Split is a port town in Croatia on the Adriatic Sea and a very popular stop for cruise boats and tourists. It is gorgeous and relaxed; it is vibrant and historical. As one local Croatian told us, “1000 years of history here, but you can see it all in 20 minutes”. And really that is true, so see the sights and then relax into the vibe of being here. Grab a meal, a coffee or a cold drink and claim one of the many seats in the outside seating areas of the restaurants and cafes that line the harbor.
Epic Things to do in Split:
- Wander Old Town and Diocletian’s Palace
- Browse the Pazar and Peskarija Markets
- Walk the Riva Promenade
- Check out Bacvice Beach
- Day trip to one of the islands, Trogir or Krka National Park
- Explore the Klis Fortress
Diocletian’s Place – this ancient Roman palace is the core of the Old Town. Wander and get lost among the streets here. Watch for “Roman soldiers” and rub the toe of the Gregory of Nin Statue for good luck. You can also visit the Cathedral of Saint Domnius and climb the bell tower for panoramic views. There are plenty of shops to browse through and plenty of ice cream to be eaten! There are also some great open-air markets here to explore.
Markets – The Pazar (produce) market is on the east side of the palace and some call it the “heart of the city”. It is such a great place to get a feel for the people of Split and pick up a healthy snack. Peskarija (fish) Market is on the west part of the city next to Marmontova Street. Check out “catch of the day” – you are bound to see fish you have never seen before! Be sure to get here in the morning as it closes shortly after lunch.
The Riva Promenade is the most iconic outdoor space in Split and people enjoy the walkway, the benches and the numerous restaurants, coffee shops and bars that line the harbor. It is a perfect place to people watch and view the boats coming in and out of the harbor area. While we were in town, we also saw the sailboat that was used in Mama Mia Part 2. If you walk further away from Old Town, you will see many amazing yachts and it is especially fun at night when everyone is outside eating and all the yachts are lit up against the deep blue of the Adriatic Sea.
Bacvice Beach is the only beach with sand and is a popular place to hang out. It is about a 10-minute walk from Old Town and there is a walkway that extends around the coastline, which is perfect for exploring the area. In addition to a large beach and swimming area, there are many cafes, bars, and restaurants that line the beach area and opportunities abound for watching people and letting the hours slip away.
Tour the Islands – If you happen to be here for more than a day then you will have time to take advantage of some of the tours that are available to the islands off the coast. They are some amazing islands to choose from, including Hvar (my favorite), Vis, Ravnik, Budikovac. You can take tours to the Blue Cave (another favorite), the Green Cave, snorkeling, cliff jumping and even sunset cruises. The islands are so authentic and old school – I really enjoyed visiting them.
Trogir – This adorable, old town was our jumping off place for our sailboat venture. We rented a boat for the week and left and returned from Trogir. It is about an hour away from Split by ferry or car and can easily be explored in half a day. It has such a medieval feel with its charming streets and old castle.
Krka National Park – A little over an hour by car from Split, this famous national park has been touted as an absolutely must see. Much like, Plitvice Park, it is filled with waterfalls, but unlike Plitvice Park, you can swim here. We did not take the time to explore this park since we had already been to Plitvice Park when we visited Zagreb, but I hear it is worth the visit.
Kils Fortress – On steep cliffs, about 14 km from the city, a fortress was erected centuries ago, to thwart opposing attacks. Once the seat of Croatian kings, the fortress is still a marvel today. Rich in history, breathtaking views of the cities and sea below, and a filming location for Games of Thrones (Scenes of Mereen) it is a magical place to step back into time. I felt like I was indeed, if only for the day, the mother of dragons!
Overall – Split truly captures that old-world Mediterranean vibe! Adorable and vibrant, it is a fun city to visit. And although you can see the whole city in less than a day, staying here is so fun because at nighttime, when the cruise boats depart, you get to see a different city! It is also a great place to stay and explore surrounding areas, parks, cities and islands from. We stayed at an Airbnb here, right in the heart of the city, which only enhanced to our experience and we enjoyed meeting several locals in the evenings at the restaurants and bars right outside our door! It was easy to navigate our way around the city, everyone spoke English, the food was awesome…. There wasn’t anything not to like – it was epic! Happy Travels! Sretna Putovanja!
