24 VERY BEST Things To Do In Split, Croatia For Your First Visit!

Last updated on June 6th, 2025 at 11:19 pm

If you’re planning a trip to Croatia and wondering what the best things to do in Split are, look no further!

Split is Croatia’s most vibrant city, bustling with historic charm and coastal beauty! It’s one of my favourite places to visit, the UNESCO sights, Riviera, views from Marjan Hill and nearby attractions are truly fantastic!

In this guide for 2025 I’ll share 24 of the very best things to do in Split, Croatia. From walking through the Old Town and impressive Diocletian’s Palace to enjoying the views from the palm-tree-filled Riva, there are plenty of things to keep your interest for a few days!

Here’s the ultimate list of my favourite things to do in Split – you don’t want to miss!

Overview Of Split

Split is one of the best places to visit in Croatia, so first of all, I recommend staying at least 3 nights to do it justice!

It’s a great base for exploring nearby islands, including Brac Island, the Blue Lagoon and Solta Island, and on land, Krka waterfalls and the historic smaller town of Trogir – a must-see.

The central Old Town of Split, is pedestrianised and very walkable, you’ll be able to see many points of interest on foot and most importantly discover a fantastic range of dining options!

In between sights, there’s a host of options from Marjan Hill viewpoint to the Riva promenade and luxurious beach clubs to relax and enjoy!

Where To Stay In Split

Now that you have more of an overview of Split, you’ll need to know where to stay! Split has a lot of accommodation choices, but the best central locations are the atmospheric Old Town, including Diocletian’s Palace, Riva and Veli Varos.

Best Accommodation In Split

• Hotel Ambasador Split – luxurious quality hotel on the Riviera with stunning old town and sea views – and fantastic rooftop pool!
• Golden Gate Luxury Rooms – stylish and modern suites located within the Palace Walls!
• Heritage Hotel 19 – charming heritage hotel and terrace situated within a prime location at the foothills of Marjan Hill
• Split Finest Apartment 1 – my favourite apartment where I’ve stayed on three trips, right on the Riva with a balcony and high-spec renovations!

For more hotel recommendations in Split, be sure to check out my complete guide on Where To Stay In Split, Croatia Apartments, Boutique & Luxury Hotels!

24 Things To Do In Split, Croatia: Hidden Gems, Hotspots & More!

1. SEE DIOCLETIANS PALACE

UNESCO World Heritage Diocletian’s Palace is the heart and soul of Split! It’s an integral part of the old town where you will find Roman ruins, including arches and columns that you can now wander and dine amongst.

Known as the ‘living museum’ Diocletian’s Palace is not only attractive to look at, but you can also shop, eat, drink and stay inside the palace and experience the exposed beams, tunnels and stone walls. It’s easy to get around; however, you can book this top guided walking tour if you want to see more hidden gems and learn about the history – it’s worth it!

In the evening, the main square (Lvxor) is filled with atmosphere. You can sit on a red cushion along the wall and listen to live acoustic music and be served drinks at the little tables in between. It’s very cool and in my opinion one of the best things to do in Split Old Town!

2. CLIMB UP DOMNIUS CATHEDRAL

St Domnius Cathedral is one of the best preserved Roman buildings around and is super easy to spot! You can go inside the cathedral, but climbing the bell tower for views is the best thing about it!

At the top you get a panoramic view over Split Old Town and for that alone, it’s worth the climb up the stone steps – and at the highest point, slightly rickety metal stairs! The tickets are around €3.50 and can be purchased at the base of the cathedral.

3. WANDER SPLIT’S OLD TOWN

One of the best ways of getting your bearings is to wander around the old town on your own, you’ll soon discover lots of hidden gems, from narrow cobbled streets to boutique shops, hidden cafes and numerous artisan stalls!

You can really shop here and get totally lost amongst the labyrinth of streets in the process – it’s all part of the fun of visiting an ancient city!

4. BUY TRINKETS IN THE PALACE

Inside the Palace and underneath the ancient arches, there are some nice artisan stalls and creative things to buy, such as postcard paintings as well as popular jewellery and lavender souvenirs – Croatia LOVES lavender, it is everywhere!

If you’re wanting to take a piece of Split home with you and shop somewhere unique, this place is the spot, and it’s lit with twinkly lights!

