Best Things To Do in Split 2026

A 1,700-year-old Roman emperor's retirement palace where 3,000 people still live and work — not a ruin or a museum, but a functioning city inside ancient walls. The Peristyle courtyard, the Cathedral (originally Diocletian's mausoleum, the Cathedral tower is climbable), the Vestibule dome and the underground cellars are the highlights.

💡 The palace is free to enter — walk in through any of the four gates. The underground cellars (€10) are the best-preserved Roman substructure in the Adriatic. Visit early morning (7–8am) for the best light and no crowds.

The unmissable Split day trip — speedboat visiting the Blue Cave (one of the Mediterranean's natural wonders, electric blue from an underwater sun shaft), Hvar Town, the Green Cave, Stiniva Cove (Croatia's most beautiful beach) and Vis Town. Eight hours of extraordinary Adriatic experiences.

💡 Book before you arrive — sells out daily in summer. Take the 8am departure for the Blue Cave at its best (illuminated only in the morning). This is the single best day available from anywhere on the Adriatic.

The forested hill immediately west of the old town — a 30-minute walk from Diocletian's Palace to the summit, with panoramic views over the Adriatic, the islands and the old town below. Several small ancient churches on the hill. Excellent sunrise and sunset viewing point. Completely free.

💡 The best free view in Split. Walk up through the Varoš neighbourhood for the most atmospheric approach. The summit also has a small café with extraordinary views.

One of the most beautiful towns in the Adriatic — the main square (one of the largest in Dalmatia), the Hektorović Theatre (1612, the oldest community theatre in Croatia), the Spanish Fortress above the town and the extraordinary lavender fields of the interior. The Pakleni Islands offshore have excellent swimming.

💡 Take the Krilo catamaran (1 hour to Hvar Town, €15 return). Buy the return ticket immediately on arrival in Hvar — popular evening sailings sell out.

Split's famous beach — a unique shallow pebble cove 10 minutes' walk from the old town, birthplace of picigin (a traditional Dalmatian ball-catching sport played in very shallow water, an extraordinary sight). Free to use, excellent for swimming, extremely popular with locals.

💡 Go in the early morning or evening when the beach is quieter and the water is warmest. Bring water shoes — the pebble entry can be uncomfortable barefoot.

A UNESCO-listed medieval city on a tiny island connected by bridges — 30km west of Split (40 minutes by bus, €3). The Cathedral of St Lawrence with its extraordinary 13th-century Romanesque portal (one of the finest examples of Romanesque sculpture in the Adriatic), the Kamerlengo Fortress and the extraordinary density of medieval buildings in a very compact space.

💡 Take the local bus from Split bus station (€3, 40 minutes). Parking in Trogir is very limited. The old town is walkable in 2 hours — combine with a lunch at a local konoba.