Planning a trip to Croatia? Make sure to put Split on your list. Not only is Split, Croatia one of the most gorgeous places I’ve ever seen, but it’s located close enough to several islands and Croatian cities. Get ready for for incredible day trips and tons of Insta-worthy shots!
From the food to the tours to the scenery, Split is an unforgettable (and affordable) travel destination that I can’t recommend enough! Read on for my best travel tips for when you head to this beautiful Croatian city.
Stay in an Airbnb
Live like a local for the days you’ll be in Split and book an Airbnb instead of a hotel! I’m a big fan of Airbnb for most of my trips and Split was no different. Since this was our honeymoon, we stayed in an Airbnb Plus in Podstrana. What’s the “plus?” Better amenities and more space than the average Airbnb listing. Plus, Postrana has a killer view of the city from high on the hill!
Explore Inside Diocletian’s Palace
Put on your comfortable walking shoes and head to Diocletian’s Palace, one of the most iconic landmarks in Split. This ancient palace is filled with a maze of tiny streets with small bars, boutiques, and cafes that are worth at least an afternoon of exploring.
Get a pre-dinner drink at Marvlvs Library Jazz Bar and then head to Villa Spiza for the best meal of your trip. It’s a tiny place with limited seating but worth the wait, I promise!
Pro Tip: Get the best view of the central square in the morning before the crowds. Walk through after dinner, as well. We were lucky enough to find a live musician performing to the late night crowd in the square one night!
Book Day Trips
The day trips we took from Split might require their own blogposts because they were THAT epic. The beauty of Split, Croatia is that it’s a short(ish) driving distance from one of the biggest tourist destinations in Croatia – Dubrovnik – and a short boat ride to several islands.
If you’re headed to Croatia in a non-winter month, DO NOT LEAVE until you see Krka National Park! This day trip was unforgettable. Our tour came with a stop at an intimate, cozy local winery on the way back to Split.
Check out our exact Krka National Park & Winery Tour here and the postcard-worthy photos we shot below!
Enjoy a Night on the Riva
Just outside Diocletian’s Palace is the Riva, Split’s riverfront area. In the daytime, it’s beautiful and bustling with tourists & street merchants. I loved it even more around sunset and nightfall for a cocktail or two. Or three.
Our favorite bars were Olive Tree and Brasserie on 7 which happened to have a super talented duet performing outside on the night we were there. Cheers to a seaside serenade with a side of alcohol!
Hike Up Marjan Hill
After gorging yourself on fine wine and traditional Dalmatian Pašticada, a nice steep hike up Marjan Hill will burn it off! If you’re looking for a beautiful view of Split, a quiet, natural retreat away from the city bustle, or a challenging booty workout, Marjan Hill has it all (plus cats!). This lush park is full of steep stairs, scenic stopping points, and of course a killer view at the very top.
I recommend at least two hours for this adventure from start to finish. Bring water and a camera!
If you were on the fence about heading to Split, Croatia, I hope by now this post has convinced you to pack your bags! If you do take my advice, tag me on social media so I can live vicariously through you. Stay tuned for my next adventure. Til next time!
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