Split

Split is a favorite summer destination for people from all over the world. It is the city of culture, history, gastronomy, fashion, football, and fun. All that, combined with untouched nature and perfectly clear sea, makes Split a must-see.

The city of Split is a perfect destination for all sorts of tourists. History buffs will enjoy their walk through the streets of the old city core – the Diocletian’s Palace. Gastronomy enthusiasts will fall in love with excellent Dalmatian spiza (meaning ‘cuisine’ in the local dialect). The young will go crazy at Ultra Europe, the biggest electronic music festival in the country. Those who seek rest will find it on the beaches of the beautiful Adriatic Sea. The adventurers can try diving, fishing, canoeing, canyoning or even rafting. Nature lovers will enjoy nature parks and beautiful islands that surround Split.

City on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea, on a peninsula protected by the surrounding islands, has been attracting people for many centuries. Initially, the Illyrian tribe Delmati lived in the area of what would become Split. Greeks came next, in the 3rd century BC, and founded their colony of Aspálathos in the area of the oldest city core. It was the beginning of urbanization in the region. The process continued in the 1st century BC when the Romans established the Province of Dalmatia. The Roman emperor Diocletian completed the construction of his palace in the early 4th century. Approximately at the same time, the present name of the city was first recorded in its Latin form of Spalatum.

Through the centuries that followed Split was under Byzantine, Venetian, Hungarian, French, Austrian, Italian and Yugoslav rule. It had been developing and growing, reaching the status of the leading cultural center on the eastern Adriatic coast. Today, with approximately 200,000 residents, Split is the largest city in Dalmatia and the second largest Croatian city.

Diocletian’s Palace

Diocletian’s Palace is one of the ten UNESCO World Heritage sites in Croatia. Built 1,700 years ago, the palace is older than the city itself. It is the heart of Split, the place where it all began. The palace has been continuously occupied ever since it was built. Even today, as you will see, many locals and tourists live within the palace.

The palace is one of the best-preserved monuments of Roman architecture in the world. At the time it was built, the emperor Diocletian was residing in Salona, the capital of Province of Dalmatia, about 10 km from Split. The palace was meant to be his retirement home and the final resting place. Once finished, Diocletian’s Palace was a rectangular walled fortress, bathed by the sea. It unified the elements of a Roman villa, military camp, and a typical Roman city. Most of these elements are still visible today.

Diocletian’s Palace had four gates. The Golden Gate on the north was the main entrance to the palace, the one that connected the palace with Salona. Silver (east) and Iron (west) gates were also the land gates, while the Brass Gate on the south had a direct exit to the sea. The land gates led to two main streets. These are cardo and decumanus. The intersection of the two streets, in a typical Roman city, would form a forum (the main square). Since this was a closed palace, the role of the forum went to Peristyle (an inner courtyard of a Roman villa). The streets also divided the palace into different zones – the emperor’s chambers, religious space, military facilities, etc.

Since the 7th century, the palace has lived as the city of Split. Split Cathedral and Baptistery, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and other buildings, that were a result of adaptations over the years, testify to the uninterrupted life of the city. Today, this results in the unique blend of different eras, influences, and architectural styles.

Peristyle

Peristyle is the central square of the Diocletian’s Palace. During the reign of Diocletian, the square had a ceremonial function. It was a place where Romans would meet and where the emperor would address his people. Even today, Peristyle has a function of gathering people. Due to its unique beauty and good acoustics, it became the ideal scenery for concerts and theatre plays.

Surrounded by steps and lined with columns and arches, it is also one of the most beautiful terraces of Split. While having your coffee on the steps, your experience will be even more unique because you will be watched over by a 3,500 years old sphinx. The sphinx that Diocletian himself brought here from Egypt is probably the oldest monument in the city. During the summer, every day at noon, you can enjoy a little costume play. The Diocletian, accompanied by his soldiers, appears at the Peristyle to welcome his guests.

St. Domnius Cathedral

St. Domnius Cathedral is the world’s oldest Catholic cathedral still in use today. The cathedral stands by the Peristyle in what was once the Diocletian’s mausoleum. Because of its imposing size and shape, the Christians decided to turn the mausoleum into a cathedral in the 7th century. The cathedral was dedicated to St. Domnius (sv. Duje), the martyr executed by the Roman emperor. His relics took a place of honor in the cathedral and St. Domnius became the patron saint of the city. Another notable part of the cathedral is the main entrance door carved by Andrija Buvina in the 13th century. The 57-meter-high bell tower, also dating from the 13th century, offers the best panoramic view of the entire city center.

Temple of Jupiter

The Temple of Jupiter used to stand opposite the Diocletian’s mausoleum. Nowadays, it is squeezed between the surrounding houses, hidden from the views. The street connecting the temple with the Peristyle is the narrowest one in the palace, locally known as “Let me pass” street. The Temple of Jupiter is the only one preserved of the former three temples. It is dedicated to Jupiter, the supreme god in Roman mythology. Jupiter was a god of the sky, associated with thunder, lightning, and storms. With the arrival of Christians, the temple was converted to a baptistery and dedicated to St. John. The former temple, among other sights, holds a stone sculpture of Croatian king Petar Krešimir IV. The sculpture is the oldest known monument of any European king. Open for visitors, the Temple of Jupiter can be visited along with the cathedral and bell tower, purchasing a combined ticket.

The substructures of the Diocletian’s Palace

By entering the palace through the Brass Gate, from the Riva, you will find yourself in the cellars of the Diocletian’s Palace. Following the passageway among the stands that sell jewelry, artwork, and souvenirs, you’ll find your way to the Peristyle. But the substructures of the Diocletian’s Palace are much more extended than it may seem. In fact, they are as wide and as long as the palace itself. In Roman times, they were the storage area for the palace. In the centuries to come, they were used as a residential area, and later as a waste pit. It was only in the last century that the substructures were cleaned, excavated and reconstructed.

Today, the substructures are open to the public. They also host exhibitions, theatre plays, gastronomic presentations, and other social and cultural events. The palace’s substructures are also seen in the Game of Thrones series, representing a dungeon where Daenerys keeps her dragons.

Riva

The Split’s Riva is a beautiful waterfront promenade, the center of life for many citizens of Split and their guests. It is a place to stroll, to enjoy a refreshing drink on one of the numerous terraces, or to enjoy the view of the sea. But it is also the venue for cultural and entertainment events, such as the Christmas market and New Year’s Eve, summer concerts, sports celebrations, crafts fairs, etc. The Riva was completely renovated in 2007 when it got the current look. The white marble pavement, numerous palm trees and benches, and white metal lamps gave the Riva a more modern appearance. The Riva is also the favorite starting point for guided tours. Groups usually gather at the eastern end of Riva, in front of the bronze model of the city.

City’s squares

Since the structure of the Diocletian’s Palace left no room to form a real square, all the city’s squares are surrounding it. The best known is the People’s Square (Narodni trg), located west of the palace, just outside the Iron Gate. The square is surrounded by some of the most beautiful city’s palaces. One of them is the Gothic palace of the Old Town Hall. There is also the old city clock, unique by his 24 digits.

Another famous square is the Fruit Square (Voćni trg), whose name testifies to its former role. Fruit sellers used to occupy the square and sell their goods here. Today, the square is dominated by the statue of Marko Marulić, a notable Croatian writer and the most famous Split native. Other sights on the square include the Venetian tower, a remaining part of the 15th-century fortress, and a magnificent 17th-century palace of the old local family Milesi with a spectacular baroque façade.

At the west end of the Riva, you will find the Republic Square (Trg Republike). Surrounded by the neo-Renaissance buildings with colonnades, the square resembles the St. Mark’s Square in Venice. Because of the lovely scenery it provides, the Republic Square is a popular stage for cultural events. This includes the Split Festival, the most famous pop music festival in Croatia. The festival is held on this square annually for more than 50 years.

Other sights of Split

Apart from the above-mentioned, there are many more sights and attractions in Split that are worth your time.

One of the most interesting monuments in Split is the statue of Grgur Ninski, that “guards” the Golden Gate. The tall bronze statue represents Grgur, the 10th-century bishop from Nin. He is one of the Croatian most beloved historical figures, earning his status by spreading the faith in the early stage of Christianity. What makes Grgur Ninski popular among the tourists is his lucky toe. It is believed that rubbing his big toe will bring you happiness and make your wish come true. In other words, don’t forget to pay him a visit while in Split!

Don’t forget to visit the Marmont Street, as well. It is the longest and the widest street in the historic center of Split, spreading from the Riva to the north. The street was named after Marmont, Napoleon’s marshal, who is highly responsible for the urbanization of Split. Marmont Street was home to the first cinema in Split, the library, spa, and market. Today, this is the main shopping street in Split. The shops lined up along the street include brands such as Zara, Benetton, Nike, Intimissimi and many others.

