Split – Travel Guide
Believe it or not, Split is a coastal city in Croatia known for its rich history and stunning architecture. The ancient Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, serves as a focal point, blending Roman ruins with modern life. Its bustling waterfront promenade is lined with cafes and shops, attracting both locals and tourists. The nearby beaches offer beautiful views of the Adriatic Sea. Additionally, the city’s lively markets and festivals provide a glimpse into everyday life. Split is a place where history and contemporary living coexist harmoniously.
All about Split
Getting Around Split
By Walking
Split is a great walking city for those wanting to explore. Split rises in elevation approximately 150 feet within the first quarter mile of the coastline, meaning there are some changes in elevation, but not too many steep inclines. For hiking trails up local hills and mountains, consider taking one of two routes up Marjan Hill, west of Split`s city center, or the routes up Mosor, about ten miles northeast of town. For those wanting to stay closer to town, the walk between the ACI Marina Split, Diocletian`s Palace and Riva, and Split ferry terminal, is scenic, fairly flat, and with minimal incline.
By Bus
Bus service in Split and environs is operated by the private company Promet Split d.o.o. (www.promet-split.hr/en). Twenty-two local lines and about as many suburban lines connect Split with the rest of Dalmatia. Out of all the bus lines you will encounter, Suburban Route #37 (to Kastela and Split Airport) will be the one you will have the highest probability of traveling. City Routes #12 and #21 connect the Church of St. Francis with Marjan and Bene Beach. City Routes #2, #9, #10, and #15 connects the Split bus station with Bacvice and areas east of the Split Old Town. Tickets that fall in Zone 1 (within two miles of Split`s Old Town) cost approximately 10 kuna each way.
Information on Suburban Route #37: You will be taken from Split Airport to Split`s Sukoisan bus station, a half-mile north of the Gregory of Nin statue and Strossmayer Park, on Licka ulica. Likewise, you will be taken from this station, and not the one in the center of town, to go to the airport. Tickets are 20 kuna and can be bought on-board from the driver. Buses leave the airport every 20-50 minutes from 4 a.m. to 11:45 p.m., with a more limited schedule on weekends and holidays. For more information, visit www.promet-split.hr/en/bus-line-37.
By Bicycle
With many roads and paths along the water, Split offers a few different options as far as biking paths are concerned. If you want to ride in the city and parallel the waterfront, that is fairly easy to arrange, as are biking paths on Marjan Hill west of the city center. No matter the skill level, there is a cycling excursion that you can do, should you choose to.
Bicycle rental prices start at €15-€25 per day in Split. Rental outlets that come recommended to our research team include split.bike (www.rent-fun-bike-split.com/en, Velebitska ulica 11, +385 97 603 4592); Meridien Ten (www.meridienten.com, Zajceva 7, +385 21 388 9555); and Book It Simply (www.facebook.com/bookitsimply, Plinarska ulica 21, +385 99 259 7624).
By Taxi and Rideshare
Taxis are not usually flagged down from the street. It is more customary for travelers to queue for a taxi at taxi ranks throughout the city. There are taxi ranks at Split train station, in Franjo Tudjman Square on the western end of Riva, on Marmontova ulica one block from the Croatian National Theatre in Split, and in front of the Pazar on Hrvojeva.
There is no one uniform taxicab color; you will note that they are taxis simply by the taxi sign and the official taxi numbers on the cars themselves. If you are traveling outside of Split, you will negotiate the fare with your driver in advance. Otherwise, you will note that fares begin at 20 kuna, with an extra 10 kuna added for every 0.6 miles traveled. Prices rise by at least 25% between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. and on weekends and holidays. Expect to pay somewhere in the range of 100-125 kuna for a taxi from Split Airport to Trogir, and 250-350 kuna for a ride from Split Airport to Split.
