Split Travel Guide

1. Take a free walking tour

The first thing I do in a new city is take a free walking tour. It’s the best way to see the highlights while connecting with a local guide who can answer all my questions. Free Split Walking Tour organizes a regular free tour that covers all the main sights around town. You’ll take a walk by Saint Dominus Cathedral, Diocletian’s Palace, and other important places in the city’s history. I loved learning about the influences of other cultures like the Ottomans, Greeks, and Venetians, which you can see reflected in the architecture and food. Just be sure to tip your guide at the end!

2. Try to feel fjaka

Split is the capital of fjaka (pronounced “fe-yahka”), an untranslatable word that only exists on the Dalmatian coast. It’s a feeling of relaxation, not working too hard, and enjoying a balanced life. Some call it “Dalmatian Buddhism.” Try relaxing on the beach with a book or enjoying a gelato as you stroll down the promenade and take in the city’s energy. Asking for tips on achieving maximum fjaka is a fun conversation starter with locals.

3. Chill out on Kašjuni Beach

This beach is made up of small pebbles, typical of the seashore along the Dalmatian coast. It’s for families but also a local favorite, thanks in part to the fact that its idyllic, tranquil vibe feels like you’re miles and miles away from town (when you’re only a couple of miles away). The water is crystal clear and a gorgeous turquoise, making it the perfect spot for swimming or sunbathing. You’ll have to walk down from the main road to access the beach. Bring a towel because there aren’t any chairs to rent here. Trees along the edge of the beach provide some shade, but otherwise it’s very exposed. From the city center, take bus number 12, which goes right by the beach.

4. Take a day trip to Trogir

Located 32 kilometers (20 miles) north of Split, Trogir is the most beautiful town you’ve probably never heard of — and one of the easiest day trips from Split. This town of 10,000 people is small but packs a punch. It’s surrounded by medieval walls and handsomely clad in white limestone. Medieval churches are sprinkled about. And fortunately, you won’t find an army of cruise-ship tourists invading the place. Don’t miss the towering Cathedral of St. Lawrence (whose construction began in the late 12th century), and if the tall, 15th-century bell tower is open (and you’re not afraid of heights), trudge up to the top for incredible views. Catch one of the frequent buses to Trogir from Split’s main station, Sukoišanska.

5. Wander around the Meštrovic Gallery

Croatia’s most famous sculptor, Ivan Meštrovic, was an artist and writer who lived an interesting 20th-century life: he traveled Europe in exile during World War I, showcasing his art, and spent months in prison during World War II. A visit to his main gallery and museum is a study of what it was like to live in early Yugoslavia. You also get to gawk at many of the legendary sculptor’s works in a neoclassical building that he designed himself. There are more than 130 of his works on display, including his masterpieces in bronze, wood, marble, and plaster. The grounds are gorgeous too. Meštrovic had a variety of plants native to the Mediterranean cultivated and you’ll see sculptures scattered through the park. Plus, there’s an incredible view of the sea from top of the entrance stairway. Admission is 12 EUR.

6. Get medieval at Klis Fortress

Game of Thrones fans (or people who just like medieval fortresses) should put Klis on their priority list. Because this imposing citadel sits at an important passageway between the coast and inland, it was fought over and invaded many times during the past ten centuries. The Mongols, Ottomans, Venetians, and eventually Croatians all controlled it (or died trying). Today it is a fun trip just 13 kilometers (8 miles) north of Split. Game of Thrones aficionados will recognize the fortress from the show (which filmed many of the scenes in Meereen here). Take bus #22 from central Split to reach Klis. Admission is about10 EUR.

7. Visit the Ethnographic Museum

You needn’t be an anthropologist to love a well-done ethnographic museum. And the one in Split is excellent, particularly if you’re interested in broadening your knowledge of the people of the central Dalmatian coast and their history. The museum boasts displays of local crafts that have been done here for centuries, including embroidery and pottery. I particularly enjoyed the exhibitions on traditional instruments and dress throughout the city’s history. The museum provides interesting information that really gives you a sense of how these different elements were influenced by the land and culture. Admission is 3 EUR.

8. Cheer on the home team at a Hajduk Split soccer match

The most popular and beloved team on the Dalmatian coast, Hajduk Split is a powerhouse of a football (soccer) team. If you’re in town during the season — which is almost year-round — then you’re in luck. You’re even luckier if Hajduk is playing its arch-rivals, Dinamo Zagreb. Poljud Stadium holds about 35,000 people and is the second-largest in Croatia.

