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Cornaro Hotel, Split

Things to do guide

The best things to do in Split

Updated 1 October 2026 · 16 things to do

Pictured: Cornaro Hotel

Split is a living Roman monument. In the early fourth century, Emperor Diocletian built a retirement palace on the Dalmatian coast, and the town grew up inside its walls. Today you can have coffee in a Roman courtyard, buy bread in a medieval alley and sleep in a house built into an ancient gate. Beyond the old stones, the sea is a short walk away.

Split is also the best gateway to central Dalmatia. Ferries leave for Hvar and Brač, the pebble coves of the Makarska Riviera line up to the south, and medieval Trogir and the waterfalls of Krka make easy day trips. The water is clear, the food is simple and good, and the pace is relaxed.

Don't miss

  1. 1Diocletian’s Palace
  2. 2Brela and Punta Rata
  3. 3Trogir
  4. 4Krka National Park
  5. 5Hvar

Split itself

Ancient stones, palm-lined promenades and a forested hill.

  1. Diocletian’s Palace

    Landmark

    The Peristyle courtyard of Diocletian's Palace in Split
    Photo: TimeTravelRome, CC BY 2.0

    The heart of Split isn't a museum behind a fence. It's a vast Roman palace whose walls, gates and cellars are still inhabited, with bars, shops and apartments tucked among the columns. The central Peristyle courtyard is where the city gathers, and the cathedral next to it began life as the emperor's mausoleum.

    Climb the cathedral's bell tower for views over the red rooftops and the harbour, then get lost in the lanes.

    Tip: Explore early or after dinner, when the stone is empty and the lamps come on.

  2. The Riva

    Neighbourhood

    Split's palm-lined waterfront promenade runs along the south wall of the palace, and it's the city's living room. Sit at a café and watch ferries come and go, or join the evening stroll.

  3. Marjan Hill

    Nature

    The pine-covered Marjan hill above Split
    Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A pine-covered peninsula on the western edge of the city, laced with walking and cycling trails, small chapels and rocky coves for swimming. Climb the steps to the viewpoint for a panorama of the old town, the harbour and the islands.

  4. Salona

    Landmark

    The ruins of the Roman provincial capital lie just outside Split, at Solin, where the emperor Diocletian was born. Among the olive trees you find an amphitheatre, early Christian basilicas and sections of the old walls.

  5. Klis Fortress

    Landmark

    The walls of Klis Fortress on its rocky ridge above Split
    Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A fortress on a rocky ridge above Split, which has guarded the pass since ancient times. The views from the walls sweep over the city and the sea, and fans of Game of Thrones will recognise it as the setting for Meereen.

Beaches

Dalmatia’s beaches are mostly pebbles, with water so clear it looks cut from glass.

  1. Brela and Punta Rata

    Beach

    Punta Rata beach in Brela, fringed with pine trees
    Photo: Silverije, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Pine trees reach down to a long chain of white pebble beaches in Brela, on the Makarska Riviera. Punta Rata is the best known, with a rock offshore called Kamen Brela that has become the symbol of the coast.

    The water is shallow and clear, and the pine shade makes it comfortable for families.

  2. Zlatni Rat, Bol

    Beach

    The Zlatni Rat spit of white pebbles at Bol on the island of Brač
    Photo: Silverije, CC0

    A tongue of white pebbles that sticks out into the Adriatic on the island of Brač, shifting its tip with the wind and the currents. It's one of Croatia's most photographed beaches, and a haven for windsurfers.

    Tip: Get there by ferry from Split, then a short trip to Bol.

  3. The Makarska Riviera

    Beach

    Makarska below the Biokovo mountain massif
    Photo: NH53, CC BY 2.0

    A long strip of pebble beaches and small resorts, backed by the steep limestone wall of Biokovo mountain. Makarska itself has a pretty harbour and a lively promenade, and Tučepi, Baška Voda and Brela are within easy reach.

Day trips and islands

  1. Trogir

    Day trip

    The UNESCO-listed old town of Trogir
    Photo: Marija19th11, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A tiny, perfectly preserved medieval town on an island between the mainland and Čiovo, with narrow lanes, a Romanesque and Gothic cathedral and a seafront promenade. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an easy trip from Split.

  2. Šibenik

    Day trip

    The Cathedral of St James in Šibenik
    Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 4.0

    An old town of stepped lanes, home to the Cathedral of St James, a UNESCO-listed Renaissance church built entirely of stone, with a frieze of carved faces around its apse. The nearby fortress of St Nicholas guards the harbour channel.

  3. Krka National Park

    Nature

    The Skradinski Buk waterfall in Krka National Park
    Photo: Skot, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The Krka river tumbles over a staircase of waterfalls in a green gorge, with wooden walkways winding between the cascades. Skradinski Buk is the biggest, and the boat from Skradin makes a scenic approach.

    Tip: Come early in the day, or in spring or autumn, to avoid the crowds.

  4. Hvar

    Day trip

    Hvar Town and its fortress seen from the sea
    Photo: User:Japus, CC BY 2.5

    The sunny island of lavender and vineyards has a Venetian-style harbour town, Hvar Town, dominated by a fortress with fine views and a lively evening scene. Take a taxi boat to the Pakleni islands for quiet coves and clear water.

    Ferries and catamarans run from Split, and the trip takes you through the island chain.

  5. Omiš and the Cetina river

    Activity

    The Cetina river meeting the Adriatic at Omiš
    Photo: Kris Martyn, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A former pirate stronghold at the mouth of the Cetina river, squeezed between mountains and the sea. A gorge of towering cliffs leads inland, and the river is a favourite for rafting and kayaking.

Eat and drink

  1. Pašticada

    Food

    A plate of Dalmatian pašticada beef with gnocchi
    Photo: Ponor, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Dalmatia's celebration dish: beef marinated in wine and vinegar, then slow-cooked in a rich, sweet-sour sauce and served with gnocchi. It takes days to prepare, and it's worth it.

  2. Peka

    Food

    Lamb, veal or octopus with potatoes, slow-cooked under an iron bell covered in hot embers until meltingly tender. It's a family tradition and a restaurant speciality.

    Tip: Order peka a few hours ahead: it takes a long time to cook.

  3. Black risotto

    Food

    Crni rižot is rice cooked with cuttlefish and its ink, jet black and tasting of the sea. It's messy, so expect dark teeth, and it's best eaten by the water with a glass of local white.

Where to stay in Split

Not sure which area suits you? Read our guide: Where to stay in Split →

Getting around

The old town is entirely on foot. Buses and ferries link Split with Trogir, the Makarska Riviera and the islands, and the catamaran port is right beside the old town. A hire car helps for Krka and the coast, but parking in summer takes patience.

When to go

May, June and September are ideal: warm, bright and quieter than the summer peak. July and August are hot and busy, but that's when the sea is warmest and everything is open.

Questions about visiting Split

What is Split best known for?
Diocletian's Palace, the Roman emperor's retirement home that's now the heart of the old town, along with its harbour promenade and its position as the gateway to the Dalmatian islands.
How many days do you need in Split?
Two days covers the old town and Marjan Hill. Add another three or four for Trogir, Krka, Hvar and the beaches of the Makarska Riviera.
Is Split worth visiting?
Yes. The old town is fascinating, the food is excellent and the coast and islands are easy to reach.
What is there to do in Split with kids?
Beaches like Bačvice and Brela, boat trips to nearby islands, the waterfalls at Krka and exploring the maze-like old town.

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