As the second biggest city in Croatia and the largest one in Dalmatia, the fascinating city of Split is surrounded by the Adriatic Sea. That's why life and culture here is totally infused by the sea. Also, they have one of the best seafood cuisines. No matter if you stay on land or sailing in the turquoise waters, there are so many things to in Split. If you want to try them all, clear your schedule and spend a one-month holiday in the city is the least.
1. Sail away into the sun.
As Croatia owns over 1,200 islands and 1,100 miles of coastline, it's a paradise for sailors. If you are into island hopping, choose Split as your starting point couldn't be more ideal. From Split, it's easy to sail to the nearby islands of Šolta, Brač, Hvar, and Korčula. If you have enough time, go to the island of Vis, this remote island is 28 nautical miles from Split, and it's the furthest island from the mainland. In the naturally sheltered Luka Rogacic, there is a former submarine pen which was abandoned in 1989. Vis played a significant role as a principal naval base during WWII, and this pen is one of the things that you can find that traces back to the Cold War time. Drop your anchor next to the former pen, admire the rocky hill, and enjoy the mixture of nature view and the military history of Croatia.
2. Get your adrenaline up.
Split is a coastal city, so there are plenty of water sports available. Sea kayaking, snorkeling, paddling is very easy to do on the calm waters of the Adriatic Sea. On the Cetina River, which is not far from Split, rafting and zip-lining are also favored activities.
On land, one of the most popular activities is rock climbing, Marjan crag is a perfect site for rock climbing, and it's situated right in the center of the city. The other exciting activities are deep water soloing and cliff jumping, especially on a hot summer day! The ones who enjoy the thrills can never resist the impulse to shoot into the cooling azure seas.
But wait, there's more! If you are looking for an adrenaline rush, go sky diving in Split! It's a precious chance to see the beautiful Adriatic Sea from a different, sky-high perspective. And it will surely be an experience that you will never forget.
3. Hit the beach.
In Split, some beaches are conveniently situated in the city, and within walking distance from everywhere in downtown. But on the high seasons and weekends, they could be uncomfortably crowded. Therefore, many locals prefer to visit those beaches that are a little outside of Split. If you are unfortunate and find the most popular beach Bacvice is crowded, head to the west of the city center and chill on the Kasjuni beach. This beach is well sheltered from the wind, and rocky hills provide visitors enough privacy. If you walk a little further, you will find the Kastelet beach, which is also adored by the locals and usually less packed.
4. Feast on!
Time to forget about your diet and feast on the fantastic cuisine of Croatia! Be sure to try the traditional dish Pasticada, a beef stew served with homemade gnocchi, or the Crni Rižot(black risotto). Seafood is always the top food to eat when you are at a seaside city, this is very true for Dalmatians. In the past, it was uncommon to eat meat, so the locals well practiced their cooking skills for fishes. Try the grilled oily fish with chard, the taste of it is one of a kind!
5. Soak in history.
The entire city is an immersive history book. The old town of Split has over 1700-year-old history, the Roman emperor Diocletian built his retirement house here between AD 295-305. After his death, this marvelous building was continually used by other Roman emperors. You can wander inside the palace and breath in the rich history of the city.
6. Get your culture fix.
If you are into art and sculpture, visit the Meštrović Gallery which is 20 minutes’ walk from the Split city. This beautiful villa was the summer house of the Croatian sculptor, Ivan Meštrović. Walk inside the garden, visitors can admire some of his best works. However, Split offers more than that. On the hill of Marjan peninsula, there is a 13th-century church, St. Nicholas the Traveler. From this church, you can have a panoramic view of the sea and the boats that St. Nicholas shielded since ancient times. There are also 11 more churches of different scales situated on the mountain.
7. Travel into the Game of Thrones fantasy world.
The breathtaking historical architectures of Split not only attracted curious tourists, but they also attracted the filming crew of Game of Thrones. The city of Meereen was inspired by Split, and King's Landing was inspired by Dubrovnik. In May 2018, an official Game of Thrones museum opened in the old city of Split. Fans can closely observe many of the original props from the show, from helmets to swords and costumes.
8. Bargain in the local markets.
You can never understand the locals' lives without visiting their markets. Split's famous green market Pazar is buzzing with locals haggling for the best price. You can easily spend an hour here just roaming among the stalls. The fish market Peskarija is on the other side of the city, here you can find the freshest catch every day which is the best ingredient for the amazing Dalmatian cuisine.
9. Dance the night away.
Split is an excellent place for a night out. The seaside promenade Riva has plenty of bars to grab a drink. After you get tipsy, head to the Bacvice Beach, where you can find clubs that open till late.
10. Rave at a festival!
Split is the home base for the annual music festival Ultra Europe since 2013, it's also the biggest music festival held in Croatia. This one-week rave party takes place in the Poljud Stadium in Split and the Amfora Beach on Hvar Island. If you are planning to go, be sure to reserve your tickets and hotel in advance, everything could be booked up during the festival week. If you are looking for an alternative option for an electronic music festival, the Split beach festival in each August is a decent choice.
