Split sits at the heart of Dalmatia—the coastal city Emperor Diocletian chose as his retirement haven.
Put Dubrovnik on pause and get to know Split: a UNESCO World Heritage city where ancient architecture and everyday life blend into something unexpectedly magical.
Diocletian’s Palace
Diocletian’s Palace is where most Split itineraries begin and end. It’s not a fenced-off ruin—you’ll find restaurants, cafés and even hotels tucked inside its ancient walls, so history and daily life coexist everywhere you look.
Sit in the Peristyle courtyard and admire the red granite columns’ timeless majesty. Then climb the bell tower of the Cathedral of St. Domnius for a different perspective.
Conquer the narrow, steep stairway and you’ll be rewarded with a sweeping view of the Adriatic. The contrast of red roofs against the blue sea is one of those Croatian scenes you’ll keep replaying in your head.
Riva
Along the palace’s southern wall runs the Riva: a palm-lined, white-marble promenade dotted with beloved local eateries. It’s Split’s answer to a seaside boardwalk.
Give yourself permission to pijaka—a Dalmatian way of lingering and doing nothing at all. Back home people might call it laziness, but here it feels like an art form worth practicing.
An espresso in hand and a seat facing the passerby parade—that’s all the proof you need that you’ve truly experienced Split.
Marjan Hill
Want a higher vantage point? Head to Marjan Hill on the city’s west side. Known as Split’s lungs, the hill’s pine-scented trails lead up to the first viewpoint, Teraca Vidilica.
Whether you visit under the midday sun or at dusk when the city lights begin to twinkle, the outlooks here never disappoint. Watching the Adriatic meet a lit-up city feels like a quiet, comforting reward.
Escaping the busy center for a peaceful forest walk might be the most soothing moment of your Split trip.
Pazar Market and Narodni Square
The Pazar market just outside the East Gate is where local life happens—fresh Mediterranean fruits and vegetables and the smell of bread straight from the oven fill the air. It’s a feast for the senses and an essential stop.
After the market, wander toward Narodni Square near the West Gate. With its Venetian-style buildings and a 24-hour clock tower, the square has long been Split’s civic hub. Lose yourself in the alleys and let the city’s charm pull you in.
Statue of Gregory of Nin
One final stop: the towering statue of Gregory of Nin just outside the palace’s Golden Gate. This 10th-century religious hero is immortalized in a monument that soars to 4.5m.
But the real attraction is the statue’s left big toe. Legend says touching it grants wishes, so generations of visitors have polished that toe to a golden shine. If you’re about to start a new chapter—quitting a job, moving cities—give it a rub and make a wish.
Between 1,700-year-old stone walls you’ll hear modern laughter and lean against Roman columns to soak it all in. That unique mix of past and present is what makes these Split spots so special. Don’t overplan—allow yourself to get wonderfully lost. The Adriatic sun will do the rest.
