12 Very Best Things to do in Split, Croatia

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Do you want to visit Split in Croatia? You’re not alone! There is a lot of buzz about this beautiful coastal city, and there are so many wonderful things to do in Split, that it’s easy to see why.

In fact, it’s a perfect mix of culture and history, with modern attractions to keep you entertained, plenty of opportunities to get out on the water, and a gorgeous old town. It’s easy to see why many people consider it to be one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.

So, let’s dive into how to get around Split, and all of the best places to visit! After reading this, you’ll be well and truly ready for your trip to Croatia’s second-largest city.

P.S. If you want to visit other parts of Croatia, I recommend Trogir, Zadar, Rijeka, Pula, and the Istrian Peninsula.

Where to Stay in Split

being one of the most popular places to visit in Croatia, it’s no surprise that there is a lot of choice when it comes to where to stay in Split.

Whether you want a small city centre apartment or an elaborate beachfront hotel, here are some of the best options:

• £££ – Hotel Ambassador – For a luxury 5* stay, this hotel is perfect. Located just a short distance from the city centre, the rooms are large and beautifully furnished. There’s an on-site bar, swimming pool, spa, and fitness centre and the views from the rooms are superb.
• ££ – Cora Hotel – A sophisticated 4* hotel located near the city centre, these rooms are clean, comfortable, and very well-equipped. There’s a spa and wellness centre on-site as well as a bar.
• ££ – Luxury Apartment Sea View – If you love self-catering when you travel, this is the perfect place to stay in Split. Very tastefully designed, it features a spacious living area, with a comfortable bed sofa, and a lovely little kitchenette.
• £ – Centro di Centri Rooms – These gorgeous rooms are perfect if you’re travelling to Croatia on a budget. But they’re also beautiful. With exposed brick and a comfortable, modern design, it’s the ideal home-from-home in Split.

✅ Discover more of the best places to stay in Split, Croatia

How To Get To Split

An incredibly popular tourist city, Split is very well connected to a lot of Europe and easy to access via plane, bus or train. The airport is located directly outside the city and there are frequent shuttle buses between both.

To travel further afield Split has connections with lots of other destinations in Croatia, such as Zagreb and Dubrovnik, plus neighbouring countries of Austria, Slovenia, and Italy.

How To Get Around Split

Once you’re in the city itself, it’s also pretty easy to navigate. Whilst you can’t drive in the Old Town, you can drive around the rest of the city and taxis and Ubers are easily available.

There are plenty of buses around Split if you prefer to take public transport. These are a pretty affordable and quick way to get around the city.

Once you’re in the Old Town, it’s easy, and best, to get around on foot.

Top Tip: If you decide to hire a car, know that parking is pretty scarce. So, it’s usually easier to get accommodation that has onsite parking, or park outside the city and take a taxi into the centre of the city.

How Long Should You Spend in Split?

Two days is the absolute minimum you should spend in Split. But three or four will give you time to see all of Split. This will allow you to spend some time exploring the Old Town, visiting the beaches, and taking in some of the surrounding islands.

Is Split Worth Visiting?

Definitely! Split is 100% worth visiting and is one of the most stunning cities in Europe. It combines the best of Croatia – beautiful beaches, stunning nature, and culture.

12 Incredible Things To Do In Split

So, without further ado, here are the 12 absolute best things to do in Split!

1. Visit Diocletian’s Palace

Diocletian’s Palace is an ancient Roman palace built for Emperor Diocletian at the turn of the fourth century AD. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved Roman structures in the world.

It’s a must-see for anyone visiting Split. Plus, it’s pretty unmissable, as it forms about half the city’s Old Town!

There are several options when it comes to visiting the palace. You can walk around the outside of the entire palace for free, take a guided tour around it to learn more about its history or visit one or all of the museums inside. 

To access the inside, you will need to buy a ticket, but it’s only about 80 kunas for a combined ticket which covers all the attractions, and this is well worth it. You should probably allocate about half a day to exploring this incredible site.

2. Explore Peristil Square

Peristil Square is the main square in Diocletian’s Palace and lies at its heart. It has functioned as a place of celebration for many centuries – festivals, coronations, etc.

Today it features several ornate stone columns which were once part of an ancient temple dedicated to Jupiter. You can also find live music here most nights courtesy of a local restaurant.

3. Climb the Tower of Domnius Cathedral

The bell tower of the Cathedral of St. Domnius (known locally as the Sveti Dujam) was also built in the 4th century AD. It stands 60 meters tall and offers incredible views out across Split, making it well worth climbing up.

