10 Things to Do and See in Split

Many consider Split merely a stopover city, where one spends just a few hours during an island cruise, or before heading to more famous tourist destinations.

But the second largest city in Croatia is ready to surprise visitors with its vibrant Mediterranean atmosphere, its coastline with crystal-clear waters, and especially the charm of its ancient origins that emanate from every corner of its historic center.

Among the most picturesque places is the incredible Diocletian's Palace, once a prestigious residence built by one of the last Roman emperors, now the heart of the ancient city, able to enchant tourists with the intense white of its buildings and the incredible beauty of its monuments.

But Split is not only about history and culture. For those wishing to spend a holiday devoted to sun and sea, the coastline of this splendid city in central Dalmatia offers wonderful sandy beaches, hidden pebble coves, and a sea in extraordinary colors, with all shades of blue and turquoise.

If you plan to stay in Split for a few more days, take the opportunity to explore its surroundings, discovering even more about the history of this city with a millennial charm: the enchanting Trogir, the Klis Fortress, and Salona, the largest archaeological park in Croatia.

On this page, we recommend the 10 things to do and see in Split during a weekend or vacation.

The Diocletian's Palace is one of the artistic, historical, and cultural wonders that should be seen at least once in a lifetime, as it represents one of the most important legacies that have come down to us from ancient Rome and one of the best-preserved monuments of Roman architecture. As the name itself suggests, this is the prestigious residence built in the 4th century AD by Diocletian, one of the last great Roman emperors.

To build it, he spared no expense, deciding to construct it with shiny white stone from the island of Brac and also imported marbles from Italy and Greece, as well as sphinxes and columns from Egypt.

His desire was, in fact, to abdicate due to illness and to retire to a palace that reflected his personality, where he could spend his time until his death.

Today, what was once a true imperial palace is neither a museum nor a palace but a sort of city within a city, coinciding with the vibrant heart of Split, and within it, there are as many as 220 buildings inhabited by about 3000 people.

"Visiting" Diocletian's Palace today means immersing oneself in a citadel surrounded by walls of millennial charm, traversed by a labyrinth of intertwined streets and picturesque squares, animated by bars, restaurants, and shops, and of course, by the remains of monuments, churches, and temples built at the behest of Emperor Diocletian.

The palace can be accessed on four sides through four imposing gates whose names are inspired by four metals: Golden Gate, Bronze Gate, Silver Gate, and Iron Gate. A curiosity: in front of the Golden Gate, take a moment to admire the impressive statue of Gregory of Nin, created by Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrovic.

According to local tradition, touching the left big toe of the statue, which is noticeably shinier due to the constant rubbing by tourists, would bring good luck and ensure a return to Split.

There are many cultural places and attractions that we recommend you seek out while wandering aimlessly through the alleys of Diocletian's Palace. Among the most significant is the Peristyle, the true heart of the city, characterized by a fascinating Roman colonnade where the emperor met his subjects. Among the columns stands a beautiful sphinx, which arrived directly from Egypt in the 5th century.

In this area, you'll also find the stunning Cathedral of Saint Domnius, which is the former Mausoleum of Diocletian, later transformed into a Cathedral in the 7th century by the first bishop of Split. The Temple of Jupiter, perfectly preserved, was later converted into the cathedral's baptistery.

Also worth visiting is the ** Vestibule**, a large hall with a dome opened to the sky that was once the entrance to the imperial halls, and the Palace Cellars, which were once an outlet to the sea and used as storage, now home to a souvenir market and an entry point to the Palace from the Riva, the city's promenade.

Located in the heart of Diocletian's Palace, the Peristyle, the Cathedral of Saint Domnius rises imposing and in all its splendor over the city of Split. It symbolically represents the fusion between paganism and medieval Christianity, as it stands in the building that was once the ancient Mausoleum of Diocletian, a persecutor of Christianity.

Indeed, the remains of the emperor, who died in 311 AD, were preserved there. However, the Christians destroyed the mausoleum and transformed it, in the 5th century, into a church dedicated to the martyrs Saint Domnius (the patron of the city) and Saint Anastasius.

The structure of the cathedral still retains its characteristic octagonal floor plan and the original colonnade of 24 columns. Later, between the 12th and 15th centuries, the Roman bell tower was erected, destroyed, and then rebuilt in 1908.

Climbing the bell tower to admire the view of Split from above, with the white of the streets and houses contrasting with the blue of the sea, is an unmissable experience. Inside the cathedral, one can admire the Romanesque pulpit, a sculpted frieze depicting the faces of Diocletian and his wife, the cathedral's treasury, and the altar of Saint Anastasius.

The Riva is the picturesque promenade of Split, an elegant and modern promenade about 250 meters long that today represents the liveliest place in the city, offering a spectacular view of the Adriatic coast.

Like in the most beautiful Mediterranean cities, this promenade is characterized by a succession of palms and trees, flower beds, benches where one can spend moments of relaxation admiring the sea, and an endless array of outdoor bars and restaurants, where locals and tourists love to have breakfast or sip drinks at sunset.

