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Split is the second largest city in Croatia and is becoming more popular among tourists as the years go by. Not only is it a very interesting destination to go to on a city break, but the port city of Split is also the ideal starting point for a tour of Croatia. The ancient city center is a true open-air museum. Wander through the maze of streets and discover beautiful sights such as Split's impressive cathedral and the underground tunnels of the former palace of Diocletian. Curious about what you can do in Split? Here are our tips!
On a city break to Split: discover the most beautiful sights and best tips
Split's cozy and compact city center has some wonderful highlights, atmospheric squares and nice restaurants. Most of them can be found in the historic heart, within the walls of the former palace of the Roman emperor. Stroll through the city gates and be amazed by all the beauty the city has to offer.
1. Explore Split's ancient city center
Split's most famous landmark is Diocletian's Palace, which was commissioned by the Roman Emperor Diocletian around the year 300. Over the centuries, the palace has become the lively heart of the port city of Split. Because of its history and preserved medieval architecture, Split has now also been on UNESCO's World Heritage List for decades.
Within the former city walls today are restaurants and the city gates still serve as entrance gates today. Walking through the narrow streets of Split, you will overwhelmingly see the ruins of the Roman palace. Don't forget to climb the Domnius Cathedral, from the top you will have a beautiful view of the city.
Not only the palace itself, but also its cellars are well preserved. The cellars can only be visited for a few years because they were full of garbage. Cleaning them up is an important project that must take into account the city's foundation. Until two years ago, you could find market stalls in the cellars, but today this is no longer the case. A fun fact about the cellars of Diocletian's Palace is that they have been used as a movie set for the popular series Game of Thrones.
2. Slide into a table on the terrace of Fig restaurant.
Tucked away in the quaint streets of the old city center you will find the cozy and atmospheric restaurant Fig. The restaurant has a beautiful historic courtyard where there are a few tables to sit at. In our opinion, this is also the nicest place to sit, but inside is of course also possible. Fig is a popular hot spot in Split, so if you want to be assured of a place, then early reservations are recommended. However, we joined the restaurant in line and had a table within 15 minutes (this was in June, so not high season in terms of tourism).
The cuisine is Mediterranean and the menu is full of flavorful dishes. Although the choice is not very extensive, there is more than enough goodies. Possibly as a shared-dining concept, or just enjoy a dish for yourself. My favorite is the Mexican Pulled Pork, but the Chicken Korma is also finger-licking good!
3. Stroll along Riva Boulevard
Almost every city located by the water has a boulevard, and so does Split. And what a one. With its meters-high palm trees and colorful flowers, the Riva Boulevard exudes a summer atmosphere. It is a nice place to walk around and sit down at the terrace for a bite to eat and a drink. Don't expect to be able to eat locally here by the way, you really have to stray from the boulevard for that. Especially in the early evening, around sunset, Riva Boulevard is a pleasant place to be. Also be sure to walk to the end of the boulevard where you will find the Trg Republike square. A beautiful large square surrounded by beautiful red-pink buildings.
4. Local dining out at Konoba Varos
Where in Italy you want to eat at a Trattoria and in Spain at a Taverna, in Croatia you want to eat at a Konoba. Konoba when translated into Dutch is a tavern, an old and traditional place where you can eat typical Croatian food. And such a place we found just outside the city center of Split, namely Konoba Varos. The specialty that was hit on us was the Pasticada, stew meat marinated in red wine sauce. A heavenly dish and highly recommended!
5. Book a boat tour of the Pakleni islands
With one of Croatia's most beautiful island groups off the coast of Split, it is great fun to spend a day out to sea. A boat trip along the Pakleni Islands is one of the more popular trips to take, often combined with a visit to the Blue Cave and Stiniva Beach. The Pakleni Islands consist of a group of 20 islands and they are known for their crystal clear sea water and paradisiacal beaches. With a boat trip you can island hop around the islands and discover the most beautiful spots. Ideal to do during a city break to Split.
You can always book a boat trip from the port of Split on the spot, but would you rather have everything fixed in advance? Then take a look at the range of boat trips on GetYourGuide. We also booked our sailing trip along the Pakleni Islands in advance and have absolutely no regrets!
6. Take the ferry to the bustling island of Hvar
The Dalmatian Islands is another very beautiful archipelago off the coast of Split. Islands such as Hvar, Brač and Vis you will no doubt have heard of. If you can extend your city break to Split with a stay on one of these paradise islands it is definitely a must.
Hvar is one of the more popular Croatian islands at the moment. Not only because of the cozy party character that the island has, but also because of the cozy medieval center, the beautiful bays and the impressive interior. Did you know that Hvar, with about 2,000 hours of sunshine per year, is the sunniest island in Croatia? Totally worth exploring!
Where to stay in Split?
If you are staying a few nights in Split, finding accommodation around the old town is the best tip we can give you. Inside the city walls of Split it is bustling, here you will find many restaurants, stores and of course the famous sights. Outside the old city center there is little to see and do. Just remember that Split, especially in the summer months, is a popular destination, so many hotels located close to the old town are quickly fully booked.
We ourselves stayed near the port of Split because the next day of our stay we would get on the ferry to the island of Hvar. The accommodation we stayed in was Best Location Rooms. A nice place about 15 minutes walk from the old center. We paid about €100 per night for two people. Check out other beautiful and well-regarded accommodations in Split here.
How to travel to Split?
Split is a popular hub in Croatia because of its ideal location. This makes it fairly easy to travel to the city. With Skycanner fly from Amsterdam Schiphol and Rotterdam The Hague Airport directly to Split airport. From here it's about a 30-minute drive to get to the city center. Do keep in mind that cabs here are quite expensive (return trip costs about €65). You're better off using Uber or taking the city bus.
Split as the starting point of your vacation in Croatia
As we already wrote, Split is the ideal base for touring Croatia. From the port city, you can easily choose a vacation where you go hopping along the different islands in the Adriatic Sea or rent a car and explore the most beautiful places of the interior. Curious about possibilities? We will gladly work out a travel proposal for you!
Take a wonderful trip through Croatia
Do you want to travel through Croatia but are not quite sure about the route and destinations yet? As personal travel consultants we would like to help you. During a 1-on-1 video interview we will map out your wishes and advise you on the best places that suit you. Would you rather leave it all up to us? No problem! We organize your trip completely tailor-made. Ask for a travel proposal for your vacation to Croatia.
Lois Weeterings
A dreamer and adventure seeker, always on the lookout for new experiences. But also a hard worker with a thousand ideas racing through my mind. As a personal travel consultant and travel blogger, I share my passion for faraway destinations, thrilling adventures, and winter sports. With deep knowledge of places like Namibia, Colombia, the ABC Islands, and the Middle East, I’m here to help you craft a trip you’ll never forget. Through my personal stories and expert tips, I aim to inspire you to explore the world your way. Always with my camera in hand, I’m determined to capture every magical moment and share it with you.
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