16 AMAZING THINGS TO DO IN SPLIT, CROATIA: HOW I’D EXPLORE SPLIT IN 2026

If you’re searching for the best things to do in Split, in this blog post I’ll tell you exactly what things I’d do while exploring Split!

Split is one of the most popular destinations in Croatia, and many tourists come every year hoping to have the best summer holiday. If you need help with your itinerary, I have a whole post on the perfect 2 days in Split. However, if you’re staying longer than 2 days and need additional fun things to add into your plan, keep reading.

As a local in Croatia, I’ve spent quite some time in Split, and these are the best things to do there. All of these things to do I’d highly recommend!

HERE ARE THE 16 BEST THINGS TO DO IN SPLIT

STROLL DOWN THE RIVA PROMENADE

The Riva Promenade is one of the most visited and most loved parts of Split, and you need to experience it. This stunning promenade along the coast is full of palm trees, boats, restaurants, and cafes, and it’s the liveliest part of Split. I love grabbing a drink or a coffee there, since the Riva is the most scenic place where you can do that. Even if you just want to take a walk along the sea, the Riva is the perfect option.

CLIMB MARJAN HILL

If you like an active vacation, Marjan Hill is a place you must visit. This gorgeous, lush hill is one of the nicest and most peaceful parts of Split, and it’s totally worth climbing when you want to escape the crowds of the old town and the Riva.

You can choose between the easier or harder climb. The easier is to just climb the stairs to the first viewpoint from which you can get incredible views of Split. It’ won’t take you more than an hour to reach the viewpoint from the old Town. To be honest, even this first viewpoint is a bit of a struggle for me, but it’s worth it.

If you want a bigger challenge, climb to the higher viewpoint – Telegrin. You will get gorgeous views of the whole city and the Adriatic Sea, but it will take you 2-3 hours to get up there. If you decide to climb the Marjan Hill, make sure you dress comfortably and bring water!

EXPLORE DIOCLETIAN’S PALACE

Diocletian’s Palace is the most iconic landmark in Split and it’s a must-visit. This UNESCO protected landmark was built in the 4th century AD by the Roman Emperor Diocletian, and today it’s a well-preserved attraction visited by millions yearly. The most special part of Diocletian’s Palace is the central courtyard which today serves as a gathering place for both tourists and locals.

 You can see the Diocletian’s Palace for free, but if you’d like to tour the cellars of the Palace, you’ll have to pay a small fee. I’d highly recommend getting a tour of the whole old town with a guide. They’re affordable and you get a lot out of them!

CLIMB THE BELL TOWER

The bell tower of the Church of Saint Domnius is an unmissable landmark you’ve seen on many pictures of Split. It’s a part of the Diocletian’s Palace, and if you don’t have a fear of heights, I’d definitely recommend climbing it. The bell tower is 57 meters high (around 187 feet) and it offers breathtaking panoramic views of Split, the Adriatic Sea, and nearby islands. The entrance fee is around 10 euros and you can buy it on the spot.

RELAX AT LOCAL BEACHES

Split has a few beaches you can enjoy if you want to spend a day or an afternoon swimming and sunbathing. The most popular beach in Split is Bacvice beach. It’s a long, sandy beach with shallow waters perfect for families. This one does get quite crowded, so if you prefer more private beaches don’t go to Bacvice. Personally, I’m not a big fan of this one, but if you’re looking for something close to the old town, it will do its job!

I would recommend checking out three beaches close to Marjan Hill – Ježinac beach, Kaštelet beach, and Kašjuni beach. These are not sandy but pebbly beaches, but they are stunning and totally worth the visit, you’ll have a great time there. Most of them have several amenities, such as sun beds, umbrellas, cafes or restaurants and so on.

VISIT KLIS FORTRESS

Klis Fortress is a spectacular medieval fort located just outside Split, so it’s an easy half-day trip. It’s perched atop a hill, and you’ll get stunning views of Split, the Adriatic Sea, and the surrounding countryside. While this fort is really historically important for Split, it has recently become a popular tourist attraction after being featured in Game of Thrones as the city of Meereen.

You can reach Klis Fortress easily by car, in around 30 minutes. If you don’t have a car, you can book a tour which will take you to the fort. The entrance ticket is 12 euros for adults and 4 euros for children.

TAKE A DAY TRIP TO HVAR

Along with Split and Dubrovnik, Hvar Island is Croatia’s most popular destination. Amazingly, Hvar is only an hour away from Split by ferry, so it’s a perfect day trip location. You can get there by Jadrolinija ferry – the ticket per person is 25 euros.

The most visited locations on the island are Hvar Town and Stari Grad. These two villages are home to old, charming streets and squares, amazing historical sites, and great bars and restaurants. Make sure you also explore the stunning beaches and famous lavender fields while you’re there. Here’s my Split to Hvar day trip guide!

VISIT THE BLUE CAVE

Visiting the Blue Cave is one of the most magical experiences in Croatia, and it’s a must if you’re visiting Split. The Blue Cave is located on Biševo Island, near the island of Vis. This natural wonder is famous for its glowing blue light, created by sunlight reflecting off the seabed through an underwater opening.

