chloedickensonLast Updated on 24th August 2023
This post about the ultimate 3 days in Split itinerary contains affiliate links.
Are you planning a trip to the Dalmatian coast in Croatia? Wondering what to do in Split and how long you should spend there? You’ve come to the right place!
In October/November 2022, Matt and I spent a full month living and working as digital nomads in Split, so I became fairly accustomed to all the wonderful things to do in Split during our time there.
While it might not be quite as popular as Dubrovnik, Split positively packs a punch when it comes to travelling Croatia and I fell head over heels in love with it during our time in the city.
If you’re wondering whether Split is worth visiting and you want to know all about the best things to do in Split, I’ve compiled a detailed Split itinerary for 3 days below which includes where to stay, how to get there, the best places to eat and of course, the top things to do in Split, Croatia for an epic visit!
SPLIT TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
Flights: Kiwi.com / Skyscanner
Accommodation: Booking.com / Hostelworld
Transport: Flixbus
Activities/tours: Get Your Guide / Viator
Travel insurance: SafetyWing
Reviews: TripAdvisor
My backpacking essentials: Amazon
3 days in Split itinerary – best things to do
Let’s get on to the good stuff, shall we?!
While Split is very much a coastal city with plenty of opportunities to spend time on the beach, it’s also so much more than that.
Diocletian’s Palace is an absolute must-visit in Split and a food tour cannot be missed while you’re in the city, especially if it’s your first foray into Balkan cuisine as you’ll be in for a real treat!
Continue reading to see some of my favourite things to do in my ultimate 3 days in Split itinerary!
1. Admire Diocletian’s Palace – 3 days in Split itinerary
Dating back over 1,700 years, this magnificent palace in the heart of the Old Town was once the retirement home of the Roman Emperor Diocletian.
Today, it comprises more than half of what’s known as Old Town Split and it’s one of the most beautifully preserved historic sites I think I’ve ever seen; it literally looks like something straight out of a movie!
2. Climb to the top of the Bell Tower and enjoy the views
The Bell Tower is technically a part of the Cathedral of Saint Domnius (more on that below) and it’s the perfect place to enjoy an incredible view over the Old Town and out to sea.
Naturally, it’s best enjoyed on a clear day when you can see all the way out to Marjan Hill, across the sea and all over the Old Town and beyond.
It’s no easy feat climbing to the top, with over 200 remarkably large and steep steps taking you to the viewing platform at the very top of the tower, but it is very much worth it for the stunning views.
It’s also super narrow in some parts, so I can’t even imagine how busy it gets during the summer months, but we were lucky to discover that there were only around eight other people climbing the tower at the same time as us in early November.
You can purchase the “Green Ticket” to climb to the top of the Bell Tower which also includes entrance to the cathedral/mausoleum and the Treasury museum for 70kn (or 35kn for students).
It’s well worth purchasing this ticket as you get to see all three attractions for not too much more than the price of just one attraction.
3. Visit Diocletian’s Mausoleum/Saint Domnius Cathedral
Also situated adjacent to Diocletian’s Palace resides the oldest catholic cathedral in the world; Saint Domnius Cathedral.
This beautifully conserved cathedral also forms part of Diocletian’s Mausoleum, as he was once buried there. Today, it remains the oldest cathedral in the world, although you’d never guess it just by looking at it – it’s been refurbished and renovated over the years so it’s in almost-pristine condition!
4. Go inside the Treasury of Split Cathedral
Included within the price of the “Green Ticket” (if you choose to purchase this) is the Treasury of Split Cathedral.
Located within the walls of the Palace of Diocletian, directly opposite the Bell Tower and cathedral, the Treasury is home to a collection of ecclesiastical artefacts and reliquaries, such as paintings, books and statues.
It’s not exactly the most enthralling museum in the world, but it’s worth spending a short while exploring inside, especially if you do purchase the Green Ticket.
5. See the 3,500-year-old Sphinx statue
You’d be forgiven for walking straight past this 3,500-year-old Sphinx statue located within Diocletian’s Palace, as at first glance, it appears to be rather nondescript.
However, upon learning about its fascinating history from our awesome guide on our food tour, we learned that this ancient statue was imported by Diocletian himself (along with 12 others) when he first built his palace all those centuries ago.
It’s the only one remaining and it’s considered to be one of the oldest objects in Split. While, of course, it’s been restored over the years, the bare bones of this androsphinx (the body of a lion and the head of a human) remain intact.
