10 Best Things To Do In Split

Things to Do in Split's City Centre

1. Explore Diocletian's Palace – best for history lovers

At the heart of Split's Old Town, Diocletian's Palace isn't a conventional historic attraction, but is still one well worth visiting. Built around the turn of the 4th century, its remains now form part of the city's UNESCO-listed historic centre. You’ll find that countless people still live, shop and eat amongst these ancient streets, making it the place to be to spend two or three hours lost in the history of the city whilst enjoying all the antithetical modern charm the place has to offer.

Start at the Peristyle before exploring the Vestibule, Cathedral of St Domnius and Temple of Jupiter for an afternoon packed full of history. Explore under the palace and you'll find the amazingly preserved substructures that will take you right back to Roman Split - if you find yourself dreaming about the Roman empire, this one is definitely for you. For more historical spots in Split and beyond, check out our guide on all the things to do in Croatia.

2. Stroll the Riva – best for people-watching and sunsets

You really can’t miss the Riva whilst you’re exploring around Split. Running along the southern side of Diocletian's Palace, Split's palm-lined waterfront is a natural meeting place for locals tourists alike. Make sure you give yourself an hour or two, or ten, to ensure you have enough time to wander beside the harbour, stop for a coffee (or something stronger) and watch the ferries come and go throughout the day and early evening.

If you keep heading west from the city, you'll soon reach Matejuška which is an old fishermen's harbour, and then after that you'll soon arrive in the Varoš neighbourhood, which is absolutely packed with character. Picture narrow stone streets and traditional konobas, plus it's noticeably quieter than the waterfront, despite only being a short walk away.

3. Climb Marjan Hill – best for views and nature

Escape the bustle of Split with a walk up Marjan Hill, a forest-covered peninsula west of the centre that locals often call the city’s green lungs. From Varoš, carefully climb up the steps to Vidilica viewpoint and you’ll be rewarded with the most incredible views across the Old Town, the sparkling harbour and all the nearby islands. If you're a bit of a hiker extraordinaire, keep stomping towards the Telegrin summit where you'll find peaceful trails, tiny chapels and a historic hermitage or two along the way. Head all the way down to the bottom of the hill and you should stumble upon the Meštrović Gallery showcases work by the celebrated Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović. Keep walking towards the coast and you'll find the perfect place to cool off, with Kašjuni and Bene beaches offering you the most tempting spots to unwind with a swim.

4. Swim at Bačvice Beach – best for a classic city beach day

Just a short walk from Split’s Old Town and ferry port, Bačvice Beach is the perfect place to swap sightseeing for a sunbathing. The sandy shore and shallow water make it a particularly great spot for families with kids of all ages, and there's plenty to do around the lively surroundings if relaxing by the sea isn't quite what your party had in mind. If you're lucky, you'll spot locals playing picigin, which is a traditional ball game played in the shallows where the main goal is to not get the ball in the water - usually by way of impressive dives. You can watch from the beach or even try it yourself if you're feeling adventurous. Žnjan is perfect if you fancy travelling a little furhte rout, with longer stretch of coastline, lots of watersports and plenty of beach bars to keep you hydrated, as opposed the the more peaceful alternative of Kašjuni.

5. Eat your way around Split – best for food lovers

Split is an absolute dream for foodies. The best way to enjoy a food crawl is to start at Pazar green market, which you can find just outside Diocletian’s Palace (much like most of the things on this list so far), for seasonal fruit and veg, cheeses, olive oil and dried figs. After this, head over to Ribarnica fish market to find all the fresh catches of the day.

For an authentic taste of Dalmatia, try pašticada, slow-braised beef, black risotto or buzara, which usually use fresh mussels cooked in wine and with garlic. You’ll also find the tasty dish peka, which is where meat or octopus is slowly cooked under a bell-shaped lid, although this is a bit of a specialty dish that often needs ordering in advance. Traditional konobas around Varoš and the Old Town are amazing for when you fancy sampling local dishes, especially when you're trying a tipple or two of Plavac Mali or Pošip wine.

Alternatively, if you're feeling like getting cheffing it up, you can always pick up some fresh market produce and enjoy a long lunch or barbecue back at your villa, the perfect way to enjoy it if you ask us!

Dioetican's Palace

Bacvice Beach

Best Things to Do in the Split Region

Stay a little longer and some of the best things to do in the Split region open up beyond the city itself. Our Split region villas put historic towns, islands, waterfalls and dramatic river scenery within reach for memorable days out.

6. Visit Klis Fortress – best for panoramic views and Game of Thrones fans

Perched on a rocky ridge above Split, Klis Fortress has guarded the route between the Dalmatian coast and hinterland for centuries, including during battles with the Ottoman Empire. Today, the fortress combines that fascinating past with far-reaching views towards Split, Kaštela Bay and the Adriatic islands. Fans of Game of Thrones may also recognise Klis as a filming location for Meereen. You could combine your visit with the Roman ruins of Salona in nearby Solin before heading into Klis village for its famous spit-roasted lamb.

7. Wander Trogir's Old Town – best for a relaxed half-day trip

Small enough to explore without rushing, Trogir packs plenty of history into its UNESCO-listed island Old Town, where narrow lanes weave between Romanesque, Renaissance and Baroque buildings. Stop at the Cathedral of St Lawrence to admire its striking Radovan Portal and climb the bell tower for views across the terracotta rooftops. From here, wander towards the waterfront and 15th-century Kamerlengo Fortress, then settle in for a drink overlooking the boats. You could also cross to neighbouring Čiovo for some beach time. Staying nearby? Take a look at our Trogir villas.

8. Island-hop to Hvar, Brač and beyond – best for a day on the water

With ferries and catamarans heading out across central Dalmatia, Split makes island hopping wonderfully tempting. Spend the day exploring Hvar Town, climb to its hilltop fortress or continue to the nearby Pakleni Islands. Brač offers another classic escape, with its famous Zlatni Rat beach at Bol, while quieter Šolta is a good choice when you fancy a slower pace. You can travel independently by public ferry or catamaran, or join a boat tour to fit more stops into your day. Some speedboat itineraries also visit the Blue Cave on Biševo, although conditions can affect access.

9. See the waterfalls of Krka National Park – best for nature lovers

About an hour’s drive from Split, Krka National Park swaps the coastline for tumbling waterfalls, woodland and the winding Krka River. Skradinski Buk is its showpiece, where wooden walkways lead past a spectacular series of cascades, while boat trips can take you towards Visovac Island and other parts of the park. Swimming at Skradinski Buk itself is no longer permitted, although designated swimming areas elsewhere in the park operate seasonally under current rules. If you have longer, Plitvice Lakes makes an impressive alternative, but requires a considerably bigger day out from Split. 

10. Find adventure in Omiš and the Cetina River – best for active travellers

Head south-east of Split and the scenery changes dramatically at Omiš, where the Cetina River emerges through its limestone canyon beside the Adriatic. It’s a brilliant playground for active days, with rafting, canyoning and ziplining among the ways to explore the landscape. Local rafting routes include stretches of Class II–III rapids, while the Omiš zipline crosses the canyon on eight cables. Prefer something gentler? Spend time exploring Omiš, take a boat trip upriver or enjoy lunch beside the Cetina before heading to nearby Duće for some beach time.

Omis

Hvar

Trogir

Krka National Park