The Most Popular Day Trips From Split

A day trip from Split is an excellent way to enrich your holiday, relax in nature, or experience the smaller Dalmatian towns.

Split, the capital of Dalmatia, attracts visitors all year round. This great travel destination is especially lively in the summer season.

Although the beauty of Split cannot be overshadowed, we recommend moving from the city crowd to the surrounding areas. One of the best ways to fill your time with activities while staying at your luxury villa in Split is taking a day trip to other parts of Split-Dalmatia county.

In the following list, you can read more about our most booked day trips from Split, in no particular order.

Stunning view of Hvar and Fortica Fortress, by VIP Holiday Booker

I National Parks

Croatia has 8 national parks:

• Brijuni,
• Krka waterfalls,
• Paklenica,
• Plitvice Lakes,
• Kornati,
• Mljet,
• Risnjak,
• and Northern Velebit.

National Parks are special places of great interest during the year, especially in the summer.

Also, it has 12 nature parks. Perhaps, the most interesting ones along the Adriatic coast are the Lastovo Archipelago, Biokovo with its glorious skywalk, and Telascica Bay on the southeast of Dugi Otok Island.

All of them attract a large number of visitors each year.

1. Krka Waterfalls National Park

Krka Waterfalls is definitely the best-selling day tour from Split. Thousands of tourists flock to this desirable tourist destination. It is simply a must if you are staying in Dalmatia.

There are 2 entrances to this beauty: Lozovac and Skradin.

Lozovac is a faster way to explore this natural landmark. There is a big parking for your vehicle.

However, Skradin is one of the most attractive parts of this national park. If you choose Skradin, you need to take a boat to reach the central part of the park.

Some of the most special places in Krka are Skradinski Buk, Roški slap, and Visovac Island.

Skradinski Buk is easily reachable from both entrances, Lozovac and Skradin. Roški slap is the sixth waterfall of Krka, located further north, near the Miljevci village. The easiest way to reach it is to take an excursion boat or by road.

Our Tips For a Day Trip From Split to Krka Waterfalls

We recommend booking a private day trip with a van and a tour guide. It is always better to go privately and enjoy your day freely.

The tour is fully flexible and tailored to your time and wishes. We can arrange transportation and a tour guide who will, among other things, recommend great restaurants.

If you have a full day, we suggest visiting some of our wine-tasting tours in Sladić or Bibich winery. The family-owned wineries are located in the small village of Plastovo, in the secluded Dalmatian hinterland, on a hill above Skradin town.

Krka Waterfalls, by VIP Holiday Booker

2. Plitvice Lakes National Park

Plitvice Lakes is one of the oldest and largest national parks in Croatia. This karst beauty consists of 16 lakes arranged in cascades and interconnected mutually.

It is one of the most photogenic and photographed parts of Croatia. Its perfect blend of colors simply amazes the visitors.

Our Tips For a Day Trip From Split to Plitvice Lakes

We recommend a private tailored tour. We can arrange a perfect excursion where you'll get to know this central part of Croatia. We always advise starting early, since it takes 3 hours to reach this national park from Split.

The driver will accompany you to Plitvice Park, where the tour guide will meet you. After the day tour around the Lakes, you can dine in a restaurant inside the park or choose some of the local restaurants.

You can ask the tour guide for recommendations, or we can book a table for you, according to your preferences.

Plitvice Lakes, by VIP Holiday Booker

II Sea Tours

While you're in Dalmatia, we warmly advise you to book a day trip from Split to the famous islands of Central Dalmatia.

No matter if you are searching for peace and relaxation or crazy parties, we can create a perfect holiday for you and your group.

3. Blue Cave and Hvar

Blue Cave and Hvar tour is definitely one of the most desirable. After the Krka tour, this is one of the best sellers. The tour usually starts at 8 - 8:30 am, so you can reach Bisevo Island between 10 am – 2 pm. In that period, the sun is the strongest. Therefore, the cave interior is the most intensively illuminated.

After visiting the Blue Cave, the tour usually continues to the Vis island, to see Stiniva beach. In 2016, 10,000 travelers voted it Europe's most beautiful beach.

We continue to Hvar island where you will have a guided tour. After the tour in the Hvar center, you will have free time to relax in this mesmerizing island destination and unwind in one of the beaches just a short stroll from the center.

Our Tips For a Day Trip From Split to Blue Cave and Hvar

We recommend a private tour by speedboat with a tour guide. The speedboat ride is often interesting and on the way from Split to Vis, you can encounter dolphins.

We can help you tailor your desired tour. For example, you can go directly to Hvar instead of Vis. Or you could head to Palmižana Bay, have lunch in one of the restaurants, and then head to Hvar on a tailored tour with a guide.

We suggest stopping for swimming breaks.

Don't forget the hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, long sleeves and water bottles!

