One Day in Split, Croatia: Complete Itinerary

Updated: July 2026

Split is the second-largest city in Croatia, facing the sparkling Adriatic Sea with mountains as a backdrop. Always buzzing, Split strikes the perfect balance of tradition and modern life, and it is a city that rewards wandering at your own pace.

The city offers some of the best Roman ruins in Europe, a bustling waterfront, and fresh seafood at every turn. A maze of narrow alleys is sprinkled with boutiques, restaurants, and galleries. Split also serves as Dalmatia’s nautical and transport hub, with connections to Hvar, Vis, Brač, and Korčula, which is why most Adriatic cruises start or end here. For anyone chasing real Dalmatian life, Split is the place to find it.

When to Visit

The best time to visit Split is from April to June and September to November. In summer, the city gets very busy. Visiting during peak season means higher prices, hot weather, and heavier crowds.

Split Old Town

Split Old Town is a cultural and historical center, awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1979. The Old Town is compact, with small alleys, winding streets, and history at every corner. Getting up early makes it possible to see most of it before the crowds arrive.

Diocletian’s Palace

A UNESCO heritage site, Diocletian’s Palace ruins are still in daily use. Roughly 3,000 people live within the palace walls today. This massive complex sits at the center of Old Town, and the city of Split has grown around it over the centuries.

Entrance to the palace is free, but paying to explore the substructure, the Bell Tower, and other sections is well worth it, this is also where fans will recognize the dragons’ lair and Daenerys’ throne room from Game of Thrones. Visiting at night, when everything is lit up, is worth the extra stop too.

Cathedral

The cathedral was built as a mausoleum for Emperor Diocletian and consists of two parts, the church and the famous Bell Tower. Inside the church, altars are dedicated to Croatian icons.

The top of the Bell Tower stands 57 meters up and offers a 360-degree unimpeded view of the entire Split area. It takes about 10 minutes to climb the spiral staircase to the top.

Riva Promenade

Riva Promenade spans the length of Old Town and Diocletian’s Palace, making it easy to access both. Lined with palm trees, restaurants, cafés, and bench seating, it is the quintessential spot for a drink, coffee, or ice cream, or simply for relaxing in the shade while people watching.

Gregory of Nin

Just outside the Golden Gate stands the iconic statue of Grgur Ninski, a 10th century bishop, created by renowned Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović. Ninski fought for the right to conduct religious ceremonies in the old Croatian language. Visitors from around the world stop to rub his big toe for good luck.

Marjan Hill

Just west of Old Town, Marjan Hill is popular with locals for walking, running, cycling, and rock climbing, and a peaceful escape from the bustle of the city center. A short walk to the base of the trail leads to a café bar overlooking Split Harbor, or continue upward on a roughly 30 minute walk to the top for a panoramic view of the city.

Klis Fortress

A short drive northeast of Split, Klis Fortress was built into a limestone cliff and offers sweeping views of Split and the Adriatic. Game of Thrones fans will recognize it as the location where Daenerys frees the slaves from their masters.

Beaches

Here are a few beaches located near in Split:

Bačvice beach · 1.1 km from the city center, ideal for children and non-swimmers, with a playground, paddleboats, and volleyball, though little shade
Firule beach · 1.6 km from the city center, with a beach bar, showers, and changing cabins, no rentals
Jezinac beach · 1.6 km from the city center, with a beach bar and showers, not much shade and no rentals
Kasjuni beach · 3.6 km from the city center, with a row of trees for some shade, showers, and a beach bar

For a deeper dive into the area’s best beaches, Sun-Kissed Shores: Discover Split’s Top Beaches covers them in full. Whichever beach makes the list, water shoes are worth packing, these Speedo water shoes held up well and saved my feet more than once.

Froggyland

Split’s most eccentric attraction is a small museum of amphibians, home to a collection of 507 European stuffed frogs across 21 exhibits. The collection is the legacy of Hungarian taxidermist Ferenc Mere and dates back to 1910, with the frogs thematically displayed in everyday scenes.

Pirja Fountain

Also known as Figa i Pirija, the Pirja Fountain sits on Marmontova Street. Designed by Croatian sculptor Kažimir Hraste, the bronze sculpture depicts a clenched hand with the thumb positioned between the index and middle fingers, known as the “figa” sign, representing resilience. Unveiled in 1988, it has become a beloved Split landmark.

Gelateria Marmont

Near Old Town and Riva, Gelateria Marmont offers vegan ice cream flavors including mango, pineapple-lime, strawberry, and dark chocolate, along with vegan cones. Delicious, and worth the stop.

Bakra

Everyone knows pizza originated in Italy, but Croatians have made it their own. Bakra came recommended as the best pizza in Split by a deckhand on our ship, and it did not disappoint. The crust was thin and slightly crunchy, with a perfect balance of tomato sauce and mozzarella. The most popular Dalmatian pizza, the pizza capricciosa, comes topped with tomato sauce, oregano, cheese, baked ham, and mushrooms. Read the full review of Bakra here.

Adriatic Close

Split was the final port of our eight day small ship cruise, and the perfect way to close out our time in Croatia. Between the ruins, the promenade, and a proper slice of pizza, the city offered a real glimpse of Dalmatian life, one worth building a full day around.

— izzy

Additional information on travel in Croatia: