Things to Do in Split
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Split, Croatia, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Right, Split. A whole city built inside a retired emperor's palace, history you can actually live in, this stop, an old town where people still actually live and run shops inside walls nearly 1,700 years old, and the main gateway for ferries out to a chain of scenic Adriatic islands. This is the proper, no-nonsense guide to things to do in Split: what things actually cost, when to go, what to skip, and which bits are worth the ferry. Three main stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site to see if you were paying attention.
Diocletian's Palace
Split's old town is built largely within a Roman emperor's retirement palace, Diocletian, people still live and run shops inside the nearly 1,700-year-old walls, a remarkable piece of continuous urban living, this isn't a preserved museum piece, it's a proper functioning neighbourhood, restaurants, shops, and homes all built into and around the ancient palace structure.
The Peristyle, the central courtyard, and the cathedral (built within what was originally Diocletian's own mausoleum) are worth prioritising, worth allowing a proper unhurried wander through the surrounding narrow streets to appreciate just how thoroughly the ancient structure has been absorbed into everyday city life.
Hours Cathedral daily, roughly 8am–8pm
Address Diocletian's Palace, Split
Ferries to the Dalmatian Islands
Split is the main gateway for ferries to the Dalmatian Islands, a chain of scenic islands, I've flown the route instead, considerably faster, worth booking a day trip or longer stay on one of the nearby islands, Hvar, Brac, and Vis each offer their own distinct character, from Hvar's lively harbour town to Brac's famous Zlatni Rat beach.
Ferry schedules run frequently in summer, worth checking current times and booking ahead during peak season, this is a popular route and boats can sell out on the busiest days.
Getting there Ferries depart from Split's harbour, roughly 1–2 hours to most islands
Split as Croatia's Second City
Split is the second-largest city in Croatia, a lovely coastal rival to the capital, worth knowing this context, Split's coastal setting and Mediterranean pace give it a considerably different character from Zagreb further inland, worth appreciating both if your itinerary allows.
The Riva, Split's palm-lined waterfront promenade, is worth an evening stroll, restaurants and cafes lining the harbour, a good, relaxed way to end a day of exploring the old town.
Best time Evening
Address The Riva, Split
Best time to visit Split
May through September gives the most comfortable weather for the amount of walking and ferry-hopping this list involves, warm and dry through the full Mediterranean summer.
July and August bring the biggest crowds and highest prices, worth targeting May, June, or September specifically for a calmer, more affordable version of the city with similarly good weather.
Getting around Split
Split's old town is entirely walkable. Ferries are essential for reaching the Dalmatian Islands, and buses cover destinations further along the coast.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Split worth visiting?
- Yes, easily, Diocletian's Palace's continuous 1,700-year-old urban life is unlike anywhere else, and its position as the main gateway to the Dalmatian Islands adds real practical value.
- How many days do you need in Split?
- Three days covers Diocletian's Palace and the Riva comfortably; add a day or more for island ferry trips.
- Is Split expensive?
- Moderate, generally comparable to other major Croatian coastal cities, prices rise considerably in peak summer season.
- What is Split famous for?
- Diocletian's Palace, a Roman emperor's retirement palace that people still live and work within today, being the main gateway for ferries to the Dalmatian Islands, and its status as Croatia's second-largest city.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
