Split, Croatia: travel guide
Built in and around the Roman Palace of Diocletian, gateway to the Adriatic islands
Dalmatia's largest coastal city, built in and around the 4th-century Roman Palace of Diocletian — a living UNESCO monument, buzzing waterfront Riva and gateway to the central Adriatic islands.
About Split
Split sits on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. Only Zagreb, the capital, is bigger in Croatia, and Split is the biggest coastal city in the country. Split-Dalmatia County is run from the city, a regional centre for economy, culture and transport.
The city grew around Diocletian's Palace, which, from 305 CE, was the site of the emperor's palace, and spreads over a central peninsula. Its origin was a Greek colony, Aspálathos. After nearby Salona was sacked, refugees sheltered inside the fortified palace. Later it passed through Yugoslav, Italian, French, Habsburg, Venetian and Byzantine hands.
Split is also a tourist destination. UNESCO lists its historic core as a World Heritage Site, the port serves the southern Adriatic islands, and the University of Split adds research.
- Country
- Croatia
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- Europe/Zagreb
- Nearest airport
- SPU
Last updated
Top places to visit in Split
Cathedral of Saint Domnius
Cathedral · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
The world's oldest cathedral still in use, converted from Diocletian's mausoleum, with a climbable Romanesque bell tower over the Peristyle.
Klis Fortress
Hilltop fortress · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A commanding medieval fortress on a rocky ridge above Split, key to Dalmatia's history and a Game of Thrones location (Meereen).
Marjan Hill
Forest park · 4.8 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The pine-forested peninsula park rising over Split, laced with trails, viewpoints, hermit chapels and swimming coves.
Diocletian's Palace Cellars
Roman cellars · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The atmospheric vaulted substructures beneath the palace — perfectly preserved Roman halls used as a market and a Game of Thrones set.
Ivan Meštrović Gallery
Art gallery · 4.7 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
The seaside villa and studio of Croatia's greatest sculptor, displaying his works in marble, bronze and wood amid formal gardens.
Temple of Jupiter
Roman temple · 4.1 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
A remarkably intact Roman temple within the palace, later converted into the cathedral's baptistery, with a barrel-vaulted coffered ceiling.
Diocletian's Palace
Roman palace · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A vast 4th-century Roman imperial palace that became the living heart of Split — a warren of marble streets, cellars, shops and homes within Roman walls.
Riva Waterfront
Promenade · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Split's palm-lined seafront promenade beneath the palace's south wall — the city's living room for coffee, people-watching and evening strolls.
Bačvice Beach
Sandy beach · 4.0 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Split's famous shallow sandy bay, home of the local paddle game "picigin" by day and buzzing beach bars by night.
Golden Gate & Grgur Ninski Statue
Roman gate · 4.7 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
The monumental northern gate of the palace, guarded by Meštrović's giant bronze of Bishop Gregory of Nin — rub his toe for luck.
Prokurative (Republic Square)
Square · 4.7 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
A stately neo-Renaissance square open to the sea on three sides — Split's only Venetian-style piazza and a summer festival stage.
Peristyle (Peristil)
Roman square · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
The colonnaded central courtyard of the palace, framed by red granite Egyptian columns and an open-air stage for summer concerts.
Things to do
- Diocletian's Palace Walking Tour Tour · 1.5 h · from EUR 25 per person
- Blue Cave & 5 Islands Speedboat Tour Boat · 10 h · from EUR 130 per person
- Krka Waterfalls Day Trip Day Trip · 8 h · from EUR 55 per person
- Cetina River Rafting Adventure · 3.5 h · from EUR 45 per person
- Marjan Hill E-Bike Tour Cycling · 2.5 h · from EUR 35 per person
- Split Sea Kayaking & Snorkeling Water Sports · 3 h · from EUR 40 per person
Day trips and tours
- Blue Cave & 5 Islands from Split 10 h · from EUR 130
Where to stay in Split
- Diocletian's Palace / Old Town about EUR 150 per night
Live inside the Roman palace walls; cafés, bars and sights at the door, lively late into the night.
- Bačvice about EUR 120 per night
Beach neighbourhood by the sandy Bačvice bay, a short walk to the ferry port and Old Town.
- Varoš about EUR 110 per night
Old fishermen's quarter of stone lanes on the Old Town's western edge, near Marjan hill.
