists of minced meat, well spiced and grilled, served with typical bread and sauces ( updated May 2022 )
• 43.511439 16.436409 5 Pizzeria Kaleta , Ul. Zrinsko Frankopanska 9 . Freshly baked dough, crispy just as it should be, chicken and hearty side dishes. Great pizza ( updated May 2022 )
• 43.509234 16.437408 6 Zlatna ribica , Ul. Kraj Svete Marije 8 . Great local spot for delicious seafood. Friendly staff. Not many tables so you may have to wait for an available table. ( updated May 2022 )

Near the Old Town [ edit ]

• 43.509316 16.442772 7 Fino i Friško 2 - Biškić , Čulića dvori 2 . Because of its proximity to school, this bakery always has fresh and tasty food. ( updated May 2022 )
• 43.507641 16.433668 8 Fife , Trumbiceva obala 11 ( across the bay from the ferry terminal ). Lively and busy restaurant with lots of seating and deliciously large Croatian dishes. Mains €12-20 .  
• 43.504912 16.449791 9 Popaj , Pojišanska b.b. . M-Th winter 08:00-00:00, summer 08:00-01:00, F Sa winter 08:00-13:00, summer 08:00-14:00, Su winter 15:00-00:00, summer 15:00-01:00 . The most popular fast food in Split with great pizzeta (small pizza, €2) and very big ham sandwich (€2.70).  

Mid-range [ edit ]

• 43.510341 16.441922 10 Kod Joze , Sredmanuska 4 , ☏ +385 21 347 397 . The traditional family-run konoba serves tasty dishes in style. Prices very reasonable considering the quality and atmosphere. ( updated Jan 2023 )
• 43.506237 16.443295 11 Bakra - Steak & Pizza Bar , Radovanova 2 . 10:00-23:00 . Definitely one of the best pizza in town, baked on fireplace. ( updated Jan 2023 )
• 43.508854 16.463982 12 Biser Orijenta , Bihaćka 2a (top floor of Lavčević building) . 11:30-00:00 . Good "European Chinese" cuisine. Not too popular among the locals, but the prices are fair and the service is friendly. ( updated Jan 2023 )
• 43.50839 16.43428 13 Konoba Marjan , Senjska, 1 , ☏ +385 98 9346848 . Risottos, pasticada (marinaded veal cooked in sauce), and excellent fish. Prices are very reasonable and the staff very friendly. English spoken. ( updated Jan 2023 )
• 43.5082 16.4398 14 Kod Sfinge Vanevropske Zviri , Ulica Kraj Svetog Ivana 2 ( inside Diocletian's Palace, in between Jupiter's temple and Peristil ), ☏ +385 99 443 8666 . A Konoba/Trattoria. Good Dalmatian specialties: Pašticada, Paški sir, etc. Also proposes good seafood catch of the day, but sometimes unavailable. Seems to be operated by a single family: The waiters knows very well the menu! Pašticada for €20 (Aug 2016) . ( updated Oct 2022 )
• 43.50973 16.435837 15 Konoba Insula , popovica 2 . Small side street restaurant run by a young married couple, incredible food at a very fair price. ( updated Jun 2022 )

Splurge [ edit ]

• Nostromo , Kraj Svete Marije 10 ( just off Marmontova ). Good seafood and salad in a rather smoky ambience with friendly service. ( updated Jan 2023 )

Drink [ edit ]

Dalmatia is well known for its world class wines, but when in Split it is a must to try soda drinks called Pipi and Orela , produced by local beverage manufacturer Dalmacijavino [dead link] .

Lots of outdoor cafés are to be found along the Riva waterfront.

• St Riva ( Riva seafront ). Has an upper story that overlooks the promenade. €2.70 a pint .  
• 43.509612 16.438868 1 Sanctuary Bar , Poljana Stare Gimnazije 1 , ☏ +385 95 896 1199 . 09:00-00:00 . The beachhead of craft cocktails in Split, with a selection of craft beers as well. Run by US immigrant, Tristan. ( updated Jan 2019 )
• Gaga Bar ( tucked away in a corner, just off Narodni Trg ). Cosy atmosphere, long list of cocktails, latin music. Ask for a bill, because one round is €14, and then second one (the same one) may be €20. Atmosphere is nice, but the waiters are not. More tourists than locals. Pint €2.70, cocktails €2.70-4.70 .  

Nightclubs [ edit ]

There are many clubs on Bačvice beach

• Vanilla Club , Poljudsko šetalište b.b. . Fancy place by the swimming pool with popular domestic and foreign music.  

Sleep [ edit ]

There is a wide variety of private accommodation available in Split, as well as a few hostels. Some of the best prices can probably be obtained by going to the bus station or ferry terminal and haggling with the many people there offering accommodation - even fairly late at night, there are still many people offering beds.

• Hostel Split Backpackers 2 , Ul. kralja Zvonimira 17 , ☏ +385 91 549 9134 . Lively hostel popular with solo travelers. Well located between the old town and the bus and train stations. Dorm from €15. ( updated Sep 2021 )
• 43.51203 16.43705 1 Tchaikovsky Hostel , Ul. Petra Iliča Čajkovskog . Chill hostel with only few guests around during low-season. Shared kitchen. Wifi. Dorm bed €10 . ( updated Oct 2020 )
• Al's Place ( Hostelsplit ), Petra Kružića 10 ( inside the city walls ), ☏ +385 98 918 2923 , [email protected] . Hostel open Easter to Oct run by British immigrant Al. The hostel is in an 800-year-old stone house inside the city walls, small and cozy with only 12 beds in 2 en suite rooms. There is also kitchen and common area, A/C, and laundry. Dorm €20-25 . ( updated Sep 2019 )
• CroParadise Green Hostel , Culica Dvori 31 , ☏ +385 91 444 4194 . Has several units scattered across Old Town, lacks communal area for socialising. LCD televisions and computers with free internet access, some rooms dingy and noisy. Dorm €11, double room €30 . ( updated Sep 2019 )
• Old Town Hostel , Dominisova 3 , ☏ +385 21 355 144 , [email protected] . Check-in: 13:00 , check-out: 12:00 . Free wifi, one shared computer, flat screen TV with a collection of movies. Dorm €25 . ( updated Sep 2019 )
• Hostel Split ( formerly Pletkovic Hostel ), Poljana Kneza Trpmira 1 , ☏ +385 21 717 170 , [email protected] . Very central, between bus station and old town. With 8-bedded dorm and private rooms. Dorm bunk €15, private room €50 . ( updated Sep 2019 )
• SilverGate Hostel , Hrvojeva 6 , ☏ +385 21 322 857 , [email protected] . ( updated Sep 2019 )
• Situs Hostel , Starčevićeva 3 ( 500 m north of harbour ), ☏ +385 98 314 299 . Dorm bed: €15-20 . ( updated Sep 2019 )
• 43.508072 16.4419 2 Adriatic Hostel , Ul. Stari pazar 2 ( in the center, overlooking the Green Market ), ☏ +385 21 265 700 , [email protected] . Newly renovated with chandeliers, hardwood floors, modern bathrooms with custom glass showers (hotel style), A/C and flatscreen TVs in every room, stainless steel appliances in gourmet kitchen, new bedding and towels, huge lounge where guests can rest and chat, laundry room, internet stations. ( updated Aug 2022 )
• Guesthouse Vrlic , Držićeva 7 , ☏ +385 99 2152 352 . Small central place. B&B double €50 . ( updated Sep 2019 )
• Villa Varoš , Miljenka Smoje 1 ( 200 m west of palace ), ☏ +385 99 215 9538 , [email protected] . Clean comfy small hotel, very central, friendly helpful hosts. B&B double €60 . ( updated Sep 2019 )
• 43.519 16.448 3 Hotel Atrium , Domovinskog rata 49a , ☏ +385 21 20 0000 . Modern hotel in business district, with 124 rooms. B&B double €250 . ( updated Sep 2019 )
• Hotel Mondo ( formerly Hotel Dalmina ), Kopilica 5 , ☏ +385 21 35 00 00 . Business hotel in an industrial part of town, free parking. B&B double €100 . ( updated Sep 2019 )
• Hotel Globo , Lovretska 18 ( 1 km north of harbour ), ☏ +385 21 481 111 . Workaday neighbourhood but hotel is clean & well-run, close to central sights. B&B double €100 . ( updated Sep 2019 )
• Hotel Luxe , Kralja Zvonimira 6 , ☏ +385 21 314 444 . Decent place in town centre, some street noise, some rooms are in Annex 500 m away. B&B double €150 . ( updated Sep 2019 )
• Hotel Park , Hatzeov perivoj 3 ( 200 m east of ferry piers ), ☏ +385 21 406 400 , [email protected] . Good central hotel, claims to be 5 star but it's more like 3 or 4, and the room rates are in line with that. B&B double €130 . ( updated Sep 2019 )
• Hotel Peristil , Poljana kraljice Jelene 1 , ☏ +385 21 329 070 , [email protected] . Friendly small place within the old palace. B&B double €130 . ( updated Sep 2019 )
• Hotel Vestibul Palace , Iza vestibula 4 , ☏ +385 21 329 329 , [email protected] . Within the old palace, so some rooms are small and you'll regret trying to bring a car, but excellent service and a comfy modern place in the centre. B&B double €120 . ( updated Sep 2019 )
• Marmont , Zadarska 13 , ☏ +385 21 308 060 . Central in old town, most rooms are small and dark, and parking is difficult. But it's clean and simple and has A/C. B&B double €220 . ( updated Sep 2019 )
• 43.503 16.47 4 Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Split , Put Trstenika 19 ( 2 km east of ferry port ), ☏ +385 21 303 030 , [email protected] . Bland modern building, but a well-run resort hotel with beach club and good grill restaurant. With spa, but the indoor pool is closed indefinitely for repairs. One repeat visitor was impressed by the low staff turnover. B&B double from €200 . ( updated Sep 2019 )
• Riva Apartments , Ul. Andrije Alješija 6 , ☏ +385 91 286 7411 , [email protected] . Self-catering apartments on Riva promenade looking out to Split Bay. Double room €140 . ( updated Sep 2019 )
• 43.50914 16.43876 5 Palace Suites Heritage Hotel , Narodni Trg 13 , ☏ +385 21 339 040 , [email protected] . Suites overlooking the main square, locally known as the Pjaca. ( updated Aug 2022 )
• Hotel POSH , Spinčićeva 27 , ☏ +385 21 38 03 90 , [email protected] . All-suites, 5* hotel with an amazing sea view, infinity pool, and Vip service. ( updated Jun 2023 )

Out of town [ edit ]

• Adria Hostel , Bajnice ( near the main coastal road between Split and Omis, about 12 km south of Split. Take bus #60 or contact the hostel to arrange pickup ), ☏ +49 177 7368595 , +385 21 873028 , [email protected] . Check-in: 11:00 , check-out: 09:30 . Right next to the Adriatic Sea. Dorm bed: €15-25; bed in private room: €18-28 .  
• Hotel San Antonio , Grljevacka 30, Podstrana ( 7 km towards Dubrovnik, on the right hand side, right on the beach ), ☏ +385 21 336 111 , [email protected] . 54 rooms and 3 suites. €48-95 .  
• Le Méridien Lav , Grljevacka, 2A, Podstrana , ☏ +385 21 500 500 .  

