Top Things To Do In Split

In the 4th century AD, Roman Emporer Diocletian selected Split as the location to build his retirement Palace. He chose well, as this area is stunning. Set on a picturesque bay with mesmerizing Mediterranean views, surrounded by pine-forested mountains, and close to incredible islands along the Dalmatian coast, Split is idyllic.

Today, the ruins of Diocletian’s Palace are known as the world’s most complete Roman Palace remains. Visiting the palace is not only one of the top things to do in Split, you really can’t miss it, as it takes up most of Split’s historic core.

The palace isn’t the only attraction here though. There’s also the lively promenade, full of restaurants and cafes, many with sea views, Marjan Park, with a hilltop lookout point for stunning views of the area, several beaches with crystal clear blue water, nearby islands that make great day trips, and much more. All making Split a great destination, or an add-on after visiting Dubrovnik. This post covers the top things to see and do in Split.

Top Things To Do In Split

Diocletian’s Palace

This UNESCO listed Palace was big, originally around 7.5 acres (30,000 square meters), serving as both Diocletian‘s retirement residence, as well as housing for the military garrison.

The palace was built of marble imported from Italy and Greece, white stone from the island of Brac, as well as columns and sphinxes brought up from Egypt.

They think that the Adriatic sea was originally one of the Palace entrances, making it easy to receive supplies or make a quick getaway. Today, the beautiful Riva promenade fills the space between the remains of the palace and the sea.

After Diocletian’s death in 311 and the fall of the Roman empire, the palace fell into disrepair. In the 7th century, refugees from nearby Salona arrived, fleeing the Avars and Croats who destroyed their town. After taking refuge here, they started building their homes among the palace ruins. Today, you can still see homes, shops, and restaurants, built into, and around, the palace ruins, with about 3,000 citizens living there.

Peristyle Courtyard

The courtyard of Peristyle Square is behind what was the once imperial quarters (unfortunately, these quarters did not survive). This was the heart of the Palace, and where Diocletian stood to give speeches to the citizens.

In peak tourist season ‘guards’ are here in traditional dress and everyday at noon there’s a ceremonial changing of the guard performed.

The Cathedral of St. Domnius

Saint Domnius, considered the oldest catholic cathedral still in use today, sits on the east side of Peristyle Square. It’s the seat of the Archdiocese of Split.

Diocletian’s mausoleum, built in the 4th century, forms the base of the cathedral. An interesting fact considering that Diocletian once persecuted Christians. His body, however, is no longer there. It was removed when it became a cathedral, but no one knows what happened to it after that.

The bell tower, which was added in the 12th century, offers a birds eye view of the Palace. You can climb it for a small fee.

Underground Chambers & The Game Of Thrones

The underground chambers are near the southern end of the Palace. Originally used for storage, today they’re famous for the Game of Thones scenes filmed here. In the series, this is the city of Meereen, where the Meereenese slaves lived.

Accessable from the southern gate, you can visit on your own for a small fee. Taking a Game of Thrones tour is also a very popular option and usually includes other filming sites in the area.

To get more details on the Game of Thrones, I recommend this tour: Split Walking Tour with Professor of History. It’s an inexpensive and highly rated tour that covers the Game of Thrones and other areas of the palace. If you really just want to focus on the Game Of Thrones, this one does just that: Game of Thrones Tour Split, or this one: Game of Thrones -A dragon is not a slave tour.

Temple of Jupiter

Dedicated to the Ancient Roman god Jupiter, Diocletian had this small temple built into the Palace as he was celebrated as the living son of Jupiter.

Make sure to note the beautiful barrel vaulted ceilings, as it is one of its highlights.

You can find it by the statue of the Sphinx, one of twelve brought here by Diocletian from Egypt. The Temple of Jupiter became the Baptisery of Saint John in the 6th century.

Main Palace Gates

The four gates of the palace are named after metals: bronze, gold, iron, and silver. All gates, except the seaside Bronze Gate, were fortified and included a double gate that captured intruders when lowered.

Golden Gate: The Golden Gate, at the northern entrance, was the entrance used by Diocletian and his family. It sits opposite the sea side of the palace and Peristyle Courtyard.

Silver Gate: The eastern gate, known as the Silver Gate, sits adjacent to a thriving outdoor market. In the year 2000, Pope John Paul II entered through these gates with his popemobile on his visit to Saint Domnius.

Top Things Things To Do Outside The Palace In Split

Riva Promenade

The Riva promenade was likely once covered by the sea. Added in later years, this beautiful promenade is one of the busiest thoroughfares in Split, lined with cafes, shops, restaurants, entertainment, and lodging.

It’s the ideal spot to find shade and a meal in the morning or afternoon.

Pjaca Square

This historic part of Split is west of Peristyle Square, just outside the Iron Gate. It’s where many citizens once lived (and many still do). Rebuilt in the 15th century, you can see Renaissance, Venetian, and Gothic architecture here.

