Are you looking for the 10 best things to do in Split, Croatia? Then keep reading! Croatia is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Europe. It is full of stunning sandy beaches, vivid blue waters, and beautiful old towns. Planning a summer getaway to the beautiful city of Split, Croatia will show you one of the countries most beautiful destinations and will have you falling in love!
Split is located along the stunning Croatian coastline and is a wonderful city to visit for every type of traveller. It has beaches for beach lovers, historic buildings for history buffs, nearby national parks for nature lovers, and plenty of clubs and bars for party lovers.
It is a place brimming with excitement and the vibrant atmosphere that makes up Split is one of the things that makes it so special. It is also one of the best places to visit on a European girls trip!
Find here the 10 best things to do in Split that should be on everyones to do list. Prepare to fall in love with one of Europes most magical coastal gems.
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Top 10 things to do in Split
Spend a Day at The Beach
Spending a day at the beach is easily one of the best and most enjoyable things to do in Split. Due to its location along the coast, there are a plethora of Split beaches to enjoy a sunny day on! Many of the beaches are located within the city and you can easily walk to them. There are family beaches, party beaches, and private beaches. In the summer months, Split’s party beaches are full of people drinking and listening to music all day, which is super fun and very enjoyable to join in on.
You can also venture a little bit further from Split and visit some of the most unique and picturesque beaches like Bol (pictured below).
There is no better way to soak in the beautiful blue water and enjoy the warm sun than on a beach. Many people visit Split with the intention of just enjoying the beach and treating it as a beach vacation getaway. If this is your plan you can easily beach hop and discover new and beautiful beaches every day!
Visit Diocletian’s Palace
Diocletian’s Palace is an ancient palace built in Split in the 4th Century that was made for Roman emperor Diocletian. This huge stone palace takes up about half of the Old Town in Split and is well worth the explorations. The stunning stone architecture is something to admire as one of the most well-preserved pieces of Roman architecture in the world. It is also a UNESCO world heritage site! It is free to explore the palace grounds but going inside the palace and exploring various places has varying costs. From around $4 – 6$ depending on where you want to enter (towers, basement, etc).
For an in-depth tour and explanation of everything you need to know about this incredible palace it is best to join a tour. You can even get the Game of Thrones Tour if you are a fan!
Go on a Boat Tour
Going on a boat tour is one of the best things to do in Split for ocean lovers. With a boat tour, you can sail around the stunning aqua blue waters and explore more of Croatia. Most boat tours will let you swim in the middle of the sea, go to different islands, and show you the true beauty of Croatia. You can book a tour in advance or find a company along the promenade while you are already in Split. Booking in advance ensures you a spot and you can plan your visit around it.
Explore the Old Town
Split’s old town is a stunning area to explore. The stone streets are full of restaurants with charming patios, local shops and more that are perfect for enjoying. One of the best things to do in the old town is to go for a drink and meal to one of the many outdoor restaurants. You will find various restaurants with seating under umbrellas and enjoying a cold drink and local meal while admiring the beautiful surroundings is one of the top things to do in Split.
Venture to Trogir
Trogir is a beautiful old town located along the coast of the Adriatic. Here you will find a stunning and amazingly well preserved old town surrounded by the countries well known blue waters. The architecture here is a mix of Renaissance and baroque making it a unique area of architecture to explore. There is plenty to do and see in Trogir making it the perfect day trip to experience another beautiful place in Croatia. One of the top things to do in Split is venture to nearby cities and attractions to really soak in and experience the beauty of this region.
Climb the Saint Domnius Bell Tower
Saint Domnius Bell Tower is located in Diocletian’s Palace and is a must-visit while in Split. From the outside, the tower stands tall amongst the buildings but the real excitement is climbing to the top to admire the views of Split from above. From the top of the bell tower, you are welcomed by panoramic views of Split from above where you can see the orange thatched roofed houses and blue water of the coast. It is beyond magical and one of the best things to do in Split to see the city in its entirety.
Venture to Krka National Park
Krka is one of the many national parks in Croatia that has gained notoriety due to its stunning natural beauty. Krka National Park is located just an hour from Split and is the perfect day trip for anyone seeking beautiful nature views and a magical experience. This national park is huge and is great for swimming, hiking, exploring and more. Most people come to see the famous Krka waterfalls, which are one of Croatia’s most famous tourist attractions.
Just NOTE: in the summer months Krka waterfalls are PACKED with people. This can often make the falls feel like more of a tourist attraction than anything else. If you don’t like being around tons of tourists I would suggest skipping the falls or going in the off-season.
Beyond the waterfalls, there is plenty to do and see at Krka. You can talk a hike or walk that will bring you around the park showing you the nature that makes up the country. Or you can go on an adventure tour and see the park in a more exciting way! Just be sure to prepare for any weather conditions whether that is heat in the summer or cold in the winter.
Hike Marjan
Hiking to the top of Marjan Park is one of the top things to do in Split. From the top of the hill, you get some of the best views of the city and the beach and they are stunning! The hike up can be hard in the summer months with the sun beating down on you, but it is very worth it. While the view and park offer a welcome escape from the crowds in the city below and give you a breath of fresh air.
Marjan is very easy to reach from Split meaning you can walk from Split to the hike and down. It is great exercise too, which you may be needing after enjoying the delicious local foods, drinks and ice cream in Split. This park is clean and well kept and one of the top things to do in Split.
Visit Klis Fortress
Fortress Klis (Fortress of Klis) is a must-see while in Split especially if you are a Game of Thrones fan! This fortress is called “Meereen” in GOT where Danaerys freed the slaves. A visit here will have you feeling like you’ve transported to the set. Even if you are not a Game of Thrones fan a visit here is one of the best things to do in Split. The views are stunning, there’s a pub for drinks with a view, and it is super historic and interesting to discover!
Stroll the Promenade
Strolling the long and beautiful promenade is one of the best things to do in Split. The Split promenade is always bustling with life and energy. There are plenty of restaurants with ocean views and ice cream shops galore. This is one of the best places to stop in for a bite to eat in a vibrant atmosphere and some stunning views! You can also just walk across the waterfront here after you eat and enjoy an ice-cream while enjoying the waterfront.
Where to Stay in Split
Booking.comSplit is one of Europes best and most beautiful cities. If you are looking for the perfect summer getaway full of swimming, great food and history, then this is the place for you. While visiting be sure to use this list of the top things to do in Split to make you visit the best it can be.
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SSW
Croatia looks like such a dream. I would really like to check out all these destinations one day
Split looks so beautiful! As my summer holiday is partially falling apart/changing, I keep looking for reasonable priced flights up and down the Adriatic coast… Split is going to be another alternative that is looking really good. Thank you for sharing!
Split looks sooo stunning. I would love to visit literally every place you listed here 😀
How many days would you need in croatia? this looks amazing and thank you for all this amazing info!!!!