10 Things You Should Know About Split, Croatia, Before Visiting

Split is the heart of Dalmatia and one of the most visited Croatian cities.

With many cultural events and parties, stunning beaches, endless sports and recreation activities, fine-dining restaurants and traditional taverns, the town of Emperor Diocletian is an outstanding base for your Croatian holiday.

In this blog, we will answer the top 10 questions our guests ask about Split, Croatia!

1. What is Split Known For

What do we first think of when someone mentions Split, Croatia?

Riva in Split, Croatia

First, Split Old Town is a UNESCO-protected world heritage site. Even the Roman emperor Diocletian recognized its beauty and built his summer residence here.

Then, we think about the slow life, “pomalo”, and culture of sipping coffee on Riva, Split’s famous waterfront promenade.

Split is well-known for its gastronomy, too. Fresh seafood, peka, soparnik, and locally produced wines are a must-try.

However, we can’t talk about Split without mentioning Hajduk Split, a football club with over 100 years of tradition.

Last but not least, we know Split for its people, the “Splicani.” As one of the sportiest cities in the world, Split has globally famous tennis, football, handball, and basketball champions. There are also musicians, actors, filmmakers, and authors who share their love for Split in their artwork. They all agree on one thing: that Split is the most beautiful city in the world.

2. How to Get to Split, Croatia

First, where is Split? It’s in Central Dalmatia, on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea.

Split is Croatia’s second-largest city and the capital of Dalmatia. The Old Town was built around Diocletian’s Palace, but in modern times, the Split metropolitan area has around 300,000 citizens.

View of Split, Croatia

It’s among the best-connected destinations in Croatia, and you can visit it by car, plane, boat, or train.

Flights to Split, Croatia

Split Airport (SPU) has direct flights to almost all major European cities. There are definitely more options in summer, especially in July and August. The airport is approximately a 30-minute drive from the city. We recommend you rent a car, hire a taxi (€40-50 per ride), or let us arrange a private transfer to your luxury villa in Split.

Road Routes to Split, Croatia

Croatia has an outstanding network of highways with modern infrastructure. The longest highway in Croatia, A1, connects Split to Zagreb in the North and Ploce near Dubrovnik in the South. The toll for a passenger car from Zagreb to Split is €26.40.

The D8 state road, a Croatian section of theAdriaticHighway, runs from Croatia’s border with Slovenia via Rijeka, Zadar, Split, and Dubrovnik all the way to Montenegro. This route offers a road trip with some of Europe’smost beautiful scenic views.

Trains to Split, Croatia

Split is connected to almost all major European cities via Zagreb by train. In summer, you have direct trains to Split from Slovakia, Austria, and Slovenia. Moreover, other popular train routes to Croatia are from Hungary, Germany, and Switzerland via Zagreb.

Boats to Split, Croatia

Jadrolinija Ferry

Split is easy to reach from Italy via ferry. Jadrolinija has four ferries a week operating from Split to Ancona, and they start sailing in mid-June. Other ferry operators also sail between Split and Ancona or Bari.

Traveling From the UK & Ireland to Split, Croatia

Split Airport is connected with Leeds-Bradford and 5 different London airports (London City, Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton, and Stansted) in England, and Glasgow Airport in Scotland. Direct flights between Dublin, Ireland, and Split, Croatia, also exist. The flight takes about 2 hours.

The least popular ways of travel from the UK areby carorby train. Both take over 24 hours from London to Split.

So, it’s no surprise that most of our guests from the UK and Ireland choose to travel by plane!

Traveling From Germany to Split, Croatia

Driving to Croatia is very popular and easy for Germans. It takes about 8 hours from the German border to Split, but the length of your journey depends on where you’re from.

Germany and Split are exceptionally well-connected by air, with direct flights to 7 cities: Berlin, Cologne, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hannover, and Munich.

The least popular travel option is by train. You can start traveling in Berlin, Frankfurt, or Munich, and arrive in Split via Zagreb. It takes from 15 to 22 hours.

Traveling from the US and Canada to Split, Croatia

Unfortunately, Split has no direct flights to the United States. However, there are direct flights from New York to Dubrovnik, and Dubrovnik is only a 3-hour ride from Split. Moreover, you could fly from the USA to Splitvia London in the UK, Germany, or Italy.

If you’re from Canada, you could fly from Toronto to Zagreb and continue to Split, which is only 45 minutes by air.

3. Where to Stay in Split

After you’ve arranged your travels, we’re sure you’re looking for a perfect base for your Split holiday. We present you with three options:

• the city center,

• the outskirts of Split,

• or another small town in the Split Area.

Split City Center

Staying in the city center brings you closer to all the must-see amenities. You’ll be able to explore it all on foot. However, the city center gets crowded and lively in high season, so it’s not for everyone. You won’t find any luxury villas with a pool and privacy in the Old Town, as they’re all a bit further away. However, we recommend Villa Richness near the city center or Villa Liberty Living close to the Znjan Beach.