Stay safe [ edit ]

Do not go to striptease bars because they are a tourist trap.

For LGBT+ friendly places consider to consult locals first as Ghetto is the only gay-owned bar-club. Alternative youth club Kocka is also gay friendly location for concerts and parties.

Dentist [ edit ]

• Split-Dent Dental treatment, visitors to the city are welcome.

Connect [ edit ]

Split has good 4+G and 5G speed from Telemach, A1 and T-Mobile. Wifi is widely available in public places around center and most caffes.

Internet Club 100 with print service is at Sinjska ul 2/4 north side of the old city, open Monday to Friday 09:30-15:30.

Go next [ edit ]

• Salona - ancient Roman colony, one of the biggest towns of Roman Empire. It had a population of nearly 60,000 people. It was a capital of Roman province Dalmatia. Well preserved amphitheater, theater, basilica, cemetery and many other Roman buildings. Situated near town of Solin, 10-20 min bus ride from Split.
• Hvar - A day trip by boat to this island is well worth the effort. Car ferry leave for Stari Grad five times a day in peak season (July–August), three times a day outside this period (a single trip costs about €6 to Stari Grad on Hvar). There are also high speed passenger ferries that sail to Hvar town. Hvar town is small but extremely attractive, with numerous large yachts moored in the harbour. If using the left luggage service, make sure you thoroughly check the prices and conditions of use. Check ticket prices, schedules and timetables on RAFT Croatia [dead link] website.
• Brač - An alternative could be the boat to the island of Brač which is just the other side of the water. Split is well connected with Milna, Sutivan, Bol and Supetar Brač. KSC ferry company sails year round to Brač. The last ferry back to Split leaves at 22:45 from Supetar. Try renting a bike or scooter for exploring the island. When renting, take into account that the rental service normally closes rather early but when you ask for it, they are quite flexible as most people are in Split. A return ferry ticket should cost about €8-14 , depending on the destination.
• Šolta is another gorgeous island easily reachable by ferry from Split within an hour. It's more laid back than Hvar and less touristy than Brač, mostly frequented by Croatian tourists. Great bays, clear water, historic towns and local honey, wine and olives. KSC ferry company also provides ferry lines to Stomorska and Rogač that sail year round.
• 43.445205 16.69091 6 Omiš . - this little town is situated on the mouth of Cetina river and its magnificent canyon. It is ideal place for rafting and canyoning. You can get to Omiš by regular scheduled bus. Bus prices are around €3-4 for one way ticket from Split.  
• Horse Club - in village called Donje Ogorje you can ride a horse in the nature. It will cost you €14 for one hour. There is also an option for riding and sleeping in the nature for several days.
• Makarska - a popular resort town with beautiful beaches, 60 km southeast of Split. Frequent buses (price €6-7 one way).
• Bosnia and Herzegovina - possible day trips by regular scheduled bus include Mostar , Međugorje , Livno, Bugojno, Ljubuški, Travnik and even Zenica .

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Split is busy and big (it's Croatia's second largest city) but it remains one of the Adriatic's most vibrant port cities, stunningly located between mountains and sea. As the economic and cultural center of the Dalmatian coast, Split is bustling with islanders who flock into the city to work even as ferries whisk tourists out to the islands. Diocletian's Palace , a World Heritage Site, is the main attraction but there are so many things to do , including day trips , world-class nightlife and restaurants that it's impossible to be bored.

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About split.

It was the Romans who put Split on the map when Emperor Diocletian built his retirement palace here in the 4th century. Diocletian's Palace is more like a walled town and it has endured as the center of Split's cultural and political life even as the Byzantines, Croatian kings, Venetians, Austrians and Italians planted their flag on the great city. In addition to enclosing a welter of Roman ruins and medieval churches, the sprawling 4th century residence is also bursting with trendy shops, stylish bars, and brand-name boutiques.

[ See more on Split history ]

Just outside the Palace's southern walls is Split's seaside promenade, Riva, a prime people-watching spot. To the west and north of the Palace walls lies medieval Split and the Veli Varos nighbourhood which developed from the 14th to the 17th centuries. The narrow streets wind up to leafy Marjan hill and its sweeping views over the city.

Relaxed and informal, Split residents are less interested in high culture than they are in sports and the outdoors. The local football team, HNK Hajduk Split, inspires almost fanatical devotion throughout Dalmatia and has produced world-class players such as Alen Boksic, Darijo Srna and Robert Jarni. On the tennis courts, Wimbledon champ Goran Ivanisevic and his former protegé Mario Ancic are much beloved. On the basketball courts, Split boasts of contributing 7 players to the NBA.

[ Only one day in Split? Here's how to see it all ]

[ Visit Split on this two-week "Best of Croatia" itinerary ]

[ Visit Split on this one-week "Best of Dalmatia" itinerary ]

Where to Stay

Where to stay in Split depends largely on what you want to do. For nightlife, stay in and around the old town . For day trips to the islands, stay around the ferry port in the southeast. For local life, stay in Veli Varos in the northwest. For easy beach access, stay near Bacvice . Click here for a detailed discussion of where to stay in Split .

Things to Do in Split

Roll with the Romans in Diocletian's Palace

Enter through the basement halls on the on the seaside and mount the massive steps to the heart of the Palace, Peristil , where you'll be impressed by Diocletian's mausoleum, now the majestic St Domnius Cathedra l. Climb the bell-tower to appreciate the size and scope of the Palace then follow this self-guided walking tour for more Roman and medieval landmarks. More on Diocletian's Palace

Get into Fjaka on Riva

Riva is Split's harbourside promenade and fjaka is the Dalmatian art of doing absolutely nothing. Slide into a seat in one of the many cafes lining Riva and watch the world go by. Allow your mind to wander into daydreams, feel your body relax and your senses sharpen. That's fjaka !

Stroll around Veli Varos

Veli Varos is the humble "peasant quarter" west of Diocletian's Palace. Built around the 17th century, there are a few churches and lots of traditional stone buildings lining narrow streets. It's a good neighbourhood to escape the crowds and perhaps slip into a local bar or cafe. More on Veli Varos .

Visit the Mestrovic Gallery

Take the Air on Marjan Hill

Woodsy Marjan hill rises gently from western Split to a peak that offers sweeping views over Split and its nearby islands. Following the shady paths that snake through the woods takes you to several ancient churches, a Jewish cemetery and a small zoo. Stop for refreshment at Cafe Vidilica, a popular local hangout. More on Marjan Hill .

Hit the Beach

The sea water around Split is clear and sparkling. Beaches spread for several kilometres east and west of town. The closest beach is Bacvice in the east but locals love Kasjuni at the foot of Marjan hill. Throw down a towel or rent a sunbed and enjoy the tranquil views. More on Split beaches .

Bond with Locals at a Football Match

Locals are fanatical about the local team, Hajduk Split. Matches take place from February to May in Split's Poljud stadium. A match against arch-rival Dinamo Zagreb is bound to be lively.

Get Culture at a Local Festival

Whether it's a celebration of film, music, theatre or saints, Split's cultural calendar is busy throughout the year. Don't miss the Split Summer Festival when concerts take place in Diocletian's Palace. More on Split festivals .

Split's nightlife begins with the setting sun which is celebrated with smooth music and smoother cocktails at several beach clubs. The larger dance clubs are out of central Split but there are casual clubs and bars in and around the old town. More on Split nightlife .

Take a Day Trip to Hvar

See it all on this incredible five-island tour from Split! More.

Getting to Split

Whether by plane, boat, bus, train or car, it's getting ever easier to travel to Split. With trains, planes, a motorway to Zagreb plus dozens of ferries and buses, Split is one of Croatia's prime points of entry.

Flights Low-cost carriers are adding Split to their flight plans making air travel to Split remarkably good value with more choices than ever. Split airport is 25km west of town and is connected to most major European capitals and Zagreb with regular flights throughout the summer. Off-season flights are far fewer. See more on flights to Split .

Ferries Split has a massive ferry port with boats coming and going to the islands--Solta, Brac, Vis, Hvar, Korcula--and down to Dubrovnik. Car ferries work year-round but many passenger ferries are summer only. The only international connection is the year-round car ferry to Ancona, Italy. See more details on Split ferries .

Buses The Split bus station is a busy, busy place with buses going up and down the coast and further afield. If coming from Dubrovnik, taking a bus to Split is an easy four-hour run and from Zagreb some buses make it in five hours. It's a long ten-hour haul from Istria however. See more on buses to Split .

Trains  All international trains pass through Zagreb. If you're coming from Zagreb a train to Split can be a comfortable and convenient alternative to a bus if it fits within your schedule but there are only two or three a day. There are no trains to Dubrovnik or anywhere else along the coast however. See more on trains to Split .

Driving A long-awaited motorway connecting Zagreb and Split has shortened driving time between the two cities to a mere four hours . Someday pretty soon (say 2050) that motorway will run as far south as Dubrovnik and maybe even beyond. Travel time will be much shorter but no way will it be as scenic as the winding coastal road. If you're coming from Istria, there's another motorway that will zip you from Rijeka to Split in a little over four hours.

Travel Tips

Raw and boisterous, yet with heaps of Mediterranean style, Split is not the place to settle in and chill. Ferries, trains and buses are constantly chugging in and out of the ferry-train-bus stations which combine to form a giant transport hub just east of Diocletian's Palace . Stay near the town centre. The dreary neighbourhoods that stretch north of town aren't dangerous but they sure aren't pretty. In deciding where to stay , decide whether your interests are beachy, cultural or clubhopping and then select from one of the neighbourhoods below.

Split Travel Planner

Veli Varos Bacvice Old Town Ferry Port Airport

What to See & Do

one day in Split markets beaches Diocletian's Palace Marjan Hill Walking tour &     map Jewish Heritage in Split

Flights ferries buses trains Split airport

Eating & Drinking

The only guidebook you'll need . Croatia Traveller's Dalmatia: Split to Dubrovnik

Day Trips From Split

Get Psyched! Read about Split history ; look at photos of Split

Tourist Information in Split

The Split tourist office (tel 021-342 606) distributes a variety of useful brochures and a city map. Offices are:

on Peristyle , in the centre of Diocletian's Palace ;

on Riva at Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda 9

in Slatine at Duboke garme bb

in Stobrec at Sv. Lovre 4

Last updated January 8, 2024

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Must-see attractions in Split

Diocletian’s Palace

Taking up a prime harborside position, the extraordinary complex of Diocletian's Palace is one of the most imposing ancient Roman structures in existence…

Klis Fortress

Controlling the valley leading into Split, the imposing Klis Fortress spreads along a limestone bluff, reaching 1260ft (385m) at its highest point. Its…

Cathedral of St Domnius

Split’s octagonal cathedral is one of the best-preserved ancient Roman buildings still standing. It was built as a mausoleum for Diocletian, the last…

The ruins of the ancient city of Salona, situated at the foot of the mountains just northeast of Split, are the most archaeologically important in Croatia…

Temple of Jupiter

Although it's now the cathedral's baptistery, this wonderfully intact building was originally an ancient Roman temple dedicated to the king of the gods…

Archaeological Museum

A treasure trove of classical sculpture and mosaics is displayed at this excellent museum, a short walk north of the town centre. Most of the vast…

Meštrović Gallery

At this stellar art museum you’ll see a comprehensive, well-arranged collection of works by Ivan Meštrović, Croatia’s premier modern sculptor, who built…

Marjan Forest Park

Looming up to 178m over Split's western fringes, this nature reserve occupies a big space in Split's psyche. The views over the city and surrounding…

This picturesque colonnaded ancient Roman peristyle (courtyard) lies at the very heart of Diocletian's Palace. In summer you can almost be guaranteed a…

Grgur Ninski statue

Sculpted by Ivan Meštrović, this gargantuan statue is one of the defining images of Split. Its subject, a 10th-century Croatian bishop, fought for the…

Diocletian's Palace Substructure

The Bronze Gate of Diocletian's Palace once opened straight from the water into the palace basements, enabling goods to be unloaded and stored here. Now…

Split City Museum

Built by Juraj Dalmatinac in the 15th century for one of the many noblemen who lived within the old town, the Large Papalić Palace is considered a fine…

At the southern end of the peristil, above the basement stairs, is the vestibule, a grand and cavernous domed room, open to the sky, which was once the…

Our-Lady-of-Health Church

Completed in 1937, this striking Modernist church is notable for the simple, clean lines of its architecture. It's attached to a friary, founded in 1723…

Gallery of Fine Arts

Housed in a building that was the city’s first hospital (1792), this gallery exhibits 400 works of art spanning 700 years. Upstairs is the permanent…

Museum of Senses

This museum provides a workout for your senses. Wander through the museum’s five rooms, each of which teases your vision, hearing, smell, touch and…

Meštrović Crikvene-Kaštilac

This 16th-century fortified home, set in an olive grove near the Meštrović Gallery, was bought by Ivan Meštrović in 1939 and restored to house his…

Near the tip of the peninsula, Kašjuni is Split's most appealing beach, due largely to its green surroundings and stylish beach bar.

Split Ethnographic Museum

This mildly interesting museum occupies a former convent built within what was originally the emperor's bed chambers. Downstairs are temporary exhibitions…

This building near the main entrance to the ruins of the ancient city of Salona was built by the site's ground-breaking archaeologist Monsignor Frane…

Sandy Bačvice is Split's most popular beach. There's a lot of concrete and it's perpetually crowded, but it offers a good taste of everyday Split life…

Amphitheatre

Salona's huge 2nd-century amphitheatre was partly destroyed in the 17th century by the Venetians to prevent it from being used as a refuge by Turkish…

Manastirine

Numerous sarcophagi are scattered about this part of ancient Salona, situated between the car park and the museum. It was a burial place for Christian…

Less built up than nearby Bačvice, this little horseshoe cove has a slimline sandy beach with a bar down one end.

Wedged between the Bačvice and Firule bays, this little beach has a large cafe-bar and a slender strip of fine pebbles.

Built into the western wall of Diocletian's Palace, Split's synagogue is the third-oldest synagogue in Europe that's still in use. Created out of two…

Porta Caesarea

This 1st-century eastern city gate was later engulfed by Salona as the city spread eastwards. Grooves in the stone road left by ancient wheels can still…

Five Martyrs Basilica

Just outside the ancient walls of Salona is this ruined basilica. It was built on the site of an early Christian cemetery where the remains of some of…

At Salona very little remains of the Forum, the large square that was the administrative, economic and religious centre of every Roman city. More…

Golden Gate

The biggest and grandest of the city gates, this was the main processional entrance into Diocletian's Palace. Metal bars once blocked the outer entrance,…

Bronze Gate

The most unassuming of the gates to Diocletian's Palace, this humble entrance once opened straight from the water into the basement. Look up and you'll be…

Episcopal Centre

This section of the ruins of ancient Salona includes a three-aisled, 5th-century cathedral with an octagonal baptistery, and the remains of Bishop…

New Research on Split Cathedral

Situated opposite the Cathedral of St Domnius, this exhibition features large-scale photos of architectural features of the cathedral along with technical…

Silver Gate

Originally a double gate on the eastern wall of Diocletian's Palace, only the inner part of this portal remains, decorated with arches and niches that…

The high arches of this large double gate lead from Diocletian's Palace to the main city square.

The remains of the public baths of the ancient Roman city of Salona.

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CroatiaSpots

CroatiaSpots – An Insider’s Guide to Croatia

Home » Split

Split , Croatia’s second-largest city, is the main town in Dalmatia with an ancient centre formed around the Palace of Diocletian, the Roman emperor. It is also Dalmatia’s main ferry port and transport hub, the getaway for Hvar , Vis, Brac and Korcula, a popular Croatia’s islands . Split is a very busy city with extensive bus connections with the main places in Croatia and a train connection with Zagreb, the Croatian capital.

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The best time to visit Split is from April to June and September to November. In the summer, during school holiday the city gets very busy so if you can, avoid it. If you have no other option but to visit during the peak season, expect higher prices, crowdier restaurants, bars and the city’s main attractions. Try to avoid the crowd by visiting attractions in the early morning if possible.

How Long Should You Visit

To see all the main attractions in the city the minimum would be at least one full day. For a more detailed visit that includes most of the museums and possible day trips to Salona or Trogir, you can plan up to 4 days.

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If you are visiting Split for just a few hours, passing here towards your other destination (or doing some island-hopping in the area) you can still do decent sightseeing around Diocletian’s Palace and Riva as both are conveniently located very close to the city’s transport hubs. Bus, train station and ferry terminals are just 15 minutes walk from the Palace walls.

More info on how to get around the town

Best Things to do in Split

Diocletian’s Palace

Diocletian’s Palace is the main attraction in the city. It actually covers the entire city centre forming the heart of today’s Split. You can see the Roman and some medieval remains of Roman emperor Diocletian’s former palace if you walk along the narrow streets just off the Riva (harbour) promenade.

Riva Promenade

Riva promenade, the popular Splitska Riva lined with tall palm trees features numerous cafes. Have a drink, coffee or ice cream as the locals do in one of the cafes that are all lined along the promenade and watch the world go by. This activity is particularly popular among the locals on Saturday mornings but you will see people enjoying sunshine and views over the harbour for most times of the day.

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Bačvice beach

Bačvice beach, situated just 10 minute’s walk from the city centre towards the east is a popular sandy beach where locals tend to spend summer days swimming and sunbathing. The beach also features several beach cafes that play an important role in the local cafe culture.

Marjan Hill and Park

Situated within walking distance from the centre, Marjan Hill and Park is from where you can see the amazing views over the entire channel and the city’s skyline (above photo).

Day Trip to Salona

If you have some spare time, a short bus ride from Split will take you to Salona, the ruins of the Roman city situated among the mature olive trees. It is located on the edge of Solin, a small town 5 km away from Split and a great spot to spend a couple of hours exploring this unusual site. Local bus no 1 gets you there.

Day Trip to Trogir and Klis

Trogir and Klis with their medieval and Reinesanse architecture are both interesting day trip options if you have more time to spend in the area.

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Best hikes & walks

• Marjan Hill and its Park are the best for an easy stroll and relaxed city walk.
• Biokovo Mountain , which is near Makarska, about one hour away from the city is ideal for experienced mountain hikers. The mountain range is also a well-preserved Croatian nature park. The mountain peaks offer amazing views over the islands of South Dalmatia, including Brac, Hvar, Vis and Korcula.

Where to Stay

There is a wide choice of accommodation in Split. The city is becoming very touristy with accommodation on offer ranging from comfortable hotel rooms either in the city centre or further away on the outskirts to basic private rooms or just a bed to overnight in a local hostel.

The most popular places to stay are all clustered within the Palace itself or in the Varos, Bacvice, Firule or Spinut waterfronts . The cheapest options are around Kman and its surrounding streets. Although the accommodation in the city can get pricey, especially in the peak of the tourist season, you can still find good deals for some private rooms a bit away from the popular areas.

When to Make Your Reservations

If you are planning to visit Split in July and August, the busiest tourist season, book your accommodation as soon as you can. Out of the season, it is still recommended to book in advance, although with the last minute online booking from your smartphone, you should be fine. For the best offers and to find out what is currently available  check here .

Getting to Split

You can get to Split by several transport options. Here is a brief list of what is available and more info is here :

By plane  – the city’s nearest airport is around 20 km west of town situated between Kaštela and Trogir. The Split (Resnik) airport is among the busiest in the country, served by numerous flights from a number of places in Europe and beyond. To reach the city centre from the airport , take a bus shuttle, a fast ferry shuttle, a local airport transfer or a rented car. It will take you 15 to 30 minutes to reach the Split main bus terminal which is in the city centre (see below for details about buses). For detailed info and what flights are available, check here: www.split-airport.hr and check also  how early to arrive at the airport  for your return flight.

By train  – the city’s train station is situated in the very centre of the city, on the popular Riva harbour where all buses, trains and ferries arrive. Trains run to and from Zagreb 2 to 3 times a day depending on the season with the journey lasting between 6 and 8 hours. Get detailed info and what is available here: www.hzpp.hr

By bus  – The main bus terminal is in the very centre of the city, on the popular Riva waterfront and parade. You can arrive here by numerous buses, run by several bus companies connecting the town with major places in Croatia including Rijeka, Zagreb, Zadar airport and Dubrovnik . There are also buses running from Bosnia/Herzegovina and international ones from Austria and Germany. Buses are running all year round. See what is available here: www.ak-split.hr

By car ferry or fast catamaran ferry  – you can get here by ferry from Ancona in Italy and from Dubrovnik, Mljet, Korcula, Brac,  Hvar , Vis and Lastovo. Some of the ferries are running just from April to October. For schedules and info refer to croatiaferries.com website. For detailed info and photos check here . More info: Split to Hvar + Jadrolinija, Split

By car (Driving) – From Zagreb, you can get here by the highway in about 3 hours. From Dubrovnik , it will take you about 4 hours to reach the town. Find more route details below in separate articles.

Check also  how to get to Croatia article

Have a look at this video that shows aerial footage of the city, shot on a summer day around Spinut marina, Matejuška, Marjan, Splitska Riva and Diocletian Palace:

More articles that cover the Split area

Venice to Split

Jadrolinija Split

Getting from Zagreb to Split

Split to Plitvice Lakes

Split to Brač

How Early to Arrive at Split Airport

Brač Island

Island Hopping from Split

Split to Hvar

Getting from Zadar to Split

Split Airport

Split Airport to City Centre

Day Trips from Split

Getting around Split

Split Bus Map

Split Bus Station

Split Train Station

Split Ferry Map

Hvar island

Split is the second largest city in Croatia , with just over 200,000 inhabitants, and is the largest city on the Adriatic coast. Once merely considered by some as just transit point – with excellent transport connections by bus, sea, air and train, it’s easy to travel to and from the city – it is deservedly becoming a destination in its own right.

