A planning and travel guide to enjoying your time in Split, Croatia.
Strolling through Split, Croatia
Split is an interesting mix of city life and beach bathing. There is so much to do in Split, but it is also a great place to use as a home base to explore the surrounding area. I have gathered helpful advice for planning and enjoying your visit to Split, Croatia.
I have gathered helpful advice for planning and enjoying your visit to Split, Croatia.
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I used AirBnB, which was great. I chose a flat located near the promenade, which was also close to the beach and Old City. I would recommend staying near these areas as well. It was fairly easy to find an affordable place, but I recommend booking at least 2-3 months ahead of time. Personally, the Old City was my favorite place to explore in Split, so I wanted to be as close as possible, but the promenade is a popular spot as well.
The beaches in most of Croatia are rocky, so I recommend bringing water shoes or shoes that are easy to slip on and off so you can walk to the waters edge with them before diving into the clear blue Adriatic Sea.
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Try to plan your trip before the summer rush. Split is a busy vacation destination, so it can be very crowded in the peak of the summer months. Be warned. Also make sure to book a rental spot with WiFi if you need it and a washer to do your laundry. Also ask ahead of time about stairs if they will be a difficulty.
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The Old City is walking only (no cars), so be prepared to walk a lot (i. e. wear walking shoes). The streets are very narrow and cobblestone. There is Uber if needed and is cheaper than taxi, but transportation by bus is the cheapest.
Another cool way to see the area is by the catamaran/ferry. It can be accessed near the middle of the promenade. This ferry can take you island hopping around Croatia and in my opinion is the best way to see it all. We took this boat from Dubrovnik to Split and saw all the other beautiful areas we hope to visit someday (Havr, Korčula, and Brač).
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Make sure to exchange your money. Croatia uses Kuna, but some places may take euros. There is a good exchange office just inside the Old City on the west entrance. Ask a business to direct you to it if it is difficult to find. This was the easier eat place to exchange money.
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If you do not want to eat at a restaurant every night choose a rental that has a kitchen. This will save you money and there are tons of markets, butcher shops, fish vendors, and oil shops to grab fresh goods at. Also, the water from most taps are good to drink.
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Plan your excursions ahead of time, not the same day (we learned the hard way). Splitlicious was a great company we found online that is professional, affordable, and detailed. The experience was fantastic and we loved our tour guide Tonni who took us to Krka Waterfalls and Šibenik. Some other top activities via excursion are Plitvice Lakes, the Blue Caves, and a Game of Thrones Tour. An excursion is the best way to explore these places because organizing transportation is a hassle.
If you want more island time take the catamaran/ferry to Hvar (the party island/blue caves), Korčula, Lastovo ("island of the bright stars"), or Brač. Make sure to book the catamaran tickets ahead of time because they run different hours different times a year.
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Start your morning walking around the Old City. There is a cute juice, smoothie, acai bowl cart called KoKoLo Juice Bar that fueled me for the day.
Grab a smoothie or baked treat (dozens of bakeries in the area that will entice your senses) and walk towards the north entrance of the Palace near the Gregory of Nin Statue and make a wish by rubbing his golden toe.
Enjoy a morning coffee at a nice cafe bar terrace in the Gallery of Art (Galerija Umjetnina) across the northern wall of the Palace. Wander through the narrow streets of the Old City and find your way to the ancient square Peristil.
See the Cathedral of Saint Domnius and climb up the Bell Tower for a beautiful panoramic view of the city (the ticket will cost you about 20 kuna, which is less than 3 euros.)
There are souvenir and jewelry shops in the underground market (where Khaleesi keeps her dragons in GoT).
Continue walking on the main promenade Riva. Riva promenade is the most iconic outdoor place in Split and is best known for enjoying coffee and people watching.
Walk a bit to the west and visit the newly renovated West Coast Promenade (there you can enjoy delicious espresso coffee and an even more beautiful sea view.) But honestly, you can't go wrong with just getting lost in the many alleyways of the Old City.
Every turn you take is beautiful and there are so many interesting shops to explore. I recommend walking into an olive oil and honey shop to taste test some of the goods.
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Burn lunch by climbing hundreds of stairs to the viewpoint Prva Vidilica Na Marjanu where you can admire the surrounding islands and mountains. Grab a cup of coffee or orange juice at the bar with the terrace overlooking the city.
Spend the afternoon at the beach. Bačvice is the sandy beach, which is the most popular (it also has a beach club). However, there are dozens of pebbly beaches under the hill on Marjan (Kašuni or Obojena). If you don't like the beach you see, keep walking, there is another beach just around the corner.
Another day activity is the Green/Pazar Market. Nearly anything you could need or wish for can be found amidst the stalls of Split's daily Green/Pazar Market. It is located in the town's center, the market runs along Hrvojeva Street from the east wall of Diocletian's Palace to the town's Silver Gate. Thanks to its central location near the palace and gate, the market makes for a good pit stop while enjoying Split's attractions, and is a perfect spot to pick up the fixings for a fresh picnic lunch.
The market's produce vendors will be selling whatever is in season, from wild asparagus and strawberries in spring and summer, to pomegranates and potatoes in fall and winter, but you will also be able to buy flowers, clothes, toys, and even kitchen utensils. The market opens around 7 am and closes by 2 pm, but plan to head there late-morning when it is possible to bargain for slightly lower prices with the vendors.
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Jadran beach and the Sustipan park are best place to enjoy the sunset when it sets behind the island of Čiovo.
There are many nice and new restaurants in the narrow streets of the Old City. Bokeria offers magnificent food with a mix of modern and traditional flavors and ambiance. Villa Spiza is a little restaurant favored by locals where they mostly serve Mediterranean and local dishes.
While in Croatia try some Croatian specialities: Pašticada with gnocchi (stewed beef dish cooked in special sauce) or Lamb with peas. If you prefer seafood, ask locals or waiters what is in season. The restaurant Fife is a local place with traditional dishes and was my favorite dinner. The shrimp soup and assorted vegetables are delicious. Come hungry, leave happy!
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Check out event sites to find out what is happening in Split the nights you are staying. There are nice bars mostly located in and around the Old City. Ghetto Bar is great for cocktails and music or Bačvice Beach for beach clubs.
If you have a sweet tooth like me, Luka is the place to go! They have the most amazing gelato with fresh ingredients of the season. You have to try it if you are in the area. It is my all-time favorite!
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Restaurant and bakery prices can be 50% cheaper if you move bit farther from the Old City and the promenade
Almost every coffee bar and restaurant has free Wi-Fi, the password is written on menu/receipt or ask a waiter
Famous public beaches are usually crowded, so walk around the corner to find some great spots with no crowds
Uber is much cheaper than taxi in Split (taxi still cheap)
What is your favorite exploration destination in Croatia?
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