The Complete Split Travel Guide
Video by Aspen Florey — Editing by The Earthy Wanderer
Split is a beautifully unique city on the Croatian coast marked by its exceptional ancient Roman ruins, natural beauty, and modern life. Split truly has something for everyone, whether you are looking to get out on the Adriatic Sea, learn a bit of history, or experience nightlife. Oh, and did I mention the Old Town of Split is a UNESCO World Heritage site?
I was drawn to Split for the ancient Roman ruins of Diocletian’s Palace, but I extended my stay because of the great energy, the variety of things to do, and the friendly Croatian people. I had a hard time saying goodbye to Split, and I’m sure you will, too! This blog will take you through the best things to experience in Split, where to stay, where to eat, and what to expect during your stay. (Don’t worry, I also added my favorite coffee shop too!)
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What to Expect
How to get there: If you are flying, you can choose to land at the Split airport (SPU) — from there you can take a bus to the Old Town. If you are visiting from a nearby country or city, I recommend using my favorite transportation app – Omio.
When to go: April to October. Late spring or early fall are the best times to visit if you are trying to avoid the crowds that the summer months bring.
Language: Croatian is the main language spoken in Croatia, however, many people know English. I found that many Croatians appreciated the effort I made to learn a few common phrases, though.
Currency: As of January 1, 2023, Croatia uses the Euro. Travelers will find Croatia to be quite affordable in all aspects including transportation, food, and accommodation.
Safety: I always felt very safe in Croatia but I would exercise normal precautions, i.e. watching for pickpockets in crowded tourist places.
Packing: If you do visit Croatia in the shoulder seasons, you might find mornings and nights to be cool, and days to be hot, so bring layers. Summers are very hot so pack light clothing. Also, pack some bathing suits if you are staying along the coast!
Food: My veg friends will be happy to hear that there are lots of vegan and vegetarian food to be found in Croatia.
Transportation: There are a few ways to get around Croatia but the easiest and most affordable is by taking buses. You can book your buses online using Omio, or at the bus stations.
Where to Stay
I would highly recommend staying in the Old Town of Split. All of the main attractions and restaurants are located within walking distance here. If you are looking to stay in a hostel, there are a few to choose from starting at $12 per night. If you are looking for more privacy, there is an abundance of Airbnb’s to choose from. You may also choose to stay at a hotel which can be found on booking.com. The good news is that accommodations in Split are remarkably affordable no matter which option you choose.
How long should I stay?
As far as how long to stay, I would recommend at least 3 days in Split to enjoy the city. If you plan on doing some tours, I recommend at least 5 days.
Best things to do in Split
Explore the Old Town
Get lost in the winding, narrow alleys of Old Town that are filled with shops, restaurants, bakeries, and ice cream shops. Stop to enjoy ancient sites, open squares, and a burek from a local bakery. As I mentioned earlier, the whole of Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, so you can rest assured there will be something cool to see around every turn.
What to see in the Old Town of Split
Silver Gate
Golden Gate
Iron Gate
Vestibul
Jupiter’s Temple
Old Town Hall
People’s Square
Fruit Square
Peristil
Marmontova Ulica
Plaza de la República
Podrum Underground Market
Vomitorium
St. Domnius Cathedral
Diocletian’s Palace
Diocletian’s Palace, which dates back to the 4th century, is considered one of the most well-preserved ancient Roman ruins and is incorporated into the city. Perhaps the most impressive feature, the Peristil (courtyard), is open for anyone to visit and admire the original, detailed architecture. I recommend grabbing a coffee and sitting on the steps early in the morning to enjoy some quiet time before the courtyard fills with tour groups and tourists for the day.
Extra tip: Don’t miss out on the live music that the restaurant/cafe Lvxor holds after 8 pm. Listening to music with a view of the palace and cathedral lit up at night is something you won’t forget.
Climb the Bell Tower
Attached to the Cathedral of St. Domnius is a grand bell tower. Originally built in the 13th century, this bell tower underwent renovations in the 20th century and is now open for tourists to climb to see impressive views of Split. You will have to buy a ticket to visit the bell tower, but the cathedral, the crypt, the treasury, and the Roman temple of Jupiter are included in the ticket.
Riva Promenade
The Riva Promenade is a lovely area to take a walk at sunset or enjoy one of the many restaurants/bars that line it. Everyone from locals to tourists gathers here all day long so it’s a great place to relax and people-watch, as well.
Split viewpoint (belvedere)
This is the best view you will get over the whole city of Split. It can be a little bit confusing to find without a GPS, so be sure to download the map before you head out. Once you get to the viewpoint, there are more paths you can take to explore the area a bit. I suggest walking to St. Nicolas church, Vidikovac observation deck, and Crkva sv. Jere (catholic church).
Boat Tours
One of the most popular activities in Split is boat tours visiting the marvelous “Blue Cave” or the “Blue Lagoon”. In addition, these tours often include stops at multiple islands. I can’t think of many other ways I would want to spend a hot, summer’s day in Croatia than to get out on the Adriatic Sea and explore some natural beauty.
Extra tip: Compared to the affordability of the rest of Split, these tours can run on the pricier side, so be prepared if this is on your to-do list. I would also recommend booking early as they can sell out. Tours typically run from April through October.
Visit National Parks
Croatia is home to 8 National Parks, despite being a relatively small country. From Split, you can visit the two most popular parks – Krka and Plitvice Lakes. Krka National Park is famous for the picturesque Skradinski Buk waterfall. Here you may also visit the Krka Monastery. Plitvice Lakes is famous for a series of terraced lakes with waterfalls flowing between them. Both parks allow visitors to get close to nature with wooden boardwalks. It is possible to get to these parks with a rental car, public transportation, or tour groups. If you are interested in taking a tour, check out these options.
Day trip to Mostar
One unexpected activity I did in Split was going on a day trip to Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina. Truthfully, I would recommend visiting Mostar and the rest of Bosnia & Herzegovina as a separate trip, if you have time. However, if you only have one day and want to see a vastly different country, I would highly recommend taking this tour. Everything from the architecture to the food to the coffee was a unique and completely beautiful experience. I can honestly say I would love to visit again and see the rest of the country.
Extra tip: This tour also allows you to have a local Mostar guide that will recount the history of the city and the recent war – be wary that many locals don’t like to talk about the war that happened in the 90s and you shouldn’t ask anyone except the guide about it.
Other things to do in Split
Visit islands - Brač, Hvar, Korčula
Take a walking tour
Go to the beach - Bacvice Beach
Where to Eat
The food scene in Split is dominated by seafood and pasta dishes. Don’t let that scare you if you are vegan or vegetarian, there are plenty of options for us too! Make sure to check out the HappyCow app for veggie restaurants and ratings. An added bonus is that eating out in Split was quite affordable.
My favorite places with vegan options
Veg
Kat’s Kitchen
Toto’s Burger Bar
Favorite Coffee Shop
Coffee lovers out there will be happy to hear that coffee in Split is very cheap, especially for its quality. My favorite coffee shop in Split was D-16. They offer lots of seating, delicious coffee, and a nice atmosphere. They even offer oat milk, which can be hard to come by in some countries.
Thinking of traveling around the rest of Croatia? Check out my Complete Croatia Travel Guide!
