Split is the second largest city in Croatia after the capital Zagreb and one of the most fascinating cities found along Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast. I spent a week with my son Tyrone exploring Split during our three-week incredible road trip around the Dalmatian Coast. We found many exciting things to do in Split Croatia, making our trip memorable. I hope you will be inspired by this guide and plan your epic Split adventure.
To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of the best things to do in Split in Croatia in a week including the most useful tips.
First things first, here are some answers to Split Croatia FAQ.
Where is Split Croatia?
Geographically, Split is located in Croatia, a country in Southeastern Europe, along the coast of the Adriatic Sea and specifically in the centre of Croatia’s historical region known as Dalmatia. Split has its own international airport, it’s well-connected by road, rail and sea to other regions in Croatia and to central Europe.
Is Split Croatia worth visiting?
Split Croatia is worth visiting for its fascinating history which dates back to the era when the city was part of the Roman Empire up to the time of Venice rule and occupation by Italy during World War II. The Old Town in Split is home to one of Europe’s few completed remains of a Roman Palace, the Diocletian Palace.
The city itself is full of life which will excite travellers of all ages. Split’s proximity to the Adriatic Sea, beautiful islands like Brac, Hvar, Vis and many other interesting places in Croatia make it a city you’ll definitely want to explore.
How many days do you need in Split?
My recommendation for a Split stay is two full days. This is enough time to explore Split Old Town, where most of the historical buildings are located, without being rushed. To explore Split and its vicinity to its fullest, consider a longer stay of at least a week.
Is Split nicer than Dubrovnik better?
Both Split and Dubrovnik are fantastic cities. The two cities are home to some of the finest historic buildings in Europe, both are situated along the beautiful Adriatic Coast and are within the vicinity of some of Croatia’s most stunning islands.
I recommend visiting both if you can though personally, I would choose Split for a longer trip as it’s cheaper with a lot more to do and is suited to all tastes. See things to do in Dubrovnik.
What is the best way to get around Split?
We hired a car from Xlrentacar for the whole duration of our trip to Split which was quite convenient and gave us more freedom and time to explore. Local buses in Split are also a great option to reach most of the attractions in this guide.
Car Rental Price: €500/Week
Where to stay in Split?
The best place to stay in Split is the area around the Diocletian Palace, especially if your trip is short. However, if you plan to stay for a longer period consider suburbs and nearby islands with great transport links such as Kastela, Podstrana and Brac Island.
We had an amazing stay at Hotel Split, a beachfront hotel located in Podstrana, about a 20-minute drive away from Split centre. The hotel is very modern, cosy and perfect for combining Split sightseeing with days of relaxation at the beach.
Choose Judita Palace Heritage Hotel, for a luxurious Split stay right in the middle of the Diocletian Palace. It’s a 19-room boutique hotel housed in a charmingly restored 16th-century palace overlooking Split’s central Square.
Let’s dive right in! Here is a list of our favourite things to do in Split Croatia in a week.
Top Things to Do in Split Croatia: Day 1
Join a Walking Tour of Diocletian Palace
Price: €14.00 Duration 1.5 Hour Walking Tour
Start your tour of Split by taking a walking tour of the city’s most famous and remarkable landmark, Diocletian Palace.
The palace was initially built as a retirement home for the Roman emperor, Diocletian, in the fourth century and is now Split city centre. Diocletian, born Diocles in Solin, a town close to Split centre, rose through army ranks and reigned as emperor for two decades. In 305 AD, Diocletian stood down and retired to the palace and interestingly, found great joy in growing vegetables.
Diocletian Palace is an impressive structure that resembles a fortress with defensive walls, fortified towers and gates. Its narrow winding lanes are now Split’s vibrant streets which are home to countless shops, homes, restaurants and bars.
Interestingly, Diocletian Palace was built using the famous white stone from Brac Island which is said to have also been used to build the White House in America, UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Croatia such as the Cathedral of St James in Sibenik and the Cathedral of St Lawrence in Trogir.
A walking tour of the Diocletian Palace is worthwhile as the palace is huge with a lot of interesting sights to discover. The palace is adorned with several medieval fortifications and houses stunning Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque palaces, historical churches, medieval quaint streets and courtyards.
