11 Things to Do in Split

Split has become an increasingly popular destination for tourists from all over the world, thanks to its incredible Diocletian's Palace, which dates back to Roman times, and because it is the gateway to the islands in the Adriatic Sea, such as Vis, Hvar and Pekleni.

Exploring the palace complex, whose underground galleries were one of the filming locations for Game of Thrones, is one of the many things you can see and do in Split. Viewpoints, beaches, ancient churches, narrow streets and many hidden corners await you in this city, where you can take the best tours of Split.

Diocletian's Palace is one of the best-preserved Roman buildings in the world. It was built by Emperor Diocletian in the 4th century AD and used to be surrounded by walls, most of which are still standing today.

More than a palace, it is a fortress, as it consists of different buildings connected by stone alleyways. Inside, you will find shops, bars, restaurants, craft shops, and even homes.

Among the sites you cannot miss in this complex are The Peristyle, which is the central square of the palace surrounded by columns; The Vestibule, which used to be the entrance to the palace rooms; the Cathedral of Domnius, one of the oldest in Croatia; the Temple of Jupiter, dedicated to that god; and the underground galleries, one of the palace's must-see attractions.

Diocletian's Palace has four entrance gates: the Golden Gate, the Silver Gate, the Iron Gate and the Bronze Gate. The most commonly used entrance is the Porta Aenea, which connects to the Riva, Split's coastal promenade. All gates are open 24 hours a day, although the various buildings can only be accessed at set times during the day.

Useful information

• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sundays from 12.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. In winter, they close at 3 p.m.
• Price: around €6 per person for admission to the Cathedral, Temple of Jupiter and Ethnographic Museum; and around €6 for the underground galleries.

The Temple of Jupiter is a monument located in Diocletian's Palace, dedicated to the god Jupiter, whom the emperor worshipped. It was built in the 6th century, but in the 13th century it was converted into a baptistery, which is why you can see a sculpture of St. John the Baptist and a baptismal font inside. The statue was made by the Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrovic.

One of the most interesting features of the temple is the 3,500-year-old black granite sphinx that guards the temple. It was brought from Egypt by the emperor and is one of the best-preserved Egyptian sphinxes today, notable for having no head.

Also of great interest is the ornamentation of its entrance portal, which features floral details in carved stone coffers and human and plant heads, among other elements. Next to the temple is Pusti me da prodjem Street (meaning "let me pass"), the narrowest street in the city and a favourite spot for taking photos.

Details of interest

• Location: Ul. Kraj Svetog Ivana 2, 21000, Split, Croatia.
• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Admission: from €6.

One of the must-see sites in Diocletian's Palace is its underground galleries, which allow you to imagine what the Roman palace was like in ancient times. This is because the basements would have had the same structure, with columns and high ceilings, as the upper floor, where the palace and imperial rooms were located.

The underground galleries of Diocletian's Palace are one of the best-preserved Roman ruins today. They are often used as a lively market, shops and art galleries. They have even served as the setting for the filming of the series Game of Thrones. If you are a fan of the series, you have more than one reason to visit them, as they were turned into a dragon prison for a time.

In the underground galleries, there are areas that are free to access and others that require payment, with exhibitions related to the history of the palace. The entrance to the cellars is next to Porta Aenea, the most modest gate in the complex, which used to connect the cellars to the sea.

Split is a coastal city with beautiful beaches that you can enjoy, in addition to the unmissable ones on the islands. One of them is Firule Beach, located 20 minutes from the city centre, and another is Kasjuni Beach, which is a little further away, about 50 minutes.

At Firule Beach , you can swim in its crystal-clear waters, sunbathe and relax for a while. If you go in high season, remember to go early, as the best spots get taken quickly. In the surrounding area, there are bars and restaurants overlooking the beach and the sea where you can have lunch or dinner and try typical regional dishes.

Kasjuni Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the area, and if you go early, you'll be able to better appreciate the views, with the forest on one side and palm trees on the other. It's a place where water activities such as snorkelling are often practised, as its waters are crystal clear and allow you to see the seabed clearly.

• Location: Firule Beach and Kasjuni Beach, Adriatic Sea, 21000, Split, Croatia.

Marjan Forest Park is a large green space offering the best panoramic views of Split. There are three viewpoints on the hill, from which you can see the city of Split, the Pekleni Islands, and even nearby villages. At the top, there is also a 13-metre-high cross and bars where you can enjoy a drink or a cup of tea while taking in the views.

The most traditional way to reach the top is by climbing the stairs near the Riva, Split's coastal promenade. It is a long staircase with several landings and a viewpoint in the middle, the Vidilica, which also offers a beautiful view. At the top is the Telegrin viewpoint, which you can reach in half an hour.

Marjan Hill is an ideal place for hiking, cycling or running, as it has several trails of varying lengths (between 3 and 10 km), ideal for those who prefer contact with nature or practising sports. It is also possible to explore some areas of the park by Segway, which is also a very fun way to explore it.

On the other hand, for sports enthusiasts or lovers of more adrenaline-fuelled sports, a :::link|text=river trip in Split|element=sc-197-1369::: is highly recommended, as you can enjoy sports and activities such as canyoning, rafting or zip-lining.