5. SUNSET DRINKS ALONG THE RIVA

One of the best things to do in Split early evening is toast the sunset with a drink along the vibrant Riva! I’ve seen some fantastic sunsets along here! If you take a stroll down the Riva, as many people are doing just before sunset, you can enjoy this golden hour before the music gets cranked up!

Along the Riva, there are many beautiful terraces filled with flowers and offering stunning views of the palm trees and blue sea. My favourite spots along here are the Olive Tree for cocktails and a vibrant atmosphere and at the end of the Riva next to Marjan Hill, Venerada, which is quieter and serves excellent local wine!

6. EXPLORE MARJAN HILL VIEWPOINT

Marjan Hill is the main panoramic viewpoint of Split – albeit from a bit of a distance! It’s the place to go to for a quick change of scene from the old town, where you can be amongst nature and views.

At the end of the Riva there’s a small Marjan Hill signpost, just head towards the stairs, you can’t go wrong and the journey is pretty easy going – the Riva bustle is instantly replaced by bird song and crickets!!

You’ll get to the top in around 15-20 minutes where you can enjoy the views and reward yourself with a glass of wine at restaurant Vidilica terrace!

7. CHECK OUT VELI VAROS

Veli Varos is the oldest neighbourhood in Split and sits inbetween the Riva and Marjan Hill, you’ll recognise it by its traditional stone-walled houses.

It’s a charming area to wander around and there are many guest houses and apartments along here, but mostly it’s worth seeing because it’s different from the rest of Split’s Old Town!

8. RELAX AT GOOSHTER BEACH CLUB

If you’re staying in Split for a few days you might want to spend a few hours relaxing at the beach and Gooshter Beach Club is the best! This stylish beach club with dreamy decor belongs to the best 5 star hotel around Split, Le Meridien Lav Split, I recommend it for those looking to stay on the beach in my guide, Where To Stay In Split!

You can easily grab an Uber to get there, it’s less than 15 minutes away and you won’t regret it, I’ve been many times, the scenery is stunning and it even has its own marina of yachts!

Tip! Get there around 10am to secure a beach bed and stop for a delicious lunch!

9. STROLL ALONG THE RIVA PROMENADE

As I’ve mentioned, the Riva is my favourite place in Split, while it’s great for sunset drinks, it’s also good for morning strolls when it’s calmer. You can walk all the way to the Ambasador Hotel and stop for a coffee on the terrace.

I love all the palm trees and colourful flowers that line the prom, there’s also more of a breeze here, being along the water’s edge and lots of benches to sit and watch the boats and people sail past!

10. SUNBATHE AT MISTRAL BEACH

Mistral beach and beach club is another great spot for swimming and sunbathing, an organised beach club that is part of the Radisson Blue hotel. It’s slightly closer to the town than Gooshter beach club, but only by 5 minutes!

Again, this beach area is also luxurious; you can hire beach beds and cabanas overlooking the water. It’s a great spot in summer and a much better option than any of the local beaches! If you’re looking for more beach options, check my guide to the best beaches of Split Croatia!

11. BOOK A SUNSET SAILING TRIP

Any trip deserves a sunset sail and this intimate sunset sailing trip around Split’s coastline and Marjan Hill is the best! You get free-flowing drinks and music with a backdrop of Diocletian’s Palace, it is well worth doing and as you only sail for around 2 hours it slots perfectly into your evening!

One of the best things about this sunset tour is the small group number (ours was just 7) and the views across Diocletian’s Palace and Marjan Hill against the backdrop of the setting sun. It is the most enjoyable way to round off your trip!

Experience the best sunset sailing trip in Split!

12. VISIT COLOURFUL REPUBLIC SQUARE

While you’re wandering around Split Old Town, it’s worth making a beeline for Republic Square (Trg Republike), it’s quite beautiful with even more pastel venetian-style buildings, similar to a piazza in Venice!

It is one of the largest and main squares in Split and often holds outdoor concerts in the summer, which transforms the area. In between, it’s a nice spot for a wander, admiring the beautiful buildings and maybe stopping for a drink on a sunny terrace!

13. TRY ICECREAM AT EMILIANA

If you’re planning on stopping for an ice-cream and some point, and why wouldn’t you be, I recommend seeking out authentic Emiliana inside the palace walls. I had the best flavoured and quality ice-cream here – the ricotta fig! You must try it before you leave Split!

14. BROWSE PAZAR MARKET STALLS

Just to the east wall of the Palace you’ll find this market, which is also known as green market, it’s a good spot for a browse and to see a bit of the local life in action.

