A Weekend in Split Croatia: The Perfect 2 Day Itinerary
Spending a weekend in Split Croatia is the perfect amount of time to see the highlights of one of Croatia’s most beautiful and historic cities.
Split was easily one of my favorite cities in Croatia. The coastal city is absolutely stunning and filled with so much history. As a Game of Thrones fan, I also loved seeing all the filming locations scattered around Split.
However, one of the best parts about Split is that it is a great base for exploring Croatia – from islands such as Hvar to natural wonders such as Krka National Park.
Split is an incredible place to add to your trip to Croatia, and you should spend a minimum of 2 days there. This itinerary for a weekend in Split Croatia is the perfect way to explore the highlights of the city.
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Here is a short version of the best way to spend 2 days in Split Croatia:
Day 1: Explore Split
βοΈ Walking Tour of Diocletian’s Palace & Old Town
βοΈ Wander along the Riva Promenade
βοΈ Enjoy Split’s nightlife
Day 2: Adventure around Split
βοΈ Half-day tour to the Blue Lagoon
βοΈ Visit Marjan Hill for panoramic views
Where to Stay: Cornaro Hotel
Booking a Rental Car: Discover Cars
A Weekend in Split Croatia Itinerary
Day 1 in Split
Day 1 of this itinerary is all about exploring the historic city of Split, focusing mostly on the incredible Diocletian’s Palace which makes up most of Split’s historic old town.
βοΈ Walking Tour of Diocletian’s Palace
Diocletian’s Palace are some of the best preserved Roman Palace ruins in the entire world. It was originally constructed by the Emperor Diocletian for his retirement palace in the 3rd and 4th centuries AD.
Construction on this massive palace complex continued throughout the middle ages, which added Baroque and Gothic style architecture as well as medieval-style fortifications.
The palace ruins are massive and make up the majority of Split’s historic old town. Some of the most notable sites include the Bell Tower of the Cathedral of Saint Domnius, the Peristyle, the Vestibule, the Silver Gate, and much more.
Due to the complex history of Diocletian’s Palace, I highly recommend taking a walking tour of the Old Town. This 1.5 hour walking tour will show you around the old town and explore all the sites of Diocletian’s Palace.
Book a Walking Tour of Diocletian’s Palace and Old Town
βοΈ Explore the Old Town
Wandering the cobblestone streets of Split’s Old Town will make you feel as though you have been transported back in time. It is simply a must-visit when in Split.
In addition to visiting the various historical buildings found throughout Diocletian’s Palace, there are plenty of shops, eateries, and cafes to be found in the Old Town.
While wandering around Old Town, make sure to stop for some delicious gelato!
βοΈ Walk along the Riva Promenade
The Split Riva is a beautiful promenade along the waterfront. The area is lined with palm trees and plenty of waterfront restaurants.
One thing to note is that the restaurants along the Riva tend to be more of tourist prices. I’d recommend only having a drink there and instead eating dinner inside the historic old town.
βοΈ Enjoy the Nightlife in Split
As the largest city on the Dalmatian coast, Split has a vibrant and fun nightlife scene. There is a bit of everything available – from cozy wine bars to lively bars and clubs.
If you are looking for a lively night out, this Split bar crawl is a good option, especially for those that are in their 20’s.
Otherwise, there are plenty of bars and clubs that can be found along the Split Riva and in the Old Town.
Day 2 in Split
For day 2 of this weekend in Split itinerary, I recommend taking a half-day tour to explore the surrounding area.
There are lots of options for half-day tours, including seeing historical sites or getting out on the water.
The best part is that a half-day excursion will only take about 3-5 hours, so you will still have time to see more of Split.
This means you’ll have plenty of time to visit Marjan Hill in the afternoon or evening, which has the best views of Split.
βοΈ Take a Half-Day Tour from Split
On day 2, get outside the city by taking a half-day tour. There are a few different options for half-day tours from Split listed below, so there is sure to be something for everyone.
Option 1: The Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is a breathtaking destination known for its incredible hue of blue water.
This Blue Lagoon small-group tour is the perfect half-day trip from Split. It is limited to only 12 people, and will take you on a speed boat to the famous Blue Lagoon.
You will also get to spend time swimming in the Adratic Sea, relaxing at the beach on Δiovo island, and making a short stop at the medieval town of Trogir.
Book a Half-Day Boat Trip to the Blue Lagoon
Option 2: Trogir
Trogir is a charming medieval town located around 30 minutes from Split. Trogir is a perfect half-day trip as the old town is compact and walkable.
There is plenty to do in Trogir from climbing the walls of the Kamerlengo Fortress, wandering the cobblestone streets of old town, or relaxing with a drink or something to eat at one of the harbor front restaurants.
Book a Half-Day Tour of Split and Trogir
You can visit Trogir on a guided tour or on your own. If visiting on your own, there are a few different ways to get from Split to Trogir. The easiest is to drive, and there is parking just outside of the old town.
Option 3: Klis Fortress
If you love history or are a Game of Thrones fan, Klis Fortress is a great place to visit just outside of Split.
The fortress has a long, interesting history. The exact date of construction is unknown, but it likely dates back to the 3rd century B.C.E.
In modern times, it was used as the filming site for the city of Meereen in Game of Thrones.
