Is Split Worth Visiting? 11 Best Reasons Why You Should Visit
Split is absolutely worth visiting. Not only is Split the 2nd largest city in Croatia, but it’s a beautiful coastal town with many things to do. From exploring the historical sites like Diocletian’s Palace to taking day trips, Split is an amazing place to visit.
We visited Split as a part of our road trip around Croatia, and we were honestly surprised by how much we loved it. Split is gorgeous – from the Riva Promenade to the panoramic views from Marjan Hill. Plus wandering through the old town and Diocletian’s Palace made us feel like we were stepping back in time. I 100% recommend visiting Split.
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Best Things to do in Split
✔️ Walking Tour of Diocletian’s Palace
✔️ Walk along the Riva Promenade
✔️ Day Trip to Hvar & the Blue Lagoon
✔️ Day Trip to Mostar, Bosnia
✔️ Bike to Marjan Hill Park for great views
Why Visit Split Croatia?
There are so many reasons why you should visit Split in Croatia. It is a beautiful coastal city, with easy access to the islands and other highlights of the Croatian main land. The city also boasts an incredible food scene, vibrant nightlife, and many historical sites.
11 Reasons to Visit Split Croatia
Below are some of the best reasons why you should visit Split on your trip to Croatia.
1. Diocletian’s Palace & Historic Old Town
The #1 reason to visit Split is to explore Diocletian’s Palace, which makes up most of the historic old town.
Diocletian’s Palace was originally constructed by Emperor Diocletian in the 3rd and 4th centuries AD. Today, it is some of the best preserved Roman palace ruins in the entire world.
Split’s old town is absolutely worth visiting and is filled with medieval cobblestone streets and a variety of Baroque and Gothic style architecture. There are also many charming restaurants, bars, and shops within the old town.
Due to the complex history of Split’s old town and Diocletian’s Palace, the best way to explore it is by taking a walking tour like this one.
☑️ Book a Walking Tour of Diocletian’s Palace and Old Town
2. Central Location
One major reason to visit Split is that it is centrally located in Croatia. Plus there is an international airport so you can easily fly directly there from other cities in Europe.
The central location means it is easy to visit other places in the Croatia such as driving to Dubrovnik or going to Plitvice Lakes National Park.
Additionally, Split’s harbor is well-connected to the Croatian ferry system which makes it easy to travel to Hvar or other Croatian islands.
3. Great Base for Day Trips
Split’s central location makes it the perfect city for taking day trips. You can easily base yourself in Split for a week and take several day trips to surrounding areas or even to the islands.
We stayed in Split for a week during our road trip around Croatia, and found it to be a great base for taking day trips.
Below are some of my recommendations for the best day trips to take from Split:
👉 Day Trip to Mostar, Bosnia
I personally took this day trip to Mostar Bosnia and loved it. While the day trip is a long day, Mostar is incredibly unique and very different from the places we visited in Croatia.
The tour spends a majority of time in Mostar, where you will see the famous Mostar Bridge, have a walking tour with a local Bosnian guide + have free time to explore. You’ll also get to visit Počitelj and Kravica Waterfall.
The only thing to keep in mind is that it is a full day + in the summer the temps are about 5-10 degrees warmer in Mostar compared to Split, so try to go on a cooler day.
Overall, I highly recommend a day trip to Bosnia for those that love experiencing new cultures and places.
👉 Day Trip to Krka National Park
Krka National Park is easily one of the most beautiful places in Croatia, and its not far from Split which makes it a perfect day trip.
I definitely recommend doing this day trip to Krka National Park, where you will get to explore the beautiful waterfalls plus stop at a winery and try some local Croatian wine. 10/10 recommend.
👉 Blue Cave and Hvar Boat Tour
If you are visiting during summer, going on a boat tour to the islands surrounding Split or the Blue Lagoon is an absolute must-do.
Not only is being on a boat one of the best ways to spend a hot summer day in Split – but it was also incredibly fun and one of my personal favorite things to do near Split.
