As the largest city in Dalmatia and the second largest and most populous city in Croatia, Split offers many attractions for travellers of different interests and ages.
Split is a city located on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, renowned for its rich history and stunning architecture. As one of the most important ports in the region, Split serves as a gateway connecting the Dalmatian islands to the mainland. While it is perhaps best known for Diocletian’s Palace-a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979-the city offers a wealth of attractions and experiences for visitors.
My favorite activity is walking along the Split waterfront and browsing the fresh fish selection at Peškarija. However, Split also boasts a vibrant array of museums and art galleries, appealing to anyone interested in culture. Those seeking adventure or outdoor activities will enjoy climbing Marjan Hill or simply relaxing on one of the city’s many beaches.
SPLIT STROLL
Split, located on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea, is a city rich in history and stunning architecture with ancient roots. It’s one of Dalmatia’s key harbours, connecting the mainland with the nearby islands.
At its heart lies Diocletian’s Palace, a Roman-era wonder filled with narrow streets, lively squares, and the cathedral of St. Domnius — the oldest in the world still in use. The famous Riva promenade offers a perfect blend of Adriatic charm and modern relaxation.
In Split, there’s no need to rush. The Dalmatian spirit invites you to slow down — as the locals say, “Let the devil take the stress away” (Vrag uzeja prišu). Start your day with coffee on the Riva, watch the sea, and take in the sunshine.
We hope you’ll find something inspiring in the list below — things to do and enjoy while exploring the calm, timeless rhythm of Split..
The City of Stone and Sea
In Split, time has a different rhythm. It moves like the sea lapping against the Riva, like the footsteps echoing through ancient stone streets. Here, history isn’t locked behind glass or written in dusty books — it’s alive, breathing through cracked columns and sun-drenched façades. This is a city that invites you not to rush, but to listen, wander, and let your senses lead the way.
If you’re looking to check things off a list, Split might surprise you. Its magic unfolds not in hurried sightseeing, but in quiet corners, unexpected conversations, and mornings that turn into afternoons without you noticing. Welcome to slow travel, Split-style.
Walk Through a Palace That Became a City
Start where everything begins in Split — in the heart of the Diocletian’s Palace. Built over 1700 years ago for a Roman emperor who wanted to retire by the sea, the palace today is no museum. It’s a living labyrinth of homes, cafés, galleries, and hidden courtyards.
You won’t find velvet ropes or hushed silence here. Instead, you’ll hear the clinking of coffee cups, laughter from balconies, and the sounds of local life unfolding inside ancient walls.
Take your time wandering. Let yourself get lost. Each turn offers something: the Peristyle with its Roman columns and sphinxes, a local violinist playing in the sun, or perhaps a cat sleeping on a centuries-old step. Touch the stone. It’s smooth from the footsteps of generations before you.
Climb the Bell Tower, Pause at the Cathedral
Near the Peristyle rises the Cathedral of Saint Domnius, once Diocletian’s mausoleum — an ironic twist, considering the Christian emperor now rests in what was once the tomb of a pagan. The cathedral is one of the oldest still in use in the world.
Climb the bell tower if you feel like stretching your legs. The narrow stairs open to one of the best views in town: red rooftops tumbling toward the Adriatic, with the palace walls weaving through it all.
But don’t rush the climb. Pause midway. Look at the horizon. Feel the breeze. Let the city reveal itself slowly, like it always has.
Riva: The Living Room of Split
Locals call it the dnevna soba — the living room. The Riva is Split’s seaside promenade and social stage. Mornings start with espresso and newspapers. Afternoons drift into lazy gelatos. Evenings sparkle with lights, music, and laughter.
Don’t try to “do” the Riva. Just be there. Sit. Watch. Listen. You’ll notice patterns — the same people walking at the same time, chatting with the same friends, sitting in their favorite chairs. It’s not monotony. It’s ritual. And it teaches you something about time.
If you’re lucky, you might hear klapa music — traditional Dalmatian a cappella — echoing through the breeze. Let it wash over you like sea air. No translation needed.
A Green Escape: Marjan Hill
When your legs ask for more, head west to Marjan Hill. Just steps from the center, this pine-covered park feels like another world. Climb slowly through the forested paths. Stop at lookouts. Breathe in the scent of resin and salt.
You’ll pass tiny chapels, old stone benches, and views that stretch all the way to the islands. Pack some figs or local pastries and find a quiet spot to rest. This is a place for silence — the kind that fills you rather than empties you.
Split’s Soul in the Markets
Visit the Pazar, Split’s open-air market just east of the palace. It’s chaotic in the best way — tomatoes like jewels, olives in huge buckets, old ladies offering you a taste of cheese or dried figs.
But don’t just shop. Talk. Ask questions. Let the vendors tell you about their produce, their lives. These interactions slow you down, root you in the now.
A few steps away is the fish market, the Peškarija. The smell hits you before the doors open — salty, briny, honest. Watch the sellers clean fish with fast knives and louder voices. It’s real, raw, and part of Split’s everyday rhythm.
Beach Days Done Slowly
You don’t come to Split for flashy resorts or private beaches. You come for Bačvice. Yes, it’s crowded. Yes, it’s loud. But it’s also where locals gather to swim, sunbathe, and play picigin — a water game that’s part sport, part art, and all joy.
Bring a towel, nothing more. Lie back, feel the sun, watch kids run through the shallows, and don’t worry if the hours drift. They’re meant to.
Want something quieter? Try Kašjuni or Bene, tucked under Marjan Hill. The walk there is part of the charm. Shade from pine trees, hidden coves, and locals reading books on old beach towels — it’s all there.
Evenings That Unfold, Not Rush
As the sun begins to set, follow the locals’ lead. Aperitifs, small bites, a slow dinner. Dalmatian cuisine isn’t about fast flavors. It’s built on simplicity, freshness, and time. Grilled fish, blitva (Swiss chard with potatoes), a splash of olive oil, a glass of local wine — perfection doesn’t need much more.
Choose konobe (taverns) over big restaurants. Let the waiter recommend something. Linger between courses. Talk. Laugh. Let the meal stretch into the evening.
Day Trips — But Only If You Feel Like It
Yes, Split is a hub. You can reach islands like Hvar, Brač, or Vis easily. Or visit Trogir, just 30 minutes away. But don’t feel pressure to “do it all.” Slow travel isn’t about collecting stamps. It’s about sinking in.
If you go, go early. Take the first ferry. Let the sea wake you. On the island, don’t run — wander. Ask locals where to eat. Walk back roads. Swim in a place with no signs.
And if you stay in Split another day instead — good. That’s the point.
Listen to the Cracks in the Stone
Split isn’t always polished. It can be loud, gritty, a little messy. But that’s its charm. You’ll see graffiti on Roman walls. Laundry lines hanging across 4th-century courtyards. Tourists brushing elbows with locals buying bread.
This layering — this messiness — is where the soul lives. Don’t rush past it. Look closer. Feel the cracks in the stone. That’s where the stories hide.
Leaving Slowly, Too
When it’s time to go, don’t rush to the airport or train. Give yourself one last coffee. One more walk through the palace. A final glance at the sea.
And carry Split with you — not just as a destination, but as a rhythm. A reminder that life doesn’t need to be fast to be full.
In Split, the past and present live side by side. But they walk, not run. So slow down. Breathe. Wander. Let the city reveal itself to you — one stone, one story, one sunset at a time.