Taxi companies recommended by travelers to the region, according to reviews on TripAdvisor, include:
– Radio Taxi Split (www.radio-taxi-split.hr, +385 21 473 737)
– Split Airport Taxi (www.croatia-transfers.com, +385 91 534 1679)
– Taxi Transfers Split (www.taxi-transfers-split.com, +385 91 251 8222)
– Transport Kundid (www.transportkundid.hr, +385 99 305 4444)
– Transfer Marina (www.airport-taxi-split.com, +385 98 479 325)
Ridesharing services such as Uber, and the Croatia-specific UberBOAT, are also available in Split. The UberBOAT option can be scheduled directly from Split Airport or the Split city center.
By car
A car is not particularly recommended if you want to explore the area in and around Split, as nearly all points of interest can be reached either on foot or by public or private transportation. Keep in mind that the Old Town and the areas just to the west are all pedestrian-only zones, so if you did bring a car, you would have to park on the outskirts either in one of six major pay parking lots, or on the street paying for the time and space from a meter. If you do decide to rent a car and book it with TripMasters, you will be picking it up at Split airport when you enter Croatia, and not in Split proper. If you do wait to rent a car until arriving in Split, many companies are represented on Trumbiceva obala, west of the Riva and Republic Square.
Split FAQ
How do I get from the airport to my hotel?
Visitors will be arriving in Croatia via air at Split Airport (IATA code SPU), located in the town of Kastela, 12 miles northwest of Split on the other side of Kastela Bay.. With over 2.8 million travelers served in 2017, it is the second-busiest airport in Croatia. It is a focus city for Croatia Airlines, offering year-round connections to Frankfurt, Munich, Rome and Zagreb. Trade Air and Eurowings also offer year-round connections, in addition to the two dozen airlines which connect Split with the rest of Europe on a seasonal basis.
Driving directions to Split: Drive on Cesta Dr. Franje Tudmana and turn left at the first cross street. Drive about 0.3 miles and then turn right on Ivana Pavla II. Drive 8.7 miles and then take Exit 8, moving onto Ulica Zbora narodne garde. Turn left on Poljicka cesta and continue on to Ulica kralja Zvonimira/Poljana kneza Trpimira. This will lead you to the eastern boundary of the Old Town.
There is a taxi rank outside the arrivals hall. Taxis from Split Airport to Trogir will start at around 100 kuna, while taxis from Split Airport to Split will average between 250-350 kuna, with prices higher at night, on weekends and during public holidays. There is also a Promet Split bus, suburban route #37, which leaves every 20-50 minutes daily between 4 a.m. and 11:45 p.m. from the arrivals hall, dropping passengers off at the Sukoisan bus station, a half-mile north of the Gregory of Nin statue and Strossmayer Park, on Licka ulica. For more information, visit www.promet-split.hr/en/bus-line-37.
How do I get from the bus station to my hotel?
There is a taxi rank outside Split train station, which is right next to the Split intercity bus station. Promet Split bus routes #2, #9, #10, and #15 travel north and east from Split intercity bus station. If you are arriving in town at Sukoisan bus station, north of town, there is no taxi rank, so it is imperative to call a taxi once arriving at Sukoisan station, located on Licka ulica.
How do I get around Split using public transport?
Bus service in Split and environs is operated by the private company Promet Split d.o.o. (www.promet-split.hr/en). Twenty-two local lines and about as many suburban lines connect Split with the rest of Dalmatia. Tickets cost 10 kuna each way in the Split city limits, and they can be bought from Promet vending machines as well as from bus drivers directly when boarding.
Out of all the bus lines you will encounter, Suburban Route #37 (to Kastela and Split Airport) will be the one you will have the highest probability of traveling. City Routes #12 and #21 connect the Church of St. Francis with Marjan and Bene Beach. City Routes #2, #9, #10, and #15 connects the Split bus station with Bacvice and areas east of the Split Old Town. Suburban Route #60 travels east through Znjan to Omis.
Information on Suburban Route #37: You will be taken from Split Airport to Split`s Sukoisan bus station, a half-mile north of the Gregory of Nin statue and Strossmayer Park. Likewise, you will be taken from this station, and not the one in the center of town, to go to the airport. Tickets are 20 kuna and can be bought on-board from the driver. Buses leave the airport every 20-50 minutes from 4 a.m. to 11:45 p.m., with a more limited schedule on weekends and holidays. For more information, visit www.promet-split.hr/en/bus-line-37.
How do I call/hail a taxi?
Taxis are not usually flagged down from the street. It is more customary for travelers to queue for a taxi at taxi ranks throughout the city. There are taxi ranks at Split train station, in Franjo Tudjman Square on the western end of Riva, on Marmontova ulica one block from the Croatian National Theatre in Split, and on Hrvojeva ulica near Riva.
There is no one uniform taxicab color; you will note that they are taxis simply by the taxi sign and the official taxi numbers on the cars themselves. If you are traveling outside of Split, you will negotiate the fare with your driver in advance. Otherwise, you will note that fares begin at 20 kuna, with an extra 10 kuna added for every 0.6 miles traveled. Prices rise by at least 25% between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. and on weekends and holidays. Expect to pay somewhere in the range of 100-125 kuna for a taxi from Split Airport to Trogir, and 250-350 kuna for a ride from Split Airport to Split.
Taxi companies recommended by travelers to the region, according to reviews on TripAdvisor, include:
– Radio Taxi Split (www.radio-taxi-split.hr, +385 21 473 737)
– Split Airport Taxi (www.croatia-transfers.com, +385 91 534 1679)
– Taxi Transfers Split (www.taxi-transfers-split.com, +385 91 251 8222)
– Transport Kundid (www.transportkundid.hr, +385 99 305 4444)
– Transfer Marina (www.airport-taxi-split.com, +385 98 479 325)
Ridesharing services such as Uber, and the Croatia-specific UberBOAT, are also available in Split. The UberBOAT option can be scheduled directly from Split Airport or the Split city center.
Read More
More About Split
Is Split a dangerous area? Are there any places I should avoid?
Croatia is a fairly safe country, and for a city of its size, Split has a low crime rate. Its crime rate is similar to that of Zagreb, the nation`s capital. The neighborhoods and points of interest in Split, as described by TripMasters, can be visited day or night, and there are no areas that you will be called on to avoid. Tourist areas, from Marjan east to Znjan, are typically well-policed, with the Old Town being the safest area for visitors. Especially in these touristy areas, if you approach a policeman needing assistance, chances are he will speak English. If you cannot find a police officer, the phone number for the police is 192. Emergency services can be summoned by dialing 112.
With the summer high season comes a spike in crimes, because the pickpockets and petty thieves know there are more chances to get away with ill-gotten loot, especially from tourists who imbibe a bit too much at local bars and nightclubs. Here are some safety tips to avoid being the victim of a crime: 1) Carry small amounts of cash with you. Do not pull out all the money you will be spending on your trip. 2) Even though you are carrying small amounts, break up the amounts and store them in different areas on your person. 3) Keep your documents in a separate place on your person. Don`t take your passport out sightseeing with you, unless you absolutely need it. 4) Use common sense, like you would in the U.S., when visiting an ATM. `Skimmers` are also an issue in Croatia, so study the ATM before using it, and if you feel like it looks suspect, find another ATM to use. Be mindful of your surroundings while withdrawing money.
Can I pay/tip in U.S. dollars?
Croatia’s currency is the euro (€), like Slovenia and most of the other countries in the European Union. Croatia joined the Eurozone on January 1, 2023. The kuna, the former currency, will be accepted by businesses for only two weeks, until January 15, 2023. After January 15, 2023, you will have to pay using euros at businesses nationwide and not kunas. If you have spare kunas from past trips to Croatia, they can be exchanged at Croatian banks for euros until December 31, 2025.
Credit and debit cards are widely used in Croatia and you will find most businesses accept them. Bank and currency bureau hours are usually 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, with an hour break for lunch typically taken at noon or 1 p.m. ATMs are widely available in Croatia; many of them do not charge fees themselves, but note that your home banking institution may charge a fee for withdrawing money abroad.