There are some fantastic sights in the city, both Roman and more modern, excellent options for dining, drinking and nightlife, plenty of beach opportunities and lots of choice for those wanting day trips . Split is much loved by visitors these days!

Here’s a great video guide to 36 Hours in Split from the New York Times – this really gives a feel for the city, as well as providing great tips on what to see and do!

Information on Split

Here are our pages on Croatia’s second largest city:

• Getting to Split By air from the UK and Europe, and other travel possibilities by bus, train and ferry
• Getting to and from Split Airport Transferring between the airport and the city by airport bus, local bus and taxi
• Public Transport in Split Getting around the city (and nearby) by bus, train, boat and other options
• Sightseeing The top sights, including Diocletian’s Palace
• Eating and Drinking Tips for the best place to grab a bite or get a cold beer at
• Two Days in Split Spending 48 hours in this fine city! We’ve planned your whole trip for you!
• Guided Tours of Split Sightseeing, walking and activity tours – kayaking, white-water rafting, and sailing – in and near the city
• Day Trips from Split Options for visiting areas and towns close by, such as Trogir , Solin , and the islands of Solta and Brac
• Day Trips from Spli t to Bosnia and Hercegovina How and why to visit Mostar, Medjugorje and Sarajevo in Bosnia 
• Events Annual events and festivals
• Useful Tips Sightseeing, money exchange, free wifi, left luggage and more…
• The People of Split Read up about the city’s fun-loving inhabitants, as well as the city’s famous sons! There’s also details about the intriguing beach game, picigin
• History The city’s had quite a history, with its main beginnings as a Roman Emperor’s palace
• Map of Split Scrollable and searchable map

Accommodation in Split

All types of accommodation – hostels, hotels, apartments and private accommodation – are plentiful in the city, with something for all budgets and tastes. See our Accommodation  guide.

General info

The area code is 021.

The tourist office is at Obala hrvatskog narodnog preporoda 7, 21000 Split, Tel: 021 348 600, Fax: 021 348 604, Email: [email protected] .

British Consulate: Obala Hrvatskog Narodnog Preporoda 10/III 21000 Split Tel: 021 341 464; Fax: 021 362 905

Additional info

More info can be found at the Tourist Office  website .

Travel Agencies

Explorer Club offer weeklong itineraries taking in the best sights, activities and tastes this part of Croatia has to offer. They also arrange luxury sailing holidays, bike & yacht cruises of the Dalmatian islands, plus a Plitvice Lakes Escape.

Split Sea Tours  Highly rated agency run by locals with years of experience, they offer lots of boat tours to local islands (including the very popular ‘five island’ tour which visits the Blue Cave) as well as excursions on the mainland and adventure options.

Split Tours   Accommodation, catamaran & ferry lines and more!

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MUSEUMS & GALLERIES

1.      Emanuel Vidović Gallery , Poljana kraljice Jelene bb

2.      Etnographic Museum , Iza Vestibula 4

3.      Natural History Museum , Poljana kneza Trpimira 3

4.      Zoo, Kolombatovićevo šetalište 2

50% DISCOUNT

5.      Archeological Museum , Zrinsko-Frankopanska 25

6.      Tusculum (Salona), Ulica don Frane Bulića 91, 21210 Solin

7.      Croatian Maritime Museum , Glagoljaša 18

30% DISCOUNT

     8.   The Meštrović Gallery and Kaštelet , Šetalište Ivana Meštrovića 39 and 46

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9.      Apodos , Obala Lazareta bb  (Selected excursions only; Discount is valid only if purchased directly on the Panoramic bus at this address)

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10.   City Puppet Theatre , Tončićeva 1

11.   City Youth Theatre , Trg Republike 1/1

12.   Croatian National Theatre , Trg Gaje Bulata 1

TAILOR SHOP

13.   Gena , Marulićeva 6 (Traditional custom made male suits)

14.   Dollar and Thrifty , Obala Ante Trumbića 17

15.   M.A.C.K., Hatzeov perivoj 3

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16.   Ancient Tours , Poljana Grgura Ninskog 9/1  (Selected excursions only; more info at the agency)

17. Museum of Illusions , Ulica Andrije Kačića Miošića 2 (Cash discount)

18.   Diocletian's Palace Substructures, Obala Hrv. narodnog preporoda bb

19.   Diocletian's dream- Virtual reality movie experience, Zagrebačka ulica 1

20.   Go Adventure , Ulica Petra Krešimira IV, no. 5 (a) and Obala Lazareta 3 (b) (Selected excursions only; more info at the agency)

21.   Split Walking Tour (Redono) , Dioklecijanova 3  (Selected excursions only; more info at the agency)

www.splitwalkingtour.com

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      22. Game of Thrones Museum , Bosanska 9

23.   Boat „Polaris“, Prilaz braće Kaliterna 2  (Discount is valid only if purchased at the Moreplovac travel agency at this address or directly on the Polaris boat)

24.   Deep Sea Yachting , Uvala Baluni 8 (ACI Marina;  Blue cave tour; rent-a-boat)

25.   Opcija tours , Internet Agency (Valid only if purchased online at: www.split-croatia-sailing.com and www.winetourcroatia.com )

26.   Nautika centar Nava, Uvala Baluni 1  (Sailing boats, motor boats and catamarans)

27.   Split by Vespa (Via Veritas Vita), Poljana kneza Trpimira 1  (Rent a Vespa & Vespa tours)

28.   Summer Blues Mega Catamaran , Tončićeva 4  (Discount is valid only if purchased at the Bremen travel agency at this address)

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29.   Konoba „Nevera“, Put Firula 17

30.   Konoba „Varoš“, Ban Mladenova 7 (Cash discount only)

    31. Game of Thrones Fan shop , Bosanska 10 & Ulica Petra Krešimira IV, no. 8

32.   Jakšić Gallery , Bribirska 10  (10-20% only for selected items, more info at the gallery)

33. Jaman Art Gallery , Šubićeva 3 (a) and  Jaman Art Center,  Dobrić 14 (b)

34.   Jewellery shop „Filigran“, Bosanska 4  (10% cash discount)

35.   Jewellery shop „OM“, Peristil 1  (5% credit cards discount, 15% cash discount)

36.   Souvenir shop „Cro Corner“, Buvinina 1

37.   Wave and Surf shop , Obala Ante Trumbića 3

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16 Top Attractions & Things to Do in Split, Croatia

Split is a very scenic city lying on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea. With just under 200,000 residents, this ancient city is the largest on the Dalmatian Coast and Croatia’s second largest city. Its rulers have included the Greeks, Romans and Turks, with each culture leaving its stamp on the city.

Split is especially famous for its beaches and Roman ruins, particularly Diocletian’s Palace, which lies in the heart of Split’s Old Town. Discovering the many treasure inside the palace is one of he most popular things to do in Split. With an abundance of history, Game of Thrones landmarks and many other attractions in Split, it won’t take long for visitors to figure out why this Croatian city is one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in the Mediterranean.

Map of Tourist Attractions in Split

16. People’s Square

Formerly named St Lawrence’s Square, People’s Square is locally known as Pjaca. It represents the civic power of Split, earning its common name. The piazza is located on the western walls of the Diocletian Palace, and it can be accessed through the Iron Gate. The Gothic-style historic Town Hall is now an Ethnographic museum which hosts many exhibitions in the summer months.

The square is overlooked by a Romanesque clock. Remarkably, it uses 24 digits instead of 12. Life never pauses here. Featuring dainty cafeterias, it became the social hub for intellectuals and artists during the first half of the 20th century. Pjaca remains the buzzing central spot, as it is filled with places to rest, meet, and eat.

15. Archaeological Museum Split

Split’s Archaeological Museum is the oldest museum institution in Croatia. Founded in 1820, it includes 150,000 archaeological artifacts from the prehistoric, Roman, Greek, early Christian and Medieval ages. The museum is situated north of the town center, but they also have branches in Solin and on the island of Vis. The museum’s original function was to care for the monuments of the ancient palace of Salona and Diocletian, providing a rigorous framework for their preservation.

The stone-walled lapidarium strikingly contrasts with the tranquil, leafy courtyard. A two-story building with a museum library, the grand exhibition hall is reserved for smaller artifacts which are displayed in glass cases. The museum is closed on Sundays.

14. Game of Thrones Museum Split

Many Croatian sites became Westeros when filming Game of Thrones, including the Old Town of Split. To celebrate the HBO Series, a commercial museum has opened at the top of Bosanka Street, in the heart of the Roman-walled city. It showcases costumes, authentic props, weapons and real-size wax figures. It also exhibits exclusive photographs taken of the cast and crew during filming. Visitors can also explore the depths of Diocletian Cellars which are close by. They featured as Khaleesi’s dragon dungeon in the series.

It embraces a sensual experience: aromas of Cedar, Jasmine, Lavender and Ether oils permeate the rooms. The dark interior walls add to the mysterious, macabre atmosphere. It is highly recommended to visit during the siesta closure hours.

13. Green Market

The Pzar (the Central Green Market) is where people come to shop and experience the colors, aromas and flavors of Split. You can find every kind of fresh produce that you would like to purchase: herbs, cheeses, meats, honey and Croatian delicacies, all of which are staples of the Mediterranean diet. Artisanal stalls of souvenirs and trinkets can also be found here.

The market is open every day from 6.30 am but local fruit and vegetable stalls clear out by lunchtime. Saturday is the busiest day to shop; you will find large crowds haggling. The Croatian phrases ‘koliko košta’ (how much does it cost?) and ‘Hvala’ (thank you) may serve you when grocery shopping. Feel like one of the locals and venture into the colorful outdoor market.

12. Putalj Winery

The Putalj Winery is located in Kaštel Sućurac, north of Split. With a backdrop of stunning, picturesque mountain views, you can enjoy Mediterranean delicacies here. It is one of the leading boutique wineries in Split which creates individual wine tasting programs that are catered to your unique desires and requirements. Tours run once a day around 6 pm. You will be shown around all the production spots, as well as taste vintage wines directly from the fermentation tanks.

The Putalj Zinfandel, a bottle of a medium-bodied wine with aromas of sour cherry, vanilla and spice, will be sampled. There will be a chance to sample olive oil produced by the winery which is paired with appetizing, rustic antipasti. Coach transfers from Split are included in the ticket price.

11. Froggyland

Froggyland is an unusual museum of frog people. Ferenc Mere was an incredibly skilled taxidermist, spending 10 years catching and stuffing frogs to replicate human scenes. This Croatian diorama is a strange and unique space, a place for self-reflection in the literal sense: you can observe frogs performing your daily tasks and social endeavors.

For instance, the anthropomorphic amphibians freakishly toast at a dinner party, smoking cigarettes around a table. You are even transported back to your school days as you witness frogs diligently taking notes in front of a whiteboard. Photography is not permitted in the museum. An eccentric but remarkable place, these exhibits are not one to miss if you are a fan of the strange and niche.

10. Klis Fortress

For a chance to step back in time and to admire GOT’s Meereen, Klis Fortress is strongly recommended. Situated above the homonymous village, it is an impenetrable wall of a mountain with three long rectangular defensive stone walls. The fortress dominates the skyline – the structure is irregular as it was designed to fit within the natural topography.

It was historically a royal castle that was the seat of many Croatian kings, but it developed into a successful and colossal defense mechanism during the Ottoman wars in Europe, withstanding 2000 years of history of conquest. From this skyline, you can view Split’s cityscape, its harbor and the surrounding countryside. Included in the ticket price are visits to two other important locations, the Interpretation Center and ethno-agro park in Split.

9. Trip to Trogir

West of Split is the charming medieval town of Trogir. Dating back to the 3rd Century BC, the town is linked by bridges to both the mainland and the lush Čiovo Island. Home to Renaissance facades, medieval streets, elegant churches and palaces, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. St Lawrence’s Cathedral is a must-visit monument, a three-nave Venetian religious site.

The cathedral features three different architectural styles, taking four centuries to build. In the summer, everyone gravitates toward Medena Beach, a seaside promenade lined with bars, cafes and yachts. To arrive there, there is a frequent city bus from Split’s main bus terminal. With picturesque piazzas overflowing with beautiful flowers and plants, Trogir is a town that must not be missed.

8. Fruit Square

The square of Trg Braće Radić was once home to a bustling fruit market and so received its unofficial name. These days fruit is no longer sold here, but there are several shops and attractions, including the Venetian Castello and tower, both of which were constructed in 1435 to protect the city from local revolts and Turkish raids.

The northern side of the square is dominated by the Milesi Palace, one of the best examples of Baroque architecture in Dalmatia. A statue of Marko Marulić, a 15th-century poet, stands in front of the palace. The statue was created by Ivan Meštrović.

7. Marjan Hill

Marjan Hill sits in a forest park at the west end of the Split Peninsula. Approximately the size of New York City’s Central Park, Marjan Hill is covered in Mediterranean pine. The park offers wide paved paths just made for strolling or biking.

Those who make the climb to the top of Marjan Hill will be rewarded with panoramic views of Split and the Adriatic Sea. On the way to the top, visitors will find a small 13th century church dedicated to St. Nicholas, the fisherman’s saint. Marjan Hill has been a favorite escape from city life for Split residents since the third century.

6. Ivan Mestrovic Gallery

Artist and sculptor, Ivan Meštrović bought a plot of land on Marjan Hill in the 1920s transforming it himself into a grand villa: a home, working and exhibition space. In 1952, he gave the building and 132 pieces of his art to the state, founding the art gallery. This particular gallery has had a unique history as a home and a place of wreckage during the war of Croatian independence. A treasure trove of impressive and intimate depictions of close family members, it reopened in 1998 with a new permanent collection.

The stellar art museum is cocooned by a Mediterranean garden, which houses the bronze sculptures, and boasts incredible views of the sea and central Dalmatian islands.

5. Bacvice Beach

A picturesque sandy bay, Bačvice Beach is near the port and only a 15-minute walk east of Diocletian’s Palace. Covering a wide stretch of sea, its waters are transparent and turquoise in color. It attracts large crowds in the summer months, but that should not deter you from enjoying this beautiful part of the Adriatic sea.

Challenge friends or family to a game of picigin (the aim is to keep a small ball from dropping in the water) or enjoy a cold beer al fresco at a beach bar, basking in the summer sun. Having recently been awarded Blue Flag status for its cleanliness and abundant facilities, this beach is a symbol of the city’s wonderful tourism.

4. Grgur Ninski Statue

Grgur Ninski, or Gregory of Nin, was a 10th century medieval bishop who defied the pope in several areas. As an advocate for the Croatian language and culture, he switched from holding masses in Latin, a language people did not understand, to Croatian. Though it strengthened Christianity in Croatia, the move resulted in Grgur Ninski losing his bishopric.

His statue can be found north of Diocletian’s Palace in Old Split. One of the most popular tourist attractions in Split, people come here to rub the statue’s toe; doing this is said to bring good luck to the person rubbing it.

A light breeze, sunshine on the skin, and the clear, deep blues of the sea: this is the essence of the Riva Waterfront. Glazed white tiles and palm trees now run the length of the Old Town. Cruise ships dock at Split Riva Pier, a vital part of Split’s port city existence which is tied to the Adriatic Sea.

There are plenty of benches to sit at and ponder and to also admire the view. Restaurants and cafes are dotted all along the Riva. A pedestrian promenade, it is an ideal place for having a morning coffee, or an evening out for drinks after watching the sunset. At night, the energy transforms as seafood dishes are served in abundance with views of the water.

2. Saint Dujam

Saint Dujam, known formally as the Cathedral of Saint Dominus, has at least one claim to fame. Since it was consecrated in the 7th century, it is the oldest Catholic cathedral in the world that has been in continuous use in its original structure without undergoing a major restoration. The cathedral has three parts: the mausoleum of Emperor Diocletian built in 305 AD; a Romanesque bell tower that was added in 1100, and a chorus that was built in the 17th century.

The bell tower provides great panoramic views of Split, nearby islands and Marjan hill. The wooden doors, created in the 13th century, show scenes from the life of Christ.

1. Diocletian’s Palace

The massive Diocletian Palace was built by Diocletian, the only Roman emperor to abdicate the throne voluntarily. He had the palace built on the Bay of Aspalathos near his birthplace, and after his abdication on May 1, 305 A.D., he lived in it for the rest of his years. His palace went on to become the core of the modern day city of Split. As the world’s most complete remains of a Roman palace, it holds an outstanding place in Mediterranean heritage.

Emperor Diocletian wanted only the best for his retirement home. He used marble from Greece and Italy, as well as sphinxes and columns from Egypt. Water came to the palace from the Jadro River through a Roman aqueduct. Visitors can view the remains of this aqueduct, which was restored in the 19th century. The palace served as an imperial home, a fortified town and a military fortress to protect those inside. It had reinforced gates on the eastern, western and northern sides. The southern side, which faced the sea, had a smaller gate that led from the residential quarters to the sea.

In the sixth century, 300 years after it was built, the palace fell into disuse. However, around the year 614 A.D., refugees from nearby Salona (Solin) took up residence in the palace to escape the invading barbarians, and the locals have been living there ever since. It is a living treasure, with nearly 3000 people making their homes there, buying food at the market, taking their children for walks and hanging their laundry out to dry on ancient balconies.

Visitors do not need a ticket to enter the palace. They can stroll right in. The Bronze Gate gives access to the basement of Diocletian’s old Central Hall, now filled with craft and souvenir shops. Moving about in the palace is easy, and travelers can enjoy the many museums, the National Theater and the old churches found there. They might even meet a local artist or have an espresso at one of the many shops within the palace.

Best Time to Visit Split

As average temperatures soar to 25 to 28°C (77 to 82°F), the water is warmest and people have holidays, June to September is by far the most popular time to visit Split. This though is when its promenade, beaches and historic sights are at their busiest. Hotel prices are also high.

People aren’t put off, however, as this is the best time to swim in the sea or enjoy sailing and watersports. The Split Summer Festival and Ultra Europe Festival also take place then and a lively atmosphere reigns over everything.

If you want to avoid the crowds, the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn – so April, May and October – are arguably even better. Temperatures remain around 16 to 21°C (61 to 70°F) with swimming still possible in those last two months. Boat trips out to Hvar or visits to Krka National Park are much calmer, pleasant affairs during this period.

Winter is quite cool and rainy with most people staying away until Easter when the numbers start to pick up again. Although you can find some fantastic deals, the climate isn’t great for enjoying outdoor activities and exploring its incredible coast and islands.

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15 Best Things to do in Split, Croatia

Architectural wonders, palm-tree-lined boulevards, buzzing nightlife, and magnificent beaches just a stone’s throw away: this is Split, Croatia ! The vibrant UNESCO port town is known for its movie-worthy scenery, used as the location for Game of Thrones and frequented by many movie stars. It’s easy to see why as you climb cobblestone streets, meander among dappled squares, and gaze across the tranquil Adriatic Sea from hilltop fortresses. Spend a few days enjoying the top things to do in Split, whether it’s cafe-hopping, gelato tasting, or sunset sailing.

Things to do in Split, Croatia

With its small-town feel and warm community, it’s surprising that Split is the second-largest city in Croatia. As such, it’s packed with things to do; discover countless ancient buildings, art galleries, boutiques, fantastic bars, and restaurants. It’s also a good starting point to explore some of Croatia’s most famous spots.

Also read: Complete 10-Day Croatia Itinerary

1. Diocletian’s Palace

The UNESCO Diocletian’s Palace is the gem of Split, widely known as the city’s most important landmark. The complex of impressive buildings sits at the heart of the oldest part of the city, reminding people of a long-forgotten Roman past. Although it resembles a fortress, it was actually built in the 4th century as the residence of the Roman Emporer, divided into living quarters and housing for armed troops. 

Discover the Diocletian’s Palace on this Old Town walking tour in Split

Tip: The main courtyard is one of the top things to do in Split. It’s designed in a beautiful Peristyle format (a central square within the Palace). 

Diocletian’s Cellars

Unsurprisingly, this mammoth structure was used as the setting for the filming of Game of Thrones, Croatia . These impressive stone cellars would have been used to store food and wine that was unloaded directly from the harbor. These days, there is an eerie silence, apart from the sound of water dripping, making for a great atmosphere and an undeniably good setting for Game of Thrones! 

Visit the Diocletian’s Cellars on a Game of Thrones tour

Opening Times and Tickets: Diocletian’s Palace is open 24/7 and is free entry. However, if you’d like to dive deeper and visit the famous Cellars, you’ll need to purchase a ticket for 7 EUR. Purchase your tickets in advance here .

2. Stroll Along the Riva Promenade

Discover the buzzing Riva promenade, a vibrant area adjacent to Split Harbor. Tourists and locals gather here for an evening stroll, a drink, or to eat dinner at one of the many outdoor restaurant terraces.

Tip: The water in Croatia is excellent quality from the taps, so bring your reusable water bottle with you to save on single-use plastic and travel plastic free ! As the city is so walkable (with many pedestrianized streets), you could wander for hours, so keep an eye out for the water fountains as you go.

Lined with palm trees, and colorful flowers, the promenade is the perfect place to relax. As it’s such a popular spot, it’s regularly used as a space to host events and festivals, so there’s always something to see! 

Here are all your hotel options in Split.

Tip: The Riva Promenade is where you’ll find most tour stands to book boat excursions to nearby islands. For example, Hvar or the famous Blue Cave (one of the top things to do in Split!). 

3. Climb the Bell Tower of Split Cathedral

For unbeatable city views, head to the beautiful Split Cathedral and climb to the top of the Romanesque bell tower. Standing at a grand height of 187 feet, it’s a bit of a walk to the top — up 200+ steep steps (quite scary if you’re afraid of heights). However, it’s all worth it when you reach the top. Here, you’ll be rewarded with the most spectacular views over Split and the harbor. 

Did you know? In the true spirit of ‘pomalo’ (meaning ‘take your time’), construction on the Cathedral first began in the 13th century but was actually only completed in the 16th century!

Opening Times & Entrance Fee

A ticket to visit all the sights in and around the Cathedral costs €13. This includes entry to the Cathedral, Crypt, Baptistery (Temple of Jupiter), Treasury (Temple of Cybele), and Bell Tower.

Alternatively, you can purchase tickets for the Cathedral and Bell Tower only for 10 EUR. Please note you can buy your tickets on the opposite side of the square.

Open every day 7:30 AM – 6 PM except Sunday (12-6 PM).

4. Marjan Hill (Top Thing to do in Split, Croatia!)

Known by locals as ‘The lungs of Split’, Marjan Hill is a beautiful natural oasis where visitors can relax and breathe in the fresh air. Set amongst the luscious greenery of Marjan Forest Park, the hill sits very close to the center, with many walking trails leading away from the city. 

Start your hike from the city to the first viewpoint, which is covered by beautiful trees, and enjoy a refreshing drink at the nearby cafe. From here, you’ll be able to see the nearby islands of  Braç and Hvar in the distance. 

If you’re feeling energetic, continue the hike via a steep but manageable pathway. On the way, you will pass lovely gardens, plenty of trees, and white benches for a much-needed rest before reaching the cross at the top, known as Telegrin Viewpoint. We recommend coming here at sunrise for the most beautiful golden views.  

Opening Times and Entry Fee: The Marjan Forest Park in Split, Croatia, is free and open 24/7. Adventure lovers can also discover a range of other activities here, from cycling to rock climbing.

5. Kasjuni Beach

Not many cities have picture-perfect beaches just a bus ride away, and Split is one of them! Just 10 minutes drive from the Old Town is the beautiful Kasjuni Beach: a pebble beach with crystal clear water perfect for swimming. Unwind from city life, sip refreshing drinks at the beach bar, and enjoy fantastic views of the sea.

Bacvice Beach is also a popular choice, as it’s located right next to the city. However, expect it to be busier as a result.

Tip: For a great way to see the city and some nearby scenery, walk to Kasjuni Beach in 45 minutes instead of taking the bus. 

6. Charming Split Old Town

Split’s Old Town is a maze of narrow historic alleys. These cobbled pathways lead to the majestic Diocletian’s Palace. Not far, the People’s Square (Pjaca) bustles with energy, its terraces brimming with chatter from both locals and travelers. Just around the corner, the Cyprian’s Palace stands as an emblem of the town’s beauty.

And Split Old Town proudly displays its Golden Gate – a grand entrance that once welcomed emperors and now invites travelers into a world of historical wonders.

7. Cafe Hopping in Split, Croatia!

One of the top things to do in Split is to enjoy ‘Fjaka’: the local tradition of taking a few hours over coffee with friends. There are plenty of cafes to put this tradition into practice, many of which are dotted throughout the picturesque Old Town. Grab a coffee at D16 Coffee, or have an epic brunch at Ciri Biri Bela. 

Tip: The city has many traditional taverns known as Konobas. These are often family-run, with a cozy authentic feel, serving up typical Croatian fare.

8. Pazar Farmer’s Market

Looking for some local Croatian produce to take home? The Pazar Farmer’s Market is the place to go! This buzzing spot sells everything from fruits and vegetables to cured meats, olive oil, honey, and fresh flowers. You will also find clothing and trinkets, making it a great place to pick up your souvenirs. 

Read: Best Things To Do in Croatia

Spend an hour or so taking in Dalmation life, watching elderly locals filling up their trolleys and bargaining for this week’s seasonal produce. Don’t forget to grab something for yourself for a lunchtime picnic! We recommend fresh cherries, strawberries, or peaches, which you can enjoy in the market square or take to Marjan Hill. 

Opening Times and Location: The market is located here , right next to the historic center. The opening times are 6 AM – 2 PM, but be sure to go in the morning when you have lots of choices.

9. Klis Fortress

Straddling a mammoth ridge in the valley outside Split, discover the imposing Klis Fortress (the site of many historical battles). The fortress is known as the ‘Key to Dalmatia’ for its military position and importance. However, these days, the Fortress is most recognizable as the setting for many a scene in Game of Thrones, Croatia . Remember when Daenerys had the enslavers killed at Meereen? Yes, this is that exact spot!

Approach the rocky peak and pass through the 3 ancient gateways, scaling its walls for panoramic views over Split and the many Adriatic islands. The Fortress stays open until 10 PM, so we recommend visiting later in the day so you’re there for sunset. It’s one of the best things to do in Split!

Opening Hours & Entrance Fee: Open 8:30 AM – 10 PM daily. 10 EUR. Book your tickets online here .

Getting There: 20 to 40 minutes drive from the city center, depending on the type of transportation. You can get there by car, public bus, or with a guided tour.

Stella Croatica

Nearby to Klis Fortress is Stella Croatica, a family estate with an olive oil museum, Mediterranean gardens, and a traditional tavern that serves locally produced foods. If you want to master some local recipes, they offer Dalmatian cooking lessons (highly recommended as a thing to do in Split, Croatia!).

Opening Hours & Entrance Fee: Included in the price of the Klis Fortress ticket. Open 10 AM – 3:30 PM every day except Monday. Book your ticket for Stella Croatica and Klis Fortress .

10. Get Lost in the Narrow Streets of Trogir

Nicknamed the ‘Little Venice’ of Croatia, visiting Trogir is one of the top things to do in Split! However, you won’t find any gondolas or canals here. Instead, this beautiful town is thought to resemble Venice because of its maze of narrow streets.

Read more: Best Things to do in Trogir, Croatia .

From Split, cross over to the small island where the town is situated, connected by two bridges to the mainland. In Trogir , you’ll find yourself in an ancient world of Romanesque and Renaissance architecture. Many quaint restaurants, cafes, and boutiques can be found in the narrow streets. Spend an afternoon exploring the Old Town and strolling on the lovely waterfront promenade or relaxing on the nearby beaches.

As Trogir is located only a 10-minute drive from the airport, it’s a great alternative to staying in Split, particularly if you’re looking for something a bit quieter. In fact, this UNESCO town is car-free, making it even more tranquil! 

Hotels in Trogir 😴

Getting there: There are coaches and local buses from Split bus station, or you can rent a car and drive. It is a 30-minute drive from Split and just a 10-minute drive from Split Airport. Alternatively, you can take a guided tour for more ease.

11. Day Trip to Krka National Park

Don’t miss seeing the breathtaking Krka National Park , one of the most naturally beautiful spots in all of Croatia ! There are many different ways to explore the park itself, whether it’s by boat or on foot. However, all the trails and routes will lead you to a series of powerful waterfalls (7 that you can admire up close and personal).

See availability for a Krka National Park day tour from Split

Skradinski Buk and Roski Slap are the two most popular options, and there are wonderful hiking trails to get there. From wooden boardwalks, you can admire beautiful views of crystal clear streams, colorful fish, and magnificent flora and fauna. 

Tip: If you’ve got a car, you can visit some of the more remote falls. Alternatively, a guided tour from Split is a great option, including return transportation and entrance into the park. 

Read more about the waterfalls of Krka National Park in Croatia .

12. Island Hopping from Split, Croatia

Take a break from city life for a day out at sea! The coast off Split is home to many islands, lagoons, and caves, each one as beautiful as the next. From the famous Blue Cave, with its magical luminescent water, to the remote Island of Vis (the furthest inhabited island from Croatia’s mainland), there is so much to see and discover in the waters of Split! 

You can find most of the island hopping boat stands down on the Riva Promenade. Alternatively, book your trip in advance online and get excited for a day of snorkeling, swimming, and adventure.

See availability and tickets for a 5 islands day trip

13. Hvar Island

Hvar Island has a well-deserved reputation as one of the best places to visit in Croatia , and it doesn’t disappoint! One of the best things to do in Split is to take a day trip to Hvar (via ferry) to explore the stunning terracotta-roofed town, its beaches, olive groves, and the UNESCO site of Stari Grad Plain.

Buy your ferry ticket to Hvar in advance

Start in Hvar Town , allowing plenty of time to explore the many incredible cafes, restaurants, museums, and galleries. Then rent a motorbike to discover the charming countryside outside the city walls. In the afternoon, relax at the paradise pebble beaches on the island, with crystal clear water, before enjoying a sundowner on one of the sea-view restaurant terraces. 

Tip: If you have time, we recommend staying at least a night in Hvar Town to enjoy the world-famous nightlife!

Getting There: Regular ferries leaving from Split to Hvar old town and Stari Grad, which take around  1-2 hours. It’s best to book ahead during the busy summer season. Alternatively, take a Split-guided tour, including all travel and experiences.

See availability for a day trip to Hvar from Split

14. Brac Island (Alternative to Hvar)

For the ultimate island tranquility, head for the stunning shores of Brac: a quiet island with perfectly preserved nature under an hour’s ferry ride away from Split, Croatia. You’ll find the highest mountain peak here. It a great spot for walkers who come to make the most of the fantastic natural trails.

Read: 9 Best things to do on Brac Island!

At the end of a day of exploration, head to one of the charming fishing villages that line the coast. Alternatively, relax on one of Croatia’s most revered spots: Zlatni Rat (Golden Horn), a breathtaking strip of sand that juts out from the island and is surrounded by rings of ever-changing turquoise waters.

Getting there: 50-minute ferry ride from Split to Bol (foot passengers) or Supetar (cars). Book your ferry tickets to Brac in advance here .

15. Outdoor Adventure in Split, Croatia

Get your adrenaline flowing with some outdoor adventure — one of the top things to do in Split, Croatia! With such fantastic landscapes right on your doorstep, there is a multitude of thrilling activities to choose from. Try river rafting in deep canyons, zip-lining across wide-open valleys, cliff-jumping off the rugged coastline, or SUP night glow tours. Choosing to explore the area around Split in one of these ways is unforgettable and gives you a totally unique perspective of the Croatian countryside.

Best Cafes & Restaurants in Split, Croatia

While the food in Split is mainly Mediterranean in style, you will also find traditional Dalmatian dishes like Pasticada, a local stew made from beef marinated in wine and prunes. In other cities, it can be harder to find veggie and vegan options. However, Split is a little bit different; the city is home to contemporary cafe culture, with plenty of vegan restaurants as well as crowd favorites like Italian, kebabs, and seafood.