You can access the tower as part of the Palace combined ticket.

4. Visit St Domnius Cathedral

As well as climbing the tower, you can also go inside the cathedral itself. This is a beautiful church, located outside the palace walls.

It was built in the 4th century on the site of an earlier Christian basilica dedicated to St Domnius (who is also one of Split’s patron saints).

The Cathedral of St. Domnius is the world’s second-oldest functioning Christian cathedral and is a must-visit for anyone visiting Split. Inside, you’ll find the altar of St. Anastasius, created in 1448, which is one of the most beautiful pieces in the country.

5. Walk the Riva Promenade

The Riva Promenade runs along the waterfront and is Split’s main promenade. It features cafes with great views of the Adriatic Sea (watch out for some amazing sunsets!), shops, restaurants, and fountains. It’s really quite stunning.

There is often live music here too, which can really add to the atmosphere. However, if you’re coming here for a place to eat, be warned, all of the restaurants are rather expensive.

6. Climb Marjan Hill

Marjan Forest Park covers an area about the same size as New York’s Central Park. It towers 178 meters above the city and offers amazing views across Split, to Mt Dinara beyond. If you’re looking for some peace and quiet, this is the place to head.

Marjan Park is a great place to get away from busy streets. It’s full of nature trails and beautiful gardens perfect for taking a stroll or grabbing lunch.

You can walk or hike through this beautiful nature reserve, take some time out by the sea cliffs, or visit the spectacular Marjan TV Tower which was built in 1966 and offers a bird’s eye view of Split.

7. Visit Bacvice Beach

Bacvice Beach is one of three beaches located on the east side of Split, just south of Diocletian’s Palace. It can get crowded here during peak season as it only takes around 20 minutes to walk down from the main city centre!

It’s a great place for sunbathing, beach sports, and enjoying some fantastic views of Split. It is also particularly lively at night with several bars located on its outskirts that are popular amongst locals during the summer months. Bacvice Beach is definitely one of the best things to do in Split.

8. Visit the Archaeological Museum in Split

The Archaeological Museum of Split is one of the best museums in Croatia. First opened in 1820, it’s located a 15-minute walk from Diocletian’s Palace and displays some truly incredible artefacts related to Split. This includes mosaics, frescoes, and more.

There are some highlights worth checking out in the museum including a statue of Augustus Caesar which dates back to 30 BC; remains from Salona’s forum (a Roman city) built during Diocletian’s time.

There are also ancient Greek ceramics dating back over 2000 years old; and 16th-century frescoes by Andrea Vicentino.

9. Relax on Kastelet Beach

Kastelet Beach is located south of Bacvice Beach and can be accessed by a small local road. This stunning stretch of coastline features clear water, sand single bay, and some great sunbathing spots.

It’s much more secluded than the popular Bavice beach. It’s an ideal spot if you want some peace and quiet instead of sunbathing with hundreds of other tourists.

However, this also comes with virtually no facilities, so you may need to bring your own picnic lunch if you feel like spending the day here.

10. Visit the Split Game of Thrones Museum

If you’re a Game of Thrones Fan, you’ll probably already know that Split was used as a filming location throughout the series.

In fact, the Game of Thrones crew has been welcomed by locals to such an extent that they’ve even opened a museum dedicated to them in 2019.

There are some fantastic exhibits here including costumes and weapons used in filming. There’s also archive material, interactive games, and more information about the filming locations used in Split.

11. Wander Around Split Old Town

Split has one of the most well-preserved old towns in Europe. The Roman Palace is still standing today and beautiful building dominates a lot of the beautiful city.

There are plenty of cafes around the Old Town where you can sit back, relax, and watch life go by. Plus, simply wandering the cobbled streets is a fantastic way to spend a few hours.

12. Touch the Grgur Ninski (Gregory of Nin) Statue

Grgur Ninski is a famous Croatian bishop and saint who was born in Split. This huge statue of him is located in the heart of Split near the city’s famous Golden Gate. 

It stands at 28 feet tall. Plus, it is said, that if you rub the toe of the statue, it will bring you good luck. In fact, so many tourists and locals have rubbed the toe of the statue over the years, that it’s worn gold as opposed to black like the rest!

Final Thoughts on the Best Things to Do in Split, Croatia

Split is one of Croatia’s most popular cities for a reason. It’s utterly stunning and there are so many wonderful things to do there. If you love ancient historical sites, beautiful coastal views, beaches, and incredible food, I’m pretty confident that you’ll love your time in Split!

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