Planning a trip to Croatia and wondering about the best things to do in Split? If we haven’t met, I’m Gina, and I’m an aesthetic traveler who’s always chasing the prettiest corners of every city. Thankfully, I don’t have to chase too hard here. Split is packed with pretty alleyways, beaches, restaurants, and cafes…and we’re just scratching the surface! Keep reading to discover the best things to do in Split.
For a long time, Dubrovnik was Croatia’s main tourist destination, and Split kind of flew under the radar. But thanks to Ultra Europe (a popular EDM festival that stops here), and the Klis Fortress (a Game of Thrones filming location located 20 minutes north of the city), Split’s popularity grew. Now, it’s become one of the most popular Croatian destinations, especially due to its proximity to so many other islands. In other words, it’s an ideal stay for day trips!
My Recap of Split, Croatia
Split was the last town I visited on my Croatia trip, so by that point, I had a pretty good basis to compare it to Dubrovnik and Hvar.
Things I Loved About Split
Split totally gave me those medieval vibes—ancient ruins, winding alleyways, and that same “let’s get lost and stumble into something amazing” feeling I’ve had in Barcelona and Rome. I loved just aimlessly wandering around here. It felt romantic…though not quite as romantic as Barcelona or Rome, IMO. Also, Split is mostly flat! I walked from the harbor to my hotel with my giant suitcase and only had to deal with a couple of hills. No endless cobblestone stairs like in Dubrovnik or Hvar.
Old Town Split was packed with shops, restaurants, and especially wine bars—Fantazjia Kitchen and Wine and Bokeria Wine Bar were 2 of my favorites. The city had a more urban feel compared to Dubrovnik or Hvar, which I really enjoyed (I’m a city girl!). Everything I ate was incredible, and a lot of the restaurants and bars were aesthetic and Instagrammable. Some were even…umm…suggestive…
Things I Did NOT Love About Split
To me, Split had a “grungier” feel than Dubrovnik and Hvar. There was a lot of graffiti, and it just didn’t seem as clean. I also didn’t like that I had to Uber to the main beach instead of it being within walking distance of the city center.
I also felt like Split was somewhat difficult to navigate due to the narrow, winding alleyways. Many of them seemed “hidden,” and there were times I was confused where Google Maps was telling me to go. To be fair though, this was only problematic when I was dragging my 50 lb suitcase to my hotel. The rest of the time, I kinda enjoyed getting lost!
The Best Things To Do in Split
Indulge In The Coffee Culture
I was very pleasantly surprised to know that coffee is a thing here in Croatia. A lot of coffee shops in Split are open til 10:00 pm, and some are even open til midnight. As someone who is addicted to coffee and particularly likes the taste of espresso, this was paradise for me.
I found that a lot of the coffee shops are also combined with bars. For instance, KaKantun serves specialty coffee and gin (and has such a cute aesthetic!). Can this become a trend? I’d be SO down. After all, you can’t spell Gina without gin…../shrug.
A few of my favorite coffee shops I tried:
- Tinel Specialty Coffee Shop
- kava2
- Stow Coffee Roasters
- KaKantun
Spend The Day At the Beach
The most popular beach in Split is Kasjuni Beach. It’s a traditional Croatian pebble beach, which means you’ll want to have water shoes to prevent hurting your feet. This beach is also about 2 miles from the city center, so you’ll likely have to Uber. Bring cash for the beach bar and if you want to rent a beach chair. This probably goes without saying, but expect crowds, especially if you go during high tourist season!
If you want a sandy beach, Bačvice Beach is an option, and is located in the city center. I chose to visit Kasjuni because I wanted the more authentic experience, but hey – if you want sand, no judgement from me!
Take A Day Trip
Like I mentioned in the beginning, Split is a great place to indulge in some day trips. I’ve included my top suggestions below.
Plitvice Lakes National Park
I did a LOT of things that I absolutely loved during my trip to Croatia, but seeing Plitvice Lakes (pronounced plit-vitz-uhh) was probably my favorite. This national park had the clearest, most brilliant turquoise water I’ve ever seen in my life. I took this Plitvice Lakes tour from Split and absolutely loved it (s/o to Richard for being the best tour guide!!). This tour is a 12 hour day, so make sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, snacks, etc.
I know. I KNOWWW. In case you’re wondering, “what in the photoshop hell….” no, the water actually looks like that. No photoshop. I’m screaming. Plitvice Lakes is also home to Croatia’s largest waterfall, which you’ll see at the end of your tour. Along the way, you’ll see other waterfalls, lakes, and walking paths that will absolutely blow your mind.
- Pro Tip: Plitvice Lakes gets crowded, and I’ve heard that some tours don’t have enough time for people to stop and eat in the park. If you do the tour I linked above, know that we stopped at a gas station on the way where you can get sandwiches to go; I would recommend doing this just in case.
Take Day Trips To Other Islands
I had to give Plitvice Lakes a paragraph of its own due to it being my favorite activity and the only national park on this list. Regardless, Split is a great place to stay if you want to take day trips to other desirable places in Croatia due to it’s proximity. Some of the best day trips from Split include visits to Brač, Hvar, Trogir, Korčula, and Krka Waterfalls. Below, things to note about each of these places:
- If you choose to visit Brač, be sure to check out the Golden Horn (Zlatni Rat) peninsula beach near the town of Bol.
- Although a day trip to Hvar is fun, I would personally spend at least one night there. If you need further convincing, check out Is Croatia’s Hvar Island Worth Visiting? to see why I loved it here so much!
- Trogir is a small, Venetian-influenced town just 30 minutes from Split. It’s known for its fortresses and cathedrals, along with Roman, Baroque, Gothic, and Renaissance architecture.
- Korčula, often called “Little Dubrovnik” for its old town walls, is said to be Marco Polo’s birthplace. If you’re into wine, I’ve heard the local wines are a standout.
- If you don’t have time to see the waterfalls in Plitvice Lakes, the Krka Waterfalls are your next best option and are much closer to Split.
Mostar & The Kravica Waterfalls
- Pro Tip: This trip takes you to another country. YOU WILL NEED TO BRING YOUR PASSPORT!
Get Your Guide has a top-rated tour from Split or Trogir (below) that takes you to visit Mostar and the Kravica Waterfalls. Mostar is a town in Bosnia and Herzegovina that is famous for the iconic Stari Most (Old Bridge). During this tour, expect cobblestone streets, Ottoman-inspired architecture, colorful bazaars, and dramatic river views.
The Kravica Waterfalls are a short drive from Mostar, where you can expect to swim, sunbathe, and take incredible photos, all while watching these cascading falls plunge into a turquoise swimming hole.
- Pro Tip: If you’re staying in Dubrovnik, you can also take a tour to Mostar and Kravica Waterfalls from there as well. Check out this Mostar tour from Dubrovnik here.
Walk Around Diocletian’s Palace, Cathedral of Saint Dominus, The Roman Gates, and Gregory of Nin Statue
Okay, I realize all that is a lot…but stick with me here.
Diocletian’s Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that blends ancient Roman architecture with modern-day Split. It was built in the 4th century as a retirement residence for the Roman Emperor Diocletian, but today, the palace and its ruins feels more like a living museum. It is located in the heart of the city center surrounded by shops, restaurants, and apartments.
It’s kind of wild that something like this just randomly exists in the middle of the city, but that’s part of what makes Croatia as a whole so cool to visit. Forts, city walls, and palace ruins are just THERE for you to enjoy as you’re exploring the old and new.
Take some time to wander through its stone alleyways and impressive courtyards. You’ll stumble upon centuries-old ruins, underground cellars, and striking landmarks like the Cathedral of Saint Domnius – a Catholic cathedral named after the patron saint of Split. On the right side of the cathedral is a sphinx statue, which Emperor Diocletian brought to his palace from Egypt.
The palace is surrounded by facade walls which contain 4 gates that are entryways into the palace. IMO, these gates make for a great photo op.
Just outside of the northern gate, aka the Golden Gate, sits the Gregory of Nin statue. Gregory of Nin was a bishop who was credited with bringing Croatian language into religious services (at the time, they were normally done in Latin). Don’t leave without rubbing the statue’s toe – this is said to bring good luck.
Check Out The Views From Vidilica on Marjan Hill
Just when you thought I wasn’t going to give you the perfect “sunset spot,” I came through at the very end. Marjan Vidilica is a scenic viewpoint on Marjan Hill known for its panoramic views of the city, harbor, and surrounding islands. I found this viewpoint by simply typing in “viewpoint to Marjan” into Google Maps. You’ll have to climb some stairs to get there, but trust me, it’s worth the climb. Finally, at the top is a restaurant called Teraca Vidilica where you can grab a sunset aperitivo and take in one of the best views of Croatia.
Where To Stay in Split
The best place to stay in Split is its Old Town. This will put you at the center of all the attractions, and will be about a 15-20 minute walk from the harbor.
I stayed at Luxury Rooms Rustic Chic and loved the location as well as the space. The property manager met me in the building and explained everything to me, along with giving me a list of top things to do in Split. If you choose this accommodation, know that it’s on the 3rd floor of a building with no elevator…but hey, exercise is never a bad thing!
Explore Other Top-Rated Hotels in Split
Split – Fast Facts
CITY CENTER – Old Town
LANGUAGE – Croatian
CURRENCY – Euro (1 USD = ~0.88 EUR)
TIME DIFFERENCE – +6 HOURS EST
CONVERTER PLUG NEEDED – Type C or F
TRANSPORTATION – Walk, Uber, ferry