You need to book a tour for this experience. You can do it online or in person in Split. You’re only allowed to spend 30 minutes in the cave, so these tours often include other interesting islands and locations which will only enhance your day trip. If you prefer booking online, check out the tours below.

TAKE A GAME OF THRONES TOUR

If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, consider booking a Game of Thrones tour with a certified tour guide. These guides take you around the city and show you all the locations where GoT was filmed, and give you commentary on the filming process. These tours below are the most popular and most booked in Split!

VISIT TROGIR

Trogir is one of the most charming small cities near Split, and it’s totally worth spending a day there. I would say I even prefer Trogir to Split, because it’s quieter, more charming, and less crowded than Split.

You can reach Trogir easily from Split by car, bus, or taxi. If you’re driving or taking a taxi, Trogir is only 20 minutes away. If you’re using public transport, buses go quite frequently. Grab one from the main bus station and you’ll be in Trogir in 30 minutes. The ticket is 4,50 euros.

Trogir has got a lot to offer once you’re there. Some of the best things you can do is explore the old town, stroll down the waterfront promenade, visit the Karmelengo Fortress, and go to the beach. Check out this blog post about visiting Trogir from Split for more information.

RENT A BOAT

If you’d like to explore the Croatian coast by yourself, you can rent a boat with a skipper in Split. The most popular activity in Split is actually island hopping. From Split you can easily visit Hvar, Brac, Vis, Biševo, Pakleni Islands, and so on. While you can visit all of them by ferry, if your budget is comfortable enough, visiting by your own boat will be way more fun. The skippers in Croatia are very experienced and they can take you to the selected destinations, as well as bring you to the best secluded bays and beaches which you couldn’t visit otherwise.

GO KAYAKING

If you like water sports, you might be interested in sea kayaking. This water activity is quite popular in Split. You can book it at many different points in the city, or online. These tours usually start in the old town and go along the coast towards the Marjan park-forest. Most of them last around 3-4 hours and have breaks for swimming and relaxing. If you’d like to experience this activity, check out the tours below!

VISIT OMIS

Another charming town not far from Split is Omis. This small town is around 25 km from Split, and you can reach it in 40 minutes by car. Omiš has some of the most stunning natural scenery near Split, so if you’re a nature lover Omiš should definitely be in your itinerary.

Some things you definitely need to do are explore the old town, visit Mirabella fortress in the old town and Starigrad Fortress on top of a hill, go zip-lining over the Cetina River, and go to the beach. Omiš has a huge and gorgeous beach called Velika Plaža, and you won’t want to miss it. Read this blog post on 5 best things to do in Omis before visiting.

GO RAFTING ON CETINA RIVER

Adventurous people will love the incredible activity of going rafting on the Cetina River. The river passes by Omiš, so if you decide to visit the small town, include rafting in your itinerary. Cetina is the perfect river for rafting, and here are some of the tours you can book for the best rafting experience!

EAT SOME TRADITIONAL FOOD

Croatia offers incredible traditional food, and if you like Mediterranean cuisine you’ll have the best time in Dalmatia. Split has many great restaurants will different kinds of cuisines, but if you’re visiting Croatia for the first time, make sure you indulge in some traditional dishes. The most popular would be any kind of fish – grilled, boiled, or as a stew. Furthermore, you need to try Pašticada, Dalmatian prosciutto, grilled lamb, or octopus “pod pekom”.

Some of the great restaurants which offer these dishes are: Bokeria Kitchen and Wine Bar, Zrno soli, and Šug. Make sure you make reservations before visiting if you’re dining during the summer season. The restaurants get quite crowded.

VISIT KRKA NATIONAL PARK

Krka is the most popular national park in Croatia after Plitvice Lakes. It’s only an hour from Split, near the town of Šibenik. It’s one of the best day trips you can take if you love nature.

Krka NP is famous for its powerful waterfalls on the Krka River and incredible green surroundings. There are 2 popular entrances to the NP, Skradin and Lozovac. We personally always use the Lozovac one because we come by car, but if you want to experience a boat tour try the Skradin entrance.

You’ll need around 3-4 hours to explore the main part of the NP, around the Skradinski Buk waterfall. If you plan to venture farther out, you’ll need more time. The entrance to the park is 40 euros, and here’s a complete guide to everything you need to know about Krka NP.

MY PERSONAL TAKE ON THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN SPLIT

I’ve visited Split plenty of times, and all of these activities are absolutely worth doing, especially if you’re visiting for the first time. That said, I’d strongly encourage you to prioritise the islands if you’re not planning to spend more time on them later on because the islands around Split are truly the area’s biggest gems.

CONCLUSION: BEST THINGS TO DO IN SPLIT

Split really offers plenty of things to do, both in the city and in the surrounding area. To experience most of the activities on this list, you’d need at least 5–7 days. Depending on how much time you have, choose the activities that interest you most, but make sure you explore the old town properly and visit AT LEAST one nearby island.