The picture shows an old town at dusk. In the foreground, there is a built-up waterfront promenade with boats, palm trees, cafés and people. A bell tower rises above it. Behind it, there is a mountain range.

Split

Published: 20 May 2025, 14:00

The heart of Dalmatia

Split, Croatia's second largest city, is nestled between the turquoise blue Adriatic coast and the Mosor Mountains in the south of the country. As the capital of the Dalmatia region, it offers numerous sights, most notably the magnificent ancient Roman Diocletian's Palace with its cathedral and Jupiter's Temple, an impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, these ancient walls are filled with young life: people live, work and celebrate here. Hip bars and modern shops line the narrow streets of the old town. If you love spending hours browsing markets and museums, Split is the place for you. A walk up the local mountain, Marjan, offers a magnificent panorama of the old town, the waterfront promenade and the Adriatic islands. The Riva promenade with its many cafés and bars is perfect for strolling. In short, Split is a destination to fall in love with and definitely worth a visit.

Numbers, data, facts

Time difference: none
Population: 160,000
Official language: Croatian
Currency: Euro (EUR)

Five unforgettable highlights in Split

The image shows a historic building complex made of light-coloured stone with a striking bell tower in the twilight. The ensemble is surrounded by a clean, smooth stone floor.

Fascinating history: The 4th-century Diocletian's Palace is one of the most impressive Roman monuments in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. © Kavalenkava/stock.adobe.com

The picture shows a square in an old town with old stone houses, green shutters and red tiled roofs. In the middle is a street café with parasols and plants.

Mediterranean flair: The best way to experience the city is to wander aimlessly through the pretty old town streets, linger in one of the squares and enjoy a coffee. © Kavalenkava/stock.adobe.com

The picture shows a coastal landscape with a turquoise blue sea, a beach with parasols and people swimming in the foreground. In the background, a green headland with houses can be seen.

Turquoise sea: Bačvice city beach delights visitors with its crystal-clear water, which reveals a fascinating underwater world when snorkelling. ©Pawel Pajor/stock.adobe.com

View from above through an opening in a stone wall onto a city by the sea. Red tiled roofs, a harbour with turquoise blue water, palm trees along the waterfront promenade and a wooded hill in the background can be seen.

Those who climb Marjan, the city's local mountain, are rewarded with a breathtaking panorama of the old town and the Adriatic coast with its offshore islands. © Pawel Pajor/stock.adobe.com

The picture shows a rustic table setting with Mediterranean specialities: fresh bread, cherry tomatoes, dried figs, a glass and a bottle of white wine. In the background, you can see a wall with shelves filled with items.

Local cuisine: Fresh fish, olive oil, regional wine, traditional peka and black risotto – the specialities of Dalmatian cuisine are a real treat. © Moniphoto.s/stock.adobe.com

Discover Dalmatia

Split is not only a wonderful place to stay, but also an ideal starting point for excursions along the Croatian coast and to the Dalmatian islands such as Hvar, Brač and Šolta. Depending on how much time you have and what you feel like doing, there are a variety of day trips, boat tours and exciting island hopping options available. The Dalmatian islands are among the most beautiful in Europe. More than 1,000 islands and islets line the coast, around 50 of which are inhabited. Each island has its own character, with Mediterranean flair, quiet bays and lively island villages. There are also plenty of attractions on land: Krka National Park delights visitors with its thundering waterfalls, emerald green rivers and hiking trails. The old town of Trogir, with its narrow streets, Venetian palaces and cathedral, is like a living museum.

Island dreams, waterfalls and cultural sites

The image shows a coastal landscape with crystal clear water, small boats and an old church with a bell tower and Mediterranean trees in the background.

The island of Hvar is known for its glamorous yachts and chic bars, but also for its idyllic villages, ancient churches and crystal-clear bays. © xbrchx/stock.adobe.com

View from above of a lively headland with a beach jutting out like a horn into the turquoise blue sea. Numerous boats lie in the deep blue water. The beach is surrounded by dense forest.

Brač is the island with the famous Zlatni Rat (Golden Horn) – one of Croatia's most famous beaches. Picturesque hiking trails and idyllic vineyards attract visitors. © xbrchx/stock.adobe.com

The picture shows a small bay with crystal clear water. Along the rocky coastline are picturesque houses with red roofs, surrounded by greenery and pine trees. Two small boats are anchored in the water.

Just 30 minutes away by ferry, the island of Šolta offers a peaceful and less touristy atmosphere – ideal for a day trip into unspoilt nature. © Nikola/stock.adobe.com

The image shows several waterfalls cascading over green, wooded rocks into turquoise water, surrounded by lush nature.

The Krka National Park enchants visitors with waterfalls and picturesque wooden walkways for hiking. A detour to the pretty village of Skradin is also worthwhile. © Kotangens/stock.adobe.com

The image shows a coastal town with red roofs, historic buildings and church towers. People walk along the palm-lined waterfront promenade while yachts are moored at the quay. Mountains and the sea can be seen in the background.

Trogir is a charming little town on an island with Venetian flair, narrow streets and a beautiful harbour. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since the 1990s. © ecstk22stock.adobe.com