6. Stroll down Riva – 3 days in Split itinerary
Riva is the waterfront boardwalk in the Old Town of Split and it runs parallel to Diocletian’s Palace.
Home to dozens of bars, cafes and restaurants, Riva is one of the most tourist-focused parts of the city, but it’s also one of my favourite places.
It’s an idyllic place for a stroll and it boasts wonderful views of the sunset. One thing to note about Split is that the waterfront area, particularly on the west side of Riva, has a very strong smell of sulphur which comes from the spa that uses sulphuric water that was originally built by Diocletian many years ago.
The sulphur spa springs are still there today and when there’s no wind, it gives off an incredibly strong smell of rotten eggs! Don’t let this discourage you from visiting Split, however, as the smell only tends to be really bad right near the water.
7. Experience a Split Food Tour
I’ve already mentioned the Split Food Tour we enjoyed during our visit to the second-largest city in Croatia, but I wanted to list it individually on this list of the top things to do in Split as it’s one of my favourite travel experiences from our time in the city.
Dino and Emma, the owners behind Split Food Tour, started their food tour company to show people the culinary scene of Split, as well as to provide a fun and informative tour of the city itself.
Embarking on a food tour is undoubtedly one of the best things you can do on any Split itinerary for 3 days and I’d seriously urge you to book a spot in advance, especially if you’re visiting during the height of the summer season.
Read more: Split Food Tour Review
8. Take a tour of the cellars of Diocletian’s Palace – 3 days in Split itinerary
Underneath the glorious exterior facade of Diocletian’s Palace resides ancient cellars that have been excavated over the years to reveal what the substructures that once held up the private apartments of the Roman Emperor looked like.
Entrance to the basements costs 50kn for adults and 25kn for students and while it’s not a huge space to explore, I think it’s worth the money to see one of the best-preserved ancient complexes in the world.
9. Stroll through the underground market at Diocletian’s Palace
As well as the basements of Diocletian’s Palace residing underneath the exterior structure of the palace, you’ll also find a fascinating underground market that Game of Thrones fans might recognise as the place where Daenerys kept her dragons in the City of Meeren.
Even if you’re not a Game of Thrones enthusiast, you’ll still enjoy exploring this enigmatic underground hub of local vendors. The market stalls themselves are excellent, but it’s the marvellous preservation of this historic site that will really wow you.
10. Hike to the Vrh Telegrin observation point at the top of Marjan Park Hill
Marjan Hill is one of the best places to visit in Split to enjoy some time outdoors.
There are several viewing points on your way to the top of the hill, but for arguably the best vantage point, head to the Vrh Telegrin observation point that sits at the very peak of Marjan Hill. You’ll know you’ve arrived when you see the Croatian flag and a giant white cross.
11. Take a picture with the Split sign
Another Split must-see is the iconic red Split sign that sits on the eastern end of Riva.
It’s much smaller in real life than I expected, but it’s still worth snapping a photo to commemorate your time in the beautiful Dalmatian city.
12. Admire the Golden Gate – 3 days in Split itinerary
Walking into Old Town Split is like stepping foot directly into a movie set; everything looks so perfectly preserved and historic, it’s hard to believe that the Old Town walls and palace are thousands of years old.
The Golden Gate is one of four entrances to the Palace of Diocletian and it’s arguably the one that’s still best intact. You’ll find it directly opposite Park Josipa Jurja Strossmayera, near the Grgur Ninski statue, and it’s quite hard to miss with its imposing stature.
13. Check out the only UNESCO Spar in the world
The Old Town of Split is a UNESCO World Heritage site itself, making it home to the only UNESCO-protected Spar supermarket in the world!
During our one month in Split, we lived just a couple of hundred metres from the UNESCO Spar, so it was our local supermarket that we frequented almost every day. Inside, you can see the supermarket walls are very much archaic and despite all the fresh produce and groceries, it certainly feels like it belongs to the palace complex!
14. Relax in Sustipan Park
Sustipan Park resides on a small clifftop overlooking the water and it’s the perfect place to enjoy a picnic, go for a run (if that’s your kind of thing!) or watch the sunset.
You’ll see spectacular views of the sea from Sustipan, especially as the sun starts to set, and it’s also a great place to rest your legs for a little while if you want to walk around the peninsula.
15. Rub Gregory of Nin’s toe – 3 days in Split itinerary
Known as Grgur Ninski in the Croatian language, the statue of Gregory of Nin is located just outside of the palace walls near the Golden Gate and the original statue pre-dates World War 2.
