What Are The Best Things To Do In Split Croatia In 2026? (Know 10+ Options)
BY
Sibashree
Feb 16, 2026
Split is a port city on the beautiful Adriatic Sea. It has delightful beaches in Croatia and a vibrant nightlife. However, it is the ancient heart of the city that attracts me the most.
It’s great that I reached Split in November and spent weeks getting to know the Dalmatian region and the city’s history.
The Mediterranean climate of Split is blissful, and that’s what makes it a year-round attraction. However, it is one of the best family vacation spots if you are planning something for the summer.
Also, if you are a history buff like me, you can plan an off-season trip and avoid the crowd.
As I chose November for my Split Croatia trip, I got the chance to soak up the never-ending stories.
Did you know that Split was the place where Emperor Diocletian retired from his throne? He was the only Roman emperor who voluntarily retired from his throne.
Also, Split was the place where Julius Nepos, another Roman Emperor, was killed by his soldiers in 480 AD. Thus, Split saw the final nail in the coffin of the Western Roman Empire.
Nikola Tesla, the legendary inventor, studied in Split.
Split has been used as the backdrop of many Hollywood movies and TV series, including the magnanimous Game of Thrones. Split is the actual place where Daenerys kept her three dragons.
So, overall, Split has history, intrigue, natural abundance, and a happening nightlife. Here is more about the best things to do in Split Croatia, in 2026, and exploring the old and new Dalmatian regions.
How Many Days Are Enough To Explore Split?
If you only want to explore the city of Split, a budget of 2-4 days will be enough for you. However, Split opens your path to the vast Dalmatian coast area.
So, if you are planning to also explore the Dalmatian area, it will take at least 3-4 days more.
Then, spend a day or two getting to know about the local culture, food, and history. Overall, 6-7 days is a reasonable duration to spend in Split, Croatia.
Also, Split Croatia is just a ferry ride away from Dubrovnik. There are many exciting things to do in Dubrovnik.
Also, Dubrovnik is the Croatian gateway to the beautiful Kotor, Montenegro.
If you want to explore all of it together, you will need at least 10-15 days. Having said that, let’s get into the discussion on the things to do in Split Croatia.
What Are The Best Things To Do In Split Croatia?
Do you want to get lost in the Old Town, or do you want to just eat, drink, and party? Split is the place that caters to all types of travelers.
However, if you want to try the best things do in Split Croatia as the locals do, here is your ultimate checklist.
1. Exploring The Dalmatian Coast And Even Beyond
Dubrovnik, Split, Sibenik, and Zadar. These are the four major cities that make the Dalmatian Coast what it is.
There are many smaller towns in between. However, these are the most populous and accessible. Split, again, has the highest population among them.
Also, I used Split as the base for my journey on the Dalmatian Coast. The city airport has modern amenities, and it gets many connecting flights to other Dalmatian cities. So, this is the best way to enjoy a day, cherishing the Adriatic region.
However, you can also choose Zagreb, the inland capital of Croatia, as your base, and then take a bus to Split and the Dalmatian coast.
2. Visiting Diocletian’s Palace
Diocletian, an enlightened Roman emperor, ruled from 284 to 305 AD. The seat of his voluntary retirement or abdication was his palace in Split.
Diocletian’s Palace is an intriguing combination of a military fortress, an imperial accommodation, a fortified town, and gardens.
You can still listen to the cry of the while marble palace for the retired emperor.
A DIY tour of the palace is free. However, you can also be a part of a small group tour and have an in-depth idea about the past of the palace and Split.
Also, if you want, you can plan a stay at the Diocletian’s Palace. However, there is always a large queue of tourists who want to stay here. So, book in advance.
Moreover, here are the most noteworthy spots I visited in the Diocletian’s Palace Complex.
• The Cybele Temple Or The Cathedral Treasury Split
I came across the Cybele Temple or the Cathedral Treasury as I just entered the complex. This complex also functions as a museum.
Inside the museum, I saw some really intriguing Catholic relics and artifacts from the Roman era. So, the museum at the entrance sets the perfect mood for the things you can expect throughout the tour of the palace.
It is also the time when you will choose the tours you want to take. The amount you pay will depend on the number of tours you take.
• Saint Dominus Bell Tower
Now, this part is a little difficult as I had to climb almost 200 steep steps to reach the top of the bell tower. The narrow passageways once again reminded me why I needed to take my fitness sessions more seriously.
Finally, after climbing upward through a tight space, the tower culminates in an “open-air metal staircase.”
The view from here is amazing.
• Saint Dominus Cathedral
The Saint Dominus Cathedral is just below the cathedral. It is the second-oldest among the Catholic cathedrals that are still being used.
Furthermore, the Catholic iconography and the soaring dome inside really humbled me. The building may not be massive, but it has an impressive architecture.
• The Temple Of Jupiter
I love Greco-Roman architecture and always look for historical things to do whenever I visit a new destination. So, I had to stop by the Temple of Jupiter.