Inside the Blue Cave onBisevo Island

III Excursions to Famous Towns

Famous towns have always been places of special interest. A blend of unique architecture, rich history, scenic nature, and hospitable people attracts tourists the most. The same is true with Dubrovnik, Mostar, and Medjugorje – the most attractive day tours from Split.

4. Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik, the pearl of Adriatic, a town on the Adriatic Sea in southern Croatia, is world famous.

Its Old Town, encircled with stone walls adorns the magazines around the globe. The Republic of Ragusa was an aristocratic maritime republic centered in Dubrovnik. It peaked in the 15th and 16th century. Later famous Napoleon Bonaparte conquered it. Nowadays, the town attracts tourists with stunning medieval architecture, limestone streets, and distinctive terracotta rooftops.

The attractive landmarks of Dubrovnik are:

• the main street Stradun,
• Orlando's pillar,
• the Sponza Palace in the Gothic-Renaissance style from the 16th century,
• the Rector's Palace,
• the Cathedral of St. Blaise,
• Church of St. Francis and Revelin,
• Lovrijenac (St. Lawrence) fortress,
• Minceta fortress,
• Bokar fortress,
• and St. Ivan (John) fortress.

Our Tips For a Day Trip From Split to Dubrovnik

We recommend a private tour by van. After the 3–hour drive from Split to Dubrovnik, you will have an arranged tour with a local specialist guide. It lasts approximately 1,5 hours or 4 hours.

It is up to you what tour to choose.

We suggest you see the town center with a tour guide. After that, explore the medieval town walls on your own. Later, you can go on a cable car ride, ideal for those who don't fear heights.

You can stop in Ston and admire the town walls on your way back.

View of Dubrovnik from Mount Srdj, by VIP Holiday Booker

Check out our other blog to gain more insight on what a day trip from Split to Dubrovnik looks like.

IV Religious Tourism

Religious tourism attracts millions of people each year. Journeys to sacred places are something pilgrims have done for thousands of years. Medjugorje in Bosnia and Herzegovina is the most famous Roman-Catholic pilgrimage spot in this part of Europe.

5. Medjugorje

Medjugorje is one of the world's most visited religious spots for Roman Catholics. It's been famous since the Apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1981.

The St. James church, the central church in Medjugorje, has daily masses in different languages.

Pilgrims usually climb to the two hills above Medjugorje; Krizevac Hill, and the Apparition Hill where in June 1981 the Virgin Mary appeared to the group of children.

Krizevac Hill, a mount above Medjugorje is much bigger. In 1934, the parishioners built a concrete cross 8.56 m high to commemorate the 1900 years since the death of Jesus Christ. On the way to the peak, you can see 12 Stations of the Cross. Climbing the hill is especially demanding.

Our Tips For a Day Trip From Split to Medjugorje

We recommend a private tour by car or a van, depending on the number of people. The drive from Split to Medjugorje lasts around 3 hours. We suggest going to a mass in St. James church and climbing at least to the smaller Apparition Hill.

Krizevac Hill is an excellent site if you're in good shape and have enough time.

In return to Split, you can visit Kravice waterfalls and Ethno village Herceg.

P.S. Don't forget to bring your passports!

Church of Saint James the Greater Apostle in Medjugorje, source: Pixabay

V Adventure tours

In the summer season in Dalmatia, adventure tours along with sea tours are the most attractive ones. Besides „sun and sea“, Dalmatian product is for sure an adrenaline-packed offer. The region of Dalmatia is perfect for all kinds of physical activities. The offer is diverse and includes many demanding activities. One of the best-selling adventure day trips from Split is definitely rafting.

6. Rafting

We recommend rafting on the Cetina River to all adrenaline lovers seeking an action-packed holiday.

The picturesque Cetina River in southern Croatia is the most water-rich in the Dalmatia region. It abounds in greenery and flows through rocky and karst terrain.

This river is ideal for rafting and canyoning. You can read more about it on our blog Active Holidays in Omis Riviera in Croatia.

Our Tips For Day Trips From Split to Cetina River

We recommend a private tour. We can arrange a van or car to pick you up and take you to Cetina River.

The tour guide will be there to give you the equipment and show you all the details regarding the boat ride and safety.

You don't need previous experience rafting, you need to know how to swim. The activity level is moderate.

Rafting on Cetina River, Omis Tourist Board

VI Wine Tasting Tour

In Dalmatia, wine-tasting tours are among the most recognizable. Recently, they have grown beyond recognition. Inhabitants of Primosten and Kastela towns, Peljesac peninsula, and Korcula island have always been great winemakers and olive oil makers. Through the centuries of survival, viticulture was a part of Croatian cultural identity. That remained until the present day.

7. Wine Tasting Tour in Kastela Town Near Split

Kastela is a town near Split and one of the filming locations of the famous serial Game of Thrones. It's the home of Zinfandel wine.

Nowadays, Crljenak, an old autochthonous Croatian grape variety, is on the verge of extinction. It has been proven that Italian Primitivo, American Zinfandel, and Plavac Mali originate from it. The American Zinfandel is genetically identical to Crljenak, and Plavac Mali was created from Crljenak and Dobricic.