Fans of UNESCO World Heritage Sites will be delighted to know that Split Old Town including the Diocletian Palace is a listed site.
We found the Split Walking Tour to be informative and a pleasant way to tour the palace. Choose to take one of the several gamified sightseeing tours to explore the Diocletian Palace in a fun and interactive way especially if you’ve got kids with you or if games are your kind of thing. See Split’s best outdoor escapes rooms games here.
Tour Saint Domnius Cathedral & Bell Tower
Price: €11 Red Ticket
Saint Domnius Cathedral is the second oldest Catholic cathedral in the world. It was built during the 4th century AD initially as a grave for the Roman Emperor Diocletian.
The history of the cathedral is intriguing. As you all know the Romans had a distaste for Christians as a result of this many left Split during Roman rule returning later after the fall of the empire. Diocletian’s persecution failed to eliminate Christianity in the city. Rather, his final resting place became a church dedicated to one of his victims, Saint Domnius.
Although small, the Cathedral of St Domnius is impressively furnished with altars, sculptures and wooden carvings dating from between the 13th and 15th centuries. Roman decorations portraying Diocletian and his wife continue to decorate the walls of the cathedral.
Taking the challenge to climb the 65-meter-high Cathedral of St Domnius’ Bell Tower is rewarded with a stunning panoramic view of Split. The climb up the tower is steep and narrow but landings along the way offer an opportunity to rest.
The best way to explore the Cathedral of St Domnius is to get the Red Ticket which gives you access to the Cathedral, Treasury, Bell Tower, Baptistery (Temple of Jupiter) and Crypt.
Explore Cellars of the Diocletian Palace
Price: €3
The cellars of the Diocletian Palace are quite fascinating and definitely worth checking out especially if you’re keen on learning a little bit more about the palace.
Over the centuries, Diocletian Palace was modified to make room for homes and businesses, but the cellars remained largely untouched until about 50 years ago.
The cellars are said to be a more accurate reflection of what the original upper floors of the Diocletian Palace looked like. Touring the cellars does feel eerie, I was even afraid to explore on my own. They are dark and empty with the exception of a 4th-century sarcophagus and a restored olive oil press which you can get up close to.
Filming of the dragon’s lair for Game of Thrones took place in the Diocletian cellars so if you’re in search of Game of Thrones filming locations in Croatia, definitely you won’t want to miss a visit here. The entrance hall to the cellars is lined with a variety of souvenir stalls which are a treasure trove for locally crafted items.
Take a stroll along the Riva
The Riva or waterfront is one of my favourite places to hang out in Split. This is also one of the most popular public places in Split where city festivities and celebrations are held. It’s a pedestrianised space decorated with palm trees, wide walkways and seats to relax whilst enjoying the lovely view of Split Harbour.
Also lining the Riva are colourful buildings that are home to outdoor-style cafes, restaurants and bars. The atmosphere here is lively with something to suit all tastes.
I recommend you spend some evenings here to immerse yourself with local life whilst enjoying some good food and drinking. Don’t miss trying out delicious Croatian snacks like Fritule in the food trucks you’ll find along the Riva.
Indulge at Gelateria Emiliana
Accepts Cash Only
Gelateria Emiliana, located in the Diocletian Palace, is our absolute favourite shop to gorge on ice cream in Split. The shop offers high-quality delicious Italian-style gelato served with freshly baked cones made daily at their store. You can enjoy both classic flavours like pistachio and unique flavour combinations such as peach and rose, ricotta and fig and dark chocolate and sea salt.
Lavender products are sold everywhere in Split including Lavender ice cream. I recently got to try the Lavender and lemon flavour ice cream and surprisingly tasted really good.
Emiliana is a big hit in Split, so there is always a long wait, however, don’t be put off as the line moves pretty quickly. The ice cream is so worth the wait, it is the perfect companion to take whilst exploring Split sights
Things to do in Split Croatia: Day 2
Wander Split Old Town Streets
One of the most enjoyable things to do in Split is to take a stroll in the Old Town’s narrow stone streets and passageways discovering cool courtyards, some beautifully decorated, some desolate and some home to lively bars and restaurants.