Dedicated to the Greek God, Jupiter, the temple also tells the tales of human resilience. It was destroyed three times and then reconstructed.
The final version was built during 81-96, in the time of Emperor Domitian.
Furthermore, the granite sphinx outside the temple is headless and this is a 3000-year-old statue, which was beheaded in the 4th century by the enraged local Christians.
After the temple visit, I took the Pusti Me Da Prodjem or the Let Me Pass alley.
3. Exploring The Old Town
The Diocletian’s Palace is in a fortified town. The alleys here still exude the old-world charm.
The only modern elements are the internet cafes, stray cats, and ice cream shops here. I especially loved walking the alleyways at night with the moonlight bathing the streets.
The activity was simple, but the sense of adventure and romance I had was matchless. It was the perfect TheLowDownUnder Travel vibe.
4. Walking The Riva
The harbor and the Riva are just outside the Old Town and temple walls. This section is very wakable, and it is the place to explore the shops, local restaurants, and cafes.
You can call it the living room of the city, and it is the most prominent place in Split. Moreover, you can have all types of seafood and cuisine at the restaurants here.
I loved the English-only menus and authentic Croatian cuisine here. You can also try the seafood, fresh burgers, and pizzas.
Moreover, I loved watching people here and how they got involved in animated conversations after a dose of cigarettes, booze, or just good food.
Overall, with music playing in the background, Riva is all about camaraderie, great energy, and sharing vibes.
5. Eating, Drinking, And Partying In Split
Do you love authentic Croatian food? Try the top-rated restaurants in Split, such as Duje, DeListes or Konoba Matejusta.
Furthermore, I loved the cuttlefish risotto at DeListes and black truffle carbonara. The best thing about these restaurants is that the menus change regularly because the dishes are made using fresh and locally-sourced ingredients only.
Also, they always do not accept reservations, and you may have to pay only in cash.
Moreover, I came across many excellent bars in the Old Town. O’Hara’s Irish Pub was a discovery there, and a local lady advised me to pay a visit to Trogir.
Also, Marvlvs Libray Jazz Bar, Charlie’s Bar, and Crew Bar are some of the places to enjoy the party vibe of Croatia.
6. Visiting A Museum
With such a rich culture, Split has no dearth of options when it comes to museums. I visited the following museums here.
• Mestrovic Gallery
This museum celebrates Mestrovic, the famous Croatian artist and sculptor. It is a place to learn about his life and work.
• Split Ethnographic Museum
It is a wonderful display of the Croatian home objects and clothing.
• Game Of Thrones MuseumÂ
This museum has the most authentic costumes and props used in the iconic TV series. Also, some parts of the TV series were shot here.
7. Getting Aerobic At Marjan Park
The Marjan Park, with its network of forested trails, extends into the ocean. It was an experience to climb the Telegrin Peak, the highest point of the park.
From the peak, I loved the views in the surroundings. If you don’t want to walk, you can also take a bike to reach the peak.
In fact, you walk for four hours and still do not see every corner of the park. So, getting the rental immediately after reaching the park is the best thing you can do.
Moreover, I don’t want you to repeat the mistake I made. So, you must bring your swimsuit here as you will find the Kasjuni Beach, Plaza Jezinak, and Kupaliste Bene here.
8. A Day Trip In The Dalmatia Historic Region
Split is more alluring for the quintessential Croatian experience because of its accessibility and central location.
Furthermore, you can start exploring the historic region of Dalmatia from Split. So, take a short bus ride and explore the following regions.
• Trogir
I took the Flix bus and reached Trogir to soak in its medieval vibe. Time stands still here, and it feels like a journey to the fairyland.
• Kills Fortress
Visiting the Kills Fortress feels nothing short of an investigation project. In Game of Thrones, it was the Meeren.
The views from the fortress are breathtaking.
• Solin And SalonaÂ
You can experience Solin, which is a modern city, and it surrounds Salona. Salona is the place where Emperor Diocletian was born.
Furthermore, it is an ancient Roman City, probably even older than Pompeii. It has a large cemetery, a large bathhouse, and a massive amphitheater.
Other places you can visit during the day trip are the Plitvice Lakes National Park, Krka National Park, or the Blue Cave. Even Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina can be a part of your Split Croatia itinerary.Â
9. Hopping A Ferry
Croatia has more than a thousand islands. Some of them are unpopulated. However, you can explore the other islands by ferry.
I used the ferryhopper.com app to plan my ferry route and schedule the ride. I took a ticket for a visit to Hvar.
You can even take a ferry ride to Mediterranean islands such as Korkula and Vis.
However, when planning a ferry ride, you have to check the weather conditions first. Adriatic is unpredictable.
10. Making Good Memories In Split Croatia
Split Croatia harbors most of the historical wonders and flows here. So, I listened to endless stories and learned many lessons here.
Furthermore, the Mediterranean climate here is very seductive, and in every nook of Split, there is a sense of discovery.
People are warm, the beaches are gorgeous, and the food is great.
So, plan a visit to this city of Roman history and culture soon!
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