If you are a big GoT fan (like myself) I recommend taking this Game of Thrones Tour of Split and Klis Fortress.
Book a Game of Thrones Tour of Split and Klis Fortress
Klis Fortress is located 12km outside of Split, and so if you have a rental car it is just a short drive.
If you prefer to take public transport, Bus 22 will get you there and you can view the bus schedule here.
Option 4: Full Day Tours from Split
You could take a full day tour to places such as Krka National Park, a Boat Trip to the 5 Islands & Hvar, or even a day trip to Mostar in Bosnia. If you are super interested in one of these destinations, it may be worth it to go on a full day trip.
However, with only 2 days in Split I’d personally recommend doing one of the half-day tours as they are much less tiring and will still give you the afternoon to spend in Split.
βοΈ Shop at the Open-Air Market
Just outside of the old town, you’ll find an open-air market with plenty of different souvenirs. It is a bit on the touristy side, but its worth stopping by especially if you like to collect souvenirs from each trip you take.
βοΈ Visit Marjan Hill for Panoramic Views
After getting back from your half-day tour outside of the city center, head up to Marjan Hill Park.
Marjan Hill is the tallest point in Split, standing around 178 m tall. There are plenty of great viewpoints of the city from here, with the Adriatic Sea and mountains in the distance.
At Marjan Hill Park, we had lunch and drinks at Teraca Vidilica, and I definitely recommend it! The views were stunning and it was the perfect place to relax after exploring Split.
Insider Tip: Marjan Hill Park is one of the best places for sunset in Split – its absolutely beautiful.
Is 2 Days in Split Enough?
2 days in Split is enough to see the main highlights, including the Old Town & Diocletian’s Palace, the Split Riva Promenade, and Marjan Hill Park. While there is plenty of things to do in Split, 2 days will at least give you a taste of this incredible city along Croatia’s coast.
Where to Stay for a Weekend in Split Croatia
Below are some of the highest-rated and best hotels in Split:
π Cornaro Hotel – Luxury Hotel Steps away from Old Town
Located just steps away from Split’s Old Town, this hotel is the perfect choice. It has beautiful, modern rooms and an incredible rooftop terrace with a bar, pool, and hot tub.
π Villa Split Heritage Hotel – Boutique Hotel inside the Old Town
This hotel will make you feel like you have been transported back in time as it is located in the historic old town. Rooms feature modern amenities, but with beautiful stone walls and wooden beam ceilings. Its an absolute gem!
π Hotel Villa Harmony – Beautiful Beach Resort
Located just steps from Split’s popular Bacvice Beach, this is the perfect hotel for a summer trip. The resort features an outdoor pool, beach access, and some rooms have stunning sea views and an outdoor jacuzzi.
How to Get to Split
There are many ways to get to Split. Split Airport is an international airport, which offers flights from several other European cities. From the airport, you can take a taxi, Uber, bus, or a private transfer to downtown Split.
If you are coming from another city in Croatia (such as Dubrovnik, Zagreb, or Zadar) you may choose to rent a car and drive to Split. We used Discover Cars to find and book a rental car in Croatia.
Find and Book a Rental Car in Croatia with Discover Cars
For public transportation to Split, you can also check out Flixbus which has direct routes between several Croatian cities.
Lastly, if you visit during the summer you may take the ferry to or from Split to places like Dubrovnik, Hvar, or some of the Croatian islands.
Have More Days in Split?
If you have more days in Split, there is plenty of things to do and see! In fact, Split is an incredible place to base yourself in Croatia and then take day trips to surrounding areas.
Below are some of the best day trips from Split that would be perfect additions to your itinerary if you have more time.
π Boat Trip to Hvar & Islands – Perfect for a summer day in Croatia
π Day trip to Mostar, Bosnia – Best way to experience another country/culture
π Visit Plitvice Lakes National Park – Croatia’s most beautiful National Park (in my opinion!)
π Day trip to Krka National Park – Best place to see waterfalls near Split
π Visit Bacvice Beach – One of Split’s popular beaches
FAQ: A Weekend in Split Croatia Itinerary
You should stay at least 2 days in Split to see the highlights of this incredible coastal city. Split also serves as a great base for taking day trips and exploring other parts of Croatia such as Krka National Park and Hvar Island. Due to this, you could easily spend 5-7 days in Split while taking a couple of day trips.
Split and Dubrovnik are both beautiful coastal cities that have a lot of history. Split is slightly more affordable than Dubrovnik and is more centrally located in Croatia. Split also offers many more day trip options, such as visiting Krka National Park or Hvar Island.
The Wrap-Up: How to Spend 2 Days in Split Croatia
Split is a must-visit city in Croatia. The city offers so much history, natural beauty, and also is an incredible base to start exploring Croatia from.
This 2 day Split Croatia itinerary allows you to see the main highlights of the city, including exploring Diocletian’s Palace and taking in the panoramic views of Split from Marjan Hill. It is sure to be a perfect way to spend a weekend in Split, Croatia.
Spending more time in Croatia? Check out these related posts:
ππ· Is Dubrovnik Worth Visiting?
ππ· Best Wine Tours in Dubrovnik
ππ· What is Dubrovnik Famous For?
ππ· Is Plitvice Lakes Worth Visiting?
ππ· Things to do in Samobor, Croatia