This full day boat tour will take you to the stunning Blue Cave and the popular island of Hvar where you will have free time to explore. Plus, there is swimming stops so you can swim in the blue waters of the Adriatic Sea.
4. Beautiful Riva Promenade
The Split Riva is a beautiful waterfront promenade located along the harbor, just outside of the old town.
The Riva is a pedestrian-only walkway, featuring palm trees and sea views. There are several restaurants along the promenade that are perfect for grabbing a drink and watching the sunset.
5. Incredible Beaches
Split is located on the Adriatic Sea, and has several great beaches that are worth visiting, including Bacvice Beach, Kasjuni Beach, Znjan Beach, and more.
The most popular beach is Bacvice Beach, which is just a short 10-minute walk from Split’s Old Town. This sandy beach features a number of amenities including sun lounge chairs, beach bars, and nearby beach resorts and restaurants.
Insider Tip: If you decide to visit Bacvice Beach, I recommend checking out Taboo Beach Bar for a fun beach club with a dj and drinks.
6. Panoramic Views from Marjan Hill
Marjan Hill is a large park located on Split’s peninsula. It is a beautiful place to go for a hike or take a break away from the city.
The best part about Marjan Hill Park is its panoramic views of the city of Split. This is by far the best viewpoint in Split, which makes Marjan Hill absolutely worth visiting while in Split.
Insider Tip: Marjan Hill viewpoint is easily one of the best sunset spots in all of Split.
If you are looking for a fun way to get around Marjan Hill, consider taking this Electric Bike Tour which is an easy way to get to the top for those incredible views!
☑️ Book an Electric Bike Tour of Split
7. Adventurous Activities
For those that enjoy a good adrenaline rush, there are plenty of adventurous activities near Split. Below are 3 thrilling activities to check out while in Split:
🌊 ATV Quad Safari Tour from Split
Go off-roading through the Croatian countryside on this exciting ATV Quad tour from Split. You’ll explore scenic mountain and river trails on this thrilling experience.
☑️ Book an ATV Quad Safari Tour
🌊 Rafting Experience in the River Cetina
This exciting rafting experience will take you through the River Cetina, where you’ll raft the rapids for 9km. On the way, you’ll see waterfalls and have a chance to explore caves and go swimming.
☑️ Book a Rafting Experience on the Cetina River
🌊 Extreme Canyoning on Cetina River
For a really thrilling experience, check out this Extreme Canyoning Tour, where you will get to descend down a rope from a cliff next to the biggest waterfall in Croatia.
Other activities on this tour include cliff jumping, swimming, and hiking. This is a good choice for those who love a good adrenaline rush.
☑️ Book Extreme Canyoning on Cetina River
8. Nearby Historic Sites
Not only is the city of Split filled with historic sites, but it is also within a short drive to other historic sites and towns. Below are two must-visit sites near Split.
✔️ Trogir – Trogir is a charming medieval town that is easy to visit from Split. We spend a few hours here on the day we left Split, and loved wandering around the historic town.
The old town of Trogir is a pedestrian only center, and features charming medieval streets with shops and restaurants. There is also a small fortress and a pretty harborfront promenade.
✔️ Klis Fortress – Kils Fortress is just outside of the city of Split, making it easy to visit.
The fortress dates as far back as the 3rd century B.C.E, but was mostly used during the medieval times as a defensive fortress.
Today, Klis Fortress has gained fame for being a major Game of Thrones filming site, as it was Khaleesi’s fortress in the city of Meereen.
9. Great Food Scene
Split has a great food scene, with a variety of restaurants that specialize in Croatian and international cuisines.
Here are some restaurants that are worth checking out in Split:
✔️ Bokamorra Pizzeria – Best pizza in town
✔️ Nostromo – Best fish restaurant
✔️ Bokeria – Highly-rated
✔️ Pandora Green Box – Vegan/Vegetarian
✔️ Uje Oil Bar – Dalmatian comfort food
For a unique food experience in Split, try taking this Croatian cooking class, which is led by a local chef. You’ll learn more about Croatian food, and get to create and taste local specialties.
