| Refresh | This website unforgettablecroatia.co.uk/destination-guide/split/ is currently offline. Cloudflare's Always Online™ shows a snapshot of this web page from the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine. To check for the live version, click Refresh. |
Split, Croatia, is a captivating coastal city nestled along the Adriatic Sea, renowned for its historical charm and stunning natural beauty. The heart of Split beats within the walls of Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where ancient history harmoniously merges with modern life. Visitors can wander through its labyrinthine streets, lined with vibrant cafes, boutique shops, and ancient ruins.
Split is Croatia’s second-largest city and one of its most enchanting. Its name is derived from an ancient Greek toponym and refers to a local shrub variety, given while it was still an unestablished settlement. It was Roman emperor Diocletian who truly brought it to life after he decided to live out the rest of his years here.
When to go: May - Oct
Whatever you want from your dream trip, our team of experts are ready to help
Start Planning
Split is a gem along the Dalmatian Coast that always captivates our clients with its rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture. Nestled between the Adriatic Sea and the Dinaric Alps, Split boasts a UNESCO World Heritage site – the Diocletian’s Palace. This ancient Roman palace, dating back to the 4th century, forms the heart of the city and is a marvel of architecture and history.
Beyond its historical significance, Split offers pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a Mediterranean climate, making it an ideal destination for sun-seekers. The charming Old Town features narrow cobblestone streets lined with bustling markets, lively cafes, and boutique shops.
Split, Croatia, is a coastal marvel, boasting the historic Diocletian’s Palace at its core. With charming cobblestone streets, vibrant markets, and access to stunning islands, Split seamlessly blends ancient history with modern allure, creating an unforgettable Mediterranean experience.
Croatia’s second-largest city is home to one of the best-preserved Roman palaces in the world. Diocletian’s Palace was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. The harbourside palatial structure was built as a retirement home for the Roman Emperor in the 4th century AD. Within the palace walls is a labyrinth of cobblestone streets and alleyways that are packed with 200 buildings, including quaint shops, chic cafes and bars and stylish restaurants.
Situated on Split’s peninsula, Marjan hill offers spectacular views of the city and the Adriatic Sea. You can reach the top of the hill on foot, or hire a bicycle at the entrance gate. Marjan is covered in a lush, dense and fragrant pine forest and encircled by the city. From the prime vantage point, you can gaze out to sea, and enjoy panoramic vistas of Split’s enchanting Riva promenade and the majestic Old Town.
The medieval fortress of Klis is perched high above the village of the same name, and boasts a rich heritage. Built in the 3rd century BC, Klis fortress was once home to many Croatian kings. For a long time, it was a popular attraction for local people. More recently, the historic monument has featured in the hit TV show Game of Thrones Wander around the ruins, and take a picture of the famous dragon statue.
The charming medieval town of Trogir is situated on a tiny island that’s connected to the Croatian mainland, and Čiovo Island, by a bridge. The Old Town features an abundance of Renaissance, Baroque and Romanesque architecture, and the 13th-century Cathedral of St Lawrence. Trogir boasts World Heritage Site status and offers breathtaking sweeping views from the bell tower of the Renaissance Chapel of St John. The ancient Cippiko Palace is also worth exploring.
The best time to visit Split is generally during the tourist season which runs from April through October. The days are likely to be sunny and warm, or downright hot in July and August. If you want to experience the party scene and spend your days at the beach, summer is ideal, but you’ll need to book accommodation well in advance. The shoulder seasons of May/June and September/October are a great choice for avoiding the thickest crowds along with pleasant, mild weather for sightseeing. Choose early fall if you’d like to swim as the water will have warmed up well from summer’s heat.
Whatever you want from your dream trip, our team of experts are ready to help
Start PlanningYou need at least two days to cover the highlights in Split with one spent exploring the palace, enjoying walks on the Riva promenade and getting a sample of the culinary scene. On the second you might spend part of the day at the beach, perhaps paddleboarding, or hiking up Marjan hill with the other half visiting the museums. Ideally, you’ll have at least another day or two which can be used for one or more of the many exciting day trips that are possible from here, like a boat tour of the Blue Cave or a visit to cosmopolitan Hvar Island.
As crowds fill the palace from mid-morning through at least mid-afternoon throughout the summer season, you can avoid the rush by visiting early in the morning or during the evening hours. Many feel the atmosphere and lighting around dusk makes a visit at this time extra special. It will also be less crowded during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall. Winter is incredibly peaceful with the exception of the holidays and the New Year celebration when thousands will fill the streets of the palace, but it’s not the best time to come if you want to visit nearby islands or the beaches.
Diocletian’s Palace is the top attraction by far, with numerous historical sites within the complex. St. Domnius Cathedral is a must-see as one of the oldest of its kind and a bell tower that you can climb and take in a spectacular view. Be sure to explore the palace cellars, visit Peristyle square, and the Temple of Jupiter. Outside the palace gates, the Green Market is a place to immerse yourself in local life. The relatively easy climb up Marjan Hill brings a big reward at dusk with one of the best vantage points for a glorious sunset.
Split isn’t just worth visiting; it’s an absolute must for any Croatian itinerary. Many cruises start or end here making it easy to explore on a small-ship island-hopping cruise, but it’s a destination in its own right. Everyone from history and architectural enthusiasts to foodies, wine lovers, and adventure-seekers will enjoy it here. It provides the perfect base for day trips to the Blue Lagoon, the Blue Cave, medieval Trogir, and nearby islands too.
We are a licensed and fully bonded tour operator financially protected by both the Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL) and the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust (ABTOT). All clients that travel with us are fully financially protected.
Our travel experts live and breathe the destinations they specialise in. This shows in their passionate to create hand crafted trips for our clients. We don’t offer cookie cutter trips, just truly unforgettable journeys unlike any other.
What makes our trips extraordinary is the unique immersive experiences we include. We pride ourselves in our black book of sought after expert guides, game rangers and local contacts who believe in our philosophy, unforgettable.
From the moment you book your trip, we are on hand 24/7 to assist you throughout your journey. With regional offices around the world, we have ground logistics teams on hand to help you every step of the way.
Copyright © 2024 Unforgettable Croatia. All rights reserved
