We spent a couple of days in Croatia’s second largest city, Split as part of a Balkan Road trip. It was one of my favourite places on the entire trip, with its ancient city, beautiful coastline, parks and galleries. Here is my pick of the top 10 things to do in Split.

How to get to Split

We drove to Split as part of a road trip, arriving from Sarajevo and continuing to the spectacular Plitvice National Park. If you’re not driving, Split is a popular tourist destination, with options to travel to plane, train and ferry from all over Europe and further afield.

Getting Around Split

Split is a lovely city to just wander around. We didn’t bother with public transport.

Where to stay in Split

We stayed at the family run Guesthouse Vrlic, a lovely place, conveniently located close to the old town. This family run guesthouse is very close to the old town. It is very pleasant with friendly hosts, set in a pretty garden. A great place to stay.

Split: Top 10 Things to do

1	Enter the Roman Diocletian’s Palace
2	Spot ancient Egyptian Sphinxes at the Peristil
3	Visit the Cathedral of Saint Domnius
4	Climb to the top of the Bell Tower
5	Visit the Temple of Jupiter
6	Take a stroll along the Harbourside
7	Enjoy the scenery and the view at Marjan Forest Park
8	Touch Gregory of Nin’s toe for good luck
9	Admire the art at the Meštrović Gallery
10	Hit the beach at Bačvice

No 1 – Enter the Roman Diocletian’s Palace

Two things I know about Split; (1) it’s by the sea and (2) it has Roman stuff. We started with the Roman stuff; the Diocletian’s Palace to be more precise. This fortified town, built around courtyard with a gate on each side (Iron, Bronze, Silver and Golden) was constructed for the Roman Emperor Diocletian in the 4th Century as a retirement home.

No 2 – Spot ancient Egyptian Sphinxes at the Peristil

In the centre is the Peristil; a colonnaded courtyard. Incorporated into the design were ancient Egyptian Sphinxes plundered by the Romans.

No 3 – Visit the Cathedral of St Domnius

To the left is the octagonal Cathedral of St Domnius, built in the 4th century as a mausoleum for Diocletian, who was interred here in 311.

No 4 – Climb to the top of the Bell Tower

Next to to the cathedral is the Bell Tower. It stands 57 metres high and a looks a bit like a wedding cake, with each tier smaller than the one below. It you’re brave, you can can climb a narrow, winding metal staircase to the top. The tower was initially built in the 14th Century, and rebuilt in 1908 after it collapsed, a fact which fills you with confidence as you commence your ascent…

I manage about two thirds before I end up clinging to a flimsy bannister in terror, unable to continue.

No 5 – Visit the Temple of Jupiter

The Roman Temple of Jupiter is now part of the cathedral. Jupiter has been replaced by a statue of John the Baptist by Croatian sculptor and former Split resident, Ivan Meštrović.

The cathedral is open daily from 8 am until 8 pm between June and October and from 9 am until 5 pm between November and May. Sunday opening is from 12 pm until 6 pm year round. There are a number of ticket options, ranging from €7 to €11, depending on what you want to visit. We purchased a green ticket for €10. This includes 3 sites: The Cathedral, the Bell Tower and the Treasury, where you can see some sculptures and paintings which relate to the Cathedral’s history.

No 6 – Take a stroll along the Harbourside

Exit the city gate and take a walk along the harbourside, watching the hustle and bustle in the harbour with boat tours, ferries and cruise ships all jostling for position.

The harbourside is also the perfect spot for a picnic on one of the benched overlooking the water.

No 7 – Enjoy the scenery and the view at Marjan Forest Park

Continue along the harbourside until you reach the outskirts of Marjan Forest Park. Here, you can climb 250 steps to a viewpoint. It’s hard work, but worth it for the great view over the city and the harbour.

Also, there’s a bar at the top where you can take a drink whilst catching your breath and enjoying the view.

No 8 – Touch Gregory of Nin’s toe for good luck

Just outside the old town is another sculpture by Ivan Meštrović; Gregory of Nin. He’s supposed to bring you luck if you touch his toe.

No 9 – Admire the art at the Meštrović Gallery

Just past the harbour is the former home of Ivan Meštrović, now the Meštrović Gallery, where plenty of his sculptures are on display. Either Mestrovic had some very flexible friends or else a vivid imagination. He also appears to have had an aversion for wearing clothes.

Kaštilac

The gallery has a pretty café overlooking the sea, where you can take refreshments before continuing just down the road to an extension of the gallery; the Kaštilac.

Here, a small chapel houses more of Meštrović’s work including a series of carved wooden panels depicting the life of Jesus.

The Meštrović Gallery is open daily except Monday from 9 am until 5 pm (7 pm between May and October). Entry costs €12 and includes both the main Gallery and Kaštilac.

No 10 – Hit the beach at Bačvice

Just past the port is the beach of Bačvice. Although it’s a Blue Flag beach, it’s a bit grubby compared to the pristine beaches of my home town of Bournemouth, but the view’s good and a paddle in the cool water is a relief after the heat of the day.

I hope you found the above information useful. For more top picks from other destinations in the 50+ countries we have visited, check out my full Top 10 Things To Do list here.

More Blogs about Croatia

• Croatia 6 Day Road Trip
• Zagreb in 1 Day
• Zagreb: Top 10 Things to do
• Split in 2 Days
• Dubrovnik in 1 Day
• Dubrovnik: Top 10 Things to do
• Plitvice National Park

• Trip Taken: September 2018
• Updated: April 2024