- Diocletian's Palace is free to wander and is the heart of the old town
- Split is the main ferry port for Hvar, Brač and Vis
- The airport bus takes about 30-40 minutes to the ferry port
- Krka, Trogir and the islands are easy day trips
- Airports
- Split (SPU)
- Best time to go
- May-June and September-October
- Type
- City
Split is the place where Croatia's history and everyday life collide. Its old town isn't a museum but a working neighbourhood squeezed inside the walls of a Roman emperor's palace, where washing hangs above 1,700-year-old columns and café tables spill across ancient courtyards. Step outside and you have a palm-lined seafront, pine-shaded beaches and ferries ready to whisk you to the islands.
It's livelier and generally better value than Dubrovnik, and it makes a superb base for a week on the Dalmatian coast. For the bigger picture, see our Croatia guide.
Why go
The Roman emperor Diocletian built his vast retirement palace here around AD 300. When the empire faded, locals moved inside its walls, and the city grew up within and around it. Today Diocletian's Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the heart of a city of around 160,000 people, with a buzzing food and bar scene, a football-mad local culture and some of the best ferry connections on the Adriatic.
Where to stay
- Inside the palace walls – atmospheric apartments and boutique hotels in the oldest streets. Can be noisy at night, and there's no car access.
- Varoš – the hillside quarter west of the old town, with stone houses, quieter lanes and a quick walk up to Marjan Hill.
- Bačvice and Firule – near the city's best-known sandy beach, about ten minutes' walk east of the centre. Good for beach lovers and nightlife.
- Meje – an upmarket residential area on the south side of Marjan, with sea views and villas, a little further from the action.
- Near the port and bus station – practical for early ferries and day trips, and just a few minutes from the palace.
If you're island hopping, book your first and last nights near the old town so you can walk to the ferry port with your luggage.
Top things to do
- Diocletian's Palace – walk through the Golden, Silver, Iron and Bronze gates, then sit on the steps of the Peristyle, the palace's grand central courtyard. See our Diocletian's Palace guide.
- Cathedral of St Domnius and bell tower – one of the oldest cathedrals in the world still in use, built in Diocletian's mausoleum. Climb the tower for views over the rooftops.
- The palace cellars – vast vaulted substructures that reveal the original floor plan. The central passage is free; the excavated halls charge a small fee.
- The Riva – the broad seafront promenade, perfect for a morning coffee or an evening stroll.
- Marjan Hill – a forested park on the peninsula west of town, with viewpoints, chapels and quiet coves. Walk up the steps from Varoš.
- Beaches – sandy Bačvice for the classic local experience (and the ball game picigin), or the coves of Kašjuni and Bene on Marjan.
- Green Market and fish market – the morning markets just outside the palace, great for picnic food and local colour.
- Day trips – medieval Trogir (about 30 minutes away), the waterfalls of Krka National Park, Klis Fortress, or ferries and catamarans to Hvar, Brač, Šolta and Vis. Plitvice Lakes is possible but makes a very long day, at around three hours each way.
Getting there and around from the UK
Direct flights from London take about 2h30 to Split (SPU), with many seasonal routes from UK regional airports between spring and October. The airport sits about 25km west of the city, near Trogir. An airport shuttle bus timed to flights runs to the bus station by the ferry port in about 30-40 minutes, at about €9 one way; local bus 37 is cheaper but slower. A taxi takes around half an hour.
The old town is compact and walkable. Local buses serve the beaches and suburbs, and the main bus station, train station and ferry terminal sit side by side on the harbour, a short walk from the palace. Book catamaran tickets for Hvar and Vis in advance in summer.
Best time to visit
May, June and September are ideal, with warm sea, sunny days and fewer crowds. July and August are hot and busy, and the Split Summer Festival brings open-air opera and theatre to the Peristyle. October is still pleasant for sightseeing. In winter Split stays lively as a working city, unlike many island resorts, and hotel prices drop sharply.
Budget tips
- Wandering the palace, the Riva and Marjan Hill costs nothing.
- Split charges a nightly tourist tax of up to about €2.65 per person in summer (2026), lower from October to March, added to your accommodation bill.
- Eat away from the Riva: Varoš and the streets behind the markets have cheaper konobas and bakeries.
- Use public car ferries rather than private boat tours if you're on a budget; Brač is less than an hour away.
- Travel in June or September for noticeably lower room prices than July and August.
Top attractions in Split
Split on the map
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Split?
Two days covers the palace, the Riva, Marjan and a beach. Allow four or five days if you want to add Trogir, Krka and an island day trip.
Is Split good for beaches?
It has decent city beaches, with Bačvice the best known and the coves around Marjan quieter. For the most beautiful beaches, take a ferry to Brač, Hvar or Vis.
Can you visit Hvar as a day trip from Split?
Yes. Fast catamarans reach Hvar town in about an hour, making a comfortable day trip. Book seats in advance in July and August.
Is Split cheaper than Dubrovnik?
Generally, yes. Accommodation, food and drink tend to cost less in Split, and its free sights make it easier on the wallet. Compare the two in our Dubrovnik vs Split guide.
Written by
Emma City breaks & deals editor
Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.
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