10 fun things to do in Split, Croatia: a Split boat party and more

Split is a city which is rich in history and culture. Although it has become a popular destination with holidaymakers, it still retains its laid-back charm and stunning architectural sights. Split is located in the Croatian region of Dalmatia on the Eastern shores of the Adriatic Sea.

Here's a selection of 10 top things to do in Split in Croatia, or if you prefer, here's a video summary:

 

10 fun things to do in Split, Croatia – From Split boat parties to culture

1. Wander through Diocletian’s Palace

Diocletian’s Palace is one of the main attractions of Split and, in fact, the whole city centers around it. This sprawling network of cobbled streets and beautiful buildings is contained within the high palace walls. The palace was originally built by the Roman emperor Diocletian in the 4^th century AD.

If you’re a history buff, taking a guided tour of the palace is a great way to learn more about its history.

The palace is also packed with boutique shops, restaurants, and bars and really is the hub of the city. You could spend all day just getting lost in the narrow streets and taking in the bustling atmosphere. Don’t forget to check out Gregory of Nin, an enormous statue (which looks very much like a wizard!). Rub the statue’s giant toe and it will bring you good luck!

You can find some more fun facts about the Diocletian Palace in this list of fun facts about Croatia.
 

2. Visit Krka National Park

Krka National Park is a stunning area of natural beauty known for its 7 waterfalls, swimming pools, and historic sites such as the Krka Monastery and a series of authentic windmills.

Following the trail around the park takes about 45 minutes and allows you to take in the wonderful views and crystal blue waterfalls. The most striking waterfalls come at the end, as they cascade into a bright blue pool which is perfect for swimming.

You can book an excursion to Krka National Park from any of the main booking offices in the city or in advance online. It’s definitely worth booking your trip as an excursion to save you the hassle of getting there by yourself. And if you really want to be at ease, consider booking a private group tour. The latter includes a boat tour and ample free time.

Make sure you take some sturdy shoes and your swimming costume!

 

3. Experience a Split party boat

Boat parties in Split, Croatia are a big deal. There are several ways to go on a Split Boat Party and how much you'll love it depends on how much of a party-goer you are. However, if you take the daytime boat, it really isn’t as wild as you might expect and it's quite relaxing to just chill out with a drink or two as you take in the views.
 

 

4. Go on the famous pub crawl in Split

One of the things to do in Split, Croatia at night, is to join the nightly pub crawl in Split. If you’re staying in a hostel then it’s likely they will recommend it to you.

The Split bar crawl leaves from the main courtyard of Diocletian’s Palace and sees a massive turnout, especially on a Friday and Saturday night. It can be a great way to meet new people and truly experience the nightlife in Split.

The Tower Pub Crawl Split and the Ziggy Star Pub Crawl Split both get great reviews on TripAdvisor. Read about them here and here.

 

5. Head to the beach

Bačvice is Split’s most popular beach. Although the sand is slightly more pebbly than the typical beach there are lots of sun loungers for you to relax on. The water is very shallow on this beach so occasionally you might see people playing a game called “pincigin” which involves a few people in a circle trying to keep a small ball in the air for as long as possible!

 

6. Visit the market

If you love fresh produce the head to Split’s market where you’ll be spoiled for choice with all the colorful fruit and vegetables. There are also a few souvenir stalls and some great Croatian food stands.

If you want to know more about Croatian cuisine, check out this a food tour which includes market visits and lunch. Taste Split also offers a range of food experiences in the city.

 

7. Meštrović Art Gallery

Ivan Meštrović is Croatia’s most famous modern sculptor who built the gallery as his private home from 1931 to 1939. Nowadays the gallery is home to his creations and the permanent collection displays everything from sculpture and drawings to furniture and architecture. It's one of the things to see in Split if you're into art. Check out the latest reviews here.
 

8. Try the ice cream

Split is renowned for its delicious ice cream and you’ll find plenty of places to buy it – give it a try!

 

9. Take a boat trip to Hvar

There is a regular ferry boat that will take you across to nearby Hvar (which is generally considered to be a bit of a party island). The ferry takes about 90 minutes and from Hvar, you can take boats out to various other islands, many of which hold beach parties.

Even if you are just into history and culture, Hvar is worth a visit, but if you enjoy good food, drink, nightlife and sunbathing then this is really one of the things to do in Split.