One thing you can’t help but notice during a stroll around Split Old Town is the huge amount of palaces. During medieval times, wealthy families often built their palaces close to city cathedrals for spiritual protection and to flaunt their wealth.
Similarly, most palaces worth checking out in Split, like the Gothic Grisogono Palace on Peristyle, are all scattered around the Cathedral of St Domnius and are built to blend with the cathedral’s exterior.
Whilst on your stroll around the Old Town, look out for some of the palaces which are open for public viewing such as the Papalič Palace (home to Split City Museum). These are the ones that are mostly converted into museums, restaurants and bars.
Ordinary people still live in Split Old Town, so you can expect to find laundry hanging outside on strings to dry, giving the Old Town a distinct character.
Explore People’s Square
People’s Square is the central square in Split Old Town popular with locals who traditionally come to meet and socialise as well as tourists who come to soak up the atmosphere. Chic restaurants and bars perfect for people-watching and alfresco dining are some of the entertainment on People’s Square.
People Square is also home to Gothic, Renaissance and Venetian-style buildings which are worth checking out. The 15th-century Old Town Hall which now houses the Ethnographic Museum takes centre stage at the square. Various exhibitions which are mostly free are run at the museum during the summer.
During my recent visit to Split, the museum was showing the works of poet and father of Croatian literature, Marko Marulić.
Other historic buildings to look out for that are around the People’s Square are the Renaissance Karepič Palace, Romanesque City Clock and the Gothic Cambi Palace built during the 15th century.
Visit the Pazar – Green Market
The Pazar (Market) or Green Market in Split is located beside Hrvojeva Street which runs along the eastern wall of the Diocletian’s Palace, around the corner from the Riva. This is the largest market I’ve come across on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast. The Green Market is a lively place in Split because of the multitude of locals who traditionally shop at the market for most of their food supplies.
A variety of seasonal fresh produce, dried fruits and nuts as well as butchers stocking fresh meat and cured meats is offered in the many stalls and shops on the market. If you’re visiting during the summer you can expect to find stalls filled with gigantic cherries, strawberries, nectarines, figs, chard, all sorts of dried nuts and more.
Some stalls offer an array of locally handmade products which are ideal to bring home such as lavender-infused honey, herb-infused oils, ajvar or relishes and local wines.
The Green Market is a great place to wander, interact with locals and soak up the lively atmosphere.
Popular Split History & Market Food Tour
Visit the Fish Market – Ribarnica
The two main markets in Split, namely the Fish Market or Ribarnica (Fishmonger) and the Green Market (Pazar), are strangely in separate locations. The Fish Market is located in an interesting building architecturally, on Marmont Street, a few steps away from People’s Square.
Similar to the Green Market, the Fish Market is a staple for Split locals who source their daily supply of fresh fish from it. If you are going to be self-catering and enjoy fish, don’t miss giving this market a peek.
You will be interested to know that the Fish Market is said to be the only fish market in the world where you won’t find flies due to a nearby Sulphur Spa which keeps them away.
Both Markets are open: Mon-Sun from 6 am to 2 pm.
Try the coffee at 4Coffee Soul Food
Visiting 4Coffee Soul Food was quite a fun and unique experience in Split for us. If you love coffee, I highly recommend you give this small and quirky coffee shop a visit. 4Coffee Soul Food is nicely tucked into the eastern walls of the Diocletian Palace, opposite the Green Market.
We really enjoyed the pour-over coffee we sampled at 4Coffee Soul Food. It’s a small place so we took our coffees to go and sat on the sidewalk which was really lovely. You might also get to meet the owner’s beautiful dog.
Unfortunately, 4Coffee Soul Food is closed for summer 2023 but has promised to return next year.
Luckily, there are other really good options:
- D16 Coffee (Diocletian Palace Dominisova 16).
- Meštar o’Kave Speciality Coffee (Diocletian Palace Maruličeva ul. 2).
What to Do in Split Croatia: Day 3
Visit Marjan Park
Marjan Park is a huge forested park situated on a hill in the scenic western part of Split Old Town. We drove to Marjan Forest Park, but it’s also possible to get there by bus, bike or on foot through the walking trails found along the western waterfront.