It once stood right in the heart of Diocletian’s Palace but it was moved to its current location as people thought that it was somewhat of an eyesore. The statue has been restored several times over the years and there’s a bottle of rakija hidden inside that the next people who clean and restore the statue can enjoy!
We learned this fact from Dino, our guide on the food tour we did in Split, as it was his great (maybe great-great – I can’t quite remember!) uncle who designed and made the statue! You’ll also notice that the statue has an exceptionally shiny gold toe and it’s thought that you’ll receive good luck and return to Split again if you rub it!
16. Take a day trip to Stari Grad on Hvar Island
There are so many wonderful day trips from Split to enjoy, including Krka National Park, Plitvice Lakes National Park and of course, Hvar Island. If you have enough time, I’d seriously urge you to book at least one trip while you’re there.
We took a trip to Stari Grad on Hvar Island, but as we were there in November, very few things were open on the island and we couldn’t actually get to Hvar Town from Stari Grad as there were no buses running and all the rental car companies had closed for the season!
We did still have a lovely day exploring Stari Grad, but there isn’t an awful lot to do there apart from hiking to the White Cross on top of Glavica Hill and walking around the harbour, so I’d definitely like to go back one day when more things are open!
The best time to enjoy day trips from Split is between April and October as many tour operators only run excursions during these peak months, which is why we struggled to see much during our visit to Hvar Island in November.
You can take the ferry from Split to Stari Grad on Hvar Island for around 86kn return per person and there are several ferries that run between the islands each day. I’d recommend taking the earliest ferry (I think it’s around 8.30 AM) and getting the latest one back so that you have plenty of time to explore the island. The ferry takes approximately two hours each way.
You can download the Jadrolinija ferry app for free on your phone and it lists dozens of ferries between nearby islands.
Take a look at more of the best day trips and walking tours in Split here!
17. Enjoy the VR experience at Diocletian’s Dream
Diocletian’s Dream is one of the most unique things to do in Split as it combines the ancient history of the city with exceptionally modern technology.
The 15-minute VR experience shows what Diocletian’s Palace once looked like in a fun and immersive way. It’s also the first virtual reality experience in Croatia and it’s one of the most highly-rated attractions in Split, so it’s a definitely must-visit!
I don’t want to give too much away and spoil the experience for you as I think it’s so fun to see it for yourself, but I will say that Declan, the genius behind Diocletian’s Dream, has created an interactive VR experience unlike anything I’ve ever seen before and it’s well worth adding this attraction to your Split bucket list!
18. Go swimming at Bay Ježinac – 3 days in Split itinerary
Split is renowned for its beautiful beaches all along the coastline and there are plenty of places to go swimming in the sea, just a stone’s throw away from the Old Town.
One of my favourite places to go swimming is at Bay Ježinac, which is a 30-minute walk from the Old Town. Here, you can enjoy crystal clear waters and stunning views and while the water is a little chilly and the beach is a little rocky, it’s still a fantastic place for a refreshing dip just outside of the city walls.
19. Eat the best ćevapi in the world at Kantun Paulina
Croatia isn’t particularly renowned for its cuisine, so I didn’t really know what to expect when visiting, but I was delighted to discover that Croatia and, in particular, Split had an excellent food scene.
Without a doubt, one of the best places to eat in Split is Kantun Paulina and it’s here that you’ll find arguably the best ćevapi in the world! It’s essentially a glorified sandwich stuffed with kebab-style meat with lashings of kajmak (cheese) and onions, and while it doesn’t really sound (or look!) like much, it’s one of the best things I’ve ever eaten while travelling.
Read more: The Best Restaurants In Split, Croatia For Every Budget
20. Walk around the peninsula – 3 days in Split itinerary
There are many places to enjoy the fresh air away from the bustling Old Town and one of the must-do activities in Split is venturing off on a walk around the peninsula of Marjan Park.
Along the way, you’ll enjoy views of spectacularly clear waters and gorgeous beach vistas and there are plenty of swimming opportunities along the way.
21. Enjoy the views from the Viewpoint to Marjan (Prva vidilica na Marjanu)
I’ve already mentioned the Vrh Telegrin viewpoint on top of Marjan Hill in this guide about the top things to do in Split, but if you don’t fancy the exhausting walk to the peak, you can still enjoy tremendous views from the Viewpoint to Marjan next to Teraca Vidilica cafe.
The cafe is also a great little spot to grab a refreshing drink, especially if you’ve completed more of the hiking trails around the hill.
