Located in the heart of Dalmatia in Croatia, Split will charm you with its warm climate, its seaside and its medieval city. Second largest city in the country, it’s also an excellent starting point for your excursions to Croatia’s paradise islands and lush national parks. We therefore suggest you 10 activities not to be missed during your next trip to Split and its surroundings.
The best activities to do in Split
1. Explore the Old Town and climb to the top of the Bell Tower
To admire the most beautiful view of the city, we recommend going near Saint Domnius Cathedral, where Split’s emblematic bell tower is located. After visiting and climbing the Bell Tower’s winding passages, you can rest by the tower’s arched windows to observe the spectacular panorama.
Crédit photo: The Storytellers MTL
2. Visit Diocletian’s Palace and its underground ruins
Built in the 4th century, Diocletian’s Palace is the heart of Split and one of the best preserved Roman buildings. However, you’ll also find Egyptian influences since Diocletian considered himself a god, like the pharaohs, and had Sphinxes imported to add them to the structure.
Crédit photo: The Storytellers MTL
Counting the Temple of Jupiter, St. Domnius Cathedral and Bace Radica Square among its main attractions, a visit to the underground ruins of Dieocletian’s Palace is also a must-do activity. Well-preserved and a little gloomy, this UNESCO World Heritage Site also served as a filming location for the Game of Thrones series.
Crédit photo: The Storytellers MTL
3. Eat gelato on the Riva
After your visit to Diocletian’s Palace, you’ll arrive directly on Split’s Riva, the perfect place to have a drink or a delicious gelato. There’s no shortage of options as the majority of shops along the promenade sell frozen delights, mixing traditional flavors with inventive creations. With its French Riviera feel and giant palm trees, you’ll have a perfect spot to savor it all on the Riva, once your choice is made!
Crédit photo: The Storytellers MTL
4. Relax on one of Split’s gorgeous beaches
With its ideal waterfront location, you’ll find many beaches in and around Split. Bačvice is certainly the most popular, but we particularly recommend Ovčice Beach which is less crowded and much prettier in our opinion.
A bit like in Dubrovnik, the different beaches of Split are connected by a paved path where there are also many restaurants where you can grab a bite. So you can take a nice walk by the sea, then stop to swim and eat wherever you want.
Crédit photo: The Storytellers MTL
5. Admire the sunset over the port
For a romantic picnic, we suggest you to stop in the port of Split to enjoy the last rays of the sun with an incomparable view of the Riva. Let yourself be lulled by the sound of the waves while sharing a little bite paired with a bottle of Zinfandel found in local shops, it can’t get any better!
Crédit photo: The Storytellers MTL
6. Explore Marjan Hill Forest Park
If you want to stretch your legs with a hike that combines city views and nature, head to Marjan Hill Forest Park and its famous 314-step staircase. At the top of this wooded hill, you can stroll through the cypresses and visit some churches from the Renaissance. In the distance, you can even see the islands of Hvar, Brač and Vis when the sky is clear.
Crédit photo: The Storytellers MTL
7. Taste Split’s gastronomy
You can’t leave Split without trying some of the Croatian classics like strukli. Whether on the go or on one of the city’s magnificent terraces, this cheesy dish, as comforting as it is tasty, will certainly charm your taste buds.
For a gourmet dinner, we highly recommend Bokeria Restaurant for its divine black risotto with flavors of the sea and its wine list filled with excellent local finds. Don’t hesitate to ask their team for advice, the service is impeccable!
Crédit photo: The Storytellers MTL
8. Go on a excursion to the surrounding islands
If you dream of beaches with crystal clear waters, Split’s location is perfect for venturing to Croatia’s paradise islands. Excursions depart every day from the port to the islands of Hvar and Brač, where you’ll find the famous Zlatni Rat Beach. Also known as the Golden Horn, it’s an idyllic place to practice your favorite water sports like kayaking, surfing or windsurfing.
Crédit photo: The Storytellers MTL
The most beautiful national parks to visit near Split
Croatia’s national parks never cease to impress us and are definitely among the most beautiful ones that we’ve ever had the chance to explore! With their majestic landscapes and relaxing ambiance, it’s a must when visiting this magnificent country!
9. Hike in Plitvice Lakes National Park
Covering more than 295 km2, Plitvice Lakes National Park has more than 16 majestic lakes connected by falls and cascades. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, this magical place is also Croatia’s largest and oldest national park. The different trails accessible for all levels of hikers are very well laid out and allow you to admire many spectacular views of both the Upper Lakes and the Lower Lakes. We also recommend you to consult the official website of the park to find out if the trails you want to explore are open before you travel.
From Split, you can get there easily by booking a tour if you want to admire the scenery rather than driving and be accompanied by a guide to make it easier. Otherwise, you can also rent a car and get there on your own, however, it should be noted that Croatia’s highways are among the most expensive in Europe and parking can be a bit chaotic.
Crédit photo: The Storytellers MTL
10. Explore Krka National Park
Along the Krka River, this national park is a true natural paradise and is even closer to Split than the Plitvice Lakes. After a short bus or car ride, you can stroll in the most beautiful scenery through paved paths bordered by a lush forest. Among the 17 waterfalls of the Krka National Park, Stradinski Buk and Roški Slap waterfalls are just some of the wonders that you can admire throughout your hike.
Crédit photo: The Storytellers MTL
We hope that all our activity recommendations will help you plan an unforgettable stay in Split and will make you want to visit Croatia at least once in your life!
Have a good trip!
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