17 Best Things to Do in Split 2026: Diocletian's Palace, Islands and Day Trips
Split is one of Croatia’s best bases because it gives you a living Roman palace, beaches, ferries, food markets, day trips and islands without moving accommodation every night.
The best Split trip uses the city as both a destination and a launchpad. Give the Old Town time, then add one island, one viewpoint and one inland or coastal day trip.
Quick picks for Split
| If you want… | Prioritise this | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best first morning | Diocletian’s Palace and the Riva | The old centre is compact, atmospheric and easiest before the day gets hot. |
| Best free view | Marjan Hill | A proper city escape without leaving Split. |
| Best island day | Hvar or Brac | Choose Hvar for town/nightlife, Brac for beaches and easier logistics. |
| Best non-island day trip | Trogir, Klis or Krka | Pick based on whether you want history, fortress views or waterfalls. |
Before you book
Split is easier than Dubrovnik for longer stays, but ferries and high-season accommodation still need planning. Decide whether Split is a two-night stop or your Dalmatian base.
| Need | Useful move |
|---|---|
| Stay | Compare bases and accommodation on Trip.com. Pick location first; a cheap room in the wrong neighbourhood costs time every day. |
| eSIM | Install Saily Croatia eSIM before flying so maps, messages and bookings work when you land. |
| Insurance | Price SafetyWing travel insurance before the trip. It starts from about $2/day and trips need to be at least 5 days. |
| Tours | Use GetYourGuide Split tours for the few activities where timing, transport or cancellation terms matter. |
| Money | Carry a backup travel card. Wise is the simple international fallback for card spend, cash withdrawals and transfers. |
| Car | Only rent if it improves the route. Compare options on DiscoverCars and read deposit/excess terms before booking. |
| Transport | Useful for checking some buses, ferries and onward routes in Croatia. Check Omio routes. |
Book the practical pieces for Split
Once the route makes sense, lock in the pieces that actually affect the trip: where you sleep, how you get online, the tours that are hard to DIY, insurance and any car or transport legs.
Find Split stays on Trip.com Get a Croatia eSIM Get SafetyWing cover Open Wise for travel money Compare Split rental cars Check Omio transportThe 17 best things to do in Split
Explore Diocletian's Palace
Best for: history in the middle of town
Diocletian’s Palace is not a museum you visit and leave. It is the core of Split, full of lanes, apartments, restaurants, courtyards and Roman bones.
Good to know: Go early, then return at night when the atmosphere changes.
Sit on the Riva
Best for: people-watching
The Riva is obvious and touristy, but it works. It is the easiest place to start or end a Split day, especially with coffee or gelato.
Good to know: Use it as a pause, not your entire Split experience.
Climb the bell tower
Best for: old-town views
The Cathedral of Saint Domnius bell tower gives you the best close-up perspective on the palace and harbour. It is narrow and exposed in places, but the view is worth it if you are comfortable with heights.
Good to know: Go early to avoid queues and heat.
Walk Marjan Hill
Best for: free nature and views
Marjan is Split’s best free escape: pine trees, viewpoints, churches, swimming spots and a sense that you have left the busy old town without really leaving.
Good to know: Bring water and shoes with grip if walking beyond the main viewpoints.
Swim at Bacvice or Kasjuni
Best for: city beach time
Bacvice is close, sandy-ish and social; Kasjuni is prettier and more relaxed but less central. Choose based on whether convenience or scenery matters more.
Good to know: Croatian beaches are often pebbly, so water shoes can help.
Shop the green market and fish market
Best for: local food rhythm
Markets make Split feel less like a ferry terminal and more like a living city. Go in the morning and build a picnic or simple apartment meal around what you find.
Good to know: The best market energy is early, not late afternoon.
Visit Klis Fortress
Best for: views and history
Klis sits above Split and gives fortress views without needing a full-day commitment. It is especially good if you like history, views or Game of Thrones filming spots.
Good to know: Best with a car, tour or carefully checked bus/taxi plan.
Day trip to Trogir
Best for: UNESCO old-town charm
Trogir is an easy half-day or day trip from Split and gives you a smaller, more compact old-town feel. It pairs well with a slower travel day.
Good to know: Avoid treating it as a rushed photo stop; wander properly.
Visit Krka National Park
Best for: waterfalls from Split
Krka is the easiest major waterfall park from Split and works well as a day trip. It is not Plitvice, but it is much easier from the coast.
Good to know: Book/arrive early in peak season and check current swimming rules.
Take a ferry to Hvar
Best for: island town energy
Hvar is the classic Split island add-on for old-town beauty, beaches, nightlife and boat trips. It is better with at least one night, but a day trip can work.
Good to know: Book ferries early in summer.
Go to Brac and Zlatni Rat
Best for: easy beach island
Brac is one of the simplest island choices from Split. Bol and Zlatni Rat are famous, while Supetar is easier for a shorter, lower-effort ferry day.
Good to know: Check which port you are actually arriving into before booking onward plans.
