Split is one of the best places to visit in Croatia that definitely should be included in every Croatia itinerary. Due to the long and interesting history as well as beautiful location, there are so many things to do in Split that will keep you busy for a few days. Split is also a perfect destination for the seaside holidays with numerous beaches within the city and nearby.

If you plan a trip to Split, Shireen from The Happy Days Travels blog wrote this Split guide with the best things to do in Split. Read on and get ready for some Split sightseeing.

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Split, Croatia is one of the most lively cities to visit in the Balkans and has a variety of things to do suiting all types of travelers. There are activities for any sightseers looking for history, sport, water-fun, food, relaxation, or nightlife.

This is a list of the 11 best Split things to do for first-timers or for those visiting for a short time but still want to experience the area and make the most of the architecture, culture, and stories behind this exciting port city.

Where is Split, Croatia?

Split is the second-largest city in Croatia and found in central Dalmatian on the coast. It has an international airport, is a popular stop for major cruise liners, and is a hub to access the rest of the country by public transport as well as explore neighboring countries of Bosnia and Herzegovina or Montenegro.

How to Get to Split

To get to Split by plane, you can fly to Split Airport also known as Resnik Airport which is located just 19km from the city so you can get to the centre by regular public bus every 20 minutes or you can use Uber in Croatia.

To get to Split by bus you can use the Croatia bus company, Arriva, or the popular Europe bus company, Flixbus, to get from other Croatian places or other countries. The Split bus stop is directly in front of the port.

Getting around in Split is fairly easy as the city is very walkable but there are many places to rent a bike or take a taxi bicycle on the Riva to go further afield.

Things to Do in Split

Let’s get to 11 of the best things you can enjoy in the scenic city of Split.

Cycle to the beaches of Split

One of the fastest and coolest ways to see Split is by bicycle. All over the city are ‘Next’ bikes which you can rent to explore Split on wheels. It’s also the most convenient way to hit the nearby beaches.

Prices for renting a bike start at around €2 an hour but you do need to download the app and connect your card to use this.

The best beaches in Split include Trstenik Beach and Znjan Beach which are near Marjan Park and Bacvice Beach which is on the other side of the city near the port.

Alternatively, you can take a long walk, catch the bus or take a bicycle taxi to reach the beaches.

Hike Marjan Park

Marjan Park also known as Park Suma Marjan is a forested area popular with locals and tourists for jogging, picnics, cycling, botanical gardens, and hiking to Telegrin Peak which is the highest point in Marjan Park.

Follow this guide for how to hike Marjan Hill where you can watch the sun rise or set, and enjoy gorgeous views of Split, mountains and the Adriatic Sea.

Wander around Diocletian’s Palace

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Diocletian’s Palace is actually an area rather than one building and a must-visit in the city.

Diocletian’s Palace was built in the fourth century as the palace for the emperor Diocletian but actually resembles more of a fortress than a home. Today, it is considered one of the world’s most preserved Roman constructions.

It’s free to marvel at the architecture which takes up almost half of the old town of Split.

Visit the Cathedral of Saint Domnius and Bell Tower

St Domnius Cathedral is located in the Split old town with a large bell tower soaring above the structures.

The cathedral was once the mausoleum of the emperor Diocletian but was converted to a Catholic church in the seventh century. The church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the bell tower is dedicated to Saint Domnius.

Many people like to climb the bell tower for stunning views of Split, Marjan Hill, and the ocean.

Visit the Archaeological Museum

Given that Split has such ancient architecture it’s no wonder that there is an Archaeological Museum in the city, just 10 minutes outside the old town.

At the museum, visitors can admire artifacts from periods like the Roman, Greek, and early Christian eras. There is an exhibit based solely on Split finds so you can learn more about the history of the city in which you are visiting.

Entry to the museum is around 5€ per person and the place is open between Monday and Saturday from 9 am-2pm and 4 pm-8 pm.

Stroll the Riva and Matejuska

The Riva is the lifeline that runs through Split and as it’s in the centre, it is a great place to meet others and start tours, stroll with ice cream, sit to watch the port traffic, and get a good taste of what Split is all about.

Next to the Riva is Matejuska which is a small port of Split from which local fishermen set sail to sea and is also a local haunt for socializing. This scenic spot is an ideal location to gather at golden hour with a beer from the local bottle shop before heading out to dinner.

Eat the local food

Split isn’t short of restaurants and you can find some tasty local food at various places around town.

