HOW TO SPEND THE BEST 2 DAYS IN SPLIT, CROATIA

Split is the second biggest city in Croatia, immediately after Zagreb. While I wouldn’t choose Split as my main reason for coming to Croatia, it would be a shame to miss it if you’re here already.

As the biggest coastal city in Croatia, Split surely has a lot to offer. The city and the people of Split are quite relaxed, and coffee and food play an extremely significant role in Dalmatian culture. Moreover, you also have a lot to see, from history to natural beauty.

This blog post is going to include everything you should do if you have two days in Split, so if this interests you, keep reading!

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HOW TO GET TO SPLIT?

If you fly directly to Split Airport, you have two options: a car, or a bus. If you want to rent a car you can do it directly at the airport and just take a 30-45 minute drive to the city center. You can also call an Uber or a taxi but that’s going to be at least 30 euros.

However, if you want to use the cheaper option, you can use the bus. Split’s public transportation has a direct bus going from Trogir to Airport and continuing to Split. The ticket is only 2.5 euros for 2 rides, but be mindful that it does not drive all the way to the old town of Split, so check where you’re staying.

WHERE TO STAY IN SPLIT?

Split has everything from hostels to luxurious villas, so you won’t have any problems with accommodation, no matter the budget. Here are a few of my recommendations where to stay in Split:

hostels: Hurricane Hostel, Hostel Dvor

hotels: Central Square Heritage Hotel, Hotel Posh

apartments: Apartments & Room Kartolina

Find more excellent accommodation options on Booking.com –

DAY ONE IN SPLIT: OLD TOWN, DIOCLETIAN’S PALACE, AND SPLIT’S RIVA

OLD TOWN OF SPLIT

The old town is fairly small and it’s a perfect place for a walk full of history and unique medieval buildings. The historical importance of Split is visible through its ties to the Greeks, Romans, Venetians, and Byzantines.

The cobbled streets make Split’s old town incredibly inviting and unique. Be mindful that Split is a popular tourist hotspot, therefore it’s quite crowded during the high season. If you want to avoid the crowds, choose to walk in the mornings, but I do have to mention that the old city core has a special charm during sunset.

DIOCLETIAN’S PALACE

While walking through the old town of Split, find your way to the Diocletian’s palace. The palace is an ancient building made for the Roman emperor Diocletian and it’s one of the best-preserved Roman ruins in Europe.

The palace was the emperor’s residence but it also housed the military at that time. The Entrance to the Diocletian’s palace is free of charge as it’s the core part of the city center, but if you want to visit the palace’s basements, the ticket is around 7 euros.

SPLIT’S RIVA

You should spend your evening on a lovely stroll during sunset on Split’s promenade – the Riva. The Riva is Split’s most important public space which brings the whole city together. The incredibly lovely promenade is the soul of the city, housing the city’s most popular bars and restaurants.

DAY TWO IN SPLIT : THE BEACH AND MARJAN

MARJAN HILL

Use the morning to hike up the Marjan hill, Split’s most amazing viewpoint of the city. People of Split often head to Marjan when they want to spend time in nature. The hill has many hiking and running trails, tennis courts, and even the ZOO. At the foot of the hill, you can also find incredible beaches where you can take a dip in the Adriatic sea. The most popular beaches are beach Bene and beach Kašjuni.

SPLIT’S BEACHES

After active vacationing by walking up the Marjan hill, find your way to Split’s famous beaches. The most popular one is beach Bačvice, the main city beach, and it’s almost always crowded with people. The beach is also famous for the game Picigin, a game with a ball which the people of Split play on the sand beaches.

Another beach is Trstenik. Trstenik is managed by the  Radisson Blu Resort, which makes it the best-maintained beach. It’s not as crowded as Bačvice and it’s completely free. The Resort has its private part of the beach but most of it is public!

The last recommended beach is Kaštelet. This beach, located only 20 minutes away from the city center, is the best option for young people! The beach is the youth hotspot and it’s not as crowded as Bačvice.

IF YOU HAVE MORE TIME IN SPLIT…

If you manage to squeeze in one more day on your trip to Split, make sure you take one of many incredible day trips Split offers.

TROGIR

Trogir, a small city built by the Greeks, is only 25 kilometers from Split. The old town of Trogir is incredibly charming and definitely worth a visit. The two cities are so well connected that Split has a direct public bus no. 37 on a route SPLIT-AIRPORT-TROGIR, which allows you to visit Trogir for only 2.5 euros!

Read more >>> BEST DAY TRIP FROM SPLIT TO TROGIR

PLITVICE LAKES

Plitvice Lakes is Croatia’s oldest, largest, and most beautiful national park. It’s situated in central Croatia, and it will take you a few hours to get there (2.5 hours) but trust me, it’s worth it! If you’re planning on visiting Plitvice, check out my ULTIMATE PLITVICE LAKES GUIDE FROM A LOCAL.

DUBROVNIK

I’m sure you’ve all heard of Dubrovnik, and if you’re visiting Split, it’s probably already on your itinerary. Dubrovnik is probably Croatia’s most beautiful town and definitely the most popular one. It’s in southern Croatia, a few hours away from Split. If you’re interested in visiting Dubrovnik read my ULTIMATE DUBROVNIK TRAVEL GUIDE for any help you might need.

ISLAND HOP!

Split is geographically really close to many incredibly beautiful islands, so island hopping to one or more of them could be a great day trip from Split. Brač, Hvar, Vis, and Korčula are all fairly close and all offer incredible experiences for you. You can reach them by ferries or private boat tours.

Read more >>> ISLAND HOPPING FROM SPLIT

Hvar is extremely beautiful, but equally as popular so it’s going to be gorgeous but crowded. Brač is home to Bol, a place with the most unique beach in Croatia. The beach, Zlatni Rat, changes shape according to wind, which makes it a very sought-after location. Vis and Kočula are a bit calmer and more peaceful, so choose whatever you want your experience to be like!