• Ciri Biri Bela
• Pizzeria Portas
• Konoba Laganini

Tip: Split, Croatia , is the city of gelato! There are gelato shops everywhere you look, so always save some room for a sweet treat after your meal.

Where to Stay in Split

For first-time visitors, we recommend you stay in the Old Town around the Diocletian’s Palace. This beautiful area is home to some of the most fantastic buildings in the city and is close to all the best things to do in Split. 

Hotels in Split 😴

Alternatively, if you’d rather stay somewhere more tranquil, base yourself in nearby Trogir (close to the airport) and travel into Split during the days to sightsee and enjoy the delicious restaurants.

How Many Days in Split, Croatia?

One of the best things about Split is how small and walkable it is, which means you can see most of the top sights in one day. However, if you want to visit all the incredible neighboring islands, towns, and national parks, we recommend staying 3 days. You can visit these further away spots by yourself (you will need a car for those that are more remote) or on a guided tour.

Travel Insurance Don't forget a travel insurance for your Croatia trip! Heymondo covers medical emergencies, theft, delays, cancellations, lost luggage, and more, with 24/7 worldwide assistance and medical chat. As a Salt in our Hair reader, we've got you 5% off! Check Heymondo here

How to Visit Split, Croatia

The international airport of Split is a 30-minute drive from the city center and just a 10-minute drive from the charming town of Trogir . 

There are plenty of transport options from the airport into the city center, including the taxi apps Bolt and Uber, regular taxis, or public buses.

Getting Around

The city is very walkable, meaning you can reach most of the top things to do in Split on foot. In our opinion, this is always the best way to see the city (you never know what interesting shops, cafes, and bars you’ll find!).

If you want to explore outside the city, rent a car for more flexibility, or take public buses or a guided tour.

We recommend to rent a car in Croatia through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here .

How Much Does Split Cost?

Although Split isn’t Croatia’s cheapest city, it caters to all budgets. For example, there are great restaurants where you can have a delicious dinner with a glass of wine for about 30 EUR per person. Or, if you’re looking for something cheaper, you can also opt for a takeaway pizza to enjoy in the park by Riva for a much lower price.

Costs of Traveling in Split

Travel on a budget in Split, from $580 − $470 USD weekly per person, mid-range $1740 − $2700 USD, and high-end from $2560 − $3280 USD. However, costs depend on factors like accommodation, transportation, and activities. We did not include flights. Check flight prices here

• Hotels: $150 − $200 USD Check available hotels
• Hostels: $20 − $40 USD Check available hostels
• Transport: $10 − $20 USD Book public transport
• Car Rental: $50 − $150 USD Book a rental car
• Food: $40 − $90 USD
• Activities: $10 − $20 USD See tickets & tours
• Sim: $1 − $3 USD Get an eSIM or SIM here
• Travel Insurance: $2 − $6 USD Get Travel Insurance

Best Time to Visit Split, Croatia

The beaches and islands of Split are best enjoyed in the prime summer months when everyone heads for the coast. However, this period is the most expensive and crowded (mainly because there are many festivals during this time).

For a good alternative, choose the shoulder seasons of Spring and Fall for lower prices, fewer people, and balmy temperatures, which are perfect for sightseeing.

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Visiting the Medieval Truffle Town of Motovun, Croatia

Rastoke waterfalls: discover the waterfall village of croatia, best game of thrones filming locations in croatia.

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Split Travel Guide (Croatia): Best Sights, Beaches & Tips

Love at first sight! The sparks were flying between Split and us – so much so that we have been there three times now. What makes Split so special? The city is unlike any other in Croatia. A modern coastal metropolis surrounded by ancient walls – this is how Split can be described.  

During the day you encounter centuries old Roman masterpieces and never cease to be amazed. Then in the evenings you sip cocktails in the city’s coolest bars. Split is pulsing, lively, young, and dynamic. And at the same time Split enchants you with its historical charm. 

Are you planning a trip to Split? Wonderful, then let us tell you this: You will love it! In this travel guide we let you in on our personal travel tips for the most beautiful sights in Split. On top of this we provide you our hotel tip because we have discovered a real gem of a hotel in Split. 

1. Split in Croatia: Overview of Info & Initial Travel Tips 

2. hotel tip for split: a gem of a hotel , 3. split travel guide: top sights and best things to do, 4. viewpoints in split, 5. beaches in split: out tips, 6. eating and drinking in split: our culinary tips , 7. day trips around split  , 8. map: overview of all sights and tips .

What can I expect on holiday in Split? 

Taking a wander through Split is like travelling back in time. You can feel the eventful, century old history of the city on every corner. The inner city of Split is a labyrinth of alleyways that is second to none. Getting lost in it (and getting lost) is simply part of a trip to the city. 

Split is an absolutely beautiful town in our eyes. We have tried to capture the special flair and the lifestyle of Split for you in a few words: 

• Split’s heart = Diocletian’s Palace:  As soon as you set foot in Split, you will notice: Split is different! You can find the historical centre inside the walls of ancient palace grounds, Diocletian’s Palace. Sightseeing amid Roman monuments, magnificent house facades and picturesque squares – all that and much more awaits you in Split. 
• Great gastro-scene:  You hardly want to believe how many young, modern restaurants, cafés and bars have opened in Split in the past years. Split is really a paradise for foodies in Dalmatia!
• Beach-hopping & day trips:  There are some great beaches to be found around Split. Split is also an idea destination when you want to combine city and beaches. Also, there are great day trip destinations such as the UNESCO town of Trogir or the Krka National Park. 

How many days should I plan for Split? 

All the sights in the centre of Split are within walking distance. So, if you are on your feet for the whole day, then you could theoretically rush by the main highlights – emphasis on ‘theoretically’ and ‘rush’. To be honest: Split is so beautiful that it’s no fun to rush through it. 

We recommend you plan to stay two to three nights in Split. Then you still have enough room to take a relaxing stroll alongside visiting the classic sights, and maybe even for a trip to the beach. 

If some day trips (such as to Trogir or Krka National Park) are also on your radar, then we would plan to stay a little longer. Four to five nights would be ideal then. It’s guaranteed that you will not get bored in Split – there is so much to see and experience, we promise. 

The best time to travel to Split 

Our number one tip: Avoid – if somehow possible – the high season! An unbelievable amount of people travel to Split during July and August. We ourselves have also been to Split in August and found that the beaches around Split were particularly uncomfortably full. Also, the day trip destinations, such as Krka National Park, are often completely overcrowded in summer. It can also be difficult to find a place in popular restaurants in the evening. 

The far better option for taking a trip to Split is to go during spring or autumn. We have been to Split twice in May and find this month to be ideal. The temperatures are pleasantly spring-like (and with a bit of luck even summery). Also, it is far less busy than in summer and the prices are more moderate.  

However: the sea is still quite fresh in spring. (This in no way prevented us from plunging into the waters anyway.) If you enjoy swimming in warm water though, then it’s better to aim to take a trip to Split during September.  

We searched long and hard to find the perfect place to stay in Split, and we dare to say: We have found it! The Heritage Hotel Fermai is a dream of a hotel. It is a historic art nouveau building, which has been revitalised and renovated with an incredible amount of feel and love for detail. The result: A boutique-hotel, that you never want to leave. 

Our room on the third floor provided us not only with a great view in the direction of the cathedral, but on top of that it was so stylishly designed that we felt like we were in 7 th  hotel-heaven. The design is elegant, pure, and extremely well put together. You can tell that every piece of furniture and accessory has been carefully selected. In short: An absolute feel-good atmosphere. 

The last part runs like a red thread through our entire stay. Particularly noteworthy is the excellent breakfast. It was served to us (due to the pandemic) and was exquisite. Not to mention, the service staff are incredibly courteous. 

The hotel location is very central. You can walk right to the centre of Diocletian’s Palace in just a few minutes. If you want to find a small negative, then okay: The hotel is located on a street. However, we didn’t notice the traffic at all and instead we were happy that we could drive right up to the hotel and park there comfortably. 

Our conclusion: We aren’t lying when we say that we haven’t felt so good in a hotel for a very long time as in the Hergitage Hotel Fermai. Everything is just right here. Very clearly recommended! 

You can book the hotel here: Heritage Hotel Fermai .

Diocletian’s Palace

Diocletian’s Palace is mentioned in the same breath as Split. You shouldn’t imagine one enclosed building. Rather, Diocletian’s Palace refers to the remains of a gigantic ancient building complex, which stretches through the old town of Split and now the two melt in with one another. 

Diocletian’s Palace dates back to the 3 rd  century. The Roman Emperor Diocletian built the palace at this time as a retirement home. The architecture of the palace has been modified and added to throughout the centuries, however the Roman influence is still unmistakable. 

Dioceletian’s Palace (which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, by the way) comprises of numerous structures. Each one is a special attraction. Therefore, we will also tell you about some of these separately:  

• Cathedral of Saint Domnius: The highlight in Split with its distinctive bell tower. 
• Peristyl: The central square in Diocletian’s Palace 
• Vestibule: The striking foyer of the old imperial chambers 
• Podrumi: The cellar vault 
• Various gates such as the golden gate or the silver gate 

Cathedral of Saint Dominius (=THE Cathedral in Split) 

The landmark of Split is the Cathedral of Saint Dominius, often just called the Split Cathedral. With its five-story tall, distinctive bell tower, the cathedral catches you eye from afar and characterises the silhouette of the city. The cathedral was once the Diocletian’s Mausoleum. 

Good to know: You can visit different areas of the cathedral, which is why we find purchasing the various combo tickets can be a little confusing. There are five areas in total: The actual cathedral, the temple of Jupiter, the crypt, the treasury, and the bell tower.

In our opinion, you definitely should not leave out the bell tower. You can climb up top and enjoy the breathtaking 360-degree panorama view over Split. We reveal more information and tips about this for you in the chapter on the most beautiful viewpoints. 

Peristyl = The central square in Diocletian’s Palace 

Directly next to the cathedral, you come to the Peristyl – the most impressive and beautiful square in all of Split. With its Roman elements, this place really exudes a magical and very special flair.  

We promise that you will come by here a few times during your holiday in Split. Just like the saying, all roads lead to Rome, all roads in Split lead to Peristyl. The atmosphere is also very special depending on the time of day: Very quiet in the morning, full of people during the day, and in the evening a lounge atmosphere sets in thanks to the adjoining bar. 

A great photo opportunity, and absolutely worth a stop off, is the vestibule. It is located just a stone’s throw away from Peristyle. This was once the foyer of the imperial chambers. With a bit of imagination, you momentarily feel transported back in time. You can just walk through here – there is no entrance fee. 

Riva waterfront 

Not your typical type of sight, but the palm-lined waterfront in Split, called Riva, is still worth seeing. The life is pumping here particularly in the evening in the many bars and restaurants along the promenade. (Athough, there are guaranteed cheaper and more recommendable places for dinner in Split, but we will come to our culinary tips later). 

