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Split is a coastal city on the Adriatic, and although it’s Croatia’s second-largest city, it feels compact, walkable and easy to explore on Croatia tours.
Must-see sites include Diocletian’s Palace, a massive 4th-century Roman complex with shops, cafés, and homes built into its walls.
Other popular attractions include Riva promenade, Marjan Hill viewpoints, local markets and nearby beaches like Bačvice.
Just You Croatia itineraries combine Split with places such as Trogir, Krka National Park, Šibenik, Zadar, and the islands of Brač and Hvar.
Split has a way of pulling you in from the very first stroll. One minute you’re on the palm-lined Riva promenade with a coffee in hand, looking out at the sparkling Adriatic Sea. Next, you step through an old stone arch and find yourself inside a Roman palace that’s still part of everyday life today.
The city is compact, walkable, full of character, and easy to explore at your own pace. On our Croatia tours and holiday packages, you can experience Split’s charm in a relaxed and manageable way. Expert-led walks bring this captivating city’s history to life, and there’s free time to explore on your own.
In this guide to what to see and do in Split, we’ll cover Diocletian’s Palace, the best viewpoints, beaches, local food and drink, and easy day trips. Many of these sites you can experience on our Croatia & the Makarska Riviera tour (including the optional excursion: Historic Split and Diocletian’s Palace) and Croatian Island Explorer.
Split is Croatia’s second-largest city after the capital Zagreb, but it doesn’t feel overwhelming. This coastal city is built within and around the immense, well-preserved Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace, dating back to the 4th century and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. The palace’s walls, courtyards, and structures form the heart of modern Split, housing shops, restaurants and homes, making it a unique living historical complex.
Café culture is a big part of daily life here, and the waterfront Riva is the ideal spot for a morning coffee or a golden-hour aperitif. Many travellers enjoy visiting in April–June and September–October, when the days are warm, and the city can feel a little quieter.
If you’re wondering what to see and do in Split for a first visit, start here. Diocletian’s Palace is not a single building: it’s an entire neighbourhood of limestone lanes, hidden courtyards and monumental Roman remnants that form the heart of modern-day Split.
On Just You’s Croatian Island Explorer, you’ll tour the palace with a specialist Local Guide, while on the Croatia & The Makarska Riviera tour, you can join an optional guided excursion to Split.
Look out for key sites and buildings, including:
Peristyle Square – A grand courtyard framed by red Egyptian granite columns. At certain times, you may hear live klapa singing (a traditional style of a cappella from Dalmatia) drifting through its arches.
Cathedral of St Domnius and Bell Tower – One of the oldest cathedrals in the world, built within Diocletian’s original mausoleum. If you’re comfortable with heights, the slender bell tower climb is worth it for the panoramic views across Split’s terracotta rooftops, Marjan Hill, and nearby islands.
Temple of Jupiter, the Vestibule, and the Cellars – A pocket of calm compared to the coastal heat and crowds outside, the Temple of Jupiter boasts an ancient interior and is home to a black granite sphinx. The Vestibule is a favourite for first-timers – a circular space that amplifies sound, while the palace’s vast, atmospheric cellars mirror the rooms that once sat above. Today, they host local craft stalls.
Golden Gate and Gregory of Nin statue – The Golden Gate is one of the palace’s grand entrances, topped by beautiful medieval masonry. Yet it’s the bronze statue of Bishop Gregory of Nin that steals visitors’ attention here – many people choose to rub his toe for good luck.
The Riva Promenade – Technically outside the palace walls, this elegant coastal boardwalk stretches the length of Diocletian’s Palace. This is Split’s social hub, where locals stroll, meet friends, and sit in café terraces beside the harbour.
There’s much more of Split to see outside of Diocletian’s protective walls. Marjan Hill is the city’s green peninsula, rising directly behind the old town and offering stunning views. Paths and stone steps wind their way up through the pines to viewpoints overlooking the city and sea. The walk can be steep in places, so comfortable shoes are helpful.
Varoš and Radunica are two characterful districts, with low stone houses, green shutters, and tiny chapels. Local konobas in the quiet residential streets serve flavourful Dalmatian cooking and carafes of local wine.
Markets are hubs of life in Split. The Green Market (Pazar) is a riot of colour, with stalls of figs, wild greens, peaches, and local cheeses. The popular Fish Market (Peškarija) awakens the senses with the smell of the ocean and the noisy stallholders selling creatures from the deep, in every colour, shape, and size.
Many tourists enjoy stopping by a market for fruit and pastries, then finding a quiet spot in the shade for a picnic.
Read our guide on the best reasons to visit Croatia.
If you have free time to explore Split, the coast offers a relaxing change of scene from the city’s historic sights.
Bačvice is the best-known beach near the centre, while Firule, Znjan, and Trstenik are other nearby spots along the coastline if you would like to spend some time by the water.
If you do head to the beach, water shoes can be useful on pebbly stretches.
