The Best Things to Do in Split, Croatia

The first thing that strikes you when visiting Split is its size; with about 400,000 inhabitants, you can easily traverse this small town by foot within half an hour or so. At the same time, though, Split feels like one big village. There are no skyscrapers here but only old buildings which were built during the Austro-Hungarian Empire era. You will find many beautiful churches, as well as palaces and other historical monuments throughout the city. It really is one of the most beautiful towns in Croatia. 

Besides these, there are also some modern structures, such as museums, galleries, cinemas and even luxury villas. Split offers plenty of entertainment options, including theatres, clubs and restaurants. This city has an excellent public transport system, making getting around easy and affordable. You don’t have to worry about where to stay because the options are endless. 

So, if you’re looking for something exciting, here are 5 best things to do in Split.

Take a walk along the Riva Promenade

A great way to enjoy Split is from the sea and strolling down the long beach boardwalk called Riva is perfect for just that. Along the way, take your time to admire the architecture while listening to live music performed at street cafes.

Explore Kaštež peninsula

Located south of Split, this little island hides away beneath the azure waters of the Adriatic Sea. Its major attraction is undoubtedly the medieval walled town of Trogir, located close to the tip of the peninsula. However, visitors should not miss exploring the rest of the tiny island because it contains more than just pretty sights. For example, the lighthouse dating back to 1856 still stands and houses a small exhibition telling the story of how it came to be built.

There is also another smaller church known as Zrinski Mausoleum where they burry dukes. Finally, keep an eye out for the large number of seagulls nesting on cliffs above the waterline. If you bring your bike, cycling across the narrow causeway connecting the mainland to the island is quite fun too.

Visit Diocletian’s Palace

This was once a residence of Emperor Diocletian, who ruled from 284 AD until 305 AD. It later became part of the Roman empire and then the Byzantine Empire before becoming part of the Croatian Kingdom. After being passed through various hands, it eventually fell into disrepair, and today, it serves as a museum dedicated to ancient history.

The grounds contain many mosaics, columns, fountains, and statues depicting people going about their daily lives. In fact, the palace complex itself comprises four different sections: Palatine Hill, Imperial Forums, Baths section, and the residential area. Entrance tickets include access to several nearby sites such as Church of St. Dominus and Basilica of San Clemente. These two places alone offer enough reason to visit them!

Climb up Mount Srd

Although it might sound steep, climbing Mt. Srd is enjoyable thanks to the views offered. Once you reach the peak, you will have a 360-degree view of Split, surrounding islands and even parts of Bosnia & Herzegovina. Be sure to wear good shoes since the path gets slippery after heavy rainfalls. Also, carry drinking water with you since there are few facilities.

Enjoy traditional Dalmatian cuisine

No trip to Split would be complete without trying some typical Dalmatian food. Some favourites include Punjene lignje, Fritaja s kobanom mesom, Krumpira. Also worth trying is a unique drink made of sour cherries called Rakija. Although these drinks are usually common during summer months, you can enjoy them all-year round.

Walk around the city walls

When visiting Split, walking around the old city walls is free and offers amazing views of the Old Town. Make a point of stopping by the many lookout points along the way, including Varoš Gate, Pločnik Tower, Pile Gate.

Split is often referred to as the Venice of the Adriatic because of the many similarities between the towns, including cobblestone streets, bridges, canals and even gondolas. Today, the city remains mostly unchanged but offers tourists much to see if they look hard enough. Whether you want to leisurely visit historic monuments like the famous cathedral, Diocletian’s Palace and the fortress walls or are looking for shopping opportunities at the bustling marketplaces, Split has something for everyone.

When planning your trip, remember to pack light so you won’t need to worry about carrying around extra luggage during sightseeing tours. To get the best views of the city from the sea, you can rent a boat from companies like samboat.com. They provide the best services that will certainly complete your experience. With all these tips, you will certainly have the best experience in Split!