Visit the Split museums

Being the city of exciting history, Split’s museum offer is impressive. The Archaeological Museum of Split is the oldest museum in Croatia, founded in 1820. With an intriguing collection of objects and art from prehistoric times, Greek and Roman periods, and Medieval times, the museum offers a more profound knowledge of the city and its history. The Ethnographic Museum of Split is also one of the pioneers. Established more than 100 years ago, it is the first of its kind in Croatia. It tells the story of Dalmatian people and their everyday life. The collection includes traditional clothes, jewelry, furniture, handicrafts, and even weaponry.

Within a ten-minute walk from the Diocletian’s Palace, on a hill, stands the Venetian fortress of Gripe. The fortress, built in the 17th century to protect the city from the Ottoman Turks, is home to the Croatian Maritime Museum. The museum’s collection covers the development of shipbuilding, with models of fishing boats and steamboats, marine machinery, navigation equipment, as well as many objects of maritime archaeology.

To all the art lovers, we recommend visiting the Ivan Meštrović Gallery. Ivan Meštrović, whose work marked the first half of the 20th century, is the greatest Croatian artist of all time. The gallery is situated in his family palace, on a hill overlooking the sea, within a 20-minute walk from the Diocletian’s Palace. The museum collection includes some of his best work. But, his most famous sculptures can be found in the city center – the statues of Grgur Ninski and Marko Marulić.

Enjoy the Split beaches

Split is a coastal city so, obviously, there are some great beaches to relax on after hours and hours of exploring the streets of the old town. The closest beach to the historic center of the city is Bačvice public beach. It is located in the heart of the city, right next to the city port. Officially opened in 1919, Bačvice beach is one of the few sandy beaches on the Croatian coast. The beach can accommodate over ten thousand bathers and is famous as a place where the popular game of picigin was born.

Picigin was invented on this beach after World War I. The game is very straightforward. All you need is five players, a rubber ball (called balun in the local dialect), and a sandy beach. The players form a circle in the shallow water and the game can begin. The goal is not to drop the ball while hitting it with the palm of your hand. There’s actually no other rule. And there’s no winner, either. What is important is the beauty of the game, its attractiveness, and the acrobatic skills of the players. 

If all the commotion on the central city beach is a bit too much for you, or if you are afraid to get splashed by the “flying” picigin player, there are other beaches that could be more suitable. One of those is Kašjuni beach, located at the foot of Marjan Hill, just 10 minutes by car from the Diocletian’s Palace. This beautiful pebble beach is a public beach, but deck chairs and parasols can be rented. It is also possible to rent a kayak, sea bob, and SUP board.

There are two restaurants on the beach. A beach & lounge bar where you can enjoy a refreshing drink or coffee and a restaurant offering a wide range of delicious plates. With all the services it offers, Kašjuni beach is a great place to spend a day for children, young and adults.

Listen to the traditional Dalmatian music

There are many things that make Split unique. It is not only the city of sport but also the city of music. Many famous Croatian singers are from Split and the region of Dalmatia. But Dalmatia is also the origin of traditional music style called klapa. Klapa is a traditional polyphonic a cappella singing, typical for this part of Croatia. Usually, it is a group of men singing about love, misery, sea, wine, and other typical Mediterranean motifs.

In 2012 klapa singing was inscribed in UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. When visiting Split, make sure to add this activity to your itinerary. There’s normally a klapa group singing in the Vestibule of the Diocletian’s Palace every day. Listening to klapa music in such a unique environment is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so don’t miss your chance to attend a spontaneous concert.

Go crazy at Split Ultra Europe Festival

Ultra Europe is an outdoor electronic music festival that is being held in Croatia from 2013. The three-day festival takes place in July and includes several locations. In addition to the main event organized at the Split’s stadium, the festival includes beach parties on the islands of Hvar, Brač and Vis, boat parties, yacht regatta, and much more.

The festival has so far welcomed some of the most renowned names of electronic music. The previous lineups include Afrojack, Armin Van Buuren, David Guetta, The Chainsmokers, Adam Beyer, to name just a few. Because of the festival, Split attracts more and more young people from all over the world.

Get a boat tour from Split

Split is located on a peninsula surrounded by several beautiful islands. If you have a spare day in Split, make time to take a boat and visit one (or more!) of the islands. You can visit the magnificent Blue Cave on the island of Vis, the most iconic Croatian beach Zlatni Rat on the island of Brač, or the old towns of Hvar and Korčula.

Most of the islands can are accessible by catamaran or ferry. But there are also many private boat tours available that give you an opportunity to visit several spots in just one day. Taking a boat is also a great way to find some beautiful swimming spots and lovely hidden beaches. Furthermore, by taking a panoramic boat ride you will see the city of Split from another angle.

If you are interested in booking a boat tour, get in touch and explore the options of unforgettable boat tours in and around Split! 