Out on the street musicians perform their works, locals and tourists enjoy the last rays of sun with an aperol spritz and a view out over the sea. In short: Anyone wanting to soak up the relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle is in the right place at the Riva waterfront. 

Squares worth seeing in Split

Apart from the impressive Peristyl (you can find tips about this above), there are many more squares in Split that are also well worth seeing. The most well-known (and also our favourites) are: 

• Pjaca:  Very atmospheric, comparatively spacious square in the middle of the old town. Officially called the ‘People’s Square’ or ‘Narodni trg’ in Croatian. There are numerous historical structures nestled here. In the evening people meet in the cafés and restaurants for an aperitif or for dinner. Our tip: Around the corner from here you can find Ela’s Ice Cream. 
• Voćni trg:  This picturesque square is characterised by the striking Venetian tower, which immediately catches the eye. It has its name (‘Voćni’ = fruit, so fruit square) because a fruit market once took place here. 
• Republic Square:  You wouldn’t expect to find such a spacious square on the edge of the labyrinth of alleyways in Split. You can find this square in the west corner of the old town right on the Riva waterfront. The Republic Square was designed based on St. Mark’s Square in Venice and is lined with arcades and neo-renaissance style facades on three sides. 

Viewing terrace on the Marjan Peninsula 

If you ask the locals what their favourite place for the sunset in Split, then the answer is usually the same: Marjan Park! Marjan is a green, little developed, hilly peninsula, which is practically adjacent to the historic centre of Split. Here also happen to find some of Split’s stalls, but more about that later.  

There are numerous viewpoints to be found on the Marjan Peninsula from which you can enjoy a lovely view of Split. The most well-known viewing terrace (and closest to the old town) is located just about a 15-minute walk away from the centre of Split (or cathedral). 

There are a few steps, and therefore also some vertical metres, to conquer. However, the effort is definitely worth it. We have marked the exact spot on the map at the end of the travel guide. There are (in our opinion) two disadvantages: One is that you are comparatively far away from the historic old town. And the other is that you are not facing in the direction of the sunset. 

If that bothers you, you can walk further up to the summit of the Marjan Peninsula. This doesn’t solve the first problem (because you are even further away from the historic centre up here), however you have a fantastic view all around. 

Cathedral bell tower 

Probably the most impressive viewpoint in the centre of Split is found in the bell tower of the cathedral. You will usually see the striking, six-story structure several times during your holiday in Split. When you look carefully, you will spot people up there because it is possible to climb the tower. 

There are around 200 steps to conquer before you are rewarded with a panoramic view in all directions. It is most beautiful before sundown when the sinking sun bathes Split in a beautiful light. (Tip: Check the opening times shortly before your visit because these vary depending on the time of year). 

Entry to the bell tower is 7 euros. There are also special combo tickets which you can visit several areas of the cathedral with. You should be reasonably good on your feet because the stone steps at the beginning are rather steep. But don’t worry – the ascent is nothing that a half sporty person can’t manage. 

Split is no classic beach destination, but rather more of a city trip destination, thanks to its rich history. Nevertheless, those who would like to jump (or rather walk, due to the rocks) into the sea will not miss out. 

There are several beaches to be found around the old town. Many of these (including the two that we show you) are located on the green, forested Marjan Peninsula. Having a car, or better yet a bicycle, is recommended because it is quite a bit of a walk.  

Kasjuni Beach

Maldivian feeling in Croatia! This pebble beach immediately stands out with its snow-white stones and the azure-turquoise blue water. The setting is really breathtakingly beautiful.  

According to the friendly staff at our hotel, Kasjuni Beach is a favourite amongst locals. And what should we say: We understand why! Mainly young people, but also families with children, are drawn to this beach. 

Outside of the high season, you can enjoy a great afternoon at the beach here. In July and August, we would personally advise you to come in the morning because Kasjuni Beach is very popular and also referred to as ‘overcrowded’ in many reviews. 

There are a few beach bars and dixi toilets, but you shouldn’t expect perfect infrastructure here. However, it is possible to rent deck chairs and beach umbrellas. The sun is pretty ruthless without the latter, especially in the afternoon. 

Tips for getting there 

You can reach Kasjuni Beach directly with the car. The carpark (free) can however get full fast. If you want to save the hassle of parking, then you can also get there directly on the bus. The station is located about 150 metres (uphill) away from the beach on the main road. 

Alternatively, you can also walk to Kasjuni Beach from the centre of Split. You need to allow around 45 minutes for the route. 

Section of beach at Bene Beach

The rocky beach called Bene is one of the most well-known beaches on the Marjan Peninsula. It’s hard to find a free place here in summer because the beach is so popular. The rock is partially artificially concreted to provide spots to lie on. All in all, we weren’t overly impressed with this beach. 

Our tip: Around 100 metres east of Bene Beach are several bathing spots that are a hundred times more relaxing and less touristy. You can also find shady spots under the pine trees here and there are even showers. 

Due to the rocky nature of the coast, beach footwear is recommended. A sea urchin could easily be hiding here, and you don’t want to step on it. 

Bene Beach (just like the neighbouring sections of beach) is located in a car-free area on the Marjan Peninsula. It is around a 20-minute walk to Bene Beach from the closest parking area (see the map at the end of the travel guide to find the Ulica Antuna Gustava Matoša). 

Therefore, many people come here by bicycle. (It is sometimes even possible to rent a bicycle at the entrance to the forest park.) Alternatively, you could also walk from the historic centre of Split. Plan around 45 minutes for this. 

Favourite cafés in Split

D16 Coffee:  This café serves superb self-roasted coffee, which can be found in the middle of a small alleyway in Diocletian’s Palace. Highly recommended for a short pit stop!  KaKantun:  This jewel of a café can be found in a small hidden square in Diocletian’s Palace. The ambience is very nice, especially on the tables outside. As well as the coffee, KaKantun also specialises in gin, curiously enough.  4coffee soul food:  They have absolutely fantastic coffee at this tiny coffee stand on the edge of the old town – even with oat milk! Perfect for a takeaway coffee. 

Restaurant tips for Split

Pandora Greenbox:  Are you vegan? Then this restaurant, situated in the middle Split’s old town, is not one to miss. The menu has exclusively vegetarian dishes, most of which are even vegan.  Bokeria Kitchen & Wine Bar:  You will recognise this hip, popular restaurant right away from its good Buena Vista Social Club style music. They serve Mediterranean cuisine here – everything from fish to meat to (some) vegetarian dishes. Make a reservation! Kat’s Kitchen Deli:  If you are ever on the Marjan Peninsula and get hungry, then we can recommend this small, lovely run deli. Here you can have breakfast and lunch including salads, bowls, tacos or changing lunch dishes. There are plenty of options for both meat lovers and vegans. 

The best ice cream in Split 

Ela’s Icecream:  They serve great ice cream in this modern ice cream parlour. The pistachio flavour was a stunner and one of the best that we have ever had. There are also a few vegan options on offer.  Gelateria Emiliana:  You will know you are in the right place right away from the irresistible scent: Their waffle cones are actually made on site! You can even watch through a window. The ice cream is also very good. Highly recommend! 

The most well-known coastal town close to Split is Trogir, which you can drive to from Split in a good half an hour. Trogir is a real tourist magnet, especially in summer. Nevertheless, we warmly recommend a trip to this pretty UNESCO World Heritage town. 

Trogir is small and manageable. We recommend you plan around 3 to 4 hours for a visit to the old town. Of course, we want to share our personal highlights with you. 

Our tips for a trip to Trogir

The best view in Trogir: You can get a beautiful view over the old town from the bell tower of the Cathedral of St. Lawrence. For a few euros entrance fee, you can climb the 47-metre-high bell tower. Once up top you have views in all directions – wonderful!

The best ice cream in Trogir: Without knowing the alternatives, let’s throw caution to the wind and claim that the best ice cream in Trogir is in the gelato bar Bella. Simply delicious!

Waterfront: A stroll along Trogir’s palm-lined waterfront is an absolute must-do. Here they have cafés lined up one after the other. At the end of the promenade, you come to a historical fortress, Kamerlengo. You can climb the walls and watch towers to observe the promenade from a bird’s eye view. 

Less well-known as Trogir, but also very worth a visit, is the small town of Omiš. It is located about 25 kilometres south of Split on the coast on the way towards Makarska Riviera.

Omiš is spectacularly situated on the mouth of the Cetina River, which has carved a gorge through the massive rocks here. The mountains rise up directly behind the town. We recommend a stay of around two to three hours in Omiš. 

Our tips for a day trip to Omiš

Coffee & cake:  Probably the best espresso in Omiš is available at the friendly café bar, I Gemelli, which you can find right in the old town. The cakes look like small works of art – and taste delicious. It is really nice to sit outside in the small courtyard. 

The best view:  You definitely should not miss a visit to the Mirabella fortress (= Tvrđava Mirabela). This historical castle grounds practically border on Omiš’ old town. The ascent is rewarded by a lovely view over the town, the river, and the surrounding mountains. The stairs are particularly steep near the end. Therefore, you should be reasonably good on your feet. 

Krka National Park & Šibenik

One of the most well-known day trip destinations near Split is the world-famous Krka National Park. With its impressive waterfalls, the national park is a real natural gem. You can get to Krka from Split in around an hour by car. 

If you are driving this route, then in our opinion it is absolutely worth it to take a stop off in the pretty town of Šibenik. We would plan a whole day for this trip. You can find all of our recommendations for your visit in this travel guide: Šibenik Tips (incl. Krka National Park). 

You can find all of our highlights marked on this map so that you can better navigate your way to all of the sights in Split when you are there. Small tip: simply click on the top right corner to open the map with the Google Maps App on your phone. 

Disclaimer: Affiliate Links

This travel guide contains our personal recommendations in the form of affiliate links. If you book or buy something through the links, we receive a small commission. This does not change the price for you at all. A million thanks from the both of us!

We are curious: Have you ever been to Split? Did you enjoy this dreamy coastal town just as much as we did? We are excited to hear about your experiences. Also let us know your additional tips and recommendations – we look forward to it! 

You might also be interested in this

Croatia Itinerary: The Most Beautiful Travel Destinations for your Road Trip

The Makarska Riviera in Croatia: Best Beaches & Travel Tips

Rovinj Travel Guide: Best Sights, Beaches & Tips

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• Split Tourist Information Centre
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• Things to do in Split-Dalmatia
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4 reviews of Split Tourist Information Centre

Tourist information.

The tourist information office is in an old church in Split, the Sveti Roka, next to the porch of Diocletian's Palace. They were very friendly and helpful and helped us plan the rest of our trip to the is Dalmatian coastal islands. A very small office, another example of how the Roman monuments of the palace have been transformed into business premises and offices. Despite the size, it can provide you with a lot of information. Outside the office, there are computer touch screens giving you general information about the city, the culture, the traditions, where to stay, and where and what to eat, the typical dishes of the area, where there are travel agencies ...

Apartments expensive

Very interesting with houses made of stone, lots of hidden cafes and restaurants that offer traditional dalmatian food.

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