A living town inside a Roman emperor's palace
Split is Croatia's second city and the main ferry hub for the Dalmatian islands. Its old town sits inside the walls of Diocletian's Palace, where people still live and shop. The seafront Riva, beaches and Marjan hill make it easy to mix sightseeing and swimming. It suits first timers and island hoppers.
Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.
The walls, gates and underground halls of a Roman emperor's palace form Split's old town, where people still live and work. The vaulted substructures show the original layout.
Free to walk; the substructures (cellars) cost about EUR 10 for adults.
Built from Diocletian's octagonal mausoleum, this is among the oldest cathedral buildings still in use. You can climb the bell tower for views over the roofs.
Ticket covers cathedral and tower or other combinations (2026 estimate).
The palm lined waterfront promenade runs along the palace's southern wall, full of cafes. It is the town's living room from breakfast to late evening.
Walking is free.
A wooded hill on the peninsula west of town, with trails, viewpoints and small coves for swimming. It feels wild while still close to the center.
Entry is free.
A national park inland with a series of waterfalls and travertine pools crossed by wooden walkways. Skradinski Buk is the most visited fall.
2026: adult EUR 40 June to September, EUR 30 after 3 pm; lower off season.
A glamorous island town with a Venetian square, a hilltop fortress and lively nightlife. Catamarans make it an easy day trip.
A tiny medieval town on an islet, packed with Romanesque and Renaissance buildings. It is a UNESCO site.
Walking is free; the cathedral charges.
A shallow sandy city beach where locals play picigin, a splashy ball game. It is busy and fun in summer.
Entry is free.
The palace's grand colonnaded courtyard, framed by Roman columns. It now hosts cafes and summer events.
A fortress on a ridge above Split that guarded the route inland for centuries. It appears in Game of Thrones and gives wide views.
Ticket price (2026 estimate).
Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it.
Choose how many days you have.
Day one the old town, day two Krka, day three an island trip to Hvar or Brac.
Home of Zlatni Rat beach.
31 mi · Catamaran or ferry and bus, about 1.5 hours
Canyon rafting and a fortress town.
16 mi · Bus, about 40 minutes
A river gorge town known for rafting.
16 mi · Bus, about 40 minutes
Roman ruins on the edge of the city.
3 mi · Bus, about 20 minutes
Home of Zlatni Rat beach.
31 mi · Ferry, about 1 hour
A quiet island for a day or overnight.
37 mi · Ferry, about 2 hours
Best: May to June and September. Warm sea and full ferry schedules without the August crush.
Daily high and average, by month
Typical inches per month
Quiet season. Lower prices, fewer crowds.
Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.
July (10 to 12 July in 2026)
Large electronic music festival at Park Mladezi.
May 7
The city's patron saint day with fairs and processions.
Mid July to mid August
Opera, theatre and music in the palace.
December
Christmas stalls and events on the Riva.
Croatia is at US State Department Level 1 (exercise normal precautions); petty theft and nightlife rowdiness are the main issues.
The old town and Riva are compact and pedestrian.
Local buses and catamarans work well; most sights are walkable.
The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.
Best for: first-timers, couples
Sleep inside a Roman palace.
Best for: couples
Quiet stone lanes below Marjan.
Best for: beaches, nightlife
Near the city beach and bars.
Best for: couples, quiet stays
Charming neighborhood beside the old town and Marjan.
Best for: budget, island trips
Convenient for ferries and buses.
| Main airport | Split Airport (SPU), 15 mi from the center |
| To the center | The Platanus airport shuttle bus runs after flight arrivals and takes about 30 to 45 minutes to the main bus station by the port. |
| Around town | Walk the center; use ferries and catamarans for islands and buses for Trogir and Krka. |
| Ride apps | Uber, Bolt |
Slow cooked beef in sweet wine sauce.
Black cuttlefish ink risotto.
Swiss chard pie.
Meat or octopus slow cooked under an iron bell.
Rice with cuttlefish ink.
A fish stew.
Air dried ham.
| Plugs | Type C and F, 230 V |
| Tap water | Safe to drink |
| Tipping | Rounding up or about 10 percent in restaurants is appreciated. |
| Payments | Cards are widely accepted; keep a little cash for markets. |
| Etiquette | Dress modestly in churches and greet people with a simple hello. |
Roman emperor Diocletian built a vast fortified retirement palace on this bay around 300 AD. When nearby Salona was sacked in the 7th century, its people sheltered inside the palace walls, and a medieval town grew within them. Venice ruled Split from 1420 to 1797, followed by Austria, then Yugoslavia in the 20th century. Croatia became independent in 1991. The palace and old town were listed by UNESCO in 1979.
Researched 2026-10-12. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.