Croatia
Overview
Split is a city that grew inside a Roman palace, and people still live, work and drink coffee between its 1,700-year-old walls. In the same afternoon you can stand in a Roman courtyard, swim at a city beach and catch a ferry to an island. It is busy and lively in summer, but it never feels like a museum.
The Roman emperor Diocletian built a huge fortified palace here between about 295 and 305 AD to retire to after he gave up power in 305. He was born in the region, near the Roman city of Salona. When Salona was destroyed in the 7th century, its people took refuge inside the empty palace walls, and the medieval town of Split was born there. Like the rest of Dalmatia, Split was ruled by Venice from 1420 to 1797, then by Austria. The palace and the historic centre became a UNESCO site in 1979.
How long to stay: 2 to 3 days for the city, plus 1 or 2 days for Hvar, Brač, Trogir or Krka.
Last updated: October 2026
Quick Facts
Location
Central Dalmatia, on a peninsula on the Adriatic coast. It is Croatia's second-largest city and the main ferry port for the islands of Brač, Hvar, Vis and Šolta.
Budget
Per person, per day.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed | €30–45 ($34–51) | €100–180 ($113–203) | €250+ ($283+) |
| Food | €20–30 ($23–34) | €45–60 ($51–68) | €90+ ($102+) |
| Getting around | €2–5 | €10–20 | €50+ |
Daily total €55–80 ($62–90) €155–260 ($175–294) €390+ ($441+) Keep in mind that walking around the palace is free; you only pay for the cathedral, bell tower, cellars and temple.
Things to Do
The palace covers about 30,000 m² and has four gates: Golden, Silver, Iron and Bronze. At its heart is the Peristyle, the colonnaded courtyard where the emperor appeared to his subjects. Today it has a café where you sit on cushions on the Roman steps, and in summer actors dressed as Roman soldiers re-enact the changing of the guard at noon.
Price: free · Hours: open 24 hours · Time needed: half a day · Tip: go early in the morning before the cruise groups.
The cathedral was built inside Diocletian's own mausoleum, which makes it one of the oldest buildings in the world still used as a cathedral. Ironically, it is dedicated to St Domnius, a bishop Diocletian had executed during his persecution of Christians. The 57 m Romanesque bell tower has a narrow climb with a great view.
Price: cathedral about €7, bell tower about €7, combined about €10–12 · Time needed: 1 hour · Tip: cover shoulders and knees.
A small Roman temple with its original coffered stone ceiling, later turned into a baptistery. A black granite sphinx brought from Egypt sits at the entrance.
Price: about €3 · Time needed: 15 minutes.
The vaults under the palace mirror the rooms that once stood above, so they show how the palace was laid out. Game of Thrones used them as the place where Daenerys kept her dragons.
Price: about €6 for the paid section; the central hall with the market stalls is free · Time needed: 30 minutes.
A giant bronze statue by Ivan Meštrović (1929) of a 10th-century bishop who fought to use the Croatian language in church services. Rubbing his big toe is said to bring good luck, which is why it shines.
Price: free.
The palm-lined waterfront promenade in front of the palace, the place to have coffee and watch the boats.
Price: free.
A forested hill park at the end of the peninsula. Walk up the steps from the Varoš neighbourhood to the Telegrin viewpoint (178 m), then down to small beaches and old hermit churches built into the rock.
Price: free · Time needed: 2 to 3 hours · Tip: go for sunset and bring water.
The sandy city beach, 10 minutes from the palace. Watch locals play picigin, a game of keeping a small ball in the air while jumping into shallow water.
Price: free.
A fortress on a mountain pass 12 km from Split that defended the region against the Ottomans for centuries. It was Meereen in Game of Thrones.
Price: a few euros · Getting there: local bus 22 or 35, about 30 minutes.
A tiny medieval island town, UNESCO since 1997, with a beautiful cathedral portal by Master Radovan (1240).
Getting there: bus 37 or a boat from the Riva, about 30 to 60 minutes.
Hvar has a lively old town and a Spanish fortress; Brač has Zlatni Rat, the famous beach that changes shape with the wind and current.
Getting there: catamaran to Hvar about 1 hour; ferry to Supetar on Brač about 50 minutes · Tip: book catamarans a few days ahead in summer.
Transit Tips
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Airport: the airport shuttle bus to the centre takes about 30 minutes and costs about €8; Uber or Bolt is about €30–40.
By bus: Zagreb about 4.5 to 5 hours, Zadar 2.5 to 3 hours, Dubrovnik about 4 to 4.5 hours.
By ferry: Jadrolinija, TP Line and Krilo to the islands; overnight ferries to Ancona in Italy.
Walking: the old town is pedestrian.
Uber and Bolt work and are usually cheaper than taxis.
Local buses (Promet Split): tickets from the driver or kiosks.
The bus station, train station and ferry port are all next to each other, 5 minutes' walk from the palace. That makes Split the easiest place in Dalmatia to arrive and leave.
Helpful Words
A few basics in Croatian can make everyday conversations much easier.
Where to Stay
Plan & Book
Explore accommodation options and open hotel details directly from the map.
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