Craving a sun-soaked Adriatic escape filled with history and seaside charm? Head to Split! This ancient coastal city in Croatia dazzles with Roman ruins, palm-lined promenades, and island-hopping adventures. Whether you're sipping espresso in a palace courtyard or diving into crystal-clear waters, Split blends Mediterranean relaxation with cultural intrigue.
Split, Croatia Highlights:
- Wander through Diocletian’s Palace: Explore Roman-era streets, courtyards, and underground cellars in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Stroll the Riva Promenade: Lined with cafés and palm trees, it’s perfect for people-watching with a sea breeze.
- Climb the Bell Tower of Saint Domnius: Enjoy panoramic views of the city, harbor, and surrounding mountains.
- Swim at Bacvice Beach: Join locals at this sandy beach known for shallow waters and beachside cafés.
- Take a boat trip to the nearby islands: Hvar, Brac, and Vis offer scenic beauty, beaches, and vibrant nightlife.
When I like to visit Split, Croatia
The best time to visit Split is during the shoulder seasons of May–June and September–early October. The weather is warm, the sea is swimmable, and crowds are more manageable than peak summer. July and August offer beach-perfect conditions and lively festivals but can be hot and busy.
Tips for getting to Split, Croatia
- By Air: Split Airport (SPU) is well-connected to major European cities and about 30 minutes from the city center by shuttle or taxi.
- By Ferry: Regular ferries from Italy and Croatian islands arrive at Split’s port, right by the old town.
- By Train or Bus: Convenient connections from Zagreb, Dubrovnik, and regional cities via intercity buses or slower scenic trains.
Where I like to stay in Split, Croatia
- Hotel Vestibul Palace – Boutique luxury inside Diocletian’s Palace, blending ancient walls with modern style.
- Radisson Blu Resort & Spa – Beachfront resort with pools, views, and full-service amenities just outside the center.
- Villa Split Heritage Hotel – Elegant stay in a 10th-century stone house in the heart of the old town.
Best Things to Do in Split, Croatia
1. Bacvice Beach
Bacvice Beach is a beautiful natural sandy beach in the heart of the city, next to the city port, that can comfortably accommodate thousands of bathers. Bacvice is packed in summer, becoming Split's own Copacabana where beach football and the game called ‘picigin’ – Split’s version of beach rugby – is played. The beach has a promenade running along the seashore, which draws strollers of all ages, and there are a few cafés, beach bars, and restaurants serving drinks and food, and the area comes alive at night.
Bacvice Beach, Split, Croatia
2. Ethnographic Museum
Located in the Diocletian's Palace, the Ethnographic Museum explores the old ways of life in Split and the surrounding regions through exceptional collections of pottery, wood carvings, jewelry, regional costumes, knitting, weapons, and other various handmade artifacts. Founded in 1910 and located next to the Peristyle - the central square of the Palace - the museum is housed in a beautiful building that is of vital architectural, cultural and historical significance that guards the entrance to the top of the Vestibul, which offers spectacular views of the sea, the Old Town, and Vestibul below.
Ethnographic Museum, Ul. Iza Vestibula 4, 21000, Split, Croatia, Phone: +385-21-34-41-64
3. Diocletian’s Palace
Dominating the heart of the Old Town of Split, Diocletian’s Palace is an ancient palace that was built for the Roman Emperor Diocletian in 305 AD. The beautifully preserved 4th-century citadel and UNESCO World Heritage Site rests at the center of the city and is bisected by Roman streets with original paving stones. Built as a combination of a luxury summer villa and a Roman military camp (castrum), the palace is divided into four sections with two main streets and contains residential buildings and military garrison quarters. While the interiors of the castle have been adapted throughout the centuries to accommodate the growing city around it, the outlines of the Imperial Palace are still visible.
Diocletian’s Palace, Dioklecijanova ul. 1, 21000, Split, Croatia, Phone: +385-9-77-79-07-19, Video
Activities and Attractions for Couples:
4. Academia Club Ghetto
Located in the Diocletian's Palace, Academia Club Ghetto is a unique bar and club on the edges of the palace walls in the city center that draws a cult following and is a fantastic spot to have a drink and watch some of Split’s more colorful characters in action. Nestled in a cozy courtyard with a spectacular green terrace on Dosud Street, the Club exudes a slightly grungy, underground feel and often hosts art exhibitions, local and visiting DJs, live performances, and other events.
Academia Ghetto Club, Dosud ulica 10, 21000, Split, Croatia, Phone: +385-9-11-97-77-90
5. Saint Domnius Cathedral
Located in the Mausoleum of the Roman Emperor Diocletian in the Diocletian's Palace, the Saint Domnius Cathedral, locally known as the Sveti Dujam, is the city’s main Catholic cathedral and the seat of the Archdiocese of Split-Makarska. Built in the 7th century AD, St. Domnius Cathedral is the oldest Catholic cathedral in the world and blends ancient pagan, Christian Medieval and modern heritage. The Cathedral has a stunning interior with red granite Corinthian pillars, reliefs of hunting erots, masks, and human heads, and a cupola lined with glittering mosaics. The Cathedral’s 190-foot bell tower was added in the 13th century, and visitors can climb to the top for breathtaking views over the city.
Cathedral of Saint Domnius, Ul. Kraj Svetog Duje 5, 21000, Split, Croatia
Where to Eat in Split, Croatia
6. Adriatic Graso
Located on Sustipan Cliff at the foot of Marjan Hill, Restaurant Adriatic Grašo is perfectly positioned to take in spectacular views of the city, the Adriatic Sea, and the surrounding islands of the archipelago. Established over 20 years ago, the restaurant is renowned for its traditional and regional Dalmatian cuisine, including fresh seafood and catch-of-the-day fish, Dalmatian cured meats, and fresh salads and vegetables. The restaurant’s terrace has plenty of seating for alfresco dining in the warmers months, but reservations are essential in the high season, and the full service bar serves a variety of local and imported beers, wines, and spirits, as well as handcrafted cocktails. Restaurant Adriatic Grašo is open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week.
Adriatic Graso, Uvala Baluni b.b., Splitsko-dalmatinska županija HR, Phone: +385-21-39-85-60
7. Zinfandel Food & Wine
Zinfandel Food & Wine is a contemporary restaurant with exposed brick walls and floor-to-ceiling windows in the heart of the Old Town that promises an exceptional Dalmatian dining experience. Diners can select dishes from the tapas and small platter menu, off the á la carte menu, or go for a five-course tasting menu, both of which feature signature Dalmatian dishes such as roasted Adriatic octopus salad, saffron risotto, oxtail ravioli, filet mignon with sweet potato, and ricotta-stuffed calamari. The exquisite cuisine is paired with over 100 Croatian and international wines that can be enjoyed by the bottle or the glass, as well as local beers and handcrafted cocktails. Zinfandel Food & Wine is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Monday through Saturday.
2 Maruliceva Ulica, Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija, 21000, Croatia, Phone: +385-21-35-51-35
My favorite local events:
- Split Summer Festival (July–August) – Open-air theater, opera, and music across historic city venues.
- Days of Diocletian (late August) – Historical reenactments, parades, and Roman-style feasting throughout the old town.
- Ultra Europe Music Festival (July) – Massive international EDM festival drawing crowds from around the world.
My favorite day trips within 30 Minutes to 2 Hours of Split, Croatia:
- Trogir (30 min) – UNESCO-listed island town with medieval alleys and waterfront cafés.
- Solin (15–20 min) – Explore Roman ruins of Salona, once the capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia.
- Omiš (45 min) – Adventure capital with ziplining, river rafting, and a charming old town on the Cetina River.
- Krka National Park (1.5 hrs) – Swim near waterfalls and admire the park’s lush biodiversity.
- Hvar Island (1–2 hrs by ferry) – Chic island with nightlife, lavender fields, and ancient fortresses.
- Brac Island (1 hr by ferry) – Home to the famous Zlatni Rat beach and quaint stone villages.
Plan Your Trip