9. Day-trip it to Salona

Set in the sleepy suburb of Solin, just a few miles from the center of town, these ancient ruins were part of a Roman colony some 2,200 years ago. In its time it was one of the largest cities in the Roman Empire. The city was abandoned during an invasion by Avars and later Slavs. There’s plenty to see here, including a necropolis, early Christian chapels, city walls, 1,800-year-old towers, public baths, and an amphitheater. It’s all enough to warrant the common nickname “the Pompeii of Croatia.” Take bus #1 from central Split for the short journey to Salona. Admission is 8 EUR.

10. Visit the Archaeological Museum

You can visit the ancient Roman site of Salona — and you most definitely should — but it’s a helpful to pair it with a stop at this fascinating museum. That’s because it houses a plethora of historic objects found in Salona, plus some Greek, medieval, and even pagan and pre-Christian ones. The museum is just a short walk from the city center and is a must for history buffs. Admission is 8 EUR.

11. Explore the fish market

Split’s fish market is a wonder to behold. Tsukiji in Tokyo it is not, but Dalmatia’s largest fish market has all the bustle you’d expect from a seaside city that traffics in super fresh seafood. This market building is 120 years old and is central to local life in Split because much of the local cuisine comes from the sea. The variety of seafood available is incredible. You’ll find sardines, mackerel, sea bass, and rarer items like lobster and red porgy. The market is open from 6am-1pm every day.

12. Tour a local winery

Croatia is one of the world’s top wine producers, mainly focusing on white wines due to the area’s climate. Visit Putalj Winery just outside of Split to learn more about this Croatian tradition and to sample the wines right at the vineyard. Paired with the tastings are local specialties like cheeses, prosciutto, bread, and olive oil made at the vineyard. The tour is hosted by Anton, the winemaker himself, whose family has a long history (hundreds of years!) of winemaking. Tours cost 130 EUR and occur daily.

13. Visit the Game of Thrones Museum

Although small, this museum dedicated to the famed HBO series is a must for fans. Learn about the various filming locations around Split, and see select detailed costumes and props from the series up close. Split was used to film scenes in the fictional city of Mereen and Slavers Bay. There are replicas of cities from the show, costumes, dragons, sets, weapons, and more. You’ll even get to see life-size replicas of main characters. Admission is 14 EUR.

14. Experience Froggyland

For a truly weird and offbeat experience, step into Froggyland. This small museum features 507 taxidermied frogs arranged in everyday human situations, such as having dinner, chopping wood, going camping, and playing musical instruments. The work of Hungarian taxidermist Ferenc Mere, the unique collection is over a hundred years old. Admission is 13 EUR if you pay with cash.

15. Visit the Gallery of Fine Arts

This art museum features the work of many major Croatian artists, from the 14th century to the present day, with modern art forming the largest portion of the collection. The building was originally a hospital in one of the bastions that defended the city. Founded in 1931, there are over 3,500 works in the collection, including a large selection of icons (religious works of art). One of the most valuable works on display is an altar piece by Paolo Veneziano that dates back to the 1300s. Admission to both the permanent and temporary collections is 5 EUR.

16. Take a food tour

Delve into the Croatian culinary landscape on a food tour guided by a local. Eat in Split Food Tours offers a variety. Walk around the historic center while sampling traditional foods like prosciutto and cheese, handmade pasta, truffles, and local seafood, all paired with south Croatian red and white wines. One of their tours highlights a traditional Croatian marenda, the late morning meal and another pairs an evening stroll through the city with soparnik, a delicious kale pie. Tours start at 80 EUR.

17. Go boating

Split is right on the coast, making it the perfect jumping-off point for some maritime excursions to one of the many nearby islands. Many boat tours combine a visit to a historic port town (such as Trogir or Hvar) with a stop for snorkeling in the crystal-clear Blue Lagoon. In Trogir, you’ll get time to wander and take photos before snorkeling and swimming at the Blue Lagoon. Some excursions also stop at Labadusa Beach for more snorkeling and swimming before returning to the city. Half-day tours last 4-5 hours and start at 64 EUR per person.

18. Enjoy a sunset cruise

Split is a city with gorgeous architecture from the shore. Check out the sunset cruises that leave frequently from the harbor for a wonderful way to appreciate the coast while having a drink and marveling at the beautiful colors of the water as the sun goes down. You’ll cruise along the Split Riviera, the gorgeous string of beaches along the coast. There are likely to be views of the Marjan Park Forest and ?iovo Island. The Old Town of Split is stunning in the golden light of sunset. This was one of my absolute favorite ways to see the city and surrounding area. Cruises start at around 25 EUR and usually last 1.5 hours and typically include one drink.

For more information on specific cities in Croatia, check out these guides: