SPLIT BY AIR

Croatian Airlines flies to Split from Zagreb. European Coastal operates daily flight from Dubrovnik. Flights also operate to Belgrade four times a week.

SPLIT BY TRAIN

Split train station is right in the city centre, it is a few minutes walk from the port and from the old town

SPLIT BY BOAT

Ferries run three times a week across the Adriatic to and from Ancona and Pescara (Italy). There is also a large ferry that runs twice a week up and down the coast between Dubrovnik and Rijeka, stopping off at a couple of islands along the way

Split is a popular stop on a lot of cruise itineraries. Larger ships tend to anchor in the bay and tender passengers to shore very close to the Old Town. Occasionally, if there is room and the Captain is willing/able, cruise ships will squeeze in to dock at a spare pier in the main port, removing the need to tender to shore. If this happens on your cruise, allow about a 15min walk to reach the Old Town.

SPLIT BY LAND

Frequent buses run to and from Zagreb, Dubrovnik, Sibenik, Zadar, Rijeka etc. There are also regular buses to and from Mostar (125 KN, buses start leaving Split at 06:00) and Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) (210 kn), Belgrade (Serbia), Trieste (Italy) and major cities of Germany and Austria.

What to see in Split

Majority of Split’s top sights are located within the old town.

1 | Town gates

Split’s historical town is located within a 1.700 year old Diocletian Palace. The Palace measures approximately 160 m by 190 m. Each of four town’s wall has a gate (Golden Gate, Silver Gate, Bras Gate, and IronGate) located at the center of the wall, dividing the Palace in four quarters.

2 | A bell tower

A bell tower of the church of St. Dominus is one of symbols of Split. Originally built from the 13th to the 16th century, the bell tower went under a complete renovation in 19th century.

The views from the top are fantastic and worth a climb via a narrow staircase. The admission is 15 kn.

3 | Peristyle

The Peristyle, a narrow public square near the Cathedral, is a heart of the Palace, and the place where all guided tours of Split begin or end.

Ancient Roman columns made of red granite, an Egyptian sphinx, entrance to the Palace’s basements, Cathedral, and the Temple of Jupiter, can all be found on the Peristyle.

It’s one of the main landmarks of Split, and it gets crowded st times.

4 | Varos

One of the oldest neighborhoods in Split, Varos is a charming place consisting mainly of traditional stone houses with wooden green shutters.

It’s located on south side of Marjan Hill, just northwest of Diocletan’s Palace.

This neighborhood was established in the 17th century by peasants, and fisherman. Today, it’s full of cozy apartment and room rentals.

5 | Pazar and Peskerija

Split’s green market (Pazar), and fish market (Peskarija) are two best places to feel the pulse of the city, and observe locals as they go about their daily business.

BRAC

Usually done on a day trip from Split

Zlatni Rat

Well known for its unusual shape (which sometimes resembles a rat's tail), recieves a high amount of tourists year round.

Shopping in Split

One thing you’ll notice in Split is that locals are generally well-dressed and good looking.

Split has always been a shopping mecca for people from all parts of Dalmatia. And in recent years even more so as many shopping malls open in and around Split downtown.

The old town also features many shops, artisan, and design stores. The main shopping street in old town is Marmontova Street.

The largest shopping mall in Split and Dalmatia is City Center One, located at the eastern end of town, in Vukovarska Street, 15 minute drive from the center. City Center One features over 150 shops, cafes, and restaurants, including H&M, Lacoste, C&A, Humanic shoes store, Swarowski, etc.

For fresh produce we suggest shopping at Split’s green market (Pazar), and fish market (Peskarija). Both are located in the old town.

There are few supermarkets chains for your general grocery shopping: Lidl, Billa, Konzum, Spar, and Tommy. All are good, but Lidl has slightly cheaper prices, and faster cashier service. Billa, along with few independent stores, is located in the old town. Billa is located at the ground floor of the Palace Papalic built in the 13th century. The entire space feels more like a place for a museum, than a supermarket.

Anybody in search of an original, local design, should visit a couple of concept stores in Split’s old town. The Finger Print, located in Zadarska Street, offers unique hand and locally made decorations jewelry, bags, paintings, etc. The GetGetGet is a concept store that sells clothes, accessories, arts and crafts made by independent local designers and artists. This place is a real gem, and products it offers are unique and can’t be found in any other store in Split.

Restaurants in Split

Split restaurants are exciting. However, you need to know one thing about restaurant’s offer in Split: 90% of the Split restaurants serve the same menu. It is a grill, pizza, pasta or risotto.

Tavern Matejuska

Tavern Matejuska is located close to the harbor. It’s a small, family-run restaurant with great atmosphere and excellent food. The restaurant can accommodate approximately 30 people, half inside, and half at their outdoor terrace. Reservations are needed, especially during the summer. Tavern offers traditional regional dishes mostly based on a seafood, but they have meat dishes as well. Offer changes with the season. Food is prepared in a simple way. Everything served here is very fresh and tasty. Service is friendly and prices are affordable. House wine is cheap and of a good quality. It is one of the highly recommended Split restaurants.

Villa Spiza

Villa Spiza is a tiny, charming restaurant located in a small alley in the old town. This little hole in the wall place could be a bit difficult to find, but don’t just give up. If you get lost, just ask locals. There are only two tables for two outside and a counter seating for 7-8 inside. Counter seating inside has a direct views over the kitchen. The food is fresh and locally sourced. There is a daily menu based on what’s available and fresh. If you are looking for a fine dining and intimate atmosphere, this is not a place for you. But if you like authentic, fresh and unpretentious food, prepared in a simple way, this is a place to choose. Prices are reasonable. Portions are a bit moderate, but it is still great value for money. This is one of the must visit Split restaurants.

Tavern Kod Hvaranina

Tavern Kod Hvaranina is a shabby looking restaurant, just out of the Palace walls. Restaurant has a really weary look, but the food is very good. Besides, I like places with such an interior as they make me feel nostalgic, reminding me of some other times. It is a small, family-run restaurant, and you feel it. The service is really warm and welcoming. The food is homely, fresh and tasty. They serve a very good traditional baby beef stew with gnocchi (Cro. pasticada). Seafood served here comes from local fishermen. Prices are reasonable. Cash only.