One of the most authentic restaurants is Villa Spiza, which is split between two buildings opposite one another is a small alley. Villa Spiza always has queues of people waiting on their outside benches for a table because the food is so good.

The menu at Villa Spiza changes daily but the restaurant prides itself on serving traditional Croatian dishes like Janjetina S Bižima, a Dalmatian lamb stew, and Riblja Juha, a fish soup.

Other dishes to try in Split include Octopus Salad, Calamari and Pag Cheese.

Explore the Green Market

All over the world, there are local farmer’s markets and they are excellent places to see how the locals live as well as getting the freshest / cheapest products. Split is no different.

The Green Market, locally known as ‘Pazar’, has dozens of stalls selling fruits, vegetables, flowers, souvenirs, clothes, fresh eggs, cheese, and meats including delicious Dalmatian Prosciutto!

To get to Green Market, walk to the end of the Riva (near the port) and take the first left before the bridge so you are on the east walls of Diocletian’s Palace. The market is open every day from 6.30 am until late but for the best produce, and before it all runs out, get here as early as possible.

Soak up the atmosphere in the squares

Two of the best squares to relax in Split include Republic Square and People’s Square.

Republic Square is the most eye-catching square located next to the Riva and after climbing some steps you can get a heightened view over the port. It has red walls and green shutters reminiscent of Italian piazzas where you can enjoy a morning coffee or evening meal.

People’s Square, known locally as Pjaca, is located in the center of the old town and is the perfect place to sample the local wine while people-watching the herds of tourists coming from the huge cruise liners. Don’t forget to snap a picture with the square’s clock, just one of the different styles of architecture that can be admired on the square.

Visit the Game of Thrones museum

Dubrovnik is renowned as the main place in Croatia where the famous TV show, Game of Thrones, was filmed but Split is another city where you can find filming locations. Not only are there filming sites here but also the Game of Thrones museum and gift shop of Croatia in the alleys of Split Old Town.

Within the museum visitors can see costumes, props, figures and insider information about Game of Thrones and its filming in Croatia.

Afterwards you can take a guided walking tour around Split to see the places for scenes about dragons and rebellions.

Go on day trips from Split

Split is the best place to start if you want to see the stunning islands of Croatia.

From Split, you can catch ferries or catamarans to visit places like Vis Island where they filmed Mamma Mia II in 2.5 hours, Bol Island to find the most beautiful beach called Zlatni Rat in just under 1 hour, Bisevo Island for spectacular blue cave exploring in 2.5 hours or Korcula Island to go wreck diving in roughly 2 hours.

You can also do other exciting day trips from Split while remaining on the mainland. Check out the nearby UNESCO World Heritage town of Trogir just 30 minutes away, or Krka National Park with stunning waterfalls just 1.5 hours away or in 4 hours you can visit another country by taking a day trip to Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Final thoughts on visiting Split

As the country’s second-largest city after Zagreb, Split is the perfect base in Croatia to explore much of the Dalmatian Coast and give you a great foundation for learning about Croatian history, food, and culture.

There aren’t many tourists who could come to Split and not find something they would enjoy so I hope you have been inspired to visit this wonderful coastal city.

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About the Author: I’m Shireen from The Happy Days Travels and my blog focuses on stories, food and literary travel. My favourite things to do while travelling are tasting local cuisines, meeting locals, finding filming locations and reading books about the place. You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

Further reading

I published many articles about Croatia that you might find useful when planning your trip there. Here are some of them:

• 33 Best Places to Visit in Croatia
• 25 Wonderful Things to Do in Zagreb, Croatia
• The Bay of Abandoned Hotels in Kupari, Croatia – the Urbex Heaven
• 23 Amazing Things to Do in Dubrovnik, Croatia
• How to visit Krka National Park in Croatia
• 11 Perfect Day Trips From Split, Croatia
• 17 Fantastic Things to Do in Hvar, Croatia
• Visiting the Abandoned Željava Air Base in Croatia
• 19 Best Things to Do in Rijeka, Croatia
• Visit Opatija, Croatia – the Charming Seaside Town
• and many more!

If you are looking for articles about a specific destination – check out the map with all the articles I’ve published (and their locations). You can also join my Facebook group about traveling in the Balkans and ask your questions there.

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• I’ve included a few handy links of services and products I personally like and use so you can plan your own trip to Croatia too. They are often affiliate links. This means I will get a small commission if you book/purchase anything through my links, at no extra costs for you. Thank you!

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