Destination guide
Split
Croatia
Split is a city in Central Dalmatia, Croatia, and the seat of the Split-Dalmatia county. The city was built around the Diocletian palace (a palace/fort built for the retired Roman emperor Diocletian) where the locals sought refuge centuries ago.
AI insights
AI-written from the Wikivoyage listings, transport section and the video stats on this page
When attending a match at Poljud stadium, avoid purchasing tickets for the north stand; these seats are reserved for the most intense local fan groups, making them unsuitable for casual visitors. Note that the stadium is located 1 km north of the main bus station and harbour area, so plan for a walk or transport accordingly.
For an authentic glimpse of local life, head to Bačvice beach to watch or join a game of Picigin, but expect heavy crowds during the summer months as this is the primary gathering spot for residents of Split.
If you plan to dine at popular local seafood spots like Zlatna ribica, arrive early or be prepared to wait for a table, as these establishments often have limited seating capacity.
To capture the best photos of the city and its islands, climb the bell tower of Katedrala sv. Duje, but be aware that the steep ascent and height make it unsuitable for those with vertigo.
When choosing accommodation, prioritize hostels located within the city walls or near the old town to minimize travel time to major historic sites, but check if the property offers a common area if you are looking for a place to socialize.
How we vet these picks
Every pick is drawn from real sources — YouTube creators, Wikivoyage, and Wikipedia. We only surface sources that actually exist and that we've checked for authenticity — no filler, no dead-end searches.Watch first
Ranked by views and how well each landed with the people who watched it, judged against the other coverage of this place — plus a local creator where we found one.
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Best time to go
Best window: March–August and October
November is the month to avoid — very heavy rain. The window below is when it is genuinely pleasant.
Rated from ten years of daily temperature and rainfall recorded at this destination, via Open-Meteo's ERA5 reanalysis. Hover a month for its real numbers.
Getting around
By bus
Public transport is run by Promet. Most of the city buses in Split are new, but some are very old and dilapidated. You can find routes and schedules from Easyway journey planner.
By train
A suburban train uses the main line from Split as far west as Kaštel Stari. It doesn't reach the airport: they've announced an extension there by 2025, but have yet to identify funding so it's probably more like 2035.
By bike
Rent a bike and enjoy beautiful biking along Split's waterfront (Riva), continue to Marjan hill (approximately 7 km), climb to the top of the hill for great view on the Split town and surrounding islands.
By boat
Speed taxi boat is an excellent solution for fast transportation of passengers on whole Adriatic. Said service is available through Dalmatia-express for direct transportation from airport Split to Split Riva or from Split Riva to Dalmatia islands.
Transport notes from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0.
What to see
Katedrala sv. Duje
· Cheap
Built around 305 AD as a mausoleum of Roman emperor Diocletian's (the oldest cathedral building in the world). The cathedral is also a very beautiful mixture of Roman temple and Catholic church.
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Peristylium
Main square of Diocletian's palace with well preserved Roman architecture.
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Jupiter temple
· Cheap
Ancient Roman temple which became St. John's church.
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Getski vrtal
Ul. Dominisova
is the smallest park in Split, situated in the Diocletian's palace at the Dominisova street (Marko Antonio De Dominis street). In that park are beautiful traditional Dalmatian tiramolas.
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St. Duje's bell tower
· Cheap
Beautiful belltower which provides you a great panoramic view of Split, nearby islands and Marjan hill. The ascent is certainly not for those with vertigo, but the views from the top are marvelous. It to go up the bell tower.
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Basement halls of Diocletian's Palace
· Cheap
Exceptionally well preserved substructure of Diocletian's Palace now open as a museum. One of the locations in Game of Thrones.
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What to do
HNK Hajduk Split
Stadion Poljud, Osmih mediteranskih igara
They play in Prva HNL, the top tier of football in Croatia; indeed they've never been out of it, and have won it several times. Their home ground of Poljud stadium (capacity 34,000) is 1 km north of the main bus station, harbour and old…
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Beach at Bačvice
Bus No. 12 travels there
This beach has beautiful fine-grained sand, and it is very shallow. There are many cafes and places to eat ice cream. It is certainly not the best beach in Croatia (it is packed solid most of summer), but it will give you a feeling of…
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Split city beach
continue south past the bus station, follow the road which goes by the tracks, and from the bridge over the tracks you can take a stairs down to the beach· Free
If you have a longer stop-over in Split, 5 min south of the passenger terminal and the train and bus stations lies Split's city beach where you can take a plunge in the Adriatic.
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Picigin
Bačvice
Traditional beach game with a small ball (Bačvice beach). In summer every year there is a world championship in picigin.
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Grgur Ninski
It is said that if you touch the big toe of the statue and make a wish your wish will come true.
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What to eat
Places are listed from Wikivoyage and our own sourced research. Worth it means a second, independent source names the place too; “3 sources agree” means three or more do — and each card names them, so you can check.
K.užina
Worth itAlso recommended by Michelin Guide
Split restaurant recognized with a Michelin Bib Gourmand for value-driven Dalmatian cooking.
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Pizza Cut Planet 1
Marmontova ul. 2a
A good offer for those who want to try several types of pizzas without buying them completely. Great pizza idea. Several flavours to choose from.
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Ba!Će
in the old town
Balkan atmosphere. Ba!Cevapi is their flagship dish, which consists of minced meat, well spiced and grilled, served with typical bread and sauces
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Zlatna ribica
Ul. Kraj Svete Marije 8
Great local spot for delicious seafood. Friendly staff. Not many tables so you may have to wait for an available table.
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Vege
Ul. Stari pazar 7
Delicious and fresh vegan food. The best veggies in Split. Good atmosphere and homemade food made live.
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Pizzeria Kaleta
Ul. Zrinsko Frankopanska 9
Freshly baked dough, crispy just as it should be, chicken and hearty side dishes. Great pizza
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Sandwich Bar Rizzo
Tončićeva ul. 4
The best sandwiches in Split. Always fresh food and very helpful staff.
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Where to stay
Al's Place
inside the city walls· Pricey
Hostel open Easter to Oct run by British expat Al. The hostel is in an 800-year-old stone house inside the city walls, small and cozy with only 12 beds in 2 en suite rooms. There is also kitchen and common area, A/C, and laundry.
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CroParadise Green Hostel
Culica Dvori 31· Moderate
Has several units scattered across Old Town, lacks communal area for socialising. LCD televisions and computers with free internet access, some rooms dingy and noisy.
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Hostel Split Backpackers 2
Ul. kralja Zvonimira 17
Lively hostel popular with solo travelers. Well located between the old town and the bus and train stations. Dorm
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Hostel Split
Poljana Kneza Trpmira 1· Moderate
Very central, between bus station and old town. With 8-bedded dorm and private rooms.
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Tchaikovsky Hostel
Ul. Petra Iliča Čajkovskog· Moderate
Chill hostel with only few guests around during low-season. Shared kitchen. Wifi.
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Old Town Hostel
Dominisova 3· Pricey
Free wifi, one shared computer, flat screen TV with a collection of movies.
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Travel essentials
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Travel content from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Videos via the YouTube Data API.