A long, "scenic" boulevard that is very lively both day and night, renovated in 2005 to create a public space for city festivals, cultural events, and sports.

But the Riva is a magical place for another reason: because it is flanked, on the inner side, by the monumental Diocletian's Palace. From the Riva, you can indeed admire the famous palace from the outside and walk through the Bronze Gate, one of the main access ways to the historic Roman center of Split, to immerse yourself in the heart of the city.

The Marjan Forest Park is the green lung of Split, a natural reserve located on a hill overlooking the sea where residents and tourists love to spend their leisure time, walking through woods, pine forests, trails, medieval chapels, and viewpoints.

The park was initiated by the very inhabitants of Split, who began planting pines on Mount Marjan in 1852, transforming an arid and barren area into a vast oasis of relaxation away from urban bustle, where a city zoo, three museums, and numerous biking and jogging paths have also emerged.

Tourists, on the other hand, embark on the hike up Mount Marjan to admire the incredible view of the city from above. There are indeed three viewpoints at different heights, at 125, 148, and 178 meters above sea level, from which one can see the old city with the Diocletian's Palace, the bell tower, and the Riva, the coastline of Split with the surrounding islands, the Kaštela Riviera with the towns of Solin and Trogir, and the Dinara mountain range.

For those who want to dive into the sea, there are some rocky beaches accessible by descending from the hill: Ježinac, made of pebbles, and the beaches of Kaštelet and Kašjuni, surrounded by a pine forest.

When one wants to get a closer look at the daily life of a city, they visit its markets. In Split, there are two must-visit markets: the Fish Market and the Pazar, also known as the Green Market.

The Fish Market is the typical city fish market, with the peculiarity that it is located inside a secessionist-style building constructed over 120 years ago.

What can be immediately noticed is the absolute absence of flies, driven away by the strong sulfur smell of the waters that flow nearby, which is why Emperor Diocletian, who suffered from rheumatic pains, built his palace right here.

On the stalls of the peškarija, as it is called by the locals, the best of the Adriatic Sea arrives - mackerel, dentex, sea bream, sardines, lobsters, mollusks - so much so that it is considered a place that harbors the true spirit of the city.

The Pazar is, on the other hand, the typical fruit and vegetable market, very popular among tourists for its proximity to Diocletian's Palace.

The atmosphere experienced while browsing the various stalls is truly unique, as this market, chaotic and colorful, represents the true heart of Split, where one can still feel the authentic mindset of Dalmatia and the Mediterranean, amidst the sounds, voices, colors, flavors, and aromas of fresh fruits and vegetables.

If you want to immerse yourself in Croatian artistic culture, we recommend visiting the Meštrović Gallery, dedicated to the most famous Croatian sculptor of the 20th century, Ivan Meštrović, whose statues are scattered throughout the city of Split.

Among the most notable is the statue of Gregory of Nin, located in front of the Golden Gate of Diocletian's Palace, whose famous golden big toe reportedly brings good luck to those who touch it.

The Meštrović Gallery is the most visited museum in Split and is located in a quite picturesque position, at the foot of Mount Marjan, with an incredible view of the sea.

The museum, founded in 1952, is housed in the magnificent building chosen by Meštrović as his private residence but is so beautiful and unique that it is also considered a work of art.

Inside the museum, which is structured on three levels, you can admire the largest collection of the sculptor, including statues and bronzes, in addition to discovering the beautiful rooms of what was once the artist's villa, still furnished with original furniture and objects.

A walk in the gardens is a must to have a unique experience between art and nature, admiring the sculptor's statues immersed in greenery, with the panorama of the Adriatic Sea in the background.

The museum ticket also includes a visit to the adjacent Kastelet, the fortress acquired and restored by Meštrović, where his 28 wooden bas-reliefs dedicated to the Life of Christ are kept.

To learn about the Roman past of Split by admiring artifacts and artworks, there is only one place to go: the Archaeological Museum.

Founded in 1820 by a decree of the Dalmatian government in Zadar, this museum is one of the oldest in Croatia and is also considered the most important, given its rich collection of Roman-era artifacts.

Much of the exhibited artifacts come from Diocletian's Palace, but also from the excavations of Salona, the ancient Roman city that was once much larger than Pompeii.

At the Archaeological Museum of Split, you can admire countless sacred and profane objects from various eras: testimonies from the Neolithic and Bronze Age, Hellenistic pottery, numerous sculptures inspired by Illyrian mythology, paleo-Christian sarcophagi, a vast collection of ancient and medieval gems and coins, inscriptions, tombstones, statues, glass and ivory, and a mosaic depicting the myth of Orpheus. On the upper floor, there is a large library with 30,000 books on archaeology and the history of Dalmatia.

Those choosing Split as a summer vacation destination can discover the splendid city beaches or those located a short distance from the city. The shallow waters of the coastline and the calm, crystal-clear waters make the beaches of Split particularly loved by families with children, but there's also fun for the young.