The Renaissance style Town Hall houses the Ethnographic Museum of Split. Venetian-Gothic Cambi Palace is another interesting building here.

Statue of Gregory Nin (Grgur Ninski)

The giant sculpture outside the northern gate of Diocletian’s Palace, is a statue of Grgur Ninski, an important 10th century bishop.

Gregory was famous for conducting religious services in Croatian, which although opposed by the pope, helped spread Christianity here.

Rubbing his ‘well-burnished’ toe is considered good luck.

Split’s Beaches

Split doesn’t have a reputation as a beach destination, but there are several nice pebble/rock beaches with Croatia’s notorious crystal clear-blue water.

Beaches East of Split Harbor

• Bacvice Beach: Close to the port, it’s in front of the Bacvice restaurant-nightlife complex, making it a popular, but crowded option.
• Ovcice Beach: About a ten minute walk east of Bacvice this beach has live music in the evenings.
• Firule Beach: About two minutes farther east, this is a popular family beach with shallow water.
• Trstenik Beach: Managed by Radisson Blu Hotel, this beach is well taken care of. It can be reached by bus 17.
• Znjan Beach Connected to Trstenik beach by a promenade, Znjan is popular due to cafes and bars, and play areas for kids.

Beaches West of Split Harbor (in Marjan Park)

• Jezinac Beach: This rocky beach is about 1.25 miles (2 km) west of the port.
• Kastelet Beach – This beach is popular and has bar options, making it a great place to meet people. It’s a 20 minute walk from the city center, below Marlan hill.
• Kasjuni Beach: Framed by beautiful Marjan hill, this beach is a bit farther from town. Best reached by car or bus 12.
• Beach Bene Located on the western tip of Mount Marjan, this rocky beach is less crowded with more of a family atmosphere.

Velika Vilidika (Lookout Point)

Marjan Park is a green oasis just west of Split Old Town. The lookout point, or velika vilidika, at the top of Marjan Hill is spectacular. This panoramic view is a vigorous hike up 583’ (178 m) of steps, but well worth it.

In addition to providing a stunning view, it’s also a great place to watch the sunset, as well as get away from the crowds.

For a loop trail map of Marjan Park on AllTrails, search the web for “Marjans Loop All Trails”.

Bacvice Restaurant/Bar Complex

This three story complex is located right behind Bacvice beach. It’s a great place to stop for dinner/drinks, becoming more lively after 11 PM. As Old Town gets quiet after hours, this is the place to be for nightlife.

It’s a 5-minute walk from Split harbor or 15 from Diocletian’s Palace.

Day Trips From Split

Although Split’s beaches are nice, even better ones can be found on nearby Croatian islands, making endless day trip options. There are also interesting sites on several of these islands as well.

Brac Island

Brac, directly south of Split, is the closest island to Split and the third largest island on the Dalmatian Coast. It’s known for its beautiful Zlatni Rat beach, also known as the Golden Horn. This beach forms a point into the sea, with beach on either side. The shale changes with the tide.

This island also offers some entertainment and several other beaches, museums, wineries, and more to explore.

The ferry ride from Split to Brac is a little less than a hour. Brac is best discovered by car, as it’s large, but there is also a bus station near the port that serves the island well.

There are ferries to Bol, which is near Zlatni Rat Beach and Supetar, which is the main town in the island. If you’re just going to Zlatni Rat Beach, make sure to take the ferry to Bol, then catch a taxi to the beach.

Hvar Island

Hvar is also a popular day trip from Split with lots to offer. Known as a party island, there’s also plenty to do for families and quieter getaways. Plus, this island has secluded islands of its own, called the Pakleni islands.

There’s easily enough to do on Hvar to justify staying a night or two, depending on what you want to see. In additional to beaches, cafes, restaurants, the Pakleni islands, and historical buildings to admire, there’s also an old fortress at the top of the hill with amazing views. See my post on Hvar for more details.

The ferry ride from Split is about an hour, depending on the ferry line. In high season there are up to 20 ferries a day from Split to Hvar.

Korcula Island

Korcula is another interesting island. You can visit the rumored birthplace of Marco Polo and a museum on his life and travels. There are also several beaches, with the most popular being Lumbarda. Cultural options include tasting local wines, and watching a Moreska sword dance, which is UNESCO listed as an intangible cultural heritage.

The ferry ride from Split is about 2.5 hours.

Vis Island

This is a farthest inhabited island from Croatia’s mainland. As the 2017 movie, Mama Mia! Here We Go Again was filmed here, you can visit filming sites. You can also visit Stiniva’s unique cliff side beach, or Tito’s cave, as he hid out on this island during WWII (Tito was the former president of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia).

