Split, Croatia: Unveiling the Jewel of the Adriatic Coast
Split:
Split is located along the stunning Croatian coastline and is a wonderful city to visit for every type of traveller. It has beaches for beach lovers, historic buildings for history buffs, nearby national parks for nature lovers, and plenty of clubs and bars for party lovers. The town is a place brimming with excitement and the vibrant atmosphere that makes up Split is one of the things that makes it so special.
It is commonly referred to as an open-air museum, which is exactly what it is. The entire city is completely built around and inside the ruins of the enormous palace of Diocletian; restaurants now occupy what use to be servants chambers, markets fill up ancient dungeons and cellars. It looks like it could be straight out of a movie scene, and I was constantly in awe that it was, in fact, real, and not just a replica.
Accommodation:
Split has plenty of hotel, home stays and more! Depending on your style and travel needs you can search here to find the best accommodation for you!
SITES in SPLIT:
Diocletian’s Palace:
Diocletian’s Palace is an ancient palace built in Split in the 4th Century that was made for Roman emperor Diocletian. This huge stone palace takes up about half of the Old Town in Split and is well worth the explorations. The stunning stone architecture is something to admire as one of the most well-preserved pieces of Roman architecture in the world. It is also a UNESCO world heritage site! It is free to explore the palace grounds but going inside the palace and exploring various places has varying costs. From around $4 – 6$ depending on where you want to enter (towers, basement, etc). They also have a little market underneath the main square with unique, handmade items!
Climb the Saint Domnius Bell Tower:
Saint Domnius Bell Tower is located in Diocletian’s Palace and is a must-visit while in Split. From the outside, the tower stands tall amongst the buildings but the real excitement is climbing to the top to admire the views of Split from above. From the top of the bell tower, you are welcomed by panoramic views of Split from above where you can see the orange thatched roofed houses and blue water of the coast. It is beyond magical and one of the best things to do in Split to see the city in its entirety, but be prepared. It is definitely not for the faint of heart! Let me tell you, it is a LOT of stairs, and not just any old stairs. Steep, rickety, temporary construction-type stairs. So if you’re up for the adventure, your prize is the view!
Hike Marjan Hill:
Hiking to the top of Marjan Park is one of the top things to do in Split. From the top of the hill, you get some of the best views of the city and the beach and they are stunning! The hike up can be hard in the summer months with the sun beating down on you, but it is very worth it. While the view and park offer a welcome escape from the crowds in the city below and give you a breath of fresh air. Marjan is very easy to reach from Split meaning you can walk from Split to the hike and down. It is great exercise too, which you may be needing after enjoying the delicious local foods, drinks and ice cream in Split. This park is clean and well kept and one of the top things to do in Split.
Stroll the Promenade (Riva):
Strolling the long and beautiful promenade is one of the best things to do in Split. The Split promenade is always bustling with life and energy. There are plenty of restaurants with ocean views and ice cream shops galore. This is one of the best places to stop in for a bite to eat in a vibrant atmosphere and some stunning views! You can also just walk across the waterfront here after you eat and enjoy an ice-cream while enjoying the waterfront.
Extras:
- Green and Fish markets
- Matejuska (fisherman’s port)
- Historic Varos Neighborhood
- Split Marina (ACI Split)
- Sustipan Park, Split
THINGS TO DO in SPLIT:
Go on boat tour:
Going on a boat tour is one of the best things to do in Split for ocean lovers. With a boat tour, you can sail around the stunning aqua blue waters and explore more of Croatia. Most boat tours will let you swim in the middle of the sea, go to different islands, and show you the true beauty of Croatia. You can book a tour in advance or find a company along the promenade while you are already in Split. Booking in advance ensures you a spot and you can plan your visit around it. this is what we did and it worked out perfectly! You can find a few of our top choices below.
Visit the beaches:
Bacvice Beach is the best sand beach in Split, but the sandy parts are highly coveted so if you want a good spot (or a spot at all) you need to go early in the day!
Explore the Old Town
Split’s old town is a stunning area to explore. The stone streets are full of restaurants with charming patios, local shops and more that are perfect for enjoying. One of the best things to do in the old town is to go for a drink and meal to one of the many outdoor restaurants. You will find various restaurants with seating under umbrellas and enjoying a cold drink and local meal while admiring the beautiful surroundings is one of the top things to do in Split.
Day trip to Krka National Park:
Krka national park is an absolute cannot miss. It’s about an hours drive from Split and they have lots of tours you can take if you didn’t come by car. We drove but below we have listed 3 of the top choices for tours that offer the most bang for your buck! You can also read our full review of Krka below as well for more information.
What to Eat in Split:
Keep in mind that if you visit during the tourist season making dinner reservations might be the best way to go unless you’re up for the adventure of possibly waking an hour and being told everywhere is fully booked. That being said the further away from the Riva you go, the easier it will be to find food. Here are some of our favorite food spots in Splits.
Maka Maka açaí bowl:
They have an assortment of açaí bowls, lunch bowls, smoothies and at dinner they have tons of sushi.
Address: Pistura ul. 1, 21000, Split, Croatia
Fabrique Pub:
This pub was recommended to us by our host. They have delicious burgers, as well as wings, steaks and great beers!
Address: Trg Franje Tuđmana 3, 21000, Split, Croatia
Bepa:
This cafe was busy! They have a specialty of skewers and they are delicious. Also highly recommend the Cesar salad, it was incredible!
Address: Narodni trg 1, 21000, Split, Croatia
Roof 68:
This waterfront rooftop club is a great place to grab a drink and escape the heat with fantastic views of the Riva and Harbour below.
Address: Obala Lazareta 3, 21000, Split, Croatia
Shotgun shooters bar:
Obviously not a food place but can’t leave out this place for drinks. It’s a shot bar and the staff are great. You can spin the wheel and as long as you drink whatever it lands on, it’s free!
Address: Ul. Majstora Jurja 5, 21000, Split, Croatia
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__________________________________________ Trip: July 2021
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