The most frequented beach in Split is Bacvice, located just 1 km from the center. It is a sandy beach with transparent and very shallow water, where almost everyone plays picigin, a typical Croatian game where the main rule is to keep a small ball in the air with jumps and dives without ever letting it fall into the water.

Bars, pizzerias, and nightclubs animate the beach until late in the evening. The Firule beach is also very popular with families because it is located in a hidden bay sheltered from currents and is characterized by very fine sand and clear waters.

For those who love pebbles and rocks, there are beaches at the foot of Mount Marjan: the Kasjuni beach, sandy and rocky, in a tranquil bay bathed by turquoise waters; and the Kastelet beach, sandy and with very small stones, especially loved by the young because there are bars that play music all day, transforming into open-air nightclubs.

The Znjan beach, on the other hand, is located 5 km from Split but is very frequented by those looking for equipped beaches offering multiple services, including ample parking, bars, and restaurants. It is the largest beach in Split, and here too one can be enchanted by the crystal-clear sea.

Split is an excellent starting point for short excursions to nearby locations. The most beautiful is undoubtedly Trogir, an enchanting town with millennial charm whose historic center, surrounded by imposing medieval walls, is situated on a small island connected to the mainland by a bridge.

Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site for its rich heritage of Romanesque and Renaissance buildings, Trogir enchants hundreds of visitors every day with its scenic and architectural beauty, its splendid Cathedral of Saint Lawrence, a fascinating testimony of Venetian Romanesque style, and its picturesque streets that convey the feeling of traveling back in time.

It is no coincidence that the small Trogir is now considered the best-preserved Roman-Gothic town in Central Europe. Its beaches are also interesting to explore. The most beautiful ones are on the island of Ciovo, like Okrug Gornji beach, located on the eastern coast, a long crescent of white pebbles and turquoise sea, stretching over 2 km.

Between Split and Trogir lies Kastela, a town made up of seven port municipalities, each named after a castle: Stafilic, Novi, Stari, Luksic, Kambelovac, Gomilica, and Sucurac. These fortresses were built between the 15th and 16th centuries to defend against the threat of an Ottoman invasion.

But the Turks never arrived, and today we can admire these splendid constructions that characterize the towns and villages overlooking enchanting marine coves. If you don't have time to visit them all, stop by Kastel Luksic, where the best-preserved castle open to the public is located.

Game of Thrones fans shouldn't miss venturing into the hinterland of Split to visit the picturesque Klis Fortress, where some scenes from the famous television series were filmed, those set in the city of Mereen.

Klis is derived from the Latin clavis, meaning "key", probably because this place has represented for centuries the main access to Dalmatia for many populations, such as Illyrians, Turks, and Venetians, and whoever managed to seize it also governed over Split.

Even today, the fortress symbolically represents a connection point between Bosnia and the coast, between the inland areas of Croatia and the coastline. From the top of the fortress, one can enjoy a breathtaking view of Split, Solin, and Kaštela, and the islands of Brač, Šolta, Hvar, and Vis.

Don't miss an excursion to the city of Solin (Salona in Italian), once the capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia, where you can visit the largest archaeological park in Croatia.

In this place, where according to legend, Emperor Diocletian was born, you can admire ancient Roman artifacts, including sarcophagi carved with Greek-Roman mythological scenes, the remains of the proto-Christian cathedral, and those of a huge amphitheater. But the most fascinating aspect of Salona is that there are archaeological areas yet to be excavated, with many hidden wonders still to be discovered.

The culinary offerings in Split are rich and varied, just like those found in all locations in Croatia.

The city center is bustling with rustic taverns but also more elegant restaurants, especially on the Riva. It's not difficult, therefore, to find a Konoba (tavern in Croatian) ready to offer you local specialties such as freshly caught fish or equally delicious meat dishes.

Don't miss the black risotto, typical of Dalmatia, calamari salad, fried lobster, and brudet, a fish stew very common along the Croatian Adriatic coast.

Among the meat dishes are lamb or piglet roasted on a spit (na raznju), pasticada, marinated beef stuffed with bacon and garlic served with gnocchi and red wine sauce, and Prsut, the typical Dalmatian ham, and of course, the cevapi, small sausages made from minced meat (beef, pork, and lamb) and spices, served with chopped onions and with ajvar sauce made from peppers, garlic, eggplant, and chili.

Staying in Split is a great idea to visit its historical center and to discover its surroundings, having a wide choice of budget tourist accommodations, as this city is among the most affordable destinations in Dalmatia. The best accommodations are located in the historical center and along the waterfront, strategic locations for visiting the city and reaching the port, from where you can embark for an island tour. In the low season, it is possible to book a double room ranging from 40/50 to 70/80 euros per night, choosing from three or four-star hotels, apartments, and bed and breakfasts. In high season, prices increase slightly, and it is possible to stay in a double room starting from 60/70 euros to 100/120 euros per night.

If you're looking for a hotel in Split, we recommend choosing from those offered by Booking.com. There are about 5300 hotels with prices, photos, and reviews from those who stayed before you. Go to Booking.com.