The most popular, but the challenging thing to do on a visit to Marjan Park, is to climb the 314 steps to the peak to enjoy a lovely view of Split Harbour, the city and nearby Kasuni Beach and Bene Beach.
The atmosphere around Marjan Park is really nice, a cool space to retreat from Split’s summer heat and crowds. The park is furnished with numerous walking trails, seats to relax, picnic spots and a small shop selling refreshments.
Other interesting things to keep an eye out for are the small 13th-century church, Church of St Nicholas, the 15th-century St Jerome Church and the amazing hermitage caves which were built into cliffs by monks who once lived in the park.
Consider renting bikes in the Old Town to make the most of your visit to Marjan Park and the Marjan Peninsula area as a whole.
Popular Marjan Park Bike Tours
Explore the Ivan Mestrovic Gallery
Price: Adults €7, Family Ticket €9
The Ivan Mestrovic Gallery and Marjan Park are perfect to visit on the same day as they’re close to each other. The gallery is fully dedicated to the works of Ivan Mestrovic, a celebrated Croatian Sculptor. The gallery’s permanent exhibition consists of Mestrovic’s significant works from 1898 to 1961 which include bronze, marble and wood sculptures, drawings and furniture.
The villa in which the gallery is housed and the surrounding gardens are quite impressive and both were built based on Mestrovic’s own designs. It’s a fascinating place and the story of Ivan Mestrovic is interesting to know.
Mestrovic Gallery is one of the top wedding venues in Split. The gardens are the perfect setting for an elegant Split wedding with their beautiful marble and bronze sculptures.
The museum ticket gives you access to Mestrovic’s Church, located about 200 metres away from the gallery, where you can view more of his stunning works; specifically, woodcarvings.
Good to Know
Personally, it’s fair to say that Split Museums are nothing to write home about besides the Ivan Meštrović Gallery. If you very much want to explore the best there is, add:
- Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments, located on the same street as Ivan Meštrović Gallery, (to discover archaeological artefacts of medieval Croats).
- Split City Museum (to learn the history of the city).
- Croatian Maritime Museum (to learn about Croatia’s maritime history and heritage).
- Museum of Fine Arts (to see paintings and sculptures by renowned Croatian artists from the 14th century to the present time).
Stop by Bishop Grgur Ninski’s Statue
During your tour of Split Old Town, look out for some of Mestrovic’s masterpieces such as the statue of the famous medieval Croatian priest, Bishop Grgur Ninski (Bishop Gregory of Nin), located outside Diocletian Palace’s Golden Gate. Rubbing the statue’s big toe is said to bring you good luck, so don’t miss it.
Visit a Wine Bar
Another lovely thing to do in Split especially if you’re serious about food and wine is to visit one of the wine bars in the Old Town Split for a Split food and wine tasting experience.
Bokeria Kitchen and Wine Bar, Zinfandel Food and Wine Bar and Diocletian’s Wine House are some of the highly reviewed wine bars in Split worth checking out. Bokeria is easily my favourite of them all. They do a little bit of everything from a good selection of Croatian bottles to a really good brunch, dinner and cocktails.
The food at Bokeria is thoroughly traditional Mediterranean with contemporary touches complemented by a beautifully designed interior, excellent service and a lovely atmosphere.
Bokeria’s food menu is interestingly created using fresh and locally sourced ingredients. The food is full of flavour and also looks really good on the plate. I love the rich homemade pasta with truffles, prosciutto and mushroom. It must be so popular as it never leaves the menu.
The servers at Bokeria are very friendly and will assist you with pairing your food with the restaurant’s rich collection of mostly locally produced wines.
Book ahead to avoid disappointment especially if you plan to visit at night.
Popular Split Food & Wine Tour
Try the Čevapi at Kantun Paulina
Accepts Cash Only
Kantun Paulina, located on Matošica Street, is the spot to try a really good čevapi in Split if not in the whole of Croatia. So that you know, čevapi is a popular cheap street food found in the Balkans including Croatia.
