Best Day Trips from Split

Split has a privileged location on the Dalmatian coast of Croatia, from where you can embark on a wide variety of excursions to discover the fascinating places in the surrounding area.

Lorena Morales

Lorena Morales

10 min read

Best Day Trips from Split

Turistas en el puerto |©Dora Ghidelli

One of the best things you can see and do in Split is to base yourself in the city and embark on very interesting excursions to see the beautiful natural landscapes and charming villages that are just a few hours away from the city.

From leisurely cruises on rivers and lakes to whitewater rafting, there are many and varied excursions you can do from Split, where fun, adventure and enriching experiences will never be lacking.

1. Excursion to 5 islands with entrance included to the Blue Cave

Blu cave, split|©Fromthefaith
Blu cave, split|©Fromthefaith

Split is a city with an extensive coastline on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, so a great option is to embark on a speedboat to visit the nearby islands, such as the wonderful island Hvar, the most popular in the region. In addition, you can visit amazing places such as the famous Blue Cave, which is located on the island of Bisevo.

These tours last approximately 10 hours and start early in the morning. It can be done by the whole family, especially in summer and spring, when the weather is warmer and you can take the opportunity to take a dip.

During the tour, you can stop at some islands for lunch, or visit interesting places such as Komiza, a charming fishing village with quiet beaches. In addition, these tours include some free time on Hvar island, for you to enjoy the way you prefer. This island has a village with very interesting Renaissance buildings that you can visit in addition to its beaches.

Many tours also include snorkeling, especially at Stiniva beach, which is located on the popular Vis island. For this activity, you will be provided with the necessary equipment, and you will have professional guides who will give you all the instructions so you can fully enjoy this experience.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 125 € per person.
  • Duration: about 10 hours.
  • Means of transportation: it is done by speedboat for about 60 people.
  • Advantages of this option: you will be able to visit five fascinating islands, snorkel and visit the famous Blue Cave with entrance included.
  • Disadvantages of this option: it does not include drinks or meals.

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2. Excursion to 5 islands and Blue Cave in small groups

Vis Island|©dese
Vis Island|©dese

If you prefer to take a more personalized island tour, you can opt for a small group tour. These tours usually start with breakfast on Vis Island or Hvar Island, and give you the chance to snorkel on Budikovac Island. They also include a visit to the famous Blue Cave, which is located on the island of Bisevo.

These tours last approximately 12 hours, so they start early in the morning, so you can take advantage of the sunny hours on the islands. They are conducted in a boat with a maximum of 12 people and you are accompanied by an expert guide who will provide valuable information about the sites you visit.

They also usually make stops at Vis Island, which is home to a charming fishing village where you can have lunch or a snack. Another of the most popular stops is the Blue Cave or Blue Grotto, where the waters take on a beautiful blue color due to the effect of the sun's rays entering the cave. Although you can't swim in the grotto, you will appreciate this amazing 8.3 km sea cave in the Adriatic Sea, which is one of the best things to see in Split in two days or more.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 105 € per person.
  • Duration: about 12 hours.
  • Means of transport: motorboat.
  • Advantages of this option: you will be able to visit 5 islands in the Adriatic Sea, snorkel and visit the famous Blue Cave.
  • Disadvantages of this option: does not include drinks or meals. Entrance to the Blue Cave is not included.

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3. Plitvice Lakes National Park Tour

Plitvice Lakes|©Andrés Arias Rodríguez
Plitvice Lakes|©Andrés Arias Rodríguez

One of the best day trips you can do from Split is to visit Plitvice Lakes National Park, where you can see wonderful natural refuges, lakes with crystal clear waters, waterfalls and forests with great biodiversity. The tour includes a boat ride on the lakes, where you will appreciate the enormous beauty of this natural area.

It is an ideal tour for people who like to walk and enjoy nature, as it usually includes a walk of about 5 km along the trails of the park accompanied by the local guide, who can give you a lot of information about the park. There you will be able to see numerous species of native animals and plants such as the Lika Pramenka sheep and other animals such as gray wolves, Eurasian lynx and otters, brown bears, golden eagles and many more.