Green Market is open all day every Saturday and you can buy anything from clothes to hats, honey and of course lots of lavender-related things. This is the very place where I purchased the white dress that’s featured in many of the photos in this post, I’m often complimented on it! It was a great purchase, but don’t haggle, I tried this and was told off!

WHERE TO EAT & DRINK IN SPLIT

One of the best things to do in Split is eat and drink your way around the old town – the food scene is thriving! From harbour front terraces to charming atmospheric lanes and roof top restaurants, I’ve found a handful of places that I recommend trying!

15. BREAKFAST AT BRASSERIE NO 7

Breakfast at Bistro No 7 is one of the best things to do in Split, starting the day sitting on a gorgeous terrace filled with pink flowers and facing the sea along the best part of the Riva!

You can choose from a variety of breakfast and brunch options including smoothies to eggs, acai bowls, fresh coffee as well as pastries. The breakfast menu is available until midday, however, due to its popularity in summer, I recommend arriving around 10am – you can linger here and enjoy the views!

16. LUNCH AT UJE OIL

Uje Oil is a nice spot in the old town, a charming restaurant with tables and chairs spilling down the cobbled street, it’s a must-visit! Lunchtime is best, as they serve an olive oil tasting menu (hence the name Uje Oil), light tapas and local produce, it’s all delicious!

17. FIND BOTA OYSTER & SUSHI

Bota Oyster & Sushi Bar, is the best spot for fresh oysters and sushi from the Adriatic! I love the old town location and outdoor terrace, it’s also stylish inside too, and offers very tasty small plates with excellent wine!

18. HAVE BRUNCH AT FIG

Split has some great off-the-beaten-path cafes such as Fig, a gem within the walls of the old town! It’s a nice spot for a coffee and a healthy bite to eat! I recommend ordering a tasty salad board and the fig with goat’s cheese flat bread, both are very tasty!

Fig is a small chain, there’s also one in Hvar Town and although Fig is now super on the tourist radar – it’s still worth visiting.

19. ENJOY TAPAS AT BEAUTIFUL BOKERIA

Bokeria Kitchen and Wine bar is a must-do in Split old town, it’s almost impossible to ignore, the building is incredibly attractive with its floor-to-ceiling arched windows and upscale Mediterranean interior.

This restaurant is well-known for its selection of quality tapas and wall of Aperol, it’s a classy place to spend the evening and absorb the atmosphere and lovely surroundings!

20. VISIT MARVLVS LIBRARY JAZZ BAR

I found this jazz bar one evening by chance, little did I know how popular it is! Marvlvs Library Jazz Bar is located within a narrow cobbled alley within Diocletian’s Palace and its the place to be for sultry jazz music, gin and cocktails.

Marvlvs is a very cool spot to hang out, it’s home to the founder of literature and this is reflected in the menus and books, its charming and a good vibes!

21. EVENING MEAL AT ZOI

Zoi is an excellent option for an upmarket evening meal on the Riva, the terrace and views alone are reasons for visiting, it’s one of the best restaurants in Split!

In my experience, the service is attentive and the Mediterranean menu is definitely a crowd pleaser – even though there’s not too much choice as it’s à la carte! You’ll need to reserve ahead for Zoi!

EXCURSIONS & DAY TRIPS FROM SPLIT, CROATIA

If you have 3 days in Split Croatia I highly recommend including a day trip to your itinerary!

You have many options from heritage towns to waterfalls and a lot of Croatian Islands at your disposal, but I recommend one of the three below!

22. PRIVATE KRKA NATIONAL PARK & WINE TASTING

Located just over an hour from Split, Krka offers cascading waterfalls, crystal clear water swimming pools, lakes and lush forest surrounds! Krka National Park is lush to walk around and swim!

I love this Krka tour because it includes a boat trip on the lake and a stop in Skradin for wine and local charcuterie tastings -and a wander through the vineyards! An organised tour is the smoothest option for this remote area, we decided a private tour would suit our style best and it was incredible!

Note, July and August will be busier and drier, meaning the waterfalls might not be as lush!

23. ISLAND HOPPING BOAT TOUR

Island-hopping around the gorgeous islands is one of my personal favourite Split day trips from Split, it’s a perfect introduction to the islands!

Hopping between islands and spending some time on each is also great if you really want to maximise your time in Split by visiting the best islands in one day!