I don’t speak Croatian. Will many people speak English?
Croatians are some of the most multilingual people in Europe. It is estimated that 81% of adults can speak English at least conversationally, by far the most popular foreign language. Split is a very popular tourist destination, so you should be able to get by with English in the Old Town and Bacvice at the very least. If you cannot communicate with someone, show them this sentence and they will most likely happily assist you: Da li itko ovdje govori Engelski? (Does anyone here speak English?)
Are there any basic Croatian customs or etiquette tips I should be aware of before arriving?
If you are going into an area that isn`t primarily geared toward tourists, try not to dress too skimpy or revealing. Croatians will consider this inappropriate. Casual dress is fine, but not too casual. If you pass someone on the street, nod, smile, or say a quick hello. Croatians respond very favorably to greetings, even from strangers. Croatians love coffee (kava), so if you make friends here, you will most likely be called to someone`s house or a cafe for a coffee date. Please be on time, though; Croatians value promptness!
If visiting a home, bring a bottle of wine or spirits, or possibly a bouquet of flowers. (Note: A bouquet with an even number of flowers is considered taboo, as even-numbered flower bouquets are reserved for presenting to the dead at the cemetery. Make sure the bouquet has an odd number of flowers.) Even if you are not feeling hungry or thirsty, happily accept any refreshments offered by the host; it is rude not to. Croatians will fill plates and glasses once they are emptied, so if you are full, tell your host `nema vise`. It means `no more`.
With Croatia being a very Catholic country, you will find that many people say grace before beginning a meal. As a foreigner, you aren`t expected to know how to say prayers in Croatian, but a nice bow of the head is respectful, even if you are not personally Catholic or Christian yourself. Finally, keep your hands on the dinner table; it is considered indecent to keep them folded in your lap. (This rule is not as stringent when seated around a coffee table.)
Note: Do not refer to the Croatian language as `Serbo-Croatian`, don`t refer to Croatians as `Yugoslavians`, and don`t call Croatia `Yugoslavia`. Many reminders of the former Yugoslavia are evident all over Croatia, which is not surprising considering Marshal Josip Broz Tito was a Croat. However, the Croatian culture and identity have undergone their latest resurgences in the years since independence in 1991, and reminders about `the time before` could sit quite awkwardly with people to whom you have just become acquainted (especially older people). Unlike in Slovenia, where their war of independence lasted a handful of days, Croatia`s was protracted and lasted four-and-a-half years. If a newly-acquainted person brings the topic of Yugoslavia first, be respectful, listen, and ask questions but not rude or prying questions. Some people miss the life in Yugoslavia, some do not, and many are now not even old enough to remember it. It is a sensitive topic.
Are there any high-end restaurants in Split? Will I need to make reservations to these establishments in advance?
Croatia in general has become more of a foodie destination over the past decade or two, and Split is no exception. There are five Split restaurants listed in Croatia`s Michelin Guide, recognized for their culinary excellence. These restaurants will almost always require reservations, as they are very popular. The restaurants are Zoi (Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda 23, Riva, Old Town, www.zoi.hr, prices from 200 kuna); Konoba Fetivi (Ulica Tomica stine 4, Veli Varos, www.facebook.com/konobafetivi, prices from 150 kuna); Zrno Soli (Uvala Baluni 8, Veli Varos, www.zrnosoli.hr, prices from 165 kuna); Dvor (Put Firula 14, Firule, www.facebook.com/Dvor.Split, prices from 100 kuna); and Kadena (Ivana pl. Zajca 4, Trstenik, www.restorankadena.com, prices from 125 kuna).
Note: Smoking is forbidden in restaurants in Croatia, but in bars and cafes, smoking is permitted as long as the establishment has met ventilation guidelines with regard to cigarette and cigar smoke. In Split, like the rest of Croatia, cafe windows will have a green sign if you can smoke inside; red signs mean that smoking is not allowed.