Explore the oldest neighborhood of Split

After seeing all the main tourist attractions of the historic center, expand your horizons and visit the oldest real neighborhood of Split. The Varoš neighborhood is where the first citizens of Split lived after the city outgrew the boundaries of the palace. Lined with typical stone houses and winding narrow streets, the Varoš neighborhood hasn’t changed a lot in the past 500 years. The inhabitants of Varoš were workers and fishermen, and the houses witness the hard life of the people of the time.

Although it was once home to the poor, today Varoš accommodates many restaurants and apartments that go off at the high price. After all, it is a privilege to live in such an environment, so close to Diocletian’s Palace. Varoš can be approached at the end of the Riva, right after you pass the Republic Square. If you decide to go further, you will reach the Marjan Hill. The green park offers a nice shade, which is usually hard to find in the city.

Split is accessible by car, bus, train, boat or plane. If you choose to come by public transportation, you will be happy to know that both the train and bus stations are located approximately 500 meters from Diocletian’s Palace. On the following links, you will find a detailed schedule for the Split bus station and Croatian railways.

The city port lies right in front of the bus station, which is a 5-minute walk from the palace. If you are arriving by catamaran or ferry, check out the timetable according to your carrier. Most lines are operated by Jadrolinija and Krilo.

How to get to Split from Zagreb

If you decide to drive from Zagreb to Split, you will need approximately 4 hours. First, get on the motorway A1/E71. Continue on E71 and take Exit 25 at Dugopolje. At the roundabout, take Exit 1 for Omiš/Split/Solin. Next, continue on D1 until you reach the city center.

How to get to Split from Dubrovnik

It will take you approximately 3 hours when driving to Split from Dubrovnik. After leaving Dubrovnik, get on the road D8 and follow it until you reach the road D425. Continue on D425 and get to the motorway A1/E71, direction Zagreb/Šibenik. Follow A1 and take the exit at Dugopolje. Next, follow D1 until you reach the city center. On this route you will be passing the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina, so don’t forget to take your passport!

How to get to Split from Ljubljana

If you are arriving to Split from Ljubljana, Slovenia, it will take you about 5 hours to ger there. It could take longer in summer, depending on the situation at the border. To get out of the city center, follow the signs for motorway and Novo Mesto. Get on A2 and follow it until you reach Novo Mesto. Take the exit at Novo Mesto and continue to the border (Metlika/Jurovski Brod). Next, follow D6 and get on A1/E71. Take Exit 25 at Dugopolje and continue on D1 until you reach the city center.

How to get to Split from Ancona

If you are heading to Split from Italy, the easiest way is to take a ferry from Ancona. The journey lasts approximately 10 hours. To make the night ferry ride more comfortable, passengers can book a cabin. The price of the ticket depends on what you choose. It varies from 250 kunas for a basic ticket to 750 kunas for a cabin with the bathroom. Passengers arriving by car must pay an extra price for their vehicle. More information is available on the link.

When choosing your accommodation in Split, there are several things you should bear in mind. First, cars are not allowed in the historic center of Split where many hotels are. That means that you will need to park a bit further from your hotel. Second, hotels located inside the palace walls don’t have a pool, because the infrastructure of the old stone houses and narrow streets just doesn’t allow it. Furthermore, if located inside the Diocletian’s palace, you won’t have the view of the sea.

But all this is irrelevant because you have a unique opportunity to stay in what was once a Roman emperor’s palace. Also, all the happenings are just outside your door. If, however, you wish to have that beautiful view of the Adriatic Sea, there are several options you can choose from along the coast and not far from the palace. Below is a list of our recommendations.

Hotel Park ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Hotel Park is a five-star hotel with a long tradition. Established in 1921, the hotel is located near the city’s most famous beach – Bačvice. The hotel building was recently renovated and expanded to accommodate extra rooms and facilities. Guests can choose from single rooms, double rooms, two-floor business rooms with an office, suites, and apartments. All rooms are equipped with the best facilities and solutions. There is also a restaurant and a pool on the ground floor.

Jupiter Heritage Hotel ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Jupiter Heritage Hotel is located in the heart of the Diocletian’s Palace, near the Jupiter Temple and the Peristyle. The four-star hotel offers a comfortable stay in one of their 38 rooms, twin or double. It includes breakfast and other standard services, while some of the rooms also have a jacuzzi. The hotel has an exit to a small square protected from the crowd by other buildings. There is a terrace on the square where guests can enjoy their breakfast or dinner.

