Amazing Things to Do Around Split!

Split is located in Western Croatia along the Dalmatian Coast. As Croatia's second-largest city, it's always buzzing with life, and has been for thousands of years. Split was put on the map by emperor Diocletian, who had his palace built there between 295 and 305. After his death, the palace was continuously used throughout history by different civilizations, like the Romans, Byzantines, and Venetians. Today, life continues between the old city walls and is one of the reasons why travelers visit. But Split's unique setting between the dramatic coastal mountains and the turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea also make it an ideal vacation hub.

The lively waterfront promenade, known as the 'riva', is the best central reference point in Split. Lined with cafes and restaurants, it's a great place to eat and drink or just stroll around and breathe in the atmosphere. It can get busy sometimes because of the immense cruise ships that dock here almost on a daily basis.

Diocletian's Palace is one of the most impressive ancient Roman monuments in existence today, and you'll likely spend most of your time in Split here. Located in front of the harbor, it's the beating heart of the city and you'll find plenty of bars, restaurants, and shops inside its walls. In fact, there are over 200 buildings within the palace boundaries. And even though the original structure has been added to and altered continuously over millennia, it's absolutely fascinating to walk through its narrow streets. Access this imposing structure from one of its four historic gates. Located inside the palace, Split's Cathedral is one of the best-preserved ancient Roman buildings still standing. It was originally built as a mausoleum to Diocletian. However, in the 5th Century, the Christians destroyed the emperor’s sarcophagus and converted his tomb into a church dedicated to one of his victims. It also includes the Treasury, where you can find preserved sculptures and paintings that relate to the cathedral's history, as well as the Temple of Jupiter, which is an ancient Roman Temple that has been converted into the cathedral's baptistry.

To the west of Split loom's Marjan Forest Park, a nature reserve with a wealth of walking trails. The most popular one passes shortly through a pine forest before reaching a scenic lookout of Split and the surrounding islands. It's a great place to watch the sunset from. But if you need a true escape from the city, you can also continue through the park to other viewpoints and even a beach. The park is big enough that you could spend an entire afternoon here if you want. We put a graphic on the screen here, for how to get from Riva Promenade to the main viewpoint on Marjan Hill if you want to do that for sunset.

Split is more than just a palace and you'll find fascinating buildings and monuments all around its downtown area. Get lost in its narrow streets, go shopping, or try some local cuisine. But the best way to learn about this fascinating city is to go on a guided walking tour. Not only will you visit Split's main highlights, but also become familiar with the culture and the way of life here.

One of Croatia's absolute highlights is only an hour drive from Split. Krka National Park extends along the 73 kilometer or 50-mile Krka River, which runs through a karstic canyon. It's a breathtaking area, filled with waterfalls and gorges that you can explore on foot via boardwalks and trails. The park actually has five main entrances, which are all accessible by car but located far from one another. Skradinski Buk is the highlight of the park, where you can take a beautiful walk on the emerald green river and end at the park's most impressive waterfall. But, Roški Slap, Burnum, and Manojlovac are also worth a visit.

Located 12 kilometers or 7.4 miles to the northeast of downtown Split, you can find the impressive Klis Fortress. This fort offers beautiful views of the surrounding valley and the Adriatic Sea. Inside, you can explore the various fortifications and visit a small museum with details of the castle's past. If you're a Game of Thrones fan, you'll also recognize the Klis Fortress as Mereen, which appeared in season 4 and 5. There's a room inside the fort with pictures to freshen up your memory. And alternatively, you can also visit the Game of Thrones Museum in the city center of Split. Croatia has hundreds of islands dotting its coastline and those near Split are some of the most pristine on the entire Dalmatian Coast. Because of their close proximity to the mainland, some islands can be discovered on an island-hopping tour from Split.