Capital of Dalmatia and the second-largest city in the country, Split is an unmissable destination when visiting Croatie. With a rich cultural and historical heritage, the city captivates travellers with its extraordinary setting between mountains and sea, and its relaxed way of life. Discover everything there is to do and see during a stay in Split.

What to Do in the Centre of Split?

Visit Diocletian's Palace, the Historical Heart of the City

Built between the late 3rd and early 4th century, Diocletian's Palace is one of the best-preserved examples of Roman architecture in the world. It was constructed by Emperor Diocletian after his retirement from power.

It comprises 4 sections, divided by two main streets. The southern section was reserved for the emperor's apartments and for state and religious ceremonies. The northern section, meanwhile, was occupied by the imperial guard and servants.

Far more than a simple palatial complex, Diocletian's Palace forms a large part of Split's historic centre. Its narrow lanes create a labyrinth where you'll find numerous shops and restaurants today. You'll understand why it's impossible to miss this architectural marvel, a UNESCO World Heritage site, during a stay in Split!

Among the sites to visit within Diocletian's Palace are:

• Saint Domnius Cathedral: where you'll find the mausoleum of Emperor Diocletian;

• The Temple of Jupiter: formerly dedicated to the king of the gods, it was later transformed into a baptistry;

• The 4 Gates of the Palace: the Golden Gate to the north; the Bronze Gate to the south; the Silver Gate to the east; and the Iron Gate to the west;

• The Peristyle: an interior courtyard surrounded by a colonnade (peristyle);

• The Underground Chambers: these foundations were designed to elevate the imperial apartments on the upper floor before being used as storage areas and even dumping grounds.

Stroll Along the Riva, the Seafront Promenade

The Riva is the name given to Split's seafront. It is undoubtedly the most popular gathering place in Split. On one side, you walk along one of the wings of Diocletian's Palace; on the other, the harbour, its boats, and the Adriatic Sea. Lined with palm trees, the promenade invites leisurely wandering: you'll find several cafés and restaurants for a break, and you can admire the white stone houses with green shutters typical of Dalmatia.

A true emblem of Split's urban life scene, the Riva regularly hosts various cultural events such as performances and concerts.

Wander Through the Picturesque Veli Varos Neighbourhood

Located to the west, on the other side of Split's historic centre, the Veli Varos neighbourhood is one of the city's oldest. A stroll through it takes you back in time! For a long time, the neighbourhood was inhabited mainly by fishermen and labourers. Today, it has transformed from a poor district into one of the city's most sought-after areas.

You'll love wandering through its narrow, steep lanes to admire its stone houses and experience a journey into the past! Take time to stop at a café and observe the local scenes.

Climb the Marjan Hill to the Prva Vidilica Viewpoint

While you're in the Veli Varos neighbourhood, climb Marjan Hill to the Prva Vidilica viewpoint. After a short ascent (roughly 5-10 minutes), you'll discover a sublime panorama of the rooftops of Veli Varos in the foreground, with the rest of the city and the sea as your backdrop.

For hiking enthusiasts, know that Marjan Hill is home to a magnificent 340-hectare forest park crisscrossed by numerous hiking trails.

Visit the Museums of Split

The city of Split is home to numerous museums that will delight history and culture enthusiasts. Among the museums worth visiting in Split, we recommend:

• The Museum of the City of Split: the ideal museum to learn more about the city's history. It is located in the heart of Diocletian's Palace;

• The Archaeological Museum of Split: located in the old town, it's the largest museum in all of Croatie. It houses over 150,000 objects dating from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages;

• The Fine Arts Museum: located at the foot of the Palace, it provides an overview of the evolution of the local artistic scene with works dating from the 14th century to the present day;

• The Ethnographic Museum of Split: located inside the Palace, it showcases the richness of Dalmatian cultural heritage. You'll see traditional costumes, handcrafted objects, weapons, period jewellery, and more;

• The Meštrovic Gallery: located near Marjan Hill, the museum is dedicated to the sculptural works of Ivan Meštrovic, considered the greatest sculptor in Croatie. The building was once his summer residence;

• The Game of Thrones Museum of Split: the museum that captivates all fans of the cult series. It features objects, sets, and costumes used in filming, as well as a replica of the famous Iron Throne.

Did you know?

A large portion of the Game of Thrones series was filmed in Croatie, notably in the cities of Dubrovnik and Split. The underground chambers of Diocletian's Palace were notably where Daenerys's dragons were kept.

Relax on One of Split's Beaches

Want to relax? Head to Split's beaches where you can unwind and swim in turquoise waters. Among the most beautiful beaches in Split, we recommend:

• Bacvice Beach: located just 5 minutes' walk from the old town, it's one of Split's main beaches. It's also one of the rare sandy beaches. All reasons why it's one of the most popular beaches for tourists and locals;

• Jezinac Beach: this pebble beach with Mestrovic Kastilac castle in the background is located about 1km from the city centre;

• Trstenik Beach: a sandy gravel beach renowned for being calm and family-friendly;

• Kasjuni Beach: this pebble beach at the foot of Marjan Hill is, for many, Split's most beautiful beach;

• Znjan Beach: a large pebble beach divided into several bays. It's the ideal place to swim as a family.