Dalmatian cooking is simple and delicious. Olive oil, wild herbs such as rosemary and sage, the day’s catch, slow-cooked meats, and vegetables often take centre stage on menus.
Local specialities include silky risotto, black with cuttlefish ink, pašticada (beef braised in wine with prunes), peka (tender meats slow-roasted under an iron bell), and fritule, small, fried balls of dough flavoured with citrus and rum or brandy. If you are eating solo, counter seats are common in wine bars and konobas.
A glass of local wine completes a traditional meal. Plavac Mali reds are sun-baked and structured, while Pošip white wines are known for their notes of stone fruit and salinity. Split has a serious coffee culture. At any time of day, you'll see locals sitting down to enjoy a cup slowly rather than rushing through it. It’s a daily habit that everyone makes time for.
Inspired by what to see and do in Split? Explore further with our guide to the best things to do in Dubrovnik’s Old Town.
On a Just You guided tour, free time to explore can be just as rewarding as guided excursions. Here are just a few ideas for when you have time to spare:
Stop and soak in the gentle harmonies of klapa performances in the Peristyle or the Vestibule whenever you encounter them.
Visit Papalic Palace (Split City Museum), a quieter corner of the city with Gothic details and a calm courtyard.
Explore Sustipan Park, a garden near the marina with stunning sea views and benches for a break.
Take a quiet stroll through the palace lanes or beyond the palace walls, noticing the marble streets and historic details.
If you’re enjoying the Croatian Island Explorer cruise, you could pick up a burek (a flaky pastry, often filled with cheese) before boarding your ship.
One of the joys of travelling with Just You is that these classic excursions come with transport, timing and a Local Guide. All you have to do is enjoy the day.
A small UNESCO-listed town on its own little island, full of pretty Venetian-style buildings. Wander the waterfront, take in the views towards the medieval fortress watching over the harbour, and browse tiny stone lanes for gelato and gifts while on the Croatian Island Explorer escorted tour.
A patchwork of river canyons, fragrant pine-lined boardwalks, and Skradinski Buk’s famous cascades. Keep an eye out for flittering kingfishers and dragonflies. This is included on two Just You tours: Croatian Island Explorer (paired with Sibenik) and Croatia & The Makarska Riviera, along with wine-tasting.
Home to a UNESCO-listed cathedral fashioned entirely from stone, Šibenik is a handsome Adriatic city. Its medieval lanes, sea views, and a calmer pace than Split make it a popular destination for relaxed day trips. It features on the Croatian Island Explorer itinerary.
Zadar is a blend of Roman remains, medieval churches, and modern art on the waterfront, and it’s a highlight on both our Croatian island cruises and Croatia & the Makarska Riviera tours. Here, many visitors pause to listen to the ‘Sea Organ’, wave-made music rising from stone steps, and see the Sun Salutation light installation creating a striking display beside the water.
The island of Brac boasts clear, sparkling water, limestone villages and Zlatni Rat, which is Croatia’s most photographed beach. On our Croatia and the Makarska Riviera holidays, solo travellers enjoy a boat trip to Brac, accompanied by a delicious local lunch on board. Brač also features on the Croatian Island Explorer, where you travel up to Vidova Gora, the highest peak of the Adriatic islands, for sweeping views and a celebratory glass of wine.
Hvar is renowned for its stylish harbour, as well as its lavender fields and vineyards located further inland. Our Croatian Island Explorer escorted tour includes a guided walking tour of Hvar Town, with time to enjoy its harbourside charm and historic streets.
For a comfortable first trip to Split, here’s some practical advice you may find helpful:
Most cards are widely accepted, and ATMs are easy to find, so many travellers choose not to carry large amounts of cash.
Wear trainers or sandals with a good grip, as the smooth stone streets in and around the palace can be slippery.
If you plan to visit churches or other religious sites, bring something to cover your shoulders and dress modestly.
It’s also handy to bring a refillable water bottle so you can top up at public fountains.
Discover ten of the best reasons to visit Croatia.
For solo travellers, Split is a compact destination rich in history and culture, so even a short visit feels rewarding. When you explore as part of a guided Just You tour, the city opens up with a reassuring mix of expertly led experiences with your Holiday Director and time set aside for solo exploration.
On our Croatia & The Makarska Riviera guided tour, you fly into and out of Split, and can choose an optional excursion into the city for a guided visit to Diocletian’s Palace and time to explore at leisure.
If you prefer to travel by sea, our Croatian Island Explorer escorted tour includes a guided tour of Split and Diocletian’s Palace towards the end of your cruise, along with time to enjoy the city before a farewell meal on board, as part of a wider journey.
Discover more Just You Croatia tours for solo travellers.
From chic towns and secluded beaches to exquisite wine and delicious cuisine, discover it all on this island-hopping cruise.
Soak up the beauty of Croatia’s coast, explore the ancient walled cities of Zadar and Dubrovnik and discover the idyllic island of Brac.