Split Suburbs

If you’re looking for a quieter, family-friendly holiday while still staying in the Split metropolitan area, modern Villa ZaLu is one of our top choices. It has a pool, a jacuzzi, a sauna, and a children’s playground. This villa is in Srinjine, only 15 minutes away from Split by car. We also recommend Villa Cosmopolitan in Podstrana, a suburb of Split, which has an outdoor and indoor pool with a rock wall for climbing, sports courts for basketball and futsal, table tennis, gym, sauna, and many other luxurious amenities.

Split Area

Sea view from Luxury Villa The View near Split

Finally, we recommend staying in Kastela or Solin near Split. Both towns are family-friendly, quiet, and well-connected to Split. You can book a beachfront villa with luxurious amenities steps from the sea, like the modern and bright Villa The View. In case you want to step away and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the Kastela Riviera, we recommend Luxury Villa Bay of Split, only 30 minutes from Split by car.

All these villas have refreshing swimming pools, top amenities, and guaranteed privacy, perfect for your luxury holidays.

4. What to Do in Split

Split is a big city and you’ll always have something new to do, at least in summer.

Beaches in Split

Kasjuni Beach on Marjan, Split

As a coastal town, Split has a variety of beaches. The most popular is Bacvice, a sandy beach where locals play the game of “picigin”. There are a few beaches on the green Marjan Hill, likeKasjuni. You can recognize this pebbly beach on the South side of Marjan by palms and a beach bar.

Moreover, Znjan Beach is the biggest city swimming area on the Adriatic. In 2023, it was closed down for construction. It’s expected to officially open on the first day of summer, June 21, 2025. There will be various sports courts, a large amphitheatre, promenades, cycling paths, children’s playgrounds, a garage, and parking.

Restaurants in Split

The gastronomy offer of Split is exquisite. Whether you’re looking for fine dining restaurants or local taverns, you’ll find something you like.

Dalmatian appetizers in Split, Croatia

Here’s a list of restaurants in Split we always recommend to our guests:

• Bokeria - fine dining in downtown.

• Makarun - seafood and tasty desserts in Split’s historic center.

• Chops Grill & Steak - amazing steaks in Old Town.

• Zrno Soli - fine dining with panoramic sea views.

• Zoi - artistic culinary presentations in Diocletian’s Palace.

Most restaurants serve fresh seafood and meat. Many have vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. We’re sure you’ll find something to your taste!

Party in Split

Split has a rich nightlife with manyclubs, open bars, and music festivals.

If you’d like to experience its party life, we recommend starting your night with cocktails on Split Riva. Then, visit one of the clubs in the Split city center, like Fabrique, Jazzbina, and Central, and dance to the electronic beats til morning.

Split is home to the biggest party in Europe, the Ultra Europe Festival, which takes place every July. We have a blog about Ultra, so read it to plan your holiday: Ultra Music Festival Split.

5. What to See in Split

Did you know the Greek colonies inhabited the Split area about 1,700 years ago? Later, Roman emperor Diocletian founded the city. With such a long history, it has many attractions you shouldn’t miss.

The city is walkable, especially if you’re exploring the Old Town, and it has low crime rates. It’s a safe city, even if you’re traveling as a family with children or as a female solo traveler.

Let’s talk about the most interesting sights to see in Split.

Diocletians Palace

Emperor Diocletian liked Split so much that he built his summer residence there. Today, it’sone of the most valuable Roman buildings on the Adriatic.

Most people imagine it as a stand-alone building, but these ruins are in the heart of the Old Town. Narrow streets inside the palace feature numerous shops, cafes, restaurants, and apartments. Almost 3,000 people live there.

We recommend visiting the Split City Museum, which includes Diocletian’s Cellars.

Days of Diocletian on Peristyle, Split

Split City organizes Days of Diocletian every summer. It’s a perfect opportunity to take photos with Roman soldiers!

Marmontova Street and Split Riva

Marmontova is a famous street and pedestrian-only zone in Split where locals walk. It connects Gajo Bulat Square with the Croatian National Theater and Riva, Split’s waterfront promenade.

There are popular clothing and accessories brands, bars, restaurants, and monuments.

Marmontova Street in Split

For example, you’ll see:

• the bastions Civran and Priuli, which are under UNESCO’s protection,
• the famous building of the Sulphur Spa,
• the old fish market “Peškarija”,
• Split’s oldest cinema, Karaman,
• galleries and the Photo Club Split.

The seafront streetRivaruns the length of the old town, south of Diocletian’s palace. If you ask locals, it’s the best gathering spot to enjoy the sun and sea as you sip coffee with sunglasses on. Try this little ritual and you’ll feel like you were born and raised in Split! It’s as lively after the sun sets and the cocktail hour starts.

Saint Dominus Cathedral

The 11th-century bell tower of Saint Domnius is undoubtedly Split’s main symbol. It’s 60 meters tall and offers a view of the entire city.

Saint Dominus Cathedral in Split

The Cathedral of St. Duje was formed from a 4th-century AD Imperial Roman mausoleum. The cathedral was consecrated in the 7th century and it’s the oldest catholic church in the world that still uses its original structure.