There are many iterations of čevapi, however, the small finger-sized skinless sausages are mostly made with a combination of grounded beef, lamb, veal and a variety of herbs and spices.
At Kantun Paulina, the čevapi is served with fresh and the fluffiest pitta-like flatbread loaded with fresh raw onions and punchy flavoured sauces including ajvar.
Kantun Paulina is small and modest with just a handful of outdoor benches. Split summers are always nice, so you’ll mostly get to enjoy your čevapi on the go.
Things to do in Split Croatia: Day 4
Take a day trip to Trogir
Trogir is one of the oldest and most charming towns located on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast. Trogir Old Town is full of history which is fascinating to explore and is surrounded by the magnificent Adriatic Sea similar to other places on the Dalmatian Coast like Split, Sibenik and Zadar.
If you are a fan of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, you will be interested to know that the whole Old Town of Trogir is a protected site.
Wandering around Trogir Old Town’s medieval streets for a few hours, exploring pretty squares, cool courtyards and ancient churches is one of the big highlights of a tour of Trogir. See our full guide to Trogir here.
How to get to Trogir from Split
Trogir is less than half an hour away by car and about an hour by local bus from Split. The most affordable way to get to Trogir from Split obviously is to take the local bus (line 37) which starts at Sukoisan Bus Station, located about a fifteen minute walk away from the old town.
Popular Trogir Day Trips
Things to do in Split Croatia: Day 5
Visit Zlatni Rat Beach on Brac Island
Exploring Brac Island and spending time on Zlatni Rat Beach was one of our favourite day trips from Split. Zlatni Rat on Brac Island is considered one of the best Croatia beaches located in Bol, the island’s biggest town. It’s a stunning and uniquely shaped beach with a “Blue Flag” status.
The area around Zlatni Rat is packed with all sorts of entertainment which makes spending time at the beach fun such as food stalls, restaurants and bars as well as children’s playgrounds.
Unsurprisingly, Zlatni Rat attracts a huge crowd. We found it more enjoyable to visit early in the day, have breakfast at the beach and spend the rest of the day exploring the rest of the island. See our full Brac Island Guide.
How to get to Brac Island from Split
Getting to Brac Island from Split is super easy with Jadrolinija, the Croatian ferry company. The company as well as a few private companies run several sailings for both passengers and cars every day from Split Ferry Port to Brac Island during the summer months. Jadrolinija Schedule
Things to do in Split Croatia: Day 6
Visit Klis Fortress
Price: €8 Children €2.50
Visiting Klis Fortress, a medieval fortress, should definitely be on your list of things to do in Split especially if you’re a Game of Thrones fan. Klis Fortress was the filming location for Meereen. Even if you aren’t a fan of Game of Thrones, you will find a visit to Klis Fortress interesting.
Klis Fortress has a 2000-year-old history of providing defence to the Dalmatian region mostly from the constant attacks it faced from the Ottomans in the 1500s. The fortress is impressive and its location on top of a hill offers panoramic views of the city, the Adriatic Sea and the surrounding islands.
How to get to Klis Fortress from Split
It takes about 30 minutes to drive to Klis Fortress from Split city centre. A local bus (line 22), leaving from the HNK bus stop which is located to the east of the Croatian National Theatre, is the most affordable option to get to Kliss Fortress. Bus tickets are sold by the driver or from the kiosk at the bus stop.
Relax at Bacvice Beach
Bacvice Beach is a public beach located within walking distance from Split Old Town, just at the end of the eastern waterfront. This makes it one of the most convenient beaches to visit if you’re looking forward to spending some time at the beach.
Bacvice is a huge sandy beach with crystal clear shallow waters, complimented with all the entertainment and amenities you can imagine to have fun at the beach.
It’s also a great place to hang out in Split Croatia for young adults during the evenings as the area transforms into a huge entertainment centre. Open-air cinema and concerts are also a regular feature at the beach, especially during the Split Summer Festival. See our guide to Split Beaches.
Things to do in Split Croatia: Day 7
Go Rafting on the Cetina River
Price: €30 Adults €20 Children
Rafting the Cetina River is one of our most memorable experiences in Split. River Cetina is a beautiful river with perfectly crystal clear waters surrounded by scenic rocks and a lush forest.