22. Be amused at Froggyland – 3 days in Split itinerary
Froggyland is undoubtedly the most unique thing to do in Split and it’s renowned for being the “museum of the best taxidermy in the world”!
Home to more than 500 taxidermy frogs in different outfits, positions and situations that resemble humans, Froggyland is an absolutely hilarious place to visit in the Old Town and it will certainly give you a good laugh!
23. Watch the sunset from Riva – 3 days in Split itinerary
Watching the sunset from Riva was one of my favourite things to do in Split and we were super lucky to enjoy many spectacular golden hours during our one month there.
One of the best spots to watch the sunset on Riva is from a little bar with a rooftop balcony called Coffee Bar St. Riva. The drinks aren’t the cheapest, but it’s worth it for the stunning views of the sun setting over the sea.
24. Wander through Park Josipa Jurja Strossmayera
Located opposite Golden Gate and the Grgur Ninski statue, Park Josipa Jurja Strossmayera is a lovely outdoor space just outside of the Old Town walls.
There’s not really much to see and do inside the park itself, but it does make for a nice place for a little stroll or to enjoy a picnic away from the crowds inside the busy palace walls.
25. Look up at the sky at the Vestibule
The Vestibule, also known as the Rotonda or the Atrium, was once the main entrance to the imperial apartments of Diocletian’s Palace.
It’s still in pretty good condition today, only instead of its fancy, marbled roof, there’s now a huge hole that looks straight up to the sky. On a clear night, you might be lucky enough to see a few twinkling stars through the hole in the roof, so be sure to check it out both during the day and at night.
26. Visit the Game of Thrones museum – 3 days in Split itinerary
Dubrovnik is more synonymous with all things Game of Thrones, but avid fans of the hit TV show might also enjoy a visit to the GOT museum in Split.
Personally, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the museum as it seemed to be very thrown together and it’s a bit too expensive for what it is, but it might be worth checking out if you’re a huge Game of Thrones fan.
Read more: 3 Days in Dubrovnik Itinerary – How To Spend 3 Days In Dubrovnik
27. Visit the Croatian National Theater in Split – 3 days in Split itinerary
The Croatian National Theater in Split is a beautiful, bright yellow building that’s pretty hard to miss when you’re wandering through the Old Town and even if you don’t play on watching any performances while you’re in the city, I’d still recommend heading to the upstairs cafe for a drink as it’s one of the most beautiful coffee shops in Split, with gorgeous views of Gajin Gaj square.
28. Stroll through the People’s Square (Pjaca)
Our apartment was located just a couple of hundred metres down a little side alley from People’s Square (Pjaca), so we walked through the square multiple times a day.
It’s home to numerous bars, cafes and restaurants and while I imagine that it gets pretty busy during the summer season, we were lucky to enjoy it almost empty every day during October and November.
The square also offers an excellent view of the Iron Gate, as well as the Gradska Ura (City Clock Tower).
29. See the Marko Marulić statue and the Venetian Tower in Fruit Square
Another square that’s worth wandering through is the hilariously named Fruit Square, which is home to a statue of Marko Marulić, a famous Croatian poet, lawyer and Renaissance humanist who is considered to have coined the term “psychology”.
30. Tuck into a delicious pizza at Basta
Basta was one of my favourite restaurants in Split and even though I’ve already written about it extensively in my restaurant guide to the city, I wanted to include it in this post too, as it’s such a great place to eat with gorgeous views of the water.
Read more: The Best Restaurants In Split, Croatia For Every Budget
31. Hang out with the digital nomads on Matejuška Pier
This particular activity in Split might be a little too niche for some people, especially if you’re not a digital nomad yourself, but I wanted to include a visit to Matejuška Pier in this guide as it’s a great little spot to enjoy views of the water, regardless of whether you’re heading to a digital nomad meet-up or not.
32. Try a shot of Rakija – 3 days in Split itinerary
Rakija goes by several different names, depending on where you get it from, but it’s essentially the name of a popular fruit brandy spirit in the Balkans.
You’ll find it in clear form (sort of like vodka), but there are also tonnes of different fruit flavours as well, including cherry (this one was my personal favourite), pear, plum, apricot, grapes and more.
You can purchase whole bottles of the stuff or just a shot from a restaurant, and I’d highly recommend trying it, especially a cherry-flavoured one, as it’s probably the nicest shot of alcohol I’ve ever had!
33. Eat lots of ice cream
Ice cream is hugely popular in Croatia and you’ll find many ice cream parlours dotted all over the city. Lavender-flavour ice cream is one of the most common flavours that you’ll find, but each parlour will also offer its own speciality as well.
