Split
A Roman palace people still live in, a pine peninsula above it, and the boats out to the islands
Browse Split
Split grew up inside a Roman emperor’s retirement palace and never moved out. Diocletian’s walls still hold shops, flats, bars and a cathedral, and the lanes between them are public streets rather than a museum. Above the old town, the pine forest of Marjan gives the city its swimming coves and its viewpoints; below it, the Riva fills every evening and the ferries leave for Hvar, Vis and Brac. Our local picks run from the green market against the palace wall to the konobas of Veli Varos and the boats out to the Blue Cave.
Split at a glance
- Ideal stay: 3 to 4 days, more if you island-hop
- Best time to visit: May, June and September
- Highlights: Diocletian's Palace, Marjan and the island boats
- Where to stay: inside the palace walls, Varos, or Bacvice for the beach
- Getting around: the centre is walkable; ferries leave from the port
- Local picks: 32 hand-chosen places across the city
Where to stay in Split
Sleeping inside Diocletian’s Palace puts you in the middle of everything, though cars cannot reach most doors. Varos is quieter and only minutes away, and Bacvice trades old-town atmosphere for a beach. Compare live prices and availability on the map. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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Find hotels in SplitBook tours and experiencesSplit questions, answered
How many days do you need in Split?
Two full days cover the palace, Marjan and the waterfront at a reasonable pace. Give it three or four if you want a day on the islands or a trip out to Krka, both of which take most of a day once travel is counted.
Do you have to pay to see Diocletian's Palace?
No. The palace is a living quarter of the city, so its streets, the Peristyle and the gates are public and free at any hour. You pay only for specific sites within it, such as the cathedral, the bell tower and the substructures.
What is the best way to reach the islands?
Jadrolinija and Kapetan Luka run car ferries and catamarans from the port on the Riva to Hvar, Brac, Vis and Korcula. For a single day out, an organised speedboat trip covers several islands and the Blue Cave in one run, which the public timetables cannot do.
When is the best time to visit Split?
May, June and September give warm sea and manageable crowds. July and August are hot and very busy, with cruise arrivals filling the palace in the middle of the day. Winter is quiet and mild, though many island boats and beach bars close.
Where should you stay in Split?
Inside the palace walls you are in the middle of everything, but cars cannot reach most doors and summer nights are loud. Veli Varos is a few minutes uphill and much quieter, while Bacvice swaps the old town for a city beach.
Do you need a car in Split?
Not for the city. The centre, Marjan and Bacvice are all walkable, and buses cover the rest. A car helps for Klis, Trogir and the Dalmatian hinterland, but it is a liability in the old town, where parking is scarce and most lanes are pedestrian.