Judita Palace Heritage Hotel ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Judita Palace Heritage Hotel is a four-star hotel. It is situated in an old Renaissance palace on the People’s Square, just outside the Diocletian’s Palace. The hotel was named after Judita, the most famous character of Marko Marulić, one of the greatest Croatian writers. Hotel Judita offers superior or deluxe double rooms with a view of the square. There is also a lovely inner courtyard where guests can relax and enjoy their coffee.

Hotel Slavija ⭐⭐⭐

Hotel Slavija is another hotel located inside the Diocletian’s Palace. The three-star hotel is a more affordable option for those that wish to stay in the very center of Split. The hotel has 25 rooms located on four floors. According to their needs, guests can choose between single, double, twin, triple, and family rooms. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning, cable TV and private bathroom. Restaurant Para di Šoto is situated on the ground floor.

Dalmatian cuisine is basically Mediterranean cuisine. Croatia is one of the countries recognized as its origin, along with Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, and Morocco. The Mediterranean diet was inscribed in the UNESCO list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2013, with the region of Dalmatia as one of its representatives. This cuisine is based on olive oil, wine, pasta, seafood, and fish. But Dalmatian cuisine also includes a lot of red meat (pork, veal, beef, and lamb), as well as a variety of vegetables. Every dish is enriched with aromatic herbs that grow in the region, such as rosemary, lavender, sage, basil or capers.

Some of the typical Dalmatian dishes are soparnik (a salty pie made of thin pastry and mangel), pašticada (a spicy dish of braised beef stuffed with dried plums and bacon, served with gnocchi), brudet (a cooked dish of spiced fish, served with polenta), octopus or lamb roasted under the bell (originally called peka), grilled fish served with mangel and potato, tuna steak, etc.

All these dishes can be found in any restaurant. Restaurants such as Zora Bila or Bokeria offer that and much more. But, if you are looking for a true local experience, choose one of the konoba restaurants. Konoba was originally a room on the ground floor of a traditional Dalmatian house. It was used for storing wine barrels, oil, and permanent supplies. Over time, many of those were turned into a family restaurant that serves traditional Dalmatian food. Many of the taverns can be found in the Varoš neighborhood, such as Konoba Varoš or Konoba Matejuška.

If you want to feel like a true local, don’t forget to include marenda into your daily schedule. Marenda is a snack, a meal between breakfast and lunch or lunch and dinner. Olives and bread, polenta and cheese, salted or fresh sardines, bacon and prosciutto, pickles and capers – all that makes a fine Dalmatian marenda. If you want to try the best of local appetizers, we recommend visiting Uje Oil Bar on Dominisova Street.

When staying in an apartment that doesn’t include meals, buy the fresh ingredients at Split markets and try your luck preparing a traditional dish. There are two markets in the very center of Split. One is a green market, known as pazar, and the other one is a fish market, called peškarija. The green market is located right next to the Diocletian’s Palace, near the Silver Gate, while the fish market is located on Marmont Street, on the other side of the palace.

Klis Fortress

The Klis Fortress, internationally known as the city of Meereen from the Game of Thrones series, is a medieval fortress built in the mountains. The stronghold was built at the altitude of 360 meters, between the two mountains, for the purpose of defending the entire area of Dalmatia from the invasions of the enemies. The fortress is opened to the public every day and the entrance costs 60 kunas. The site is located at an approximately 30-minute drive from Split and is accessible by car or by public bus.

Trogir

Trogir is an old town located 30 kilometers from Split. The historic center of Trogir is situated on an island between the coast and the island of Čiovo. The narrow streets of the city center connect several Romanesque and Gothic churches and Venetian palaces. The most important sights of Trogir are the Camerlengo Fort with the city walls and the Cathedral of St. Lawrence. The appearance it has today the city owns to the Venetians. Thanks to its beauty and architectural importance, the historic center of Trogir was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

Hvar

For those who visit Split in the summer months and want to take a boat trip, the island of Hvar is a great option. Hvar is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Croatia. The island of Hvar is the sunniest island in the Adriatic Sea, with up to 2,800 hours of sunshine per year! Considering its long history, the island of Hvar is rich in culture, architecture and UNESCO heritage. In addition to architectural beauty, the island is home to many wonderful beaches.

Mostar

Mostar is one of the most beautiful towns in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is a place where western and eastern influences blend and coexist. Although the town is famous for its iconic bridge across the Neretva River, Mostar has much more to offer. In this old town in Herzegovina, you will find not only mosques (which are great in number) but also Catholic and Orthodox churches, as well as a Jewish synagogue. Mostar is located about 2,5 hours from Split, although it could take longer in the summer when traffic on the border is increased.