• Location: Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda 25, 21000, Split, Croatia.

The Riva is the city's most popular promenade, favoured by locals and visitors alike. It is lined with palm trees and dotted with bars, restaurants, shops and street markets, making it the perfect place to stroll at sunset.

Located opposite Diocletian's Palace, it is a must-see for anyone visiting Split for two days. Walking along the Riva, you can see the Palace or Deskovic House and the Monastery and Church of St. Francis on one side, and the boats, yachts, ferries and cruise ships in the harbour on the other.

The Riva is a popular spot for locals to meet up with friends, both during the day and at night, and is where various festivals, concerts and cultural events are often held. It also has its own Walk of Fame, where you can see plaques honouring the city's most famous Olympic athletes.

In the Dalmatia region, just 25 km from Split, lies the longest river in the region, the Cetina. This river is known for the lush nature that surrounds it and its cliffs, from which you can jump into its deep waters. The Cetina River originates on Mount Dinara (1,831 m), where it emerges from underground streams, and is 105 km long.

This river is also famous for the eye-shaped lagoon near its source, known as the Eye of the Earth. In addition, many people go rafting on this river, as it offers fast-flowing waters and numerous jumps.

The most common way to explore the Cetina River is to go to the town of Omiš, located about 25 km from Split. You can get there by bus in about 40 minutes. If you are interested in going rafting, it is best to book an excursion with transport included from Split, as they will provide you with all the necessary equipment and take you to the best places to practise this sport.

People's Square, or simply Pjaca as the locals call it, is the city's central square, located very close to Diocletian's Palace. The square is surrounded by Split's palaces and historic buildings, and there are bars and restaurants in the surrounding area where you can sit and watch the lively city life go by.

Some of these buildings include the Gothic-style Cambj Palace, the old Morpurgo bookshop, and the Renaissance-style Town Hall, which houses the City Museum. You can also sit in the Café Central, a culturally significant bar that used to be frequented by artists and intellectuals.

Another curious building is the city clock, located opposite the square, which marks 24 hours instead of 12. Pjaca is an ideal place to have lunch or a coffee, browse the markets or take part in the many cultural events that take place there.

Diocletian's Palace has four gates through which you could enter from different directions, and which are still in use today. The most modest is the Bronze Gate or Aenea Gate, which is the most commonly used entrance to the palace, as it connects to Split's Riva.

The Golden Gate or Porta Aurea was once used exclusively by the emperor and his family, and today it is one of the most popular entrances to the palace. A short distance away is the famous statue of Bishop Gregory of Nin, created by sculptor Ivan Meštrović, which is said to bring good luck to those who touch its big toe. That is why many tourists today come to touch it.

The western gate is the Iron Gate, which is the one that has become most integrated into the city. Christians demolished the relief of the goddess Nike in the 5th century and built the Church of Our Lady of the Bell Tower in its place, which still stands today.

The Silver Gate used to connect the old main street, Decumanus, with the palace, and was closed for a long time until it was rebuilt in 1952.

Opposite the city of Split, in the waters of the Adriatic Sea, there is a group of islands that are true natural treasures, with charming villages steeped in history. To reach the islands, you must take a ferry from the port of Split, which will take you to your destination in an hour or two, depending on the island you choose.

One of the most popular are the Pekleni Islands, which consist of some 20 islands and islets with almost pristine beaches surrounded by pine forests. Water sports such as snorkelling are often practised there, thanks to the crystal-clear waters that allow you to see the seabed. In addition, many of its beaches are nudist beaches.

Another popular island is Hvar, home to two of Croatia's oldest towns, Stari Grad and Hvar Grad, where you can stroll through cobbled streets, medieval houses, churches and ancient palaces.

The island of Vis is also very popular, especially for its wonderful Stiniva beach and the Blue Cave, where an optical effect is created by the sun's rays penetrating the cave. It can only be accessed by small boats, so you will need to book a tour or hire a boat on the island of Vis. Another option is to take a trip from Split, which will take you to several islands, as well as the Blue Cave.

Trogir is an ancient town built on an island 27 km from Split, where you can lose yourself among its medieval houses, cobbled streets and historical monuments. Founded in the 4th century, it has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

One of the most famous historical monuments in Trogir is the Kamerlengo Fortress, which was built on the seafront to guard the city's gold. It consists of three towers, a bastion and a courtyard, and has a viewpoint in the Kamerlengo Tower, from where you can see the city and the Adriatic Sea. Cultural events are currently held in the surrounding area, such as archery.

Other attractions you can see in Trogir include the Ducal Palace, St. Lawrence Cathedral, the Clock Tower, Cipiko Palace and the Museum of Sacred Art. It is a small historic centre with Renaissance and Baroque buildings, ideal for losing yourself in a kind of journey through time.

To get there, you can take a bus or ferry from Split, which takes about half an hour to reach Trogir. Another option is to book a tour from Split and take the opportunity to visit Krka National Park as well. Another highly recommended option is to take a :::link|text=trip to Plitvice Lakes from Split|element=sc-197-1367:::, a green area with lakes, springs, forests and trails, ideal for spending a day in contact with nature.