Are you planning to spend 3 days in Split? But what can you do during a long weekend in the Croatian city on the Dalmatian coast and what are the best sights and spots you shouldn't miss?
Split is something like my first Croatian love, not as posh as the islands, not as dressed up as Dubrovnik, but still full of culture and history, which mix here with the modern city life on the Dalmatian coast.
Split is a large harbour, many cruise ships dock here and the Jadrolinia, the Croatian ferries, depart from here to many of the islands. For me, Split has therefore retained a little more flair and Croatian attitude to life than places like Dubrovnik, where you mainly find offers for tourists between the city walls (Dubrovnik is still always worth a visit!).
Nevertheless, the city in Croatia is one of the country's main attractions and if you want to visit Split, you should know what's worth seeing and what you shouldn't miss out on. That's why I've put together this little guide for three days in Split - full of everything you need to know, from art to culture to cuisine.
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Split at a glance
🎠 Dive right in Find out more about Split's old town and Diocletian's Palace on this city tour
📍 View Point | The best view of the city awaits you on the local hill Marjan
🏛️ History lesson | On a round trip to Klis Fortress
🌮 Culinary delights | A historic Split Food Tour, also be sure to try Croatian wines
🥃 Drinks | A must in the evening: Academia Club Ghetto art café
🛥️ Tour | Visit to the Krka waterfalls with wine tasting
😴 Accommodation | Heritage Hotel Antique in a part of the Diocletian's Palace
Best time to travel to Split
This should come as no surprise, but the shoulder season shoulder season is the best time to visit Split. The Adriatic Sea is often warm enough for swimming as early as the end of May or beginning of June - and often well into October. Spring, early summer and autumn are therefore the ideal seasons to visit Dalmatia. Frühling und Frühsommer und Herbst sind also die idealen Jahreszeiten, um Dalmatien zu besuchen.
In summer, it's not only too crowded (I'm just saying: cruise ships!), but quite honestly also simply too hot. At 40 degrees nobody wants to explore a stone city on foot and the beaches are hopelessly overcrowded. Frying like sardines in a tin in the sun - nobody wants that, do they? For July and August, I recommend the Bosnian lakes and waterfalls!
Your guide for 3 days in Split
Day 1 | The most important sights in Split
Mornings
Is this your first visit to Split? Then I recommend that you dedicate the first day of your trip to exploring the old town - preferably on a city tour. After all, Split has an incredibly rich history dating back to Roman times. This city tour includes the bell tower, the peristyle and, of course, Diocletian's Palace with the vestibule.
Would you prefer to go sightseeing on your own? Then start at Diocletian's Palace, climb the bell tower of the Cathedral of St Domnius and cross the Golden Gateto rub the toe of St Gregory of Nin - this is said to bring good luck.
Tip: You can get a great view of Split from the waterfront promenade Zapadna obala.
Lunch | Kruščić Bakery for a quick snack on the go, Corto Maltese Freestyle food for Croatian fusion cuisine
More info | Guide to Split, Croatia: The best sights & insider tips
Afternoon
After your city tour, you can let yourself drift through the city and discover the many alleyways (that's the real magic and charm of Split and all the other Croatian cities!)
Make sure you stop off at Sladoledarnica Emiliana or Luka Ice Cream & Cakes for refreshments.
You might also fancy a sunset cruise with live music and a great view of the city from the sea. Or you can return to Emperor Diocletian's Vestibule in the evening - there is often live music here, tourists and even a few locals sit on the steps and enjoy the atmosphere with a beer or glass of wine. I like the vibe.
Dinner | Bokeria Kitchen & Wine combines Croatian cuisine with fine dining and exclusive wines in the perfect way - an absolute recommendation!
Drinks | Academia Club Ghetto is an alternative artists' café tucked away in the walls of the Roman UNESCO palace, with an ivy-covered garden
Day 2 | Beach and viewpoint hopping
Morning
Breakfast | Top coffee & croissants at D16 Coffee, brunch & speciality coffee at Stow Coffee Roasters
After breakfast, it's time for the beach! After all, that's what you're in Croatia for, isn't it?
Kupalište Prva voda is a relatively local spot near the marina - but the water here is a bit colder and there are quite a few sea urchins (like everywhere else in Croatia, by the way, so make sure you bring water shoes). Two other good beaches are Kupalište Bene and Plaža Kašjuni. All three are close to the Marjan city forest - perfect for a walk!
If you're already there, be sure to stop for a coffee and a view of Teraca Vidilica!
If lying on the beach is too boring for you, you can also go on a rafting tour on the Cetina River on the second day or go on a quad safari with a barbecue in the back country.
Lunch | Kat’s Kitchen Brunch Club
Afternoon
Since you are already in the neighbourhood, you can visit the Meštrović Gallery after lunch. Works by sculptor Ivan Meštrović are exhibited in his picturesque former home and studio, as well as in the garden. From there, it is also not far to another pebble beach, Plaža Kaštelet.
Not in the mood for culture, but rather culinary delights? Then book this popular Split Food Tour and delve deeper into Dalmatian cuisine!
Dinner | Fig Split
Drinks | How about a wine tasting? Another good one: cocktails in the Sistema ba
The best beaches in Split
Bačvice | City beach about 10 minutes from the old town. Shallow water and sand
Kaštelet | At the foot of the Marjan forest park, just a stone's throw from the Ivan Meštrović Gallery. Rocks and pebbles, little shade
Beach Kašjuni | Dog-friendly and a little less busy. Pebble beach
Kupalište Prva voda | lie beneath the pine trees, right down to the water's edge.
Day 3 | Day trip to Trogir
Today we're heading out of Split! About 40 minutes away is one of my favourite Croatian villages: Trogir. Situated on a peninsula, this UNESCO-protected old town is actually just narrow, small alleyways with laundry fluttering above them and hidden squares where you can enjoy an Aperol Spritz.
Trogir is perfect for simply drifting around for a day, soaking up the relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle and enjoying a delicious meal in one of the bars and restaurants. Trogir is small, so you can also drive around the island of Otok Čiovo - there are numerous hidden bays and beaches here. You can also take a day trip from Split to Trogir as a guided tour if you don't have a rental car.
Lunch | Restaurant Kamerlengo
Drinks | CHI Specialty Coffee-Shop
Dinner | Restaurant Dvor right on the waterfront just outside the old town centre
Here are a few alternative day trips from Split:
- Island-hopping boat trip to Hvar with a visit to the Blue Cave,
- Visit to the Krka waterfalls with wine tasting (a great alternative to the overcrowded Plitvice Lakes)
The best accommodation in Split
Hotels in Split
Hotel Ambasador | The perfect hotel if you want to have a really good time. Five stars and located directly on the promenade
Heritage Hotel Antique | In a renovated Dalmatian building within the walls of Diocletian's Palace - a truly special experience
Airbnbs & Guesthouses in Split
Balatura Bed & Breakfast | Cosy B&B within walking distance of the old town and in typical Dalmatian style with a beautiful terrace
Luxury Rooms Fetivi | Nicely furnished flat with a small balcony in a residential area, yet within walking distance of the old town
💡 My tip: I always book accommodation via booking.com. With Genius Level 3, I get a guaranteed discount - up to 25 per cent for some accommodations - and sometimes there are also great extras, such as a free breakfast or upgrade. For Level 3, you have to make 15 bookings via the platform within 2 years. Level 2 is even available for just five bookings. Find the best accommodation in Split.
How to get to Split
Split is generally well-connected, especially with Croatian Airlines. I always compare Offers and prices always via a flight search engine.
But you can also take the night train from Vienna to Split, for example - a relaxed and environmentally friendly alternative.
