Split, Croatia: travel guide
Dalmatia's largest coastal city, built in and around the 4th-century Roman Palace of Diocletian — a living UNESCO monument, buzzing waterfront Riva and gateway to the central Adriatic islands.
- Country
- Croatia
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- Europe/Zagreb
- Nearest airport
- SPU
Top places to visit in Split
Cathedral of Saint Domnius
Church · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h
The world's oldest cathedral still in use, converted from Diocletian's mausoleum, with a climbable Romanesque bell tower over the Peristyle.
Klis Fortress
Fort · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h
A commanding medieval fortress on a rocky ridge above Split, key to Dalmatia's history and a Game of Thrones location (Meereen).
Marjan Hill
Nature · 4.8 rating · about 2 h
The pine-forested peninsula park rising over Split, laced with trails, viewpoints, hermit chapels and swimming coves.
Diocletian's Palace Cellars
Heritage · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h
The atmospheric vaulted substructures beneath the palace — perfectly preserved Roman halls used as a market and a Game of Thrones set.
Ivan Meštrović Gallery
Museum · 4.7 rating · about 1.3 h
The seaside villa and studio of Croatia's greatest sculptor, displaying his works in marble, bronze and wood amid formal gardens.
Temple of Jupiter
Heritage · 4.1 rating · about 0.3 h
A remarkably intact Roman temple within the palace, later converted into the cathedral's baptistery, with a barrel-vaulted coffered ceiling.
Diocletian's Palace
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h
A vast 4th-century Roman imperial palace that became the living heart of Split — a warren of marble streets, cellars, shops and homes within Roman walls.
Riva Waterfront
Cultural · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h
Split's palm-lined seafront promenade beneath the palace's south wall — the city's living room for coffee, people-watching and evening strolls.
Bačvice Beach
Beach · 4.0 rating · about 2 h
Split's famous shallow sandy bay, home of the local paddle game "picigin" by day and buzzing beach bars by night.
Golden Gate & Grgur Ninski Statue
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 0.3 h
The monumental northern gate of the palace, guarded by Meštrović's giant bronze of Bishop Gregory of Nin — rub his toe for luck.
Prokurative (Republic Square)
Cultural · 4.7 rating · about 0.3 h
A stately neo-Renaissance square open to the sea on three sides — Split's only Venetian-style piazza and a summer festival stage.
Peristyle (Peristil)
Heritage · about 0.3 h
The colonnaded central courtyard of the palace, framed by red granite Egyptian columns and an open-air stage for summer concerts.
Things to do
- Diocletian's Palace Walking Tour Tour · 1.5 h · from EUR 25 per person
- Blue Cave & 5 Islands Speedboat Tour Boat · 10 h · from EUR 130 per person
- Krka Waterfalls Day Trip Day Trip · 8 h · from EUR 55 per person
- Cetina River Rafting Adventure · 3.5 h · from EUR 45 per person
- Marjan Hill E-Bike Tour Cycling · 2.5 h · from EUR 35 per person
- Split Sea Kayaking & Snorkeling Water Sports · 3 h · from EUR 40 per person
Day trips and tours
- Blue Cave & 5 Islands from Split 10 h · from EUR 130
Where to stay in Split
- Diocletian's Palace / Old Town about EUR 150 per night
Live inside the Roman palace walls; cafés, bars and sights at the door, lively late into the night.
- Bačvice about EUR 120 per night
Beach neighbourhood by the sandy Bačvice bay, a short walk to the ferry port and Old Town.
- Varoš about EUR 110 per night
Old fishermen's quarter of stone lanes on the Old Town's western edge, near Marjan hill.
Hotels
- Cornaro Hotel 4-star · EUR 150 to EUR 320 per night
- Vestibul Palace Hotel 5-star · EUR 220 to EUR 500 per night
- Marmont Heritage Hotel 4-star · EUR 160 to EUR 330 per night
- Split Hostel Booze & Snooze 2-star · EUR 26 to EUR 90 per night
- Divota Apartment Hotel 4-star · EUR 120 to EUR 240 per night
- Hotel Park Split 5-star · EUR 250 to EUR 620 per night
Where to eat
- Villa Spiza Dalmatian, Seafood, Croatian · about EUR 30 per person
- Konoba Matejuška Dalmatian, Seafood · about EUR 32 per person
- Bokeria Kitchen & Wine Mediterranean, Steakhouse, Wine bar · about EUR 40 per person
- Zoi Mediterranean, Contemporary, Fine dining · about EUR 65 per person
- Fife Dalmatian, Croatian, Seafood · about EUR 18 per person
- Uje Oil Bar Mediterranean, Tapas, Croatian · about EUR 35 per person
- Bajamonti Mediterranean, Croatian, Cafe · about EUR 38 per person
Getting around
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Ferry main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Ride Hail main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Fish-by-weight bill shock
Split Riva & palace restaurants
Menus list fresh fish per kilo; the final bill can be much higher than the menu number suggests.
How to avoid it: Confirm the weight and final price of any fish ordered by the kilogram before it is cooked.
ATM dynamic currency conversion
Euronet ATMs near the Riva
Standalone (Euronet) ATMs offer to charge in your home currency at a poor exchange rate and high fees.
How to avoid it: Always choose to be charged in euros (EUR) and prefer bank-branded ATMs.