What is nightlife like in Split?
Split`s nightlife is varied and there are lots of venues open year-round, although there is more of a selection during the summer high season. The evening social scene begins in the Old Town, and ends late into the night further away from the city center. Start at one of the bars and cafes on the western end of the Riva, and then head up to People`s Square (Pjaca), where there are a number of popular bars. The only nightclub in the Old Town is called Central, located near the taxi stand adjacent to Marmontova ulica and the Croatian National Theatre. The party continues on in the Old Town until 11 p.m. or midnight, when it continues on either at the beach nightclubs in Bacvice, or at the popular Vanilla Club, located north of the Old Town and north of the Lovret neighborhood, by Split soccer stadium. For live music, be sure to take in a performance at a wine bar or cafe near Peristyle in Diocletian`s Palace.
Where are the best areas for shopping?
Split is the second-largest city in Croatia and the major city in the Dalmatia region, so it is a very large commercial center. The largest shopping centers in the region are based here, such as the Mall of Split (www.mallofsplit.hr); the Prima 3 shopping center (www.prima3.hr); Joker Split (www.joker.hr); and City Center One (www.citycenterone.hr/split/en). For the most exclusive designer brands, you need look no further than Marmontova ulica in Split`s Old Town. If you`re looking for uniquely Dalmatian souvenirs, stop in at Nered (Dominisova ulica 2, +385 099 194 9248), featuring handmade products by Croatian artisans; or pick up a uniquely Adriatic `nautical bracelet` at Break Time (Trogirska 8, +385 097 681 3977).
How can I explore the nearby Adriatic islands if I choose to spend more time in Split?
Split`s ferry terminal is the largest passenger ferry port in Croatia, with six different companies offering ferries to 22 different destinations, including Brac Island, Solta Island, Hvar Island, Vis Island, Korcula Island, and Makarska, among others. The ferry routes which run the highest number of routes per week, with at least one route running per day even in the low season, include Split to Supetar on Brac Island; Split to Rogac on Solta Island; Split to Hvar; Split to Stari Grad, Hvar Island; and Split to Vis. For more information on ferries which travel between Split and Adriatic destinations, including pricing and timetables, visit www.croatiaferries.com/split-ferry-port.htm. You can buy ferry tickets at the terminal on the eastern side of the Riva.
The Croatia-specific UberBOAT option is also available in Split, allowing you to request a boat to travel to outlying islands, much like you would request an Uber automobile for a ride anywhere else. It can be requested either from Split Airport or the Split city center.
Top Attractions
Riva Promenade
Lively waterfront promenade perfect for strolling, dining, and people-watching.
Diocletian’s Palace
A UNESCO World Heritage site, this ancient Roman palace is the heart of the city.
Bacvice Beach
Such a popular sandy beach ideal for swimming and sunbathing, located close to the city center.
Saint Domnius Cathedral
One of the oldest Catholic cathedrals still in use, featuring a bell tower with panoramic views.
Unique Experiences
Explore Diocletian’s Cellars.
Wander through the ancient cellars of the palace, which showcase fascinating Roman architecture and history. Many of the rooms host exhibitions that reveal more about the city’s past.
Visit Klis Fortress.
Take a short trip to this historic fortress for stunning views of Split and the surrounding countryside. The fortress also has a rich history, serving as a defensive stronghold and a filming location for popular TV shows.
Take a Cooking Class.
Learn to make traditional Croatian dishes and enjoy a meal with local ingredients. You’ll get hands-on experience and tips from expert chefs, enhancing your culinary skills.
Go Island Hopping.
Join a boat tour to nearby islands like Hvar or Brač for a day of swimming and exploring. Each island has its own unique charm and natural beauty, perfect for a relaxing getaway.
Discover Local Markets.
Visit the Green Market (Pazar) to browse fresh produce, local products, and handmade goods. Interacting with vendors provides insight into the daily lives and traditions of the locals.
What to expect while traveling