These tours take place every day, starting early in the morning. They are open to people of all ages who have no difficulty walking on uneven terrain. They usually include round-trip transportation from the hotel (or nearby meeting point), and are conducted in groups of about 36 people. It is certainly one of the best tours to Plitvice Lakes from Split.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a forest reserve that was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco. It consists of 16 lakes and covers an area of 295 km2. One of the most impressive lakes you will see during the tour is the Upper Lake, the largest in the park, where the waters of the Veliki Slap waterfall, about 80 meters high, spill over.

Details of interest

  • Price: about 100 € for adults, 83 € for children under 17 and 55 € for children.
  • Duration: about 9 hours.
  • Means of transport: it is done in a minivan for about 36 people and by boat.
  • Advantages of this option: you will get to know the natural area of the Plitvice Lakes, a real treasure of nature, together with an expert guide.
  • Disadvantages of this option: to do the hike it is necessary to be in average physical condition.

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4. Visit the waterfalls of Krka National Park

Krka National Park|©jann.haemers
Krka National Park|©jann.haemers

Another great option to enjoy nature is to join a bus and boat excursion from Split to Krka National Park, where you can marvel at 7 beautiful waterfalls, trails, forests and the great diversity of flora and fauna. You will also visit the town of Primosten and the Ethnographic Museum of Krka, where you will see pieces of cultural and historical importance of the region.

The experience includes round trip transfer from your hotel, or nearby meeting point, and takes place every day in the morning. Throughout the tour you will be accompanied by a professional guide who will provide you with valuable information about the park and the animal and plant species that live there. Weather permitting, in addition to a boat ride, you can swim in one of the beautiful waterfalls.

In addition to touring the park on the trails, you can also visit the Ethnographic Museum and see the collection of objects that reflect the life of the locals, such as handicrafts, furniture, mills and old tools. As for Primosten, it is a beautiful coastal town with beaches of crystal clear waters and stone houses, where you can take a leisurely stroll breathing the Mediterranean air.

Interesting details

  • Price: from 30 € per person.
  • Duration: about 8-9 hours.
  • Means of transport: bus and boat.
  • Advantages of this option: you will visit the beautiful 7 waterfalls of Krka National Park and the village of Primosten with transfer included from Split.
  • Disadvantages of this option: to be able to walk some trails the weather has to be favorable.

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5. Embark on a cruise around the Blue Lagoon and the island of Solta

Split from the ferry|©Barak Khazad
Split from the ferry|©Barak Khazad

If you visit a coastal city like Split, you can not fail to include in your itinerary a cruise along the Dalmatian coast. That's why a good idea is to take a cruise to the Blue Lagoon and Solta, where you can practice water sports, if you are up for it. These tours usually include a delicious lunch and drinks so you can take full advantage of the stops and the beautiful panoramic views.

The Blue Lagoon and Necujam Bay are ideal places for water activities such as snorkeling, as its crystal clear waters allow you to observe the seabed without obstacles. You can also paddle surf, and of course, swim in the beautiful turquoise waters. If you decide to snorkel, you will have all the necessary equipment and professional instructors that will guarantee you a very safe experience.

These tours also usually include a visit to the island of Solta, a very beautiful island that used to be the favorite of Emperor Diccletian. There you will find the village of Maslinica, where you can visit its pristine beaches, browse its stores and taste homemade honeys and national wines, or its well-known olive oils.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 45 € per person.
  • Duration: about 8 hours.
  • Means of transport: it is done by cruise ship.
  • Advantages of this option: you will visit the famous Blue Laggon Lake and you will be able to swim in its waters, as well as visit the island of Solta.
  • Disadvantages of this option: it is better to do this excursion with good weather to take advantage of the water activities.