Taking a day trip to Komiza to wander its old stone streets and climb Mount Hum for a panoramic view is also an option. In addition, this island is also closest to the Blue Cave and the Green Cave, popular tour options in Croatia, so it’s easy to catch a tour from here.

The ferry from Split to Vis town on Vis, is about 2.5 hours.

Tour To See The Blue Cave

The Blue Cave, named after the blue light that fills the cave at midday, is located on the east side of the tiny island of Bisevo, just west of the island of Vis. This is a very popular spot, so can be busy and can have a wait time to get into.

To get there from Split, you can take several tours like the ones noted here. They are squally paired with other stops along the way, so it’s best to see the selection and pick the one that appeals to you the most. Make sure to note exactly how long you get in the Bkue Cave or talk to your tour guide in advance.

Krka National Park

The waterfalls at Krka National Park are about an hour north of Split on the Croatian mainland, making day tours here a popular option.

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Unfortunately, I found it to feel a bit like a tourist trap. It was extremely crowded when I visited with only a narrow, muddy bank and a narrow bridge crammed with people trying to get photos. And as most organized tours here last all day, the only relief from the crowds is to eat at an overpriced restaurant or shop for souvenirs.

You can take the local bus, which I recommend, so you can leave when you want (at least by bus schedule). Try to time your visit early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds. An organized tour is another option, but usually lasts all day.

If taking a tour, I recommend this one: Krka Waterfalls Tour, Boat Cruise & Swimming. This tour is another option: Krka Waterfalls, Food & Wine Tasting tour from Split. It’s more expensive than the other tour, but adds in a wine tasting experience after visiting the falls.

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a must-visit park in Croatia, with 16 interconnected multi-hued lakes and about 90 waterfalls.

It’s about a 3.5 hour drive north of Split, which makes it challenging to make a day trip, but still possible. There are also several daily buses that make this trip in peak season. The main bus station in Split is called the Autobusni kolodvor Split, which is located within walking distance of the old town.

Other options to get here include self-driving, taking a taxi, or booking a tour. If taking a tour, I recommend this Day Tour From Split.

Where To Stay In Split

The place that I stayed in is no longer open, so I researched places at various price points that are centrally located and get exceptional reviews.

Budget

Central Old Town Rooms look lovely for the budget price. They offer a shared kitchen and shared terrace with city views. 

The rooms in Dalmatian House offer city views and a fridge and kettle. It’s located a 3-minute walk from Diocletian’s Palace and near the Riva Promenade.

Affordable

Grgur Ninski Rooms are located within Diocletian’s Palace and are very well rated for location, cleanliness, and staff.

Palace Inn Rooms are located near the Golden Gate of Diocletian’s Palace, some with rooms that have a palace view. Rooms come with a small fridge.

Aurum B apartments are simple but nicely decorated, with a small fridge and terraces or patios with city views. It’s located about a 2-minute walk to Diocletian’s Palace.

Splurge

Augubio Penthouse apartment is located in the center of Split with a 360 degree terrace view of the whole Split and the coast line. It offers a kitchen and a terrace, some with ocean views. 

Murum Heritage Hotel is located within Diocletian’s Palace and is meticulously renovated. It gets exceptional reviews for the location and the helpful staff.

How To Get To Split

Split is located in the coast, about a 3 hour drive north of Dubrovnik and about 4 hours southwest of Zagreb.

Aside from self-driving, the bus system in Croatia is very efficient and the next best way to get to Split from either location. Buses leave from the main bus station in Dubrovnik or Zagreb. Make sure to buy tickets in advance during peak season.

If your country is part of the EU, and your license uses a Latin typeface, you will not need and International Drivers Permit (IDP), although it is highly recommended in case you get stopped or get into an accident. It’s best to ask your car rental agency in advance. The rules are similar for US citizens. According to the US Embassy in Croatia, US Citizens may use a US drivers license in Croatia for up to three months, but an IDP is also recommended here.

Want More of Croatia?

Croatia is a stunner and packed full of beauty and fun, which is one of the reasons why it’s so popular. Visiting the Old Town of Dubrovnik, the most well-preserved medieval city in the world, is one of the most popular stops. The distance by car is about 30 hours.

For an amazing experience in Croatia, island hopping between Split and Dubrovnik is the ultimate adventure. There are 79 islands and over 500 islets along the coast, with the most popular being Brac, Hvar, Vis, Korcula, and Mljet. Each rimmed with beaches, and Croatian charm, yet each with its own personality, making them all worth a visit.

The northern towns of Zagreb and Zadar are also interesting stops. Zagreb, the capital, offers a more cultural experience, and some distinctive architecture, while Zadar offers an ancient Roman forum, beaches, other nearby islands to explore, and other unique sites.

For an overview of all the best places in Croatia, as well as how to get around, safety, scams, and more to help you plan your trip, see my Croatia Travel Guide.