The coastal city of Split is a great and historic beauty located on a peninsula in the Adriatic, in Dalmatia in the south of Croatia. A resort town and active port, it is a place where varied history and traditions meet chic and cosmopolitan modernity. Therefore, it offers an perfect list of incredible things to see and do in the most stunning settings, from cobbled little streets lined with grand old buildings to stretches of the coast with craggy peaks and azure seas as a backdrop. If you book a villa in Split-dalmatien, at least one day-trip to the city is a must!
The Old Town
Relatively compact and deliciously photogenic, the historic centre of Split is easy to traverse in a day, taking in both the famous sights and attractions, as well as stopping at little bars and coffee shops to sip wine or refuel with some caffeine as you watch the world go by. Those looking to delve deeper can certainly find more off-beat and unique attractions as well as spend more time at other sites. However, Split is a perfect city break destination in that one can get quite a good taste of the place in just a day or two.
Wander the streets, explore the boutiques and cafes and little curiosities, and take your time admiring your surroundings in this magical part of the world while visiting on holiday in Croatia.
One of the specific highlights of the historic centre, this imposing and important Roman ruin is the remains of the spot where the Emperor Diocletian retired after voluntarily giving up the throne of the Roman Empire in the 4th century. Now intertwined with shops and apartment buildings and cafes in the centre of the city, the palace was originally built on a site on the beach in the Illyrian province of Rome (modern-day Croatia) and spread over 30,000 square meters. This included the domestic space of the palace itself as well as other buildings, including a military garrison.
While little remnants of the large site still stand today - just some of the domestic spaces and some walls and gates - it is the central palace, on its irregular rectangular plan that is the key site. Accounting for some of the lower floors of Diocletian's apartments, his octagonal mausoleum, one of three original temples that was later turned into a baptistery, and the Peristyle, the ruins also include marbles from Egypt, Rome, and Greece, as well as some surviving antiques. Most interesting, however, it that this is not just some stuffy and sterile monument to the past that is presented like a museum but, rather, a living part of the city. Children run about, street musicians play, markets are held, and life continues amongst the ruins. If you have booked a holiday rental in Split and want to make the most of your visit to the palace, however, we recommend joining a tour to have it all reconstructed in your imagination by an expert before you enjoy life in the building today, as it intertwines with contemporary life in Split.
City Beaches
There are several beaches to choose between in and around the city centre and a little further afield, each with its own vibe and unique selling point. If you’ve been wandering the historic centre, especially on a summer vacation in Croatia, and have worked up a bit of a sweat, then you’ll likely be excited to go for a dip in the Adriatic to cool off. Or, maybe, in between enjoying the various charms and sights of the city, you’re after some proper R&R while you’re in this gorgeous seaside resort.
Head to the sandy stretch of Bačvice and watch locals enjoy games of picigin. You can sip on cocktails at the beach bars and party late into the night if you want to at various spots. Those with kids, meanwhile, will appreciate the more shallow and gentle waters at Firule while Bene and Lubinski Porat Beach, both in the Marjan Forest Park, present a more peaceful option for those looking to escape in the city. If you want to invest in a more expensive but luxurious day of swimming and sunning, you can also head out on a boat trip for the day and swim in some of the stunning lagoons in the area.
Riva
Another key seaside activity is similar to the mode of exploration of the historic centre that we recommended: wandering along the Riva (seaside promenade) and stopping to enjoy drinks and snacks as you go. You’ll see plenty of locals sitting about with an espresso and family and friends, chatting, and we think you should take a page from their book and take things easy as you savour this city and its lifestyle. It’s important to savour the food as well! The seafood, in particular, is amazing on vacation in Split but so, too, are the basic ingredients of many of their other dishes with high-quality olive oil, Istrian truffles, local wines, and more being put to great use. Yes, this is a perfect place to eat, drink, and be merry!
Other adventures
Whether you want to hike in Marjan Forest Park, dive into the extraordinary collection of antiquities in the Archaeological Museum, discover ancient Roman temples within the city’s Cathedral, head on a ferry to another city or island for the day, or set off to take in the impressive beauty of the majestic Plitvice Lakes National Park with its 16 jewel-toned lakes and interconnecting waterfalls, you’ll find that Split has lots of extraordinary wonders to discover!
So, book your vacation rental in Split-dalmatien and dive into this magical city on your next holiday in Croatia.