☑️ Book a Croatian Cooking Class in Split
10. Vibrant Nightlife
As a popular summer destination, Split has become famous for its vibrant nightlife. There are a number of bars and clubs throughout the city, making it a fun place for going out.
Many of the bars and clubs are near the historic center, so its easy to enjoy a night out while in Split.
11. Lots of Museums
Split has a number of museums that are worth visting, especially on a super hot or rainy day.
I personally loved visiting the small Game of Thrones museum in the Old Town, but here is a list of some of the other museums worth seeing:
✔️ Split City Museum – Located in Diocletian’s Palace featuring paintings, sculpture, weapons & armor
✔️ Split Archaeological Museum – Oldest museum in Croatia containing key historical artifacts
✔️ Split Ethnographic Museum – Exhibits on traditional costumes, crafts & culture of the Dalmatian Coast
✔️ Meštrović Gallery – Art museum dedicated to the sculptor, Ivan Meštrović
✔️ Museum of Fine Arts – Contains artwork from the 14th century to present day
✔️ Game of Thrones Museum – Small museum dedicated to Game of Thrones Series
How Long Should You Spend in Split?
You should spend at least 2 days in Split to see the highlights of the city. However, if you have time I recommend spending 4-7 days as there are many great day trips that you can take from Split.
Best Time to Visit Split Croatia
Split is a coastal town, which has become a popular summer destination. However, Split can get crowded, especially in July and August. So, the best time to visit Split is in May, June, or September to avoid the crowds but still enjoy the warm weather.
Is Split Worth Visiting in the Summer?
Split is absolutely worth visiting in the summer. Split comes to life in the summer, with all of the shops, restaurants, and attractions open. While the weather can be warm and there can be more tourists, it is also the best time to visit the beaches or take day trips to the islands.
Is Split Worth Visiting in the Winter?
Split is worth visiting in the winter to see the historic sites like Diocletian’s Palace without the crowds. Keep in mind, many tours don’t run in the winter as the weather can get cold. There are also less shops and restaurants open, however it is still worth visiting Split in the winter for a more authentic and local experience of the city.
Where to Stay in Split
There are many great places to stay in Split, and in general I recommend staying close to Split’s old town. Below are a few of the best hotels to stay at in Split.
📍 Cornaro Hotel – Luxury Hotel near Old Town
This beautiful hotel is perfect for a luxurious stay, with its elegant rooms and incredible rooftop bar. Best of all, it is just steps away from Split’s old town.
✅ Check Dates & Book your Stay at Cornaro Hotel
📍 Villa Split Heritage Hotel – Boutique hotel in the historic old town
For a place to stay within the walls of old town, this charming boutique hotel is the perfect choice. Not only is the location great, but the rooms are beautiful and feature stone walls and wood beam ceilings.
✅ Check Dates & Book your Stay at Villa Split Heritage Hotel
📍 Hotel Villa Harmony – Beautiful Beach Resort
If you are visiting Split for a beach vacation, this resort is an incredible choice. It has lots of amenities and is just steps away from Split’s popular Bacvice Beach.
✅ Check Dates & Book your Stay at Hotel Villa Harmony
FAQ: Is Split Worth Visiting?
Split is a popular summer destination due to its beautiful harbor promenade and ferry connections to the islands. The city is also popular due to its historic old town and Diocletian’s Palace, which is the historic ruins of a Roman palace. In recent years, Split became famous as a Game of Thrones filming location.
Split is a very walkable city, especially if you stay at a hotel near Old Town. Split’s Old Town is a pedestrian-only area, which is easily walkable and there are plenty of shops, restaurants, and attractions there.
Split is known for its historic old town and Diocletian’s Palace, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Diocletian’s Palace is over 1,700 years old and is some of the best preserved ruins of a Roman palace in the world.
So, Is Split Worth Visiting?
Yes, Split is 100% worth visiting. In fact, I’d say it is one of the best places to visit in Croatia as there is so much to do in the city as well as lots of day trip possibilities.
Plus, Split is slightly more affordable compared to Dubrovnik, which is another popular Croatian city (although you should visit Dubrovnik too if you have the time).