Our Tips For Day Trips From Split to Wine Tasting Tour in Kastela

We recommend visiting the wine cellar Kovac in Kaštel Sucurac and trying Zinfandel Crljenak Kastelanski wine.

You will see the vineyard, wine cellar, and the wine production area. After, you can try the famous Dalmatian prosciutto and various types of cheese.

In Putalj winery you can try excellent rosé Putalj wine. Admire the stunning view of Split and the Adriatic as you hear about the vineyard stories and wine-growing technique.

Dalmatian vineyard, by VIP Holiday Booker

VII Walking Tours

The fastest way to learn about your destination is by a walking tour. History lovers will definitely learn something new in Croatia since it is a country with a rich history.

8. Split walking tour

When visiting Split and the impressive Diocletian's Palace for the first time, you will certainly be intrigued by its turbulent past and rich culture.

Wandering this 1700-year-old palace with an expert guide will give you the best insight into what Split used to be and what it is today.

You will hear legends of the famous emperor Diocletian, stories of the protector of Split St. Dominus, local customs, the Venetians, the French, the Austro-Hungarian, and how they left traces in Split.

The story of Salona, an old Solin town, will certainly be interwoven through the story of Split.

Our recommendations for a Split walking tour

We recommend a privately guided tour. On the sightseeing tour, you can enjoy a personalized experience. There are some excellent tour guides of Split and the surrounding area. A great tour guide can really make a difference!

After the tour, you can taste delicious Dalmatian food in one of the numerous restaurants in Split. You can check the list of the best restaurants in our blog The 5 Best Restaurants in Split City in Croatia.

Diocletian's Palace in Split, by VIP Holiday Booker

9. Salona and Klis Fortress

Salona is an ancient city and the capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia. It was first mentioned in the 7th century BC. Nowadays, we can see remarkable ruins, just outside Solin, a small town some 5 km from the Split center. The extensive Salona ruins tell an amazing story about the era of emperors, Christian martyrs, persecutions, and gladiators.

The medieval Klis Fortress above the village of Klis served as a defense point in Dalmatia against the Ottomans. It boasts stunning views of Split and the area.

The fortress was a filming location for the famous Game of Thrones: Klis was portrayed as a fictional city-state of mighty Meereen. The streets of Meereen were shot on the Klis fortress and in the Diocletian's Palace. If you visit this medieval legacy, don't forget to take photos with the most impressive background!

What's more, we have a blog about day trips from Split to Klis where you can learn more about this attraction.

Ancient Salona remains, author: Lidija Lolic

Our Tips For Day Trips From Split to Salona and Klis

We recommend going privately at any time of the day. After Salona, visit the Tusculum Museum and Manastirine, graves, and sarcophagi. Later, the driver will take you to Klis fortress. After, you can visit Stella Croatica estate, buy some authentic Croatian products, and stop by for lunch in Klis to try the famous roast lamb with green onions – delicious!

Klis Fortress, author: Lidija Lolic

VIII Day Trips to Family Fun Parks

Consider the children's fun parks in Dalmatia to give your kids memories of a lifetime. The best in Dalmatia are Fun Park Mirnovec, Buffalo Bill City, Jetski Center Bibinje, and the nearest and the most visited from Split - Aquapark Dalmatia.

10. Aquapark Dalmatia near Sibenik

Aquapark Dalmatia (ex Solaris) is a part of Amadria Park Sibenik. It's about 90 km or 1-hour drive from Split and a 15-minute bus drive from Sibenik. There is a direct bus line from the market in Sibenik.

It is the first themed water park in Croatia. The park is located next to Kids Hotel Andrija and Family Hotel Jakov. Abounds with waterfalls, sprinklers, slides, nozzles, etc. The „lazy river“ is an extremely popular attraction.

Children's zone extends to over 8000 m2. Numerous water effects, pools, and other facilities are something children and parents can both enjoy.

Our Tips For a Day Trip From Split to Aquapark Dalmatia

We recommend going on a hot summer day with your children, with a private driver.

Our concierge service will provide all the details and suggest great restaurants after a busy day. Adults will have fun, too!

On your way back you can stop at the picturesque town of Primosten or Trogir town. In Primosten, you can visit some of the wine-tasting tours.

If you decide to visit Trogir, we warmly suggest visiting St. Lawrence Cathedral. It's one of the finest architectural achievements in Croatia with the majestic portal of Radovan. Do not forget Kamerlengo Fortress- once the Venetian's governor's palace and the Cipiko Palace, in front of the Cathedral.

Aquapark Dalmatia by Amadria Park near Sibenik

One thing is for sure, whatever day trip you pick, you will have a memorable day in Croatia. Enjoy diverse offers and day trips tailored to your needs!

For more detailed information get in touch with the VIP Concierge Specialist