Best Things to Do in Split Croatia
We recently spent 3 days in Split which gave us plenty of time to leisurely stroll and even go back to popular attractions multiple times. The town is so walkable which is perfect for tourists. Keep reading for the 10 best things to do in Split whether you spend 1 day or 3 days or more. Also, don’t miss part two where I share all the best things to eat in Split!
1. Marjan Hill
Located just west of the Split Old Town, a climb up Marjan Hill will provide you the best views of Split Croatia! It’s pronounced mary-anne which makes a lot more sense than the mar-jhan I was saying in my head! To find the trail head, search up “Marjan Hill Stairs” on Google Maps and it should be right next to Markus Winery Tasting Room. The stairs are well paved and I found them easy to walk up. In less than 10 minutes, you’ll reach the viewpoint!
The trails continue to go west for many kms. We walked a bit further to see the Church of St. Nicolas but the best views are at that first view point. If you’re feeling real leisurely, you can even have a drink at Teraca Vidilica but beware the menu prices!
2. Free Walking Tour
There is so much history in Split so unless you’re a historian, you’ll really benefit from a walking tour. We found a free walking tour with Free Spirit Tour and I would recommend it. You need to pay 2 euros each for a headset but you are free to tip as you wish at the end of the tour.
We already walked around Split Old Town by the time we took this tour. But I appreciated all the buildings and stories so much more! For example, don’t you want to be able to identify which stones are from the true Roman era and which are later additions? Also, you’ll learn to identify parts of the town with Medieval influences and parts with Venetian influences.
I like taking walking tours at the beginning of a trip so you can go back and revisit your favorite spots after!
3. Split Riva
The picture that originally put Split on my travel list is the beautiful waterfront Riva. It stretches almost the whole length of old town and is one of the best things to do in Split! Surprisingly, I found people less dressed up in Split compared to Dubrovnik or Hvar (read my 3 day Hvar trip!), but the people watching is still fun.
4. Diocletian’s Palace
This is the #1 attraction in Split and it is awe inspiring to see history like this. You have to visit Diocletian’s Palace during the day and night to see how the mood changes. Walking into for the first time was jaw dropping. You can feel the grandeur and it’s just amazing that it’s so well preserved even after 2,000+ years. At night time, there’s often music at Lvxor and is a great way to sit and people watch.
5. Republic Square (Trg Republike)
Most travel guides will tell you to just walk around Split Old Town, but where should you actually go? I’ll share a few specific landmarks within Split Old Town in the next few picks so you have a bit of a destination. One of my favorite spots is the Republic Square on the west side of Old Town. This colorful square is extremely photogenic and you’ll get amazing photos if you come in the morning. The red and green architecture reminds me of Venice and the wide open square faces the beautiful Adriatic sea.
6. Vestibule
As you walk through Split’s old town, you’ll likely stumble across the Vestibule. This is located close to Diocletian’s Palace but it may take you a bit of wandering to find it. Come during the day and you’ll likely run into a group of men singing acapella. The acoustics of this chamber make their voices even more magical.
7. Trg Brace Radica (Fruit Square)
Another interesting highlight in Split’s Old Town is the Radic Brother’s Square. I like this area because it is a classic medieval style and it’s really interesting to see the history within different parts of Old Town. The green windows and red tile walls transports you back to the Middle Ages.
8. 3D Model of Split Old Town
This next item is a bit of a unique one. But if you ever feel disoriented in European cities with their winding roads, check out this 3D model of Split Old Town. Search Up “Maketa povijesne jezgre grada Splita” on Google Maps for the location!
9. Matejuska (Marina)
Earlier in this post I mentioned Split Riva, but don’t stop there. I’d highly recommend continuing to walk west towards the Marina as you’ll get a beautiful view of Split Old Town. You’ll probably also see some yachts and can do some celebrity hunting. Search up Matejuska on Google Maps and walk along the water until Hotel Ambassador.
10. Kasjuni Beach
We were not originally planning on having a beach day in Split since we had some wonderful beach time on Hvar Island, but it was getting so hot towards the end of our trip that we had to go to the water. Kasjuni Beach looks far on a map but it was only a 5 Euro uber ride from Split Old Town. Close to the parking lot are a few beach clubs if you prefer to pay for a beach chair and have service. But keep walking and there’s plenty of room to spread out your beach towel. There’s not a lot of shade though so bring your own beach umbrella if you’re able to.
So that rounds up the 10 best things to do in Split, Croatia! As you can see, it is a town filled with history and photogenic corners. Split was my favorite city in Croatia and I’d highly recommend you spend an extra day here so you can travel slower and enjoy all the beautiful hidden gems.
