Best Tours in Split 2026

1. Blue Cave & 5 Islands Speedboat Tour

The unmissable Split experience. A speedboat visits: Blue Cave on Biševo island (only illuminated in the morning when sunlight enters through the underwater entrance — go before 11am), Hvar Town (2 hours), the Green Cave on Ravnik, Stiniva Cove on Vis (the most beautiful beach in Croatia) and often Vis Town. More than 5 islands and 2 extraordinary sea caves in a single day.

💡 Book the 8am morning departure — the Blue Cave loses its electric blue illumination after about 11am as the sun's angle changes.

2. Plitvice Lakes National Park Day Trip

Croatia's most visited national park (2 hours north of Split) — 16 terraced turquoise lakes connected by 8km of wooden walkways and dozens of waterfalls. The largest waterfall (Veliki Slap, 78m) is Croatia's highest. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. The guided day trip includes transport and the option of both upper and lower lake circuits.

💡 Book well ahead in July–August — Plitvice limits daily visitor numbers. Go in May, June or September for the best experience with manageable crowds.

3. Trogir & Krka Waterfalls Day Trip

Two of Dalmatia's finest in one day. Trogir: a tiny UNESCO-listed medieval city on an island connected by bridges — the Cathedral of St Lawrence with its extraordinary 13th-century Romanesque portal and the compact streets of one of Croatia's finest small towns. Krka National Park: the Skradinski Buk waterfall system with swimming in the natural pools below the cascades.

💡 Krka swimming is not always permitted — check before booking if swimming is important to you (restrictions are applied for environmental protection).

4. Diocletian's Palace Historical Tour

A guided walk through Diocletian's Palace with a certified archaeologist or historian — the underground cellars (the best-preserved Roman substructure in the Adriatic), the Peristyle, the Cathedral (originally Diocletian's mausoleum), the Vestibule and the four city gates. The historical context transforms the palace from an impressive ruin into an extraordinary story.

💡 The palace is free to enter independently but the guided tour adds enormous value — particularly for the underground cellars and the Imperial Apartments interpretation.

5. Hvar Island Day Trip

Take the public catamaran to Hvar Town (1 hour, €15 return) or join an organised tour that includes a local guide. Hvar Town — the main square (one of the largest in Dalmatia), the fortress above, the oldest community theatre in Croatia (1612, Hektorović Theatre) and the lavender fields of the interior. A guided tour adds the context of Hvar's extraordinary Venetian, Ottoman and Croatian history.

💡 The catamaran is the best independent option (no tour needed, buy return ticket immediately on arrival). Join a guided tour if you want local expertise on Hvar's history.

• ✔ Blue Cave tours: book the morning 8am departure — the cave is at its best (electric blue) before 11am
• ✔ Plitvice Lakes: visitor numbers are capped — always book ahead in summer
• ✔ Free walking tours from the Riva (tip-based) are excellent for orientation on arrival
• ✔ The 5 Islands speedboat tour is better value than individual island trips — covers more for the same price
• ✔ Diocletian's Palace is free to enter 24/7 — the guided tour fee covers the guide only