17 Best Things to Do in Split, Croatia (2026 Guide)

Why Split Is Croatia's Most Exciting City

Split isn't just a stopover on the way to the islands. It's a living, breathing 1,700-year-old city where Roman walls are the backdrop for cocktail bars, where the locals swim at Bačvice beach every morning, and where you can spend a week and still feel like you've missed half of it.

I've lived here my whole life, and every summer I watch tourists rush through Diocletian's Palace in two hours and then wonder what to do next. This guide is everything I'd tell a friend arriving for the first time.

1. Walk Through Diocletian's Palace — But Do It Right

Yes, everyone says go to Diocletian's Palace. But most tourists walk in through the Golden Gate, take a photo of the Peristyle, and leave. The real experience is getting lost in the maze of narrow streets inside the palace walls — the labyrinth of Vestibule, the underground cellars, the cathedral tower with views over the entire city.

Go early morning (before 9am) or late evening (after 7pm) when the tour groups are gone. The palace at golden hour, with the light hitting the limestone walls, is one of the most beautiful things you'll see in Croatia.

Tip: The underground cellars (Podrumi) cost around €10 to enter and are completely worth it — they're the best-preserved Roman cellars in the world.

2. Take a Boat Tour to the Blue Cave and Hvar

Every day from Split's waterfront, boats leave for the Blue Cave on Biševo island, with stops at Hvar and the Green Cave. This is the most popular day trip from Split and for good reason — the Blue Cave, where the water glows electric blue, is genuinely one of the most spectacular natural phenomena in the Mediterranean.

Book in advance in July and August — tours sell out days ahead. The trip takes about 8 hours and typically costs €70-90 per person.

Local tip: Go on a weekday. Weekend boats are packed. A Tuesday or Wednesday Blue Cave tour is a completely different experience.

3. Rent a Car and Drive the Dalmatian Coast

One of the most underrated things you can do from Split is rent a car for a day and drive south toward Makarska. The road hugs the coastline, passes through the Cetina river canyon, and opens up to views that don't exist anywhere else in Europe.

Stop at Omiš — a small town where the Cetina river meets the sea, surrounded by dramatic cliffs. Have lunch there, walk across the old rope bridge, and consider doing a rafting trip on the Cetina if you're feeling adventurous.

Car rental in Split starts from around €35-50/day. With an Adriatic Pass, you get exclusive discounts with local rental companies.

4. Swim at Bačvice Beach

Bačvice is Split's most famous beach — a sandy, shallow bay five minutes' walk from the old town. It's the only sandy beach in Split, which makes it unique on a coastline that's mostly rocks and pebbles.

The locals play picigin here — a traditional ball game played in ankle-deep water that's been played on this beach for over a century. If you're here in the morning, you'll see locals of all ages playing it. It's free to watch and the atmosphere is unlike anything else in Croatia.

5. Watch Sunset from Marjan Hill

Marjan is a forested peninsula on the western edge of Split with walking paths, small chapels, and viewpoints that look out over the islands. The sunset view from the top — with Brač and Hvar visible in the distance and the old town below — is the best in Split.

It takes about 20 minutes to walk up from the city centre. Go an hour before sunset, bring a drink, and stay until the light disappears. Free, no crowds (compared to the waterfront), and completely unforgettable.

6. Try a VR Tour of Diocletian's Palace

Time Walk offers a virtual reality walking tour of the palace that reconstructs how it looked in Roman times — complete with soldiers, merchants, and Emperor Diocletian himself. It's genuinely impressive technology and gives you a completely different perspective on the ruins you're walking through.

Available at several points in the old town. Takes about 45 minutes. Great for history lovers and surprisingly engaging even if you're not usually into that kind of thing.

7. Go Rafting on the Cetina River

The Cetina canyon, about 30 minutes from Split, is one of the most dramatic landscapes in Dalmatia. The river runs through steep limestone cliffs before emptying into the sea at Omiš, and the rafting route takes you through the most beautiful section.

The trip takes 2-3 hours, is suitable for beginners, and includes a stop at a waterfall. Most tours pick you up from Split and include equipment. Cost is typically €35-45 per person — with Adriatic Pass, you save up to €7.

8. Eat at a Konoba in the Old Town

A konoba is a traditional Dalmatian tavern — family-run, simple decor, extraordinary food. The menus revolve around grilled fish, octopus salad, lamb cooked under peka (a traditional iron bell), and local wines.

The best konobas are the ones without English menus posted outside and without photos of the food. If you see a place where locals are eating, sit down. Konoba Bovan, tucked away from the main tourist drag, is one of the best — traditional recipes, local ingredients, and 10% off with your Adriatic Pass.

9. Take the Tuk Tuk Tour

The Retro Tuk Tuk Split tour is one of the best ways to get a quick overview of the city — the driver doubles as a local guide, taking you through the palace, along the Riva, past the fish market, and up toward Marjan. It takes about an hour and the open-air tuk tuk is actually a fun way to see the city.

Good for: first day in Split, families with kids, anyone who wants context before they start exploring on foot.

10. Visit the Selfie Experience Museum

Split has its own interactive museum with over 30 Instagram-worthy installations — optical illusions, 3D art, giant props, and surreal rooms designed for photos. It's pure fun, takes about 90 minutes, and the photos are genuinely great.

Located near the old town. Cost around €12-15. With Adriatic Pass, 15% off.

How to Save Money on Experiences in Split

Split is one of the most affordable cities in the Mediterranean but costs have risen significantly in recent years, especially in July and August. The single best way to save money on activities is the Adriatic Pass — a digital pass that gives you exclusive discounts at 75+ experiences across Split, Hvar, Brač, and Makarska.

Most travellers save €99+ on a 7-day trip. The pass costs from €6.99 for a day to €24.99 for a week. One car rental with the pass discount and it's already paid for itself.

Get your Adriatic Pass here →

Practical Information

Getting to Split: Split Airport (SPU) is 25km from the city centre. Taxis cost €25-35. Bus takes about 40 minutes and costs €5-7.

Best time to visit: June and September are ideal — warm enough to swim, fewer crowds than July/August. July and August are peak season with higher prices and busier beaches.

Getting around: Split's old town is walkable. Rent a car or scooter for day trips. Ferries to Hvar leave from the main harbour multiple times daily.

Currency: Euro (€). Croatia joined the Eurozone in January 2023.