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7 Best Things to do in Split in Croatia

UPDATED JULY 2022. Croatia has become one of the most popular countries in Europe. And while I prefer traveling in Montenegro, Split, Croatia’s capital, is still a great destination, one most tourists skip, with them preferring to head to Hvar or Dubrovnik. But there are a lot of things to do Split in Croatia, and you can comfortably see it in 2 days, so why not soak up true Croatian culture and spend a couple of days in the city. 

Split also has much more authentic feel than Dubrovnik, that’s not to say it’s not rammed with tourists, it is, but they seem to dissolve into the atmospheric surroundings much better here. Split is the sort of town where you need half a day to see the ‘sights’, then a couple of days to soak up the culture and climate. During your time here, make you’re you tick off all these things to do in Split in Croatia:

Game of Throne’s Tour:

Croatia was always popular, but Game Of Thrones being filmed here has CHANGED THE GAME! Follow in the footsteps of the unsullied and Khalisi and include the main spots in Split on your walking tour. 

TOP-TIP: Take a guided Game of Throne’s tour, and book in advance, they are popular!

Diocletian’s Palace:

This is the heart and soul of Split, a living UNESCO World Heritage Site. There’s no entrance per se, the Palace is within the Old Town, you’re free to walk around the narrow, cobbled streets for hours. These actual Roman Ruins are hugely impressive, the sort of thing that would normally be cordoned off, but here it’s just another corner of the old town. Awesome. Wander around Peristil square and Jupiter’s temple to finish off the photo opportunities, where you can see each of the two original Egyptian sphinxes in the city.

TOP-TIP – You can take a guided walking tour, for 2 hours, for just $20 or so!

Cathedral of St Domnius (St. Duje’s Cathedral):

Not only is this the oldest cathedral building in the world, but ff you love to check out a good view, so hit up the Cathedral and climb the tower. The ticket for every ‘chamber’ of the cathedral is 35 Krona ($6), but if you just want to climb the tower it’s only $2, and to be frank, that’s a better option. The rest is quite underwhelming, especially if you’ve been backpacking across Europe for long.

RIVA Waterfront Promenade:

Overlooking the marina, and in front of the Old Town there’s a brand new promenade lined with restaurants, bars, ice cream and pancake vendors, benches to chill on and scantily clad women to hand out club fliers. Break the budget and get dinner here some evening (if you’re careful you can get away with $15), and watch the world go by.

Marjan Hill:

Marjan is a hill within the Split Peninsula. It’s covered in greenery and surrounded by the ocean. It gets packed at the weekend, with walkers, and hikers looking to escape the chaos of the Capital, so try to go mid-week. There are also lots of beaches dotted around the bottom of the hill, so work up a sweat walking to the top, and reward yourself with Bene beach at the bottom!

Bačvice Beach or Bene Beach:

Split’s most famous beach is undoubtedly Bačvice Beach. That means it’s the beach best served with bars, cafes etc. It has sand to relax in, but also little spots to jump in. The water is super clear, but not super hot, but with the sun beating down on Croatia during the summer, the cold water is welcome. It’s a great spot for a few afternoon and sunset drinks too.

If you follow the promenade further on, around a couple more corners for 10 minutes or so, you’ll  Marjan. Just around the corner from there, you’ll find the local Bene beach, less people, couple of cool bars, all pretty lowkey and chill, perfect. I much prefer Bene beach to be honest.

Take An Island Tour and Boat Trip to Hvar

If Hvar isn’t already on your Croatia itinerary, this is your chance Split offers some amazing islands tours, cruising down the coast in a speedboat, stopping at the Blue Cave for snorkelling and swimming. So if you’re a water-baby. and you’ve been waiting to feel those Mediterranean waters, take a boat tour that includes the must-see town of Hvar.

HOW LONG SHOULD YOU STAY IN SPLIT?

2 days and 2 nights I think is perfect. 

BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT SPLIT?

It follows European Summers, so any time between March/April until September is fine. High season is June, July and August. Winter time is still ok, but dress warm and avoid the beach.

IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL IN CROATIA?

I completed my entire journey to every country in the world, and did it all without travel insurance. It was stupid and I paid the price with hospital visits in the US, Australia, Burkina Faso, South Korea and in Thailand. I recently, FINALLY, took the plunge and researched about cheap travel insurance so I’m covered everywhere. I now exclusively use Safety Wing. It only costs me $9 a week, and with 1 click I can pause it when I’m stationary, and click again to start it again when I travel. It’s amazing. And it covered all these countries, in fact it covered EVERY country apart from North Korea and Iran. I reviewed it in-depth here, but you can sign up for it here. Don’t make the same mistakes I did. $9 a week is an investment well spent.

THOUGHTS ON THINGS TO DO IN SPLIT IN CROATIA

I stayed in Split for 4 nights, but I used it as a hub to explore further afield, and looking back, that was a great plan. Make sure you book all your travel and transport online (HERE) in advance to avid any stress.  So base yourself there too, and then check out some of the islands and national parks on day trips (articles to come!). Happy travels!