On this 5 Islands Boat Tour, you’ll visit Blue Cave, Vis Island’s Komiza (Mama Mia film location) and iconic Stiniva Beach, the Pakleni Islands and super glam Hvar Town, these really are the highlights of the area!

The scenery on this tour is phenomenal, and you spend a good amount of time in each location, such as Hvar Town, 1.5 hours to wander and grab lunch. I recommend it over other large group tours of 30+, small groups or private trips are easier and much more organised, trust me!

Important! Book your spot on this incredible 5-island full-day speed boat trip in advance, this is a hugely popular boat trip in the summer months!

24. EXPLORE THE HERITAGE TOWN OF TROGIR

Trogir is a beautiful heritage town less than an hour from Split, and it even bears striking similarities to Split along the waterfront. Truly, the whole area is postcard perfect, there’s plenty of charm in the cobbled old town, including squares and lanes filled with cafes, boutiques and terraces!

To get there you can catch an Uber or book the bus online, however if you are short on time and haven’t visited the Blue Lagoon you can do a great 5 hour 3 island tour that covers both places and includes unspoilt islands and a cool luxurious beach bar on Ciovo!

If you’re looking for more day trips from Split Croatia, I have plenty of luxe experiences you’ll LOVE, here’s my top 6 Luxury Day Trips From Split Croatia that I highly recommend – I’ve been on them all!!

THINGS TO DO IN SPLIT CROATIA FAQ

How many days to stay in Split Croatia?

I recommend staying at least 3 nights in Split, this gives you enough time to explore Split’s highlights, have a relaxing beach day and see a nearby attraction that’s best visited from Split, such as Trogir or Krka Waterfalls and the Blue Lagoon!

What I would do is combine Split with staying on an Island such as Hvar, Brac or Korcula, this would make a great 7-10 day trip!

When to visit Split Croatia?

The overall best time to visit Split is from May until late September, this is when the weather is warm and sunny and Split is at its most vibrant! In the summer months, there’s much more to do, such as boat trips and beach days! July and August are the peak months and super busy with visiting tourists!

How to get around Split?

Split is a very walkable city, the old town is pedestrianised and there’s a long promenade to stroll! To get to the beaches, you can easily take an inexpensive Uber, but don’t grab a white taxi, they are very overpriced – unless you have picked a good driver to haggle and agree a price beforehand!

Are you planning a road trip around Croatia? I recommend hiring a car from the airport, you can then park outside of the old town and visit nearby places like Trogir right away!

How to get to Split Croaitia?

Split’s airport is a major transfer hub, and it’s very accessible whether your travelling from the UK or USA! The airport is around 40 minutes from the centre of Split old town.

The best way to get from Split’s Airport to your accommodation is to order a private transfer with Viator. For around €28, you can have a private driver waiting for you upon arrival to take the stress out of finding a taxi!

If you’re arriving by bus, train or ferry, the stations and port are next door to each other and only a short walk into the old town – don’t forget to book your ferry in advance!

FINAL THOUGHTS

That wraps up this guide to the very best things to do in Split Croatia!

As you can see there’s a lot of things to do in Split and it also makes a great base for day trips from Split to nearby attractions if you have 3 days or more!

I love visiting Split and have stopped on many occasions for a few nights before heading to the islands! I hope this guide has helped you plan your own trip to Split!

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Plan your Split, Croatia itinerary!

Here’s my go-to list of resources for transport, accommodation, and tours for travel in Split Croatia!

• Booking.com for the best boutique rates
• Get Your Guide for unique day excursions
• TripAdvisor for the latest reviews
• Viator for incredible day tours
• Omio for booking Croatia ferries
• Discover Cars reliable and best rates on rental cars

Read Next:

• Where To Stay In Split, Croatia: Best Areas, Boutiques, Hotels & More!
• The PERFECT 3 Days In Split Itinerary For First Timers!
• 7 VERY BEST Hotels In Split, Croatia On The Beach
• 7 Luxury Day Trips From Split, Croatia, You’ll LOVE!
• 8 Best Private Boat Tours Split Offers For Island Hopping Bliss!
• 6 Best Ways To Get From Split To Hvar: A Detailed Guide!
• The Best Beaches Of Split Croatia: A Complete Guide
• Trogir: A Wonderful Day Trip From Split
• How To Get From Split To Dubrovnik – A Complete Guide!

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