Get Excited About Water Activities

As a seaside city, Split is the ideal destination for trying water activities:

Take a Boat Trip

For a few hours or during a multi-day cruise, venture out on the Adriatic Sea and discover the coastal landscapes of Split. You can enjoy a sunset excursion, discover hidden coves and beaches, or reach the surrounding islands (see further in the article).

Sea Kayaking

Discover the hidden treasures of Split's coastline on a kayaking adventure. By paddling along Marjan Hill, between coves and forests, you'll uncover the most beautiful corners and enjoy the finest panoramas. Don't forget to bring a snorkel mask to take snorkelling breaks!

Stand-Up Paddleboarding

Like kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding is a fun and sporty way to explore Split from the sea. Our tip? Rent a paddle board at the end of the day to admire the sunset directly on the water. And for the adventurous, you can rent a luminescent paddle board for nighttime excursions.

Canyoning

Want to go canyoning around Split? To get an adrenaline rush, head to the Cetina River. During your canyoning descent, you'll see remnants of medieval fortresses, explore tunnels, and swim under the Velika Gubavica waterfall, which stands 55 metres high. Note that there are excursions suitable for beginners as well as extreme courses reserved for the more experienced.

Rafting

Like canyoning, head to the Cetina River for rafting from Split. Again, you'll have the choice between easy routes or more challenging ones (with cliff jumps).

What to Do Around Split?

Explore the Surrounding Islands

Several islands are located across from Split, such as the island of Krk, the island of Brac, and the island of Rab. These small islands are home to some of Croatie's most beautiful beaches as well as some historical remains such as the Košjun monastery (on Krk) and natural treasures (such as caves). You can explore one or more islands on a day excursion or take a ferry from Split's maritime station.

Marvel at the Blue Cave on the Islet of Bisevo

Speaking of the islands located near Split, the islet of Bisevo is among the most famous attractions departing from Split. The reason? It is home to the famous Blue Cave. Located in the Balun Bay, it is a marine cave 24 metres long, 12 metres wide, and 15 metres deep. 

To access it, you must take a boat and pass through a small opening. And if it's worth the visit, it's because it offers a magical spectacle: sunlight enters the cave, passes through the water, and reflects off the bottom, giving the sensation that the entire cave is blue (hence its name).

Good to know:

To access it, you'll have no choice but to take a boat. Since you're going anyway, we recommend opting for an excursion combining multiple sites of interest.

Visit Clissa Castle in the Village of Klis

Located about twenty minutes from Split, Clissa Castle (also called the Kliss Fortress) is a medieval fortress built on a rocky promontory at 360 metres altitude. Built by the ancient Illyrian tribe of the Dalmatae, it subsequently served as the seat of numerous Croatian kings, functioned as a fortress during the Ottoman wars in Europe, before eventually falling into Venetian hands.

Beyond its fascinating history, it is today famous for being one of the filming locations of the Game of Thrones series. Indeed, the Klis fortress is none other than the city of Meereen that Daenerys conquers (season 4).

Good to know:

It's possible to reach the village of Kliss by bus from Split. To do so, head to the stop at the Croatian National Theatre where you can take bus 22 and get off at the final stop.

Discover the Skradin Waterfalls at Krka National Park

Located less than 1 hour's drive from Split, Krka National Park is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in northern Dalmatia. It is notably famous for its waterfalls: the Skradin Falls (Skradinski Buk) characterised by 17 levels and a height of 46 metres. An aerial walkway allows you to admire the spectacle above the river. You can reach the falls on foot (by taking a marked 1.9 km trail), by shuttle, or even by boat.

To note:

The Skradin Falls are not the only things to see in Krka National Park. You'll also find:

• The Manojlovacki Slap Falls and the Roski Slap Falls;

• 2 monasteries, one of which is located on the island of Visovac;

• The Ozidana Pecina Cave;

• The Roman Archaeological Site of Burnum;

• The ruined fortresses of Trosenj, Kljucica, Kamicak, Bogocin, Necven...

See the Turquoise Lakes of Plitvice Lakes National Park

Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of the must-sees on any trip to Croatie. It is the oldest and largest national park in the country. Located approximately 3 hours' drive from Split, a day trip is entirely possible. There, you'll be amazed by the turquoise colour of the lakes, which creates a striking contrast with the lush surrounding vegetation. In total, the park comprises 16 lakes connected to one another by waterfalls.

To discover these natural wonders, you can hike along marked trails. You can also take a bus or an electric train to tour the park, or board an electric boat to cross Kozjak Lake, the park's largest lake.