Best Things To Do in Split

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

Touring the palace complex, whose underground galleries have been 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 that are still largely preserved today.

It is more like a fortress than a palace, as it is made up of different buildings connected by stone alleys. Inside you will find shops, bars, restaurants, craft shops and even houses.

Among the sites not to be missed 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 rooms of the palace; the Domnius Cathedral, one of the oldest in Croatia; the Temple of Jupiter, consecrated to that god; and the Underground Galleries, one of the Palace's must-sees.

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 waterfront promenade. All gates are open 24 hours a day, although the various buildings can only be accessed at set times during the day.

Interesting facts

• Opening hours: Mon-Sat 8am-7pm, Sun 12.30pm-6.30pm. In winter they close at 3pm.
• Price: about 6 EUR per person for admission to the Cathedral, Temple of Jupiter and Ethnographic Museum; and about 6 EUR to 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 Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrovic.

One of the most interesting features of the church is the 3,500-year-old black granite sphinx that guards the church. It was brought by the emperor from Egypt and is one of the best preserved Egyptian sphinxes in existence today, notable for its headlessness.

The ornamentation of the entrance portal is also very interesting, with floral details in carved stone casetones and human and plant heads, among others. Next to the temple is Pusti me da prodjem Street (meaning "let me pass"), the narrowest street in the city, and a favourite place to take photos.

Details of interest

• Location: Ul. Kraj Svetog Ivana 2, 21000, Split, Croatia.
• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 4 pm, Sunday from 12 pm to 6 pm.
• Admission fee: from €6.

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

The Underground Galleries of Diocletian's Palace are one of the best preserved Roman ruins in existence today. There is a lively flea market, shops and art galleries. It has even been used as a filming location for the Game of Thrones series. If you are a fan of the series, you have more than one reason to visit them, as they were converted into a dragon prison for a time.

In the underground galleries, there are free and paid areas with exhibits related to the history of the palace. The entrance to the cellars is located next to the Porta Aenea, the most modest entrance to the palace, which used to connect the cellars to the sea.

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

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

Kasjuni beach is one of the most beautiful and, if you go early, you will be able to appreciate the views better, with the forest on one side and the palm trees on the other. It's a popular spot for water activities such as snorkelling, as the waters are crystal clear and the seabed can be seen 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 a total of 3 viewpoints on the hill, from where you can see the city of Split, the Pekleni Islands, and even nearby villages. Also at the top there is a 13-metre high cross and bars where you can have a refreshing drink or herbal tea while enjoying the views.

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

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

On the other hand, for the sporty or adrenaline junkies, a river trip in Split is highly recommended, as you can practice 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 is lined with bars, restaurants, shops and markets ideal for a sunset stroll.

As it is located opposite the Diocletian's Palace, it is a must for those visiting Split in 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 place for locals to meet friends, both during the day and at night, and is the venue for various festivals, concerts and cultural events. It also has its own Walk of Fame, where you can see the plaques of the city's most famous Olympians.

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 where you can jump off to swim in its deep waters. The Cetina River rises at Mount Dinara (1831 m), from where it emerges from underground streams, and is 105 km long.

This river is also famous for the eye-shaped lagoon near its source, which is known as the Eye of the Earth. In addition, many people go rafting on this river, as it offers white water rapids and numerous waterfalls.

The most common way to get to know the Cetina River is to go to the town of Omiš, which is about 25 km from Split. You can get there by bus in about 40 minutes. And if you are interested in joining a rafting experience, the best thing to do is to book a rafting excursion with transfer included from Split, as they will provide you with all the necessary equipment and take you to the best rafting spots.

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

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

Another curious building is the town clock, which faces the square and shows 24 hours instead of 12. The 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 that could be entered from different directions and are still in use today. The most modest is the Bronze Gate or Porta Aenea, which is the most commonly used to enter the palace, as it connects to the Riva of Split.

The Golden Gate or Porta Aurea is used only by the emperor and his family, and today it is one of the most popular gates into the palace. A short distance away is the famous statue of Bishop Gregory of Nin, made by sculptor Ivan Meštrović, who would bring luck to those who touch his toe. That is why many tourists today come to touch it.

The western gate is the Iron Gate, which is the most integrated into the city. The Christians demolished the relief of the goddess Nike in the 5th century and in its place built the church of Our Lady of the Belfry, which is still standing.

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

In front of the city of Split, in the waters of the Adriatic Sea, there is a group of islands that are real natural treasures and charming villages full of history. To reach the islands, take a ferry from Split harbour, which will take you to your destination in an hour or two, depending on which island you choose.

One of the most popular is the Pekleni Islands, which consist of about 20 islands and islets with almost pristine beaches surrounded by pine forests. Water sports such as snorkelling are popular here, thanks to the crystal-clear waters that allow you to see the bottom of the sea. Nudism is also practised on many of the beaches.

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

Vis Island is also popular, especially for its wonderful Stiniva beach and the Blue Cave, where an optical effect is produced by the sun's rays penetrating the cave. It is only possible to enter with small boats, so you must hire a tour or rent a boat on Vis Island. Another option is to take the excursion from Split, which will take you to several islands in addition to 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, stone streets and historical monuments. Founded in the 4th century, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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

Other attractions in Trogir include the Ducal Palace, St Lawrence Cathedral, the Clock Tower, the Cipiko Palace and the Museum of Sacred Art. It is a small old town with Renaissance and Baroque buildings, ideal for a sort of time travel.

To get there, you can take a bus or ferry from Split, which takes about half an hour to Trogir. Alternatively, you can book a tour from Split and take the opportunity to visit the Krka National Park. Another highly recommended option is to take a trip to Plitvice Lakes from Split, a green area with lakes, springs, forests and trails ideal for spending a day in contact with nature.