Some of my favourite spots for ice cream in Split include Mr Pozzetti, Gelateria Emiliana and Bili San.
The best beaches in Split
- Bačvice Beach
- Firule Beach
- Kašjuni Beach
- Ovčice Beach
- Obojena Beach
Best day trips from Split
- 5 Islands Day Trip with Blue Cave Entry Full Day Tour
- Krka National Park Day Trip
- Trogir and Blue Lagoon Half-Day Tour
- Krka Waterfalls Tour with wine tasting
- Cetina River Rafting with Cliff Jumping Tour
- Plitvice Lakes National Park Tour with Entry Tickets
- Mostar & Kravica Waterfall Group Tour
- Salona
- Klis Fortress
- Primošten
How to get to Split
Split is a super accessible city in Croatia, with a sizeable international airport just half an hour’s drive away.
You can get to the Old Town via bus, train, Uber or car. We spent three days in Dubrovnik before travelling to Split and we took the four-hour bus from Dubrovnik with Flixbus. We’ve used Flixbus in countries all over the world and I would highly recommend them for travelling in Croatia as well.
We paid £15 each for the four-hour bus journey from Dubrovnik to Split Bus Station, which is less than a 10-minute walk to the Old Town.
Read more: Is Dubrovnik Expensive? How To Visit Dubrovnik On A Budget
Do you need a car in Split?
If you’re staying in the Old Town and don’t plan to venture too far out of the city, you really don’t need to hire a car. Uber is available just outside of the Old Town and the inner part of the city is super walkable.
If you plan to spend a few days or even weeks in Split, you might want to consider hiring a car to take you to various nearby places, but there are also tonnes of tour providers offering day trips to places like Krka National Park and Plitvice Lakes, so it’s not entirely necessary.
Where to stay – 3 days in Split itinerary
We rented an Airbnb apartment for our one month in Split and it’s probably one of the best apartments we’ve ever stayed in.
It was located right in the heart of the Old Town, just a couple of hundred metres from People’s Square and Diocletian’s Palace, and our host, Ivana, was unbelievably accommodating and helpful. If you’re planning to spend an extended period of time in Split, I really couldn’t recommend this Airbnb enough.
If you’re visiting Split for a couple of days or even just one night, I would highly advise finding somewhere to stay in the Old Town.
While it will be more expensive to stay in the Old Town, you’ll be so close to all the action and if you haven’t got long to spend in Split, it will be worth splashing out to be in the heart of the city.
Find somewhere to stay in Split, Croatia!
Booking.comHow much time do you need to spend in Split?
We spent one month in Split in October/November 2022 and while I absolutely loved our time in the coastal city (and would definitely go back for another month again in the future), I really don’t think you need to spend that long there.
Some people opt for an overnight trip, whereas others like to spend 3 days in Split; it really depends on what you want to get out of your trip, whether you want to take any day trips from Split and how long you can afford to spend there.
Hopefully, my ultimate 3 days in Split itinerary will give you some guidance on how long you should spend there!
Best time to visit Split
As with most European cities, the best time to visit Split is in the shoulder season months of May and September/October.
The summer months in Split (and in most places in Croatia, for that matter) are outrageously busy and expensive.
The Old Town of Split isn’t really that big, so with thousands of tourists crammed inside the city walls during the summer season, combined with the intense heat, it can be a bit too much.
We spent one month in Split between mid-October and mid-November and the weather was still perfect even in late October (we even went swimming in the sea on Halloween!). It does get cooler on an evening in these later months, but the crowds are few and far between, making it much more enjoyable to visit.
What is Split, Croatia known for?
Split is known for numerous historic sights, primarily Diocletian’s Palace, which is the main part of the Old Town. It’s also known for its beaches, coastal hikes, yummy food and the many islands that surround it.
Conclusion – 3 days in Split itinerary
I hope you found this post about the best places to see in Split useful and hopefully, it will help you plan your very own trip there!
If you do visit this gorgeous Croatian coastal city, let me know in the comments below!
More Croatia travel guides!
- The Best Restaurants In Split, Croatia For Every Budget
- Split Food Tour – Best Places To Eat In Split, Croatia
- 3 Days in Dubrovnik Itinerary – How To Spend 3 Days In Dubrovnik
- Is Dubrovnik Expensive? How To Visit Dubrovnik On A Budget
Pin for later – 3 days in Split itinerary
Do you have any other things to add to this Split must-see list? Let me know in the comments or on Instagram at @imjustagirl_16.