The Cathedral, the Treasury with relics of Saint Duje, the Bell tower, and the Crypt, which was turned into a Chapel of St. Lucy, are all open to visitors. Ticket prices range from 6.63 to 10.61 euros, depending on the sites you want to visit. Prices may vary, so check them upfront.

Peristyle

The Peristyle is the central square of Diocletian’s palace. It is the entrance to the Cathedral of St. Domnius on the east, and three temples on the west. This square is a beautiful mix of Egyptian and Roman architecture, with a 3,500-year-old perfectly preserved sphinx.

Today, Peristyle hosts opera and literature classics and various cultural events, while also being the center of urban life. You can even enjoy a unique experience of drinking coffee on the steps across the Cathedral.

Marjan Forrest Park

Marjan Hill, “the lungs of the city”, is covered in deep pine forest, with many beaches and striking panoramic views.

View from Marjan Hill, Split

Our blog “Marjan – Green Oasis of Split City” perfectly describes its importance to Split and its people. There are numerous walking and running paths.

On nice days, locals go to Marjan to walk their dogs, run, cycle, or simply enjoy their time in nature. There are also beaches like Kasjuni, Bene, or Obojena.

Split Marjan is a great place to visit with your kids. There’s a ZOO with mostly domestic animals, a botanical garden, and a playground called Children’s City.

6. How to Prepare For Your Trip

First, we recommend you pick the best season for you and plan your holiday accordingly.

Are you choosing the hottest summer months with many things to do, shoulder season with fewer crowds and lower prices, or off-season with shorter and calmer days? Our blog What's the Best Season to Travel in Croatiawill surely help you with that.

Shoulder season is becoming more popular for holidaymakers in Split. Hence, our blog lists the top reasons to visit Split in May.

After you’ve picked the dates of your Split holiday and looked into the weather forecast, it’ll be easier to pack your bags.

If you’re visiting anytime from May to September, pack light clothes and bring longer sleeves to stay warm in the evenings. July is the hottest month, and February is the coldest. The weather in Croatia is warm, and the temperatures never go below 0 Celsius.

Dress code in Split and the area is casual, but locals like to dress up when they go out or for walks on the Riva. However, make sure you’re not dressed in beach clothes if you’re not on the beach, because you could get fined if you wear a swimsuit in the city center.

7. How Many Days You Need in Split

Maybe the most important question you have to ask before planning your holiday agenda is how many days you need in Split. We always say – it’s never too many!

Why? Split, Dalmatia’s center, has so much to offer. It has beaches, history, nature, culture, parties, sports, and recreation. What’s more, it’s a great base for visiting the nearby islands of Hvar, Brac, and Solta, it’s a good starting point for day trips to National Parks such as Krka Waterfalls or Plitvice Lakes, and you can easily reach any coastal town from Dubrovnik to Zadar.

Having this in mind, you’ll need at least 2-4 days to explore all Split attractions, from the Old Town to Marjan, visit at least one museum or gallery, and enjoy a day trip to one of the neighbouring towns.

However, to take in all of Split’s beauty, experience the slow life that people of Split have mastered, and not miss out on islands and national parks near Split, we recommend 5-7 days.

8. Which is Better, Split or Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik Old Town and City Walls

Which Mediterranean city is better to visit, Split or Dubrovnik? We already answered this question in our blog “10 Things You Must Know Before Visiting Dubrovnik”. Let us spoil the answer - both cities are just as awesome. Read the blog to find out in which ways exactly!

Of course, the best thing is that you don’t have to choose, Split and Dubrovnik are only 3 hours by car, so you can visit both.

In fact, our blog Dubrovnik Day Trip From Split should help you plan your day trip. It includes an itinerary of all the best Dubrovnik attractions, including the Old Town, Dubrovnik City Walls, and Stradun, and suggestions of the best stops along the way.

9. General Info

One of the most common questions lately is “Is Split expensive to visit?”. Our blog, Is Croatia Expensive, includes average prices for accommodation, food, sightseeing, and entertainment. Of course, Split is more expensive than smaller towns in the area, but it’s one of the most premium destinations in the Adriatic, along with Hvar and Dubrovnik. Prices in Split are similar to those of other European cities.

Is Split too touristy?This depends on the time of the year and the area of Split you’re staying in. If you want to avoid big crowds of tourists, we recommend skipping the high season, especially July, during the Ultra Europe Festival. If you visit Split in May or September, you’ll enjoy good weather and summer vibes, with lower prices and fewer people.

Can you pay with euros?As of 2023, the euro is the official currency of the Republic of Croatia, instead of the kuna. Now, you can pay with euros at all premises. This also means that EU citizens can pay with cards without conversion fees. Some places are still cash-only, but there are very few of them.

What language is spoken in Split?In Split, the official language is Croatian, but most locals speak English at the conversational level. Many people also speak German and Italian, so you don’t have to worry about communicating with the locals.

10. Is Split Worth Visiting

Ovcice Beach in Split

Yes, of course – Split is definitely worth visiting. It’s one of the best destinations for summer holidays in Europe!

If you’re looking for accommodation in Split, we recommend looking through our selection of luxury villas in the Split area and reaching out to our Villa Specialists via [email protected].