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!
Split At A Glance
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
Like a lot of Croatia, Split’s ancient ruins were giving “medieval” vibes. It had a lot of winding alleyways, similar to Barcelona and Rome. It gave me that “I can get lost here and end up finding the coolest place I’ve ever been” feeling. The alleyways are lined with limestone buildings and cobblestone streets and have a romantic feel (although, IMO, not quite as romantic as Barcelona or Rome).
I loved that I could find shops, restaurants, and bars on every street in Old Town Split. I especially liked how there were a lot of wine bars here (Bokeria Wine Bar was one of my favorites!!). Split gave me more of a “city” feel, whereas Dubrovnik and Hvar did not.
Split has a boardwalk in front of the ocean that was very lively and upbeat. There were a lot of waterfront bars and restaurants here, and tons of people walking around. The sidewalk was lined with palm trees, and the water had cruise ships and other boats. I loved walking around here and taking in all the energy.
In terms of food, Split was on par with the rest of Croatia in that I did not have one bad meal here. Everything I ate was incredible, and a lot of the restaurants and bars were aesthetic and Instagrammable. Some of them were moody, others were modern and bright, and others were, umm…suggestive…
Lastly – and this is important for solo, high-maintenance travelers with heavy suitcases – the roads in Split were mostly flat. I walked from the harbor to my hotel in the city center, and the only thing I had to battle were a couple of hills. In other words, there were NO cobblestone steps to drag my suitcase up and down like there were in Dubrovnik and Hvar. PHEW!
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 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 to 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 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.
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.
- 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
Wait…more day trips? YES!
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) beach near the town of Bol. This beach is on a peninsula and has been regarded by numerous travelers as one of the most beautiful beaches they’ve ever seen.
- 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 town with Venetian influence that is only a 30 minute drive from Split. You’ll see fortresses, cathedrals, and impressive Roman/Baroque/Gothic/Renaissance architecture.
- Korčula is an island that’s said to be the birthplace of Marco Polo. It is often called “Little Dubrovnik” due to also having fortress walls in its old town. If you’re a wine aficionado, I’ve heard people say they especially loved the wine in Korčula.
- If you don’t have time to see the waterfalls in Plitvice Lakes, the Krka Waterfalls would be your next best option, since they are much closer to Split.
I’ve listed some popular day trip tours below. Keep in mind, some of the boat tours only let you swim off the coast of certain islands, others let you explore the actual island itself. Be sure to read the descriptions.
Take A Day Trip to See Mostar & The Kravica Waterfalls
- I didn’t include this in the previous Day Trips section is because taking this trip takes you to another country. If you decide to take this tour, YOU WILL NEED TO BRING YOUR PASSPORT!
Get Your Guide has a top-rated tour from Split or Trogir 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) — a stunning 16th-century stone arch that stretches over the Neretva River and symbolizes resilience and connection. 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. He incorporated the sphinx to mimic the Egyptian custom of using sphinxes to guard temples and tombs.
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!