Rafting the Cetina Canyon is exciting because you get to explore incredible waterfalls, swim in caves and discover interesting fauna and flora along the way.
Most rafting tours on the Cetina River start in Omis, a small town located about 25km away from Split. We joined Pirate Rafting half day tour and had a blast rafting down the Cetina River. This was also our last day in Split, which was an excellent way to wrap up our visit.
Boat Tours in Split
Split is a great base for day trips to explore Croatia’s most beautiful parks such as Plitvice Lakes National Park, Krka National Park and stunning islands like Pakleni Islands near Hvar Island, Veli Drvenik to see the Blue Lagoon and Biševo Island for the Blue Cave.
If you’re travelling by public transport, the best way to visit these Split attractions is to join the many available boat tours including a speedboat tour from the the riva promenade.
Related: Things to Do in Zagreb in 2 Days, Split Things to Do
Split Croatia – Travel Tips
Covid testing centres in Split
Covid testing is available at Split Airport and also in Split City Center. Learn more here.
Learn about Split Croatia Travel Restrictions here.
Re-Open EU is another great resource to learn COVID-related travel measures currently in place in all EU and Schengen-associated countries.
Booking your flight to Split Croatia
My favourite flight search engine is Skyscanner. It’s easy to use and shows you many flight options at competitive prices.
Booking your accommodation
Airbnb is my favourite choice to find good value family-friendly self-catering accommodation in a central location in Split. We loved staying at this lovely apartment on Brac Island.
Booking.com is also a good choice to find lovely and affordable Croatia hotels.
Health insurance
In addition to travel insurance, we don’t visit another EU country without our European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EU Health Card allows you to access healthcare across the EU for free, or at a reduced cost. You need one for each member of your family. Learn more here
Money Cards
Revolut is our favourite money card to bring when we travel. It converts local currency at the best possible rates, charges no fees and offers easy tracking of your spending.
Plitvice Lakes Tour
I hope you enjoy your trip to Split Croatia. Let me know if you need help by leaving a comment below. I will be glad to help.
Tip::Here is a guide with all the Best Places to Visit in Croatia including the most useful tips.
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Related – Split Travel Guide – Best Beaches in Split
edit – Related Croatia Travel Guide
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Hey guys! I must say that as a Croat from Split this guide is very good! Good work! I would suggest visiting the stadion Poljud, a Prokurative square in Split and the beautiful city of Omiš. When visiting Split there are many possibilities for day trips to nearby cities and islands so when you are in Split don’t miss the opportunity to check them out! I hope you would return one day or go to Dubrovnik, which really has lot to offer. Thank you and goodbye!!
Hi Jere! Thank you for your comment. I agree with you, Omis is stunning. We will definitely check Poljud Stadium the next time we visit Split.
Thank you for the excellent article and great tips – we’ve just started planning a trip to Croatia from the US in Sept and are super excited.
Thanks Friea for your positive feedback! Split is an amazing place and you’ll love it. Have fun!
I will be in Split mid september and looking forward to visiting the must see sites..My foody friends were asking where the best local seafood restaurants are in Split, ..in case you’d had a suggestion ?
thanks !
Hi Nancy, here are a few split restaurants that are really good. 1st for seafood in Split is Konoba Nikola in Stobrec, located a 12 min Uber ride from Split Old Town, Villa Spiza located in the Diocletian Palace and Konoba Fetivi in the Old Town. Have a great time in Split.
Split is a vibrant and historic city with something to offer everyone. I recently had the opportunity to visit, and I was absolutely blown away by its beauty and charm.
One of the highlights of my trip was visiting Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This ancient palace is now a bustling city center, and it’s a great place to wander around, explore the shops and restaurants, and soak up the atmosphere.
I also loved climbing to the top of the bell tower of St. Domnius Cathedral for stunning views of the city and the surrounding islands. If you’re looking for a more active adventure, you can take a boat trip to the nearby island of Hvar or go hiking in Marjan Park.
Thanks Helia for your comment. I am glad you liked Split, it’s one of my favourite cities in Croatia, incredible beauty and history.