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6. Discover Hvar island, Brac island and Pakleni islands on a catamaran excursion with party on board

island of brac|©santibon
island of brac|©santibon

If you prefer to tour the islands with luxury services, an excellent option is to board a catamaran with lunch and unlimited drinks included from Split. You will see islands, beaches, lagoons and islets with crystal clear waters on the island of Hvar and the Pakleni islands, without having to worry about carrying food and drinks. In addition, the excursion ends with a party on board with an open bar.

On board the catamaran you can sunbathe on the deck with your favorite drink, while watching the natural scenery around you. You will be accompanied at all times by a professional guide who will provide you with lots of information about the history and culture of each site you visit.

The cruise makes several stops so you can swim or refresh yourself. One of them is on the island of Brac, where you can swim and see the seabed through its transparent waters. Another stop is on the island of Hvar, where you can see historical monuments, coves and lavender and rosemary bushes. In addition, you can visit the beaches, lagoons and islets of Pakleni islands, which consists of about 20 islets with exotic flora and fauna.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 120 € for adults and 60 € for children under 12 years old.
  • Duration: about 10 hours.
  • Means of transport: it is done by catamaran.
  • Advantages of this option: you will visit the paradisiacal islands of Hvar and Pakleni aboard a catamaran with lunch and unlimited drinks included.
  • Disadvantages of this option: it is an activity more suitable for adults, as alcoholic beverages are served.

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7. Get to know the city of Dubrovnik on an excursion from Split

Dubrovnik|©Luca Sartoni
Dubrovnik|©Luca Sartoni

One of the most interesting cities to visit is Dubrovnik, a city famous for its medieval walls and buildings, which was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco. It is also famous because it has been one of the filming locations for the series Game of Thrones.

To visit it, a good idea is to take an air-conditioned bus tour from Split. It is done in groups of about 30 people, and includes free time so you can tour the city at your own pace. It is a full day tour (lasts about 11 hours) with transfer included, and can be done a few days a week. It starts early in the morning.

At all times you will have a professional guide who will tell you about the fascinating history of the place. Some of the sites you can visit in the city are St. John's Fortress, the Cathedral, Sponza Palace and Lokrum Island. You can also admire the city from its viewpoints that provide a beautiful panoramic view.

If you decide to walk around the city center, you can also enjoy the gastronomy in its bars and restaurants. One of the most traditional Croatian dishes is burek, a dough stuffed with meat, vegetables, potatoes and cheese.

Interesting details

  • Price: from 70 € for adults and 45 € for children under 12 years old.
  • Duration: between 10 and 11 hours approximately.
  • Means of transport: it is done in an air-conditioned vehicle.
  • Advantages of this option: you will get to know the history and culture of Dubrovnik, a city famous for its medieval buildings that are preserved intact.
  • Disadvantages of this option: lunch is not included.

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8. Experience rafting on the rapids of the Cetina River

Rafting, Cetina River|©anabobdillon
Rafting, Cetina River|©anabobdillon

This tour is ideal for those who love sports or more adrenaline-filled experiences, as it consists of an exciting tour on the Cetina River and its surroundings, which will take you through caves, rocks, waterfalls, trails and rapids. The Cetina River is one of the longest rivers in Dalmatia and is famous for its eye-shaped source.

It is a tour of about 4 hours duration with optional transfer from Split that can be done every day in spring, summer and autumn, when the weather is nicer. It can be done either mid-morning or early afternoon. It is necessary to be in average physical condition to enjoy the experience to the fullest. It can also be done by children over 6 years old who can swim.

You don't need to have done rafting before, as the instructors teach you everything you need to know and provide you with all the equipment. It is a very fun and safe experience, as the guides know the river in depth. Don't forget to bring your swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, hat and water to fully enjoy the experience, which is undoubtedly one of the best river tours in Split.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 50 € for adults and 37 € for children under 12 years old.
  • Duration: about 4 hours approximately.
  • Means of transport: it is done in an air-conditioned vehicle.
  • Advantages of this option: you will experience an exciting journey by land and water on the Cetrina River.
  • Disadvantages of this option: it is necessary to be in good physical condition to enjoy the experience. Not suitable for pregnant women and small children.

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