Split-Dalmatia County · Croatia
Split travel guide
Split is a city in Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia, home to about 161,000 people.
- Best months
- June to August
- Nearest airport
- SPU12 km · Split Saint Jerome Airport
- Currency
- EUReuro
- Time zone
- Europe/Zagreb
- Language
- Croatian
About
About Split
Because of its ideal climate, with 2,800 hours of sunlight each year, local people have a few nicknames for Split: "The most beautiful city in the world" and "Mediterranean flower". Many famous Croatian sports people were born in Split, so locals often nicknamed their city "The sportiest city in the world". The most popular sport institution is the football club Hajduk. Large portions of the city are painted with the club's colors and logo. This is done by Torcida, the oldest supporters group in Europe, established in 1950.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Split
See
The historic centre of Split is built around the remains of this Roman palace. Most probably this one of a kind Imperial Palace was built from 298-305 AD and is one of the most significant original structures of the period mostly because so much of it has been preserved. It is probably the best preserved Roman palace in the world. Later this Palace contributed to the broadening of the town because as the city evolved beyond its walls. You only need to wander around to experience it but you can also pay to visit the excavated remains of the basement of the palace. The palace has well preserved main streets cardo and decumanus.
- Peristylium
- Katedrala sv. Duje
- St. Duje's bell tower
- Jupiter temple
- Getski vrtal
- Basement halls of Diocletian's Palace
- Galerija Meštrović
- Archaeological Museum
- Old graveyards
- Froggyland
Do
- Split city beach
- Picigin
- Grgur Ninski
- HNK Hajduk Split
- Beach at Bačvice
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Which part of Split to stay in
There is a wide variety of private accommodation available in Split, as well as a few hostels. Some of the best prices can probably be obtained by going to the bus station or ferry terminal and haggling with the many people there offering accommodation - even fairly late at night, there are still many people offering beds.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
When to go
The best time to visit Split
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Split are June to August. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 29 °C; November is the wettest, with about 151 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Split: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Split Saint Jerome Airport (SPU), about 12 km from the city centre in a straight line; Brač Airport (BWK, 32 km) and Zadar Airport (ZAD, 109 km) are also within reach.
Getting around
Central Split is quite compact and most sights can be easily seen and best experienced on foot, but there are frequent local buses to outlying attractions and the airport. Public transport is run by Promet. Most of the city buses in Split are new, but some are very old and dilapidated. You can find routes and schedules from Easyway journey planner. The station for town and local buses is Kolodvor Sukoišan - these don't use the main station 1 km south by the harbour. To transfer between stations use Bus 9 / 10 or just walk.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
SPU · Split Saint Jerome Airport
BWK · Brač Airport
ZAD · Zadar Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Split
Eat
Italian influences dominate Croatia's coast: a sample of the best of their legacy is risotto with tender white scampi or black calamari, a dish beloved by all Croatians. Dalmatinski pršut ("Dalmatian ham", comparable to Parma or speck) and cheese from the island of Pag are well worth trying, as is the large variety of excellent Croatian wines and beers. Do not miss Dalmatian pašticada s njokama (gnocchi). In winter you can try Soparnik, a traditional and usually vegan Dalmatian dish, made with chard, onions and parsley between two layers of dough.
Drink
Dalmatia is well known for its world class wines, but when in Split it is a must to try soda drinks called Pipi and Orela, produced by local beverage manufacturer Dalmacijavino. Lots of outdoor cafés are to be found along the Riva waterfront.
Stay safe
Do not go to striptease bars because they are a tourist trap. For LGBT+ friendly places consider to consult locals first as Ghetto is the only gay-owned bar-club. Alternative youth club Kocka is also gay-friendly location for concerts and parties. Walking through the historic centre in swimwear or shirtless is prohibited. Police issue on-the-spot fines of €150 for violating the dress code.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Split: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Split?
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Split are June to August. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 29 °C; November is the wettest, with about 151 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Split?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Split Saint Jerome Airport (SPU), about 12 km from the city centre in a straight line; Brač Airport (BWK, 32 km) and Zadar Airport (ZAD, 109 km) are also within reach.
What currency is used in Split?
euro (EUR).
Nearby
Destinations near Split
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.