Hotels
- Cornaro Hotel 4-star · EUR 150 to EUR 320 per night
- Vestibul Palace Hotel 5-star · EUR 220 to EUR 500 per night
- Marmont Heritage Hotel 4-star · EUR 160 to EUR 330 per night
- Split Hostel Booze & Snooze 2-star · EUR 26 to EUR 90 per night
- Divota Apartment Hotel 4-star · EUR 120 to EUR 240 per night
- Hotel Park Split 5-star · EUR 250 to EUR 620 per night
Where to eat
- Villa Spiza Dalmatian, Seafood, Croatian · about EUR 30 per person
- Konoba Matejuška Dalmatian, Seafood · about EUR 32 per person
- Bokeria Kitchen & Wine Mediterranean, Steakhouse, Wine bar · about EUR 40 per person
- Zoi Mediterranean, Contemporary, Fine dining · about EUR 65 per person
- Fife Dalmatian, Croatian, Seafood · about EUR 18 per person
- Uje Oil Bar Mediterranean, Tapas, Croatian · about EUR 35 per person
- Bajamonti Mediterranean, Croatian, Cafe · about EUR 38 per person
Getting to Split
Airport: Split (SPU)
How visitors arrive in Split
- Fly into Split Airport By air from European cities / Zagreb · common
Mostly budget and charter flights, highly seasonal, plus domestic links to Zagreb and Dubrovnik. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Long-distance bus By road from Zagreb / Vienna / Munich / Sarajevo · common
International buses often change in Zagreb; direct services run from Vienna, Munich, Mostar and Sarajevo. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Ferry to Split port By ferry from Ancona / Pescara / Dubrovnik / Rijeka · common
International ferries serve Ancona and Pescara in Italy, and a coastal ferry links Dubrovnik and Rijeka. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Train from Zagreb By train from Zagreb · common
The main rail route is from Zagreb, with a day train and an overnight train. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the airport to the centre
- Airport shuttle bus to the bus station unconfirmed
A shuttle bus links Split Airport (near Trogir) with the intercity bus station beside the ferry port and rail station. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Taxi from Split Airport
The taxi stand is just left of the terminal exit. The airport is west of Split, near Trogir. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Bus 37 serves the airport and local Sukoisan station, not the intercity bus station; check which you need. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the railway station to the centre
- Split railway station
The main station sits beside the bus station and ferry terminals, with trains from Zagreb, Rijeka and Sibenik. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the port to the centre
- Ferries at Split passenger port
Island boats and ferries to Italy dock at the passenger port, next to the bus and railway stations and close to the old town. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Bus useful for some trips
Promet Split runs the city buses, and local and town services leave from the Sukošan terminal, about a kilometre from the historic centre.
- Ferry
Ferries and hydrofoils from the Port of Split serve islands including Brač, Hvar and Šolta, with Jadrolinija the main ferry operator.
- Ride Hail
Ride-hailing apps such as Bolt and Uber are available in Split as an alternative to street taxis.
- Taxi useful for some trips
Taxis are available in Split, including a taxi stand at the airport for transfers to the city and to Trogir.
- Walking useful for some trips
Safety and scams to avoid
Fish-by-weight bill shock
Split Riva & palace restaurants
Menus list fresh fish per kilo; the final bill can be much higher than the menu number suggests.
How to avoid it: Confirm the weight and final price of any fish ordered by the kilogram before it is cooked.
ATM dynamic currency conversion
Euronet ATMs near the Riva
Standalone (Euronet) ATMs offer to charge in your home currency at a poor exchange rate and high fees.
How to avoid it: Always choose to be charged in euros (EUR) and prefer bank-branded ATMs.
Best time to visit Split
- Jan 11°C
- Feb 12°C
- Mar 15°C
- Apr 18°C
- May 23°C
- Jun 28°C
- Jul 31°C
- Aug 31°C
- Sep 25°C
- Oct 21°C
- Nov 16°C
- Dec 12°C
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Frequently asked questions about Split
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Split?
- The highest-rated places in our Split guide are Marjan Hill, Ivan Meštrović Gallery, Diocletian's Palace, Riva Waterfront, Golden Gate & Grgur Ninski Statue.
- Where should I stay in Split?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Split: Diocletian's Palace / Old Town, Bačvice, Varoš.
- How do I get around Split?
- Ways to get around Split covered in our guide: City bus, Ferry, Ride-hailing app, Taxi.
- What scams should I watch out for in Split?
- Scams reported to us for Split include Fish-by-weight bill shock; ATM dynamic currency conversion. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Split?
- Average daytime highs in Split run from 11°C in Jan to 31°C in Jul.
- Which airport is nearest to Split?
- The nearest airport to Split has the code SPU.