If Split is one of your cruise ports on your future cruise, here’s a blog post on everything you need to know and do in your one day in Split, Croatia!
Split is a very popular port for many Mediterranean cruises, so it will probably find its way on your itinerary as well. Big cruising companies such as MSC, Costa, Norwegian, and Celebrity Cruises often include Croatia in their cruise itineraries, and along with Dubrovnik and Zadar, Split is the most visited city by cruises.
If you’re interested in finding out how to spend your one day in Split, just keep reading!
WHERE IS SPLIT?
You’ll find Split in the heart of Croatia’s Dalmatian coast. It’s the second biggest city in Croatia, and the biggest one on the coast.
>>> SPLIT: PERFECT 2-DAY ITINERARY
BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT SPLIT & CROATIA
BEST TIME TO VISIT SPLIT
The best time to experience Split is in spring or autumn. During summer, while the weather is the best for summer activities and water sports, the city is overrun by tourists. If you want to enjoy the charming Old Town of Split, summer is definitely not the time you’ll be able to do that.
In general, the shoulder seasons from April to June and then September to October are the best time to visit. While I know most Mediterranean cruises are active during summer, there are some great options in spring and autumn, so maybe check out those.
LANGUAGE
In Croatia, the native language is Croatian. However, if you do not speak it don’t worry about it. Most Croatians speak really good English, so you won’t have any language problems. Croatians who live by the sea also usually speak great Italian and German, so if you know those languages you’re all set.
Although you don’t need to speak Croatian, I would still recommend learning a few basic words such as “Bok”/”Dobar Dan” (Hi/Good Afternoon), “Dobro jutro” (Good morning), “Dobra večer” (Good evening), and “hvala” (Thanks).
CURRENCY
As of 2023, the currency in Croatia is Euro, and Kuna is no longer used. Make sure you always have some cash on you, but overall it’s not necessary to have huge amounts of cash on you as you can pay for most things by card. You’ll need cash for smaller purchases and tips in bars and restaurants.
IS SPLIT SAFE?
Croatia in general is a very safe country, so Split is overall a safe city. You won’t have any problems walking alone, even if it gets dark. However, as Split is a huge tourist city, there’s always the possibility of a crime of opportunity happening, so just be mindful of your belongings and don’t leave them anywhere unattended. As long as you keep your wits about you, you are perfectly safe.
DO YOU NEED A CAR IN SPLIT?
You do not need a car, especially if you’re spending one day in Split. Everything is pretty close from your cruise terminal, and if you have the need for a car, you can always grab an Uber or Bolt. It’s going to be much cheaper than renting a car.
HOW TO GET TO THE OLD TOWN
Getting to the Old Town from the cruise port is going to be an easy job. It will take you around 15 minutes of walking to reach the Old Town from your cruise. The walk is easy and beautiful, so there’s no need to book any kind of transportation to the Old Town.
WHAT TO DO IN SPLIT IN ONE DAY
Here’s how I would recommend spending your one day in Split!
Morning is for the Old Town
Use your morning to explore the most important part of Split – the Old Town
Walk the Riva Promenade
Walking from the port you will reach the Riva Promenade which is the center of social activity in Split. Enjoy a leisurely walk along the waterfront and check out the several cafes along the way. Maybe stop for a coffee if you feel like it, and indulge in some people watching!
Visit the Diocletian’s Palace
After strolling down the Riva, find your way to Split’s most important landmark – the Diocletian’s Palace. This Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage site and it’s special for its central courtyard and the bell tower of the Cathedral of Saint Domnius.
You can see those two attractions for free, but if you want additional access, for a small payment you can climb the tower and visit the cellars of the Diocletian’s Palace.
Explore the narrow streets of the Old Town
While the Diocletian’s Palace is special, I would say the core of the Old Town with its charming narrow streets, small restaurants, gelaterias, and churches is even more special. Take at least half an hour to wander through the Old Town and enjoy the views of it! Make sure you visit the Republic Square, one of the most architecturally interesting squares in Split, resembling the St. Mark’s Square in Venice.
Climb the Marjan Hill
If you feel adventurous, you should climb the Marjan Hill. This hill is a huge green oasis perfect for anyone who’s searching for a nature retreat. Many locals use Marjan Hill for relaxing, hiking, running, and other sport activities. Depending on your ability and will, you can choose between an easier and harder option.
The easier and shorter version would be to climb the Marjan Hill stairs to the first Viewpoint at Marjan. There you can see some of the most stunning views of the Old Town of Split, and you can sit down for a drink at the bar. It will take you around 45-60 minutes to reach the viewpoint and come back down to the city.
The harder and longer version is to hike up all the way to the highest viewpoint on Marjan Hill – the Telegrin viewpoint. There you’ll get incredible panoramic views of Split and the Adriatic Sea. You can also visit St. Nicholas Church and St. Jerome Churchwhile you’re there. This route could take around 2 hours of walking, so make sure you have comfortable shoes and lots of water if you opt for this one!
Grab some lunch and take a break!
After Marjan Hill, go for lunch somewhere in the Old Town.A few of the restaurants I can recommend are Bakra Restaurant, Konoba Matoni, Konoba Fetivi, and Bokeria Kitchen & Wine Bar.
The konobas offertraditional Dalmatian cuisine, such as fresh seafood, grilled meats, and local wine. The other two offer more international foods such as steaks, pizzas and so on. Choose according to your preferences!
Afternoon is for relaxing or adventure!
I will give you two different options for your afternoon… depending on what you’d rather do. Choose how you want to end your one day in Split!
If you want to relax, have some beach time at Bačvice Beach
Bačvice Beach is the most popular beach in Split, and it’s only a 15-minute walk from your cruise! This is a big sandy beach, perfect for children, but keep in mind that it can get REALLY crowded during the summer season.
You can visit Tortuga Grill and Pub for some food and drinks if you’re hungry, or just grab a drink at the beach. You can relax at the beach until it’s time to go back onboard. It’s a perfect end to your one day in Split if you ask me!
If you’re up for some additional adventure, visit Trogir!
If you don’t want to relax at the beach, or you’re visiting outside the summer season, use your afternoon for a quick trip to Trogir! It’s a quick drive from Split to Trogir, around 30 minutes, and you’ll have an additional UNESCO World Heritage town to explore.
Trogir is a small but stunning town, to me even prettier than Split. You can grab an Uber from Split for around 25-30 euros and be there fairly quickly. You’ll need around 1.5 hours for Trogir, so you’ll have plenty of time to come back on time and finish your one day in Split!