Check out this list of excursions on and from Hvar.

Alternatively, you can make a quick boat trip to the Blue Cave.

 

10. Sample Split’s seafood

Being right on the coast means that Split’s fresh seafood is definitely worth a try. For authentic seafood, head to Noštromo restaurant which is located right by the fish market.
 

And that's it! I hope this helped answer the question of what to do in Split, Croatia and made you excited about your trip there.
 

Travel guides for Split, Croatia

Looking for more information on Split? Check out these handy guides:

Or check out these 5 books about Croatia to learn more about the history and culture of the country.
 

Hotels in Split, Croatia

Accommodation in Split is relatively cheap, especially in comparison to Western European prices. You can get quite the luxury hotel room or a beautiful apartment for less than €100/night.

Luxury: Palace Judita Heritage Hotel
The four-star Palace Judita Heritage Hotel is housed in a 16th-century palace on Split's main square, right next to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Diocletian's Palace. All rooms have parquet flooring, air conditioning and luxurious bathrooms. Slippers and bathrobes are provided. The hotel has its own bar as well as a courtyard. A delicious breakfast is included in the room price.

Book a room / Read reviews on TripAdvisor
 

Boutique: Heritage Hotel Antique Split
The four-star Heritage Hotel Antique Split is located inside the walls of UNESCO World Heritage Site the Palace of Diocletian. All rooms have air conditioning, a flatscreen tv, and a minibar. WiFi is free throughout the property and a sweet breakfast is included in the room price.

Book a room / Read reviews on TripAdvisor
 

Budget: Contarini Luxury Rooms
This four-star pension lies walking distance from various historical sights. It offers rooms with a seating corner, desk, flatscreen tv, and free WiFi. A continental breakfast is served every morning and tea, coffee and treats are free throughout the day.

Book a room / Read reviews on TripAdvisor
 

Apartment: Luxury Apartment Dvor
This three-star apartment in a quiet street in the center of Split sleeps five in two bedrooms and the living room which has a sleeper sofa. Previous guests have raved about how clean and beautifully decorated it is. WiFi is free, the kitchen is fully-equipped and stocked with much more than just the necessities.
Book this apartment
 

For even more specific Split accommodation options, check out this post by Chasing the Donkey.
 

Getting to Split, Croatia

By plane

Split has its own international airport, making it very easy to get there.
Check Skyscanner for the best flight options.

From the airport, you can take an airport bus from the terminal or a local bus from the main road outside the airport to the city center. Taking a taxi is another option but if you want to make things as easy as possible, consider booking a transfer ahead of your arrival.

With a prepaid transfer, you don't have to worry about getting scammed and you know someone will be waiting for you to take you straight to your accommodation.

Taxi2Airport is a safe choice. This platform offers 24/7 support in 10 languages and always finds you the cheapest transfers among their verified taxi partners. It also gets a rating of 9/10 on Trustpilot with more than 14,000 reviews.
Book your airport transfer here
 

By train or bus

If you're already in Croatia, you can take the train or a long-distance bus to get to Split from another city. To find the best connection, check Omio. This platform automatically searches the best routes and prices from more than 800 official transportation providers.
Find your bus or train to Split here
 

Don't forget travel insurance

No matter how well you plan your trip to Split, there's always something that can happen that's beyond your control. Your luggage never arrives, you get sick, or you drop and break your camera. In all of these cases, good travel insurance has you covered.

I've had ongoing travel insurance ever since I started traveling to make sure I'm covered for every trip I go on but if you travel just a few times a year, you can get insured for each trip separately too.

Don't have travel insurance yet? Check out SafetyWing. They offer super flexible plans that you can even sign up for while you're already on your trip. On top of that, they were the first travel insurance to cover COVID, and when I got COVID, they reimbursed all of my expenses without making a fuss. Their customer support team is great and I can personally recommend them.
 

And that's it! I hope this post answered your question of “What is there to do in Split, Croatia” and will help you plan your own trip there.
 

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Emma is a travel blogger at Inspiring Travel where she shares her travel tips and experiences. She hopes to inspire people to get out there and see the world and show that anyone can travel no matter what their budget, age, or work commitments! You can also follow her on Twitter.