What to do for a day in Split, Croatia
No Croatian island adventure would be complete without adding one day’s exploration and overnight “palace stay” in the sparkling seaside port of Split.
Not only can you dine and sleep within palace walls, but you can also simultaneously indulge a passion for Roman ruins and that “guilty pleasure” — Game of Thrones — by visiting ancient sites where real emperors walked and the popular fantasy series was filmed. [And, yes, there is a new GoT museum to visit!]
Built amid imposing Roman ruins, Split hugs the Adriatic coastline and offers an easy arrival and departure point for island ferries — but Croatia’s second-largest city of 176,000 people is itself a destination worth savoring.
With a full day and overnight stay, focus your time on Split’s “Old Town,” a stone’s throw from the city’s stunning seaside promenade, The Riva, with its palm tree-shaded outdoor cafes and easy and welcoming vibe that attracts visitors and locals alike.
The ruins of Diocletian’s Palace provide a spectacular backdrop to The Riva. The Roman emperor Diocletian built the imposing structure at the beginning of the fourth century as a retirement home and military garrison. The palace walls originally encompassed 30,000 square meters (or a little more than seven acres) and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
Today Diocletian’s Palace contains some of the city’s most interesting overnight stays, shopping, restaurants, and ancient sites. Its narrow, winding streets and alleyways link art galleries, outdoor coffee shops, and the Temple of Jupiter to the city’s “heart” — the Peristyle, the central square that opens onto Diocletian’s apartments built from imported marble and flanked by two sphinx imported from Egypt. Tour them free of charge!
Split is easily explored on foot and safe for day and nighttime strolls. Take in Old Town’s Pjaca Square with its outdoor cafes, the Renaissance architecture of Fruit Square, the stunning views from the Campanile bell tower, and the amazing ring of open air columns that are part of St. Duje’s, the world’s oldest cathedral.
Excellent affordable seafood and Mediterranean restaurants abound, many with sweeping waterfront or rooftop vistas. Extending your Croatian adventure never looked so good.
Add an extra night or two at the end of your trip in Split:
