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

Last updated on October 5th, 2025 at 07:41 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 25 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!

Is Split worth visiting?

Yes! Split is absolutely worth visiting, after Dubrovnik, this is the most popular spot in Croatia, it has beauty, history and charm, so first of all, I recommend staying at least 3 days to do it justice!

It is so much more than a stopover before you begin your island-hopping adventures, the Old Town of Split, is full of hidden gems and the waterfront is incredibly vibrant and stunning!

In between historic sights, there’s a host of cool day trips to explore, from waterfalls to islands and other nearby historic towns such as medieval Trogir. Split offers a well-rounded stay!

Where To Stay In Split

Now that you have more of an overview of Split, you’ll need to know where to stay! For first-time visitors the most popular areas to stay in Split are the Old Town and Riva!

Best Accommodation In Split

• Hotel Ambasador Split – best hotel in Split, rooftop pool & epic views!!
• Judita Palace Hotel – top historic hotel in a UNESCO location
• Heritage Hotel Santa Lucia – best boutique in Split’s old town

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!

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

1. STROLL ALONG THE RIVA PROMENADE

Start your trip to Split along the stunning Riva (Croatian language for promenade), it’s lined with palm trees and buzzing cafes and stretches the length of the old town. By far, the Riva is one of the most attractive in Croatia and it’s also my favourite spot for strolling and sunset drinks on the Olive Tree terrace with a sea breeze!

It’s a vibrant area and fantastic for relaxing, gazing at the sea and boats as they sail past, which is why I love staying here! We always stop just above the most beautiful section of the Riva in this gorgeous apartment overlooking the Riva and terraces, and it’s only a few minutes walk to Diocletian’s Palace!

2. 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!

3. CLIMB UP DOMNIUS CATHEDRAL

St Domnius Cathedral is one of the best preserved Roman buildings in Croatia and is very easy to spot wherever you are! You can go inside the cathedral, but climbing the bell tower for views is the most popular thing to do in Split old town!

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.

4. WANDER SPLIT’S OLD TOWN

One of the best ways of getting your bearings is to wander around the old town on your own, which goes far beyond the Diocletian’s Palace you’ll soon discover hidden gems amongst the narrow cobbled lanes from beautiful buildings to boutique shops, 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 – one of my favourite finds was spotting the Marvlvs Jazz bar!

5. 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!

6. 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!

7. SUNSET DRINKS ALONG THE RIVA

One of the best things to do in Split early evening is to toast the sunset with a drink along the vibrant Riva, this is when the area is the most bustling and the harbour fills with boats!

My favourite terraces are the extremely aesthetically pleasing Olive Tree for cocktails and a fun atmosphere and at the end of the Riva next to Marjan Hill, Venerada, which is quieter and serves excellent local wine!

8. CHECK OUT VELI VAROS

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

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!

9. 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!

Tip! If you stay at the Hotel Ambasador at the end of the Riva next to Marjan Hill, you will actually get much better old town and harbour views from the incredible rooftop terrace and infinity pool – a great reason to stay here!

10. RELAX AT GOOSHTER BEACH CLUB

If you’re looking to spend a few hours at the beaches in Split and break away from the bustle, a visit to Gooshter Beach Club is a must! This stylish beach club with dreamy decor belongs to the best 5-star hotel around Split, Le Meridien Lav Split, it’s also my top recommendation for those looking to stay on the beach!

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!

12. 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!

This beach 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 fantastic beach options, check my guide to the best beaches of Split Croatia!

13. BOOK A SUNSET SAILING TRIP

One of the most memorable activities in Split is sunset sailing around the stunning coastline, this intimate sunset sailing trip is amazing for dramatic sunsets! We booked our sailing trip at the last minute and it was the best quick decision as it turned out to be a real highlight of staying in Split.

You get free-flowing drinks and relaxing music with a backdrop of Diocletian’s Palace and the numbers are small – on our sail we had just 7 people. It is well worth doing and as you only sail for around 2 hours, so it slots perfectly into your evening!

Experience the best sunset sailing trip in Split!

14. TRY GELATO AT EMILIANA

If you’re planning on stopping for an gelato 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!

15. BROWSE PAZAR MARKET STALLS

Just to the east wall of the Palace you’ll find Pazar 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 find, 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 your day sitting on a gorgeous terrace filled with pink flowers and sea views along the best part of the Riva is unbeatable!

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 lovely, family-run restaurant in the old town, a charming place 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 four below!

22. EXPLORE SCENIC HVAR & PAKLENI ISLANDS

One of the best things about staying in Split is the proximity to the islands, when compared to Dubrovnik, Split is a much easier for island-hopping boat trips!

On our first visit to Split we booked this luxurious Hvar and Pakleni Islands boat trip and it was one of our most memorable experiences in Croatia!

The tour starts from Split’s harbour and we stopped in some of the most jaw-dropping locations in the Adriatic from Hvar’s Riviera Town to Palmizana, Mlini, MarkinKovac and many hidden secluded beach coves and swimming spots – all to ourselves, it was a magical day!

If this is your only chance to visit the best island in Croatia, the scenic Hvar and Pakleni island luxury boat trip is the way to do it!!

23. 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 and it’s surrounded by nature and vineyards

Croatia is home to some excellent home grown wine and there’s no better way to try it than straight from the vineyards, which is why I love this Krka tour, it includes a visit to the waterfalls, a boat trip on the lake and a stop in Skradin for wine and local charcuterie tastings!

Wine tours are always located somewhere scenic, and we loved it so much, we also visited another winery on our Split to Dubrovnik transfer via Ston! It’s such an enjoyable way to soak up the Croatian culture!

24. EPIC ISLAND-HOPPING BOAT TOUR

Island-hopping around the gorgeous islands is one of the most frequently booked Split boat trips. It’s a perfect introduction to the islands!

Hopping between islands and spending time on each is great if you have a limited number of days for your trip and want to maximise your time and experiences!

You’ll be blown away by the phenomenal scenery on this 5 Islands Boat Tour – you can’t leave Croatia without visiting such incredible gems as Hvar Town and Komiza on Vis Island.

One of the best things about this tour is the booking options; it provides private or group experiences (maximum 12), so everyone is satisfied!

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!

25. EXPLORE TROGIR OLD TOWN

Trogir old town completely took me by surprise, I knew it was going to be beautiful, but nothing quite prepared me for how incredibly postcard-perfect it is! Trogir is one of the most well-preserved heritage towns in Croatia and it’s less than an hour from Split, which makes it an easy day trip!

You can visit Trogir from Split a number of ways, but my favourite is combining it with a trip to the Blue Lagoon, Trogir is compact and you can walk the old town, visit the historic sights and have drinks on the stunning Riva in a few hours.

But whether you only have a few hours spare or a whole day, don’t miss your chance to visit one of the most attractive places in Croatia!

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!!

TOP ACCOMMODATION IN SPLIT

If you’re still looking for the perfect place to stay in Split, I have you covered! Split quickly became one of my favourite places in Croatia, I’ve now visited more times than I can count and know the perfect apartment and hotel to stay!

Hotel Ambasador

Hotel Ambasador is the best hotel in Split, it features modern and stylish rooms with cream decor and floor to ceiling rooms! But the best thing is the location and the infinity rooftop pool with views over the old town and Riva – it’s stunning!

Golden Gate Luxury Rooms

Golden Gate Luxury Rooms are beautiful luxury suites in a unique UNESCO location – right within the walls of Diocletian’s palace! It’s unique to find such an amazing renovation in this part of Split!

Split Finest Apartment

Split Finest Apartment 1 is a lovely spacious apartment situated on the best part of the Riva with stunning harbour views, which is why it’s my favourite apartment! It is well designed and if you don’t need the space – check if the suite is available!!

THINGS TO DO IN SPLIT CROATIA FAQ

How many days to stay in Split Croatia?

I recommend staying at least 3 days 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 – this is what I do. 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
• How To Plan A Perfect Day Trip To Hvar From Split In 2025
• 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
• How To Visit Trogir From Split: A Complete Day Trip Guide!
• How To Get From Split To Dubrovnik – A Complete Guide!

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