Consider Vis or the Blue Cave
Best for: bigger boat day
Vis and Blue Cave trips can be beautiful, but they are weather-dependent and longer. They are best when you have enough days that a cancellation does not ruin the trip.
Good to know: Read reviews carefully; boat quality and pacing matter.
Raft or zipline around Omis
Best for: active day trip
Omis and the Cetina canyon are excellent if you want an active break from old towns and ferries. Rafting, ziplining and canyon scenery make it feel different from Split.
Good to know: Check transport and pickup points before booking.
Use Split as a ferry hub
Best for: Croatia route planning
Split is often where Croatia itineraries become possible. Ferries to Hvar, Brac, Vis and beyond make it a natural base.
Good to know: Read ferry schedules before booking island accommodation.
Eat beyond the main palace lanes
Best for: better value
Split has tourist-trap food in the obvious spots, but you can still eat well. Walk a few streets out, use markets and book good restaurants rather than drifting into the nearest menu board.
Good to know: Seafood and simple Dalmatian food are worth prioritising.
Stay for sunset
Best for: soft city atmosphere
Split gets better when day-trippers leave and the stone cools down. Marjan, the Riva and palace lanes all feel different at night.
Good to know: Do not overbook every evening with tours.
Use Split to slow the Croatia route
Best for: less repacking
Instead of sleeping on a new island every night, use Split for several nights and choose day trips carefully. It is a practical way to make Croatia feel less frantic.
Good to know: This is especially useful for first-time backpackers.
Tours and bookings worth comparing
You do not need to book every activity in advance. The ones worth comparing are the experiences where transport, timed entry, cancellation terms or local context make a difference.
Island boat days
Compare Hvar, Brac, Vis and Blue Cave trips before assuming every island works as an easy DIY day.
Krka tours
A strong option if you want waterfalls without managing buses, tickets and timing yourself.
Klis, Trogir or Omis trips
Useful when you want a focused day outside Split without renting a car.
Where to stay in Split
- Inside/near the palace: best for atmosphere, walking and short stays, but can be noisy and stair-heavy.
- Varos: charming, close to Marjan and the Old Town, with a slightly local feel.
- Bacvice: useful for beach access, ferries and train/bus station logistics.
- Firule/Znjan: calmer beach-oriented options, better with more time or transport.
- Trogir or Omis: possible alternatives if Split is booked out or you want a different base.
Accommodation booking tip: Split works best when you book around your route: palace/Varos for atmosphere, Bacvice for ferries and beach, or quieter beach areas for longer stays. Start with Trip.com Split stays once you know the base you want.
Getting around Split
Split’s centre is walkable, and many island/ferry/bus connections leave close to the old town. You do not need a car inside Split, but a car can help for Klis, Omis, Trogir, Krka or a wider Croatia route.
Before building the island part of the trip, read the Croatia ferry guide.
Transport booking tip: Split is a ferry and bus hub. Use Omio for some onward route comparisons, and only rent a car if you are doing Klis, Omis, Krka or a wider Croatia loop.
A simple first-time itinerary
Split city
Diocletian’s Palace, the Riva, markets, Marjan and a beach or sunset.
Split base
Add Klis or Trogir, one island day and a calmer food/beach evening.
Dalmatian hub
Add Hvar or Brac overnight, Krka/Omis and a less rushed ferry plan.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Treating Split as only a ferry port: the city itself deserves time.
- Booking island ferries too late: peak summer schedules and seats can get awkward.
- Doing too many day trips: one island, one inland stop and real Split time beats five rushed excursions.
- Renting a car for the old town: you will not want it inside the centre.
Best time, budget and what to skip
May, June and September are the easiest months for weather, ferries and crowds. July and August work, but you need early starts and beach breaks. Split is cheaper than Dubrovnik in many cases, but prime old-town stays still book out.
If you need to cut something, keep Diocletian’s Palace, Marjan and one island. Cut the second or third day trip before you cut time to enjoy Split itself.
Final advice
For a first Split trip, spend one proper day in the city, one day on or near the water, and one day on a focused day trip. Split is at its best when it is a base, not a blur of ferry departures.
For Split, I would book in this order: accommodation first, then eSIM/insurance, then the few tours or transport pieces that would be annoying to organise on arrival.
Book stays | Croatia eSIM | Travel insurance | Tours and activities | Wise card/account
Island ferries from Split
Split is strongest when you use it as both a city base and a ferry base. If Hvar, Brac or Vis is on your list, compare the ferry times before locking the day.
FAQ
How many days do you need in Split?
Two days is enough for the city highlights. Three to five days is better if you want islands, Krka, Trogir, Omis or a slower Dalmatian base.
Should you book tours in advance?
Book anything capacity-limited, seasonal, transport-heavy or awkward to organise on the day. Leave ordinary neighbourhood wandering, food stops and flexible beach/cafe time open.
Is Split good for backpackers?
Yes. Split has hostels, ferries, beaches and cheap food options, though summer prices can jump sharply near the old town.
Disclosure: This guide contains affiliate links. Plans, prices and provider terms can change, so treat the checkout page as the final price before buying. Last updated July 2026.