Split in a day

DISCOVER SPLIT

By getting more and more popular each year, especially in the summer, Split definitely earns its title as of one the best destinations in Europe, and a top summer Mediterranean destination. It’s a connection city to many islands and smaller coastal cities, as well as some cities and villages inland.
Split Is Croatia’s second largest city and and while it feels less fairy-tale and whimsical than Dubrovnik, its architecture is still spectacular, with Renaissance and baroque palaces and Romanesque churches packed into its ancient walls. Every guide book will tell you that Split is a city built around the palace of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, one of the best preserved and most impressive monuments of the Roman era in Europe. You will also read that the historic city core has been on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List since 1979. However, Split is not a city-museum; it’s a lively place thriving among the historical layers of its monuments. That’s why getting to know Split in one day might just prove to be a handful.
The city itself offers a combination of rich history and architecture, stunning natural surroundings and numerous beautiful beaches.
Start your walk from the scale model of the historic core on Riva, and the panel showing the reconstructed Diocletian Palace. Stroll along the Riva towards the west enjoying the view of the south facade of the Palace and the city harbor. The Riva promenade is the most iconic outdoor space in Split and it’s the place where locals enjoy their coffee in the warm weather. Beside coffee shops, there are some nice restaurants, but also some very delicious ice-cream shops. There are numerous benches where you can bask in the sun or relax in the shadows of the palm trees.

The path will then lead you to the city squares like the Fruit or People’s Square, and onwards towards the north wall of the Palace, also the best preserved one at that.
Step through the Bronze Gate on The Riva and you’ll find yourself in another, darker world: the cavernous basements of the ancient palace.
Wander through the narrow streets of the Old Town and finally find your way to the ancient square Peristil and the Cathedral of Saint Domnius. Visit the Cathedral and don’t forget to climb the bell tower for the most beautiful panoramic view of the city.
Split’s 5th century octagonal Cathedral of St. Duje (Dominius) is one of the best-preserved ancient Roman buildings standing today. Its tall bell tower was added between the 12th and 16th centuries and reconstructed in 1908 after it collapsed. You can pay to climb to the top for an awe-inspiring view over Split.
The main square in Split isn’t actually in Diocletian’s Palace. It’s the white-marble-paved Narochi Trg (People’s Square), which has some serious Italian vibes. This is a great place to grab dinner and watch the world go by in the evenings. Stroll along from the Pjaca to the 120 year old fish market and then through the ever vigorous Marmont Street out on to the Prokurative, the gloriously wonderful square resembling the Venetian’s St Mark’s Square.
Spend some afternoon time at the beach. Since the city itself is a peninsula, there are multiple options to choose from. The one sand beach, and also the most popular one, is called Bačvice, but there are dozens of great pebble beaches under the hill on Marjan. Kašuni or Obojena could be your perfect choice.