10 Best Day Trips from Split: Islands, Waterfalls, Towns, Tours & DIY Trips

Split is one of the best bases in Croatia for day trips because you can reach waterfalls, islands, historic towns, national parks, mountain viewpoints, and even Bosnia and Herzegovina without constantly changing hotels.

But not every day trip from Split is created equal.

I’ve spent a lot of time traveling around Croatia, and I’ve done many of these Split day trips myself so this is my honest breakdown of which Split day trips are actually worth your time, how to visit them, and when I’d choose a tour, ferry, bus, or rental car instead.

Some are easy half-day trips you can do by bus or ferry, others are full-day tours, and then there are trips that look simple on a map but only really make sense with a rental car, early start, or organized tour. But to save you some pain and sanity, I’ve omitted the really exhausting ones.

How to Choose the Best Day Trip from Split

Before you book anything, be honest about what kind of day you actually want.

Some day trips from Split are relaxed boat days where the whole point is swimming and sea views. Others are long national park trips, border-crossing tours, or active canyon adventures.

If you only have time for one day trip from Split, I’d choose based on this:

Day trip	Best for	Practical things to know
Krka National Park	Waterfalls, nature, easy logistics	Closest major waterfall trip from Split. Best by Krka tour from Split or rental car. Add Skradin or Šibenik if you want more than the main waterfall loop.
Blue Lagoon	Swimming, snorkeling, easy boat day	Easier and more relaxed than the Blue Cave. Best by Blue Lagoon 3 Islands tour. Great if you want turquoise water without spending the whole day bouncing across open sea.
Blue Cave & 5 Islands	Bucket-list island hopping	Beautiful but a very long day. Book the classic Blue Cave and 5 Islands tour, and expect a speedboat-heavy day, possible waiting time for the cave, and limited time at each stop.
Hvar	Island atmosphere, views, restaurants	Easy by ferry if you only want Hvar Town. Better with this Hvar & Pakleni Islands cruise if you want the Pakleni Islands too.
Plitvice Lakes	Big waterfalls and lake views	More dramatic than Krka, but much farther from Split. Best by Plitvice tour with ticket included, or as a stop on the way to Zagreb with a rental car.
Mostar & Kravice	Culture, history, Bosnia, waterfalls	Border crossing involved, so a Mostar and Kravice tour is easiest. Great if you want something completely different from Croatia’s coast and islands.
Omiš & Cetina Canyon	Rafting, zipline, canyon views	Easy to reach from Split. Visit Omiš independently, but book Cetina River rafting, zipline, canyoning, ATV, or via ferrata for the actual canyon experience.
Trogir	History, easy DIY trip, pretty old town	Best easy half-day trip from Split. Go early for the bell tower, then add Čiovo beaches or combine it with a Blue Lagoon and Trogir tour.
Brač & Zlatni Rat	Famous beach, island escape	Choose a Brač and Šolta sailing cruise if you want more time on the water, or this Hvar, Brač and Pakleni Islands cruise for a bigger island-hopping day.
Makarska & Biokovo	Road trip, beaches, mountain views	Best with a rental car. Great for dramatic coastal views, but Biokovo Skywalk requires extra planning and confidence on mountain roads. If you don’t want to drive up, book a Biokovo Skywalk tour.

Best way to go on day trips from Split

The best way to take day trips from Split depends on where you’re going. Some trips are easiest by tour, some are better with a rental car, and a few are simple enough by ferry or bus.

• I’d book a tour for most of the big-ticket Split day trips, especially if you don’t want to deal with tickets, ferry timing, parking, or long drives.
• A car is best if you want freedom, beach stops, viewpoints, or a more flexible Croatia road trip. Just know that parking can be scarce and roads can be narrow and windy.
• Public transport works well for the simpler day trips from Split. Use the bus for Trogir or Omiš. Use ferries or catamarans for Hvar Town and Bol on Brač if you want a DIY island day. It’s the cheapest but least flexible option.

Best day trips from Split

Split has dozens of possible day trips, but I’ve kept this list focused on the ones I think are actually worth your time.

These are the trips that work best from Split because they offer something different, make logistical sense, or give you a strong full-day experience without turning your holiday into a transport endurance test.

1. Krka National Park

Best for: Waterfalls, nature, easy logistics, and a classic Croatia day trip
Travel time: Around 1.5 hours from Split by car
Best way to visit: This Krka waterfalls tour from Split, or rent a car if you want to add Skradin, Šibenik, or more of the national park
Don’t miss: Skradinski Buk, Visovac Island, viewpoints and Roški Slap if you have more time
My take: Krka is the best national park day trip from Split for most travelers because it is beautiful and easy to reach

The mistake people make is thinking Krka is just one waterfall. It isn’t.

Most first-time visitors come for Skradinski Buk, the famous waterfall area with wooden walkways, turquoise pools, old watermills, and those classic postcard views. And yes, it is absolutely worth seeing. It also does not take a full day on its own.

I’ve visited Krka quite a few times now, and the national park is much bigger than it might appear. There are viewpoints, boat routes, Visovac Island, Roški Slap, Krka Monastery, cycling routes, and hiking trails. I explain all of that properly in my full Krka National Park guide.

For most visitors coming from Split, I’d keep it simple and visit Skradinski Buk, enjoy the boat ride, then either add Šibenik or spend time in Skradin.

Skradin is right by the national park entrance and honestly, I love it. It’s a small, pretty riverside town with a lovely harbor, cute stone streets, and a really relaxed lunch-stop feel. It’s also known for Skradin risotto and Skradin cake, so if your idea of a good day trip includes a proper local meal, this is your sign.

IMPORTANT!

You can no longer swim at Skradinski Buk. It’s disappointing if you remember the old Croatia Pinterest dream version, but the park gets busy and the waterfalls need protecting. If a tour mentions swimming, it usually means a designated swimming area away from the waterfalls, not under them.

Getting to Krka National Park from Split

Krka National Park is about 1.5 hours from Split by car, so this is one of the easiest national park day trips from the city. If you rent a car, you’ll have the most freedom to visit Skradin, Šibenik, viewpoints, or deeper parts of the park instead of just doing the basic waterfall loop.

If you drive yourself, book your Krka National Park entrance ticket ahead of time, especially in high season. Entry is limited, and this is one of the most popular places to visit from Split.

Public transport is possible, usually by bus to Skradin, but it’s not the option I’d choose unless you’re on a very tighter budget.

For most travelers, a Krka tour from Split is the better option. You don’t have to worry about parking, tickets, bus schedules, or figuring out how much of the park you can realistically cover in a day.

2. Blue Lagoon

Best for: Swimming, snorkeling, turquoise water, and an easy boat day from Split
Travel time: Around 30–45 minutes by speedboat from Split, depending on the tour and sea conditions
Best way to visit: Book a Blue Lagoon & 3 Islands tour, or choose a private Blue Lagoon tour if you want more flexibility
Don’t miss: Krknjaši Bay, swimming or snorkeling in the lagoon
My take: The Blue Lagoon is the best easy boat trip from Split if you want a beautiful swimming day without committing to the longer, bumpier Blue Cave tour.

The Blue Lagoon is one of those places that actually lives up to the photos. The water is this ridiculous, radiant shade of blue, and the whole bay feels made for swimming, snorkeling, and lazy boat days.

Its real name is Krknjaši Bay, and it sits by Drvenik Veliki, sheltered by the tiny islets of Mali Krknjaš and Veli Krknjaš. That sheltered setup is what gives the lagoon its calm, bright, almost unreal color.

I absolutely loved the Blue Lagoon, even though I visited before proper swimming season and the sea was still cold. I did it as a private boat trip rather than a group tour, which meant we could spend more time on the water, stop for coffee on Šolta, and keep the day relaxed instead of rushing between too many places.

The wind did pick up earlier than expected, so we had to skip the shipwreck, but it was still a gorgeous day out. We visited Šolta and Čiovo, spent time around the lagoon, and got that slow, salty boat-day feeling that makes this part of Croatia so addictive.

If you’re choosing between the Blue Lagoon and the Blue Cave, this is the main difference: Blue Lagoon is the easier, more relaxed choice. The Blue Cave is more dramatic, but it’s much farther from Split and usually means hours of speedboat bouncing. Blue Lagoon is closer, simpler, and better if you mostly want to swim, snorkel, and enjoy the sea.

Getting to the Blue Lagoon from Split

Technically, you can reach Drvenik Veliki by ferry, but I wouldn’t recommend it for most visitors. The ferry arrives on the other side of the island, and getting across to the Blue Lagoon is hard and time consuming.

Most people visit the Blue Lagoon on a boat tour from Split, usually combined with Trogir, Čiovo, Šolta, or sometimes Brač. That makes much more sense than trying to DIY it by ferry.

3. Blue Cave & 5 Islands Tour

Best for: Bucket-list island hopping, dramatic sea caves, Vis, Hvar, and seeing a lot in one day
Travel time: Full-day trip, usually 10–12 hours from Split
Best way to visit: Book a the classic Blue Cave & 5 Islands tour, or choose a more comfortable boat
Don’t miss: Blue Cave, Vis, Stiniva Bay, Green Cave, Budikovac, Hvar Town
My take: This is the biggest bucket-list boat tour from Split, but it’s not the most relaxing one. Go for the wow factor, not for a chill day at sea.

The Blue Cave is one of the most magical places I’ve visited in Croatia. I was lucky enough to see it before it became quite so popular, and I completely understand why people still want to go. When the light hits the water inside the cave and everything turns that surreal electric blue, it really is spectacular.

But I’ll be honest, as a day trip from Split, the Blue Cave is intense.

The cave is on Biševo Island, near Vis, so getting there from Split means a long speedboat ride across open water. You feel every little wave. If the sea is rough, you will know about it. This is not the tour I’d choose if you get seasick easily, have back issues, or want a slow, lazy swimming day.

There’s also usually a queue to enter the cave. Visitors are transferred into small boats, taken inside for a few minutes, and then moved back out again. It can feel a bit conveyor-belt-ish, especially in high season, and you’re not allowed to swim in the cave.

That said, the reason I still include it is because the full Blue Cave and 5 Islands tour from Split is not just about the cave. Most tours break up the long ride with stops like Stiniva Bay, Green Cave, Budikovac or the Blue Lagoon, Vis, and Hvar Town. So yes, it’s a long day, but you also see a lot.

Personally, I’d rather explore Vis, Hvar, and the Pakleni Islands slowly over several days, and visit the Blue Cave from there. But if you only have limited time and want the biggest island-hopping day possible, this is the tour that delivers.

Getting to the Blue Cave from Split

You can’t just wander into the Blue Cave on your own. The cave can only be entered by small official boats, and from Split, the easiest way to visit is on an organized speedboat tour.

Most Blue Cave tours from Split include several island stops because the ride is too long to make the cave the only focus. That’s a good thing. It breaks up the journey and makes the day feel more worthwhile.

Technically, you can make the trip shorter by staying on Vis or Hvar and visiting the Blue Cave from there instead. If your itinerary allows it, I’d honestly prefer that. Hvar and Vis are both closer than Split, and the boat ride is less brutal.

4. Hvar

Best for: Island scenery, Hvar Town, beaches, views, restaurants, and the Pakleni Islands
Travel time: Around 1 hour by catamaran from Split to Hvar Town, or a full-day boat tour
Best way to visit: Take the ferry if you mainly want Hvar Town, or book a Hvar & Pakleni Islands cruise if you want the full island-and-sea experience
Don’t miss: Hvar Town, Fortica Fortress, Napoleon Fortress viewpoint, Pokonji Dol Beach, and the Pakleni Islands
My take: Hvar is the best island day trip from Split, but it is even better if you can stay overnight.

Hvar is one of the easiest islands to visit from Split, but I have mixed feelings about calling it “just” a day trip. Yes, you can hop on the catamaran, explore Hvar Town, climb up to the fortress, have lunch, swim, and come back to Split. It works.

But Hvar deserves more than a day.

I spent a month on Hvar and still didn’t get enough of it. I’ve been back since, and I’d go again tomorrow. The island has this rare mix of polished old-town glamour, wild coves, beach roads, tiny villages, great food, and those ridiculous blue-water views that make you question every life decision that led you away from the Adriatic.

If you only have one day, focus on Hvar Town and the Pakleni Islands. Walk through the old town, go up to Fortica Fortress, and make time for a swim. Fortica is the obvious viewpoint and it’s worth it, but I actually prefer the view from Napoleon Fortress. You can’t really go inside the fort, but the view over Hvar Town and the Pakleni Islands is stunning.

For beaches, I’d pick Pokonji Dol over some of the more hyped spots. It’s still popular, of course, but it feels a bit more relaxed and gives you that classic Hvar beach day without trying too hard.

If you want to dig deeper, read my full Hvar Island guide, Hvar itinerary, and Pakleni Islands guide.

Getting to Hvar from Split

Hvar is easy to reach from Split by catamaran. The car ferry goes to Stari Grad, not Hvar Town, so I wouldn’t bother with that for a simple day trip unless you have a very specific plan.

A DIY Hvar day trip makes sense if you want to explore the town independently, but if you want to experience the sea properly, I’d choose this boat tour that includes the Pakleni Islands too.

Personally, I’d choose a sailing or private-style experience over a rushed multi-island tour for Hvar. The magic of Hvar isn’t just ticking off the name. It’s arriving by boat, seeing the Pakleni Islands, walking the old town, going up for the views, and having enough time to actually enjoy being there.

5. Plitvice Lakes National Park

Best for: Dramatic waterfalls, wooden boardwalks, lake views, and one of Croatia’s most iconic national parks
Travel time: Around 2.5–3 hours each way from Split
Best way to visit: Book a Plitvice tour (with ticket), or rent a car, book your ticket and visit on the way to Zagreb
Don’t miss: The boardwalks, Veliki Slap, and the views from above the park
My take: Plitvice is the most spectacular national park day trip from Split, but it is a long day. If you’re driving north through Croatia, I’d rather visit it en route than do it as a return trip from Split.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of the most famous places in Croatia, and honestly, it deserves the hype. The park is a maze of 16 interconnected lakes, wooden boardwalks, waterfalls, viewpoints, and water that shifts from turquoise to deep emerald depending on the light.

I think Plitvice is even more dramatic than Krka in some ways. Krka is easier from Split, but Plitvice has that full fairytale national park feeling. The scale is bigger, the lake system is more impressive, and even some of the views from outside the ticketed park are jaw-dropping.

That said, Plitvice is not exactly close to Split. The drive is around 2.5–3 hours each way, so this is a very long day trip. If you’re renting a car and continuing toward Zagreb, or inland Croatia, I’d visit Plitvice on the way instead of doing a there-and-back mission from Split.

I visited Plitvice again this spring, and even outside peak summer it was busy. I almost didn’t get tickets because I left it too late, which was frankly very on-brand and very dumb. Don’t do that. Watching the ticket countdown reach single digits while standing in line was very stressful.

Plitvice has timed entry and limited tickets, so book ahead, especially in high season.

You also need to know that you cannot swim in Plitvice Lakes. This is a protected national park, and the whole point is preserving those ridiculously beautiful lakes and waterfalls. If swimming is important to you, Kravice Waterfalls near Mostar is the better option.

Getting to Plitvice Lakes from Split

You can drive to Plitvice from Split, and having a rental car gives you the most flexibility. But I wouldn’t do this as a return self drive day trip as it is quite exhausting.

Personally, I’d only do Plitvice from Split if this is your only chance to see it. Otherwise, I’d choose Krka from Split and save Plitvice for a route north. But if you’ve dreamed of seeing Plitvice and you don’t mind the long day, it is absolutely stunning.

If you’re visiting on your own, book your Plitvice Lakes entrance ticket in advance. This is not the place to see what happens in July.

For most travelers, a guided tour from Split is the much easier option. You’ll still have a long day, but at least you’re not driving six hours plus walking around the park for several more hours.

Check if the entrance ticket is included in the price of the tour. A lot of Plitvice tours are basically transport with free time in the park, and the ticket or guide are paid separately.

If you want more context once you’re inside the park, you can also book a Plitvice guided walking tour, but note that this does not include transport from Split.

6. Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Best for: Ottoman history, waterfalls, food, visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina from Split
Travel time: Around 2–2.5 hours each way, plus border crossing time
Best way to visit: Book a Mostar and Kravice tour, or rent a car to explore independently
Don’t miss: Stari Most, the Old Bazaar, Turkish coffee, ćevapi, swimmin in Kravice Waterfalls
My take: Mostar is the best Bosnia day trip from Split if you want something completely different from Croatia’s islands and national parks.

Mostar is one of the most interesting day trips from Split because it takes you beyond Croatia and into Bosnia and Herzegovina.

I loved the mix of churches on one side, mosques on the other, cobbled streets, Ottoman-style architecture, and the Old Bazaar spilling down toward the river. It’s one of those places where you can feel several cultures meeting in one small, intense space.

The heart of Mostar is Stari Most, the famous rebuilt bridge over the Neretva River. The original bridge was destroyed during the 1990s war and later reconstructed, and the town still carries visible scars from that period.

That history is part of what makes Mostar so powerful to visit and I highly recommend booking this Mostar war and Yugoslavia tour once you’re there. It visits four historic sites around Mostar, including a former bunker and the Partisan Memorial Cemetery, and covers Tito, the Cold War, the fall of communism, and the Yugoslavian War

And then there are the bridge divers. Watching locals dive from Stari Most into the Neretva is honestly wild. Just thinking about it gives me chills. I had so much fun chatting with them, and apparently you can even do a mini course and attempt the jump yourself. I chose to admire the bravery from dry land. My survival instinct occasionally clocks in for work.

Getting to Mostar from Split

Mostar is around 2–2.5 hours from Split by car, depending on traffic and the border crossing. If you’re driving yourself, check that your rental car is allowed to cross into Bosnia and Herzegovina and that your insurance is valid there.

A DIY trip is possible, especially if you’re confident driving and want flexibility. But a tour makes it a hell of a lot easier.

I highly recommend you pick a Mostar tour that also stops at Kravice Waterfalls. Since you can no longer swim at Krka or Plitvice, Kravice is one of the best waterfall stops near Croatia where you can still swim. It’s scenic, refreshing, and much less famous than Croatia’s big national parks.

7. Omiš & Cetina Canyon

Best for: Adventure, rafting, ziplining, canyon views, and an easy active day trip from Split
Travel time: Around 35–40 minutes from Split by car
Best way to visit: Rent a car to explore Omiš town, or book a rafting tour or zipline for the full canyon experience
Don’t miss: Omiš old town, the Cetina River, the canyon cliffs, Mirabela Fortress, and at least one adventure activity
My take: Omiš is the best adventure day trip from Split because you get a historic coastal town and the Cetina Canyon in one easy trip.

Omiš sits where the Cetina River meets the Adriatic, and that setting is exactly what makes it so good. You get the sea on one side, canyon cliffs on the other, and a small old town squeezed between the two.

The town itself is worth a wander, especially if you like dramatic views and pirate history. Omiš was once known for its pirates, and you still get that slightly rugged, fortified feel when you look up at the cliffs and fortresses above town.

But for me, the real reason to visit Omiš from Split is the Cetina Canyon.

The Cetina River cuts through a rocky canyon behind the town, and this is where the fun stuff happens: rafting, canyoning, ziplining, boat rides, ATV tours, and via ferrata.

I did this ATV tour from Split down to Omiš and up into the canyon, and it was such a fun day. We had a great group, beautiful views, and yes, I even managed to tip over the ATV because apparently getting the shot was more important than basic self-preservation. No regrets. Mostly.

I still really want to do the Omiš via ferrata, but I haven’t managed it yet. The setting looks incredible, with the cliffs rising right above town and the river below. So if you’re more into heights than water, that’s the one I’d look at. And then please report back in the comments.

Getting to Omiš from Split

Omiš is one of the easiest day trips from Split. It’s about 35–40 minutes south by car along the coast, and you can also reach it by public bus. If you only want to see the town, have lunch, climb up to a viewpoint, and maybe visit the beach, you don’t need a tour. Just go independently.

But if you want to experience the Cetina Canyon, book an activity. The best parts of the canyon are not really something you “just visit” on foot from town. You’ll get much more out of it by rafting, ziplining, canyoning, or joining a guided adventure.

8. Trogir

Best for: History, pretty old streets, easy logistics, and a relaxed half-day trip from Split
Travel time: Around 30 minutes by car or bus from Split
Best way to visit: Bus, rent a car or book a Blue Lagoon and Trogir tour to combine it with a boat trip
Don’t miss: The Cathedral of St. Lawrence Bell Tower, Kamerlengo Fortress, the waterfront
My take: Trogir is the easiest DIY day trip from Split

Trogir is one of the easiest places to visit from Split, and I think it’s worth doing even if you’re already planning a few bigger day trips. It’s close, beautiful, compact, and doesn’t require much planning.

Trogir old town sits on a tiny island and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with white stone streets, Venetian palaces, flower pots, hidden alleys, and a waterfront full of boats and ridiculous yachts. It’s polished, photogenic, and very easy to enjoy.

But it’s also small. You don’t need a full day just for Trogir old town unless you’re moving very slowly. Pair it with the Blue Lagoon, Kastelac, Klis Fortres or nearby beaches on Čiovo.

My favorite thing in Trogir was climbing the bell tower of the Cathedral of St. Lawrence. The stairs are a bit dodgy, but the views are incredible. You walk across the roof and right under that huge rosetta window, which is insanely photogenic. I’d do this first thing in the morning before the tour groups arrive.

I also really liked how easy it is to pair Trogir with Čiovo. If you want more than just the old town, cross over to the island for beaches and swimming. That makes the day feel much more complete.

Getting to Trogir from Split

Trogir is about 30 kilometers from Split, and you can get there by bus, car, taxi, or boat tour. If you drive, I’d make a quick stop in Kaštel Gomilica on the way. Its Kaštilac fortress was used as a filming location for Braavos in Game of Thrones, so it’s an easy little extra if you’re already passing through.

Book this Trogir walking tour once you’re there. I’d consider it if you want more context, because Trogir is pretty at first glance, but the history is what makes the town more interesting.

But honestly, the most efficient way to see Trogir without dedicating a whole day to it is to book this Blue Lagoon and Trogir tour. That way you get the pretty town and the turquoise-water boat day in one go.

9. Brač & Zlatni Rat

Best for: Famous beaches, island scenery, Bol, wine tasting, and a classic Croatia beach day
Travel time: Around 1 hour by ferry to Bol, or a full-day boat tour from Split
Best way to visit: Take the passenger ferry to Bol if you mainly want Zlatni Rat, or book a Brač and Šolta sailing cruise if you want more time on the water
Don’t miss: Zlatni Rat, Bol, Stina Winery, Vidova Gora, and the old military tunnels
My take: Brač is the best beach day trip from Split if you specifically want to see Zlatni Rat, but I’d choose a boat tour if you want the day to feel more like an island-hopping experience.

Zlatni Rat in Bol is probably the most photographed beach in Croatia, and yes, it is stunning. It looks like a sandy beach in photos, but it’s actually made of tiny pebbles.

The beach is famous for its long horn-like shape that shifts with the wind and sea conditions. It’s not a hidden gem and it absolutely gets busy, but I still think it’s worth seeing if you love iconic beaches and want that classic Croatia postcard moment.

Bol town itself is also a lovely place to spend a few hours. There are cute restaurants, bars, a pretty waterfront, and Stina Winery so I’d definitely add wine tasting if you have time.

Brač also has more to offer beyond Bol, including Vidova Gora, Blaca Monastery, and Zmajeva Špilja / Dragon Cave, but realistically, you won’t see all of that on a relaxed day trip from Split. This is where I’d be selective. Either make it a Bol + Zlatni Rat beach day, or book a boat tour and enjoy the island from the water.

Getting to Brač from Split

The easiest DIY option is the passenger ferry from Split to Bol. This makes the most sense if your main goal is Zlatni Rat and Bol.

The car ferry lands in Supetar, not Bol, so don’t assume bringing a car makes the day simpler. From Supetar, you still need to cross the island to reach Bol and Zlatni Rat. That can work if you want to explore more of Brač, but for a simple beach day, the passenger ferry to Bol is cleaner.

For a relaxed day, this Brač and Šolta sailing cruise while this tour lets you combine Brač with Hvar and the Pakleni Islands for a fuller island-hopping day.

10. Makarska Riviera & Biokovo

Best for: Dramatic coastal views, beaches, mountain scenery, road trip
Travel time: Around 1–1.5 hours from Split by car, longer if you go up Biokovo
Best way to visit: Rent a car if you want the beaches and Biokovo Skywalk, or bus to Makarska and book a Biokovo Skywalk tour
Don’t miss: Punta Rata Beach, Nugal Beach, Makarska town, Biokovo Skywalk
My take: Makarska and Biokovo make the best scenic road trip from Split if you want that classic Croatia combo of turquoise sea, pine-fringed beaches, and huge mountains rising straight from the coast.

The Makarska Riviera is one of the most dramatic stretches of coast in Croatia. You have the Adriatic on one side, the Biokovo mountains rising almost vertically on the other, and all these beaches, coves, pine forests, and little towns squeezed in between.

I’ve always had a soft spot for this coast. Even as a kid, this was the stretch where I wanted to stop for a swim. There’s just something about the contrast of the clear blue water, and huge rocky mountains behind you that makes the whole place feel slightly unreal.

Makarska itself is the main town, but the real appeal is the whole stretch of coast from Brela to Gradac. Punta Rata in Brela is one of the most famous beaches, while Nugal Beach is wilder and more dramatic.

Then there’s Biokovo Nature Park, which is what makes this day trip more than just another beach day. The highlight is the Biokovo Skywalk, a glass viewing platform at around 1,228 meters above sea level with insane views over the Makarska Riviera, the islands, and sometimes even toward Italy on a clear day.

I was so excited when they built the Skywalk because it gives you that full “standing above the coastline” drama without needing to do a massive hike. But you do need to plan this properly. The road up Biokovo is narrow, winding, and steep, so only drive it yourself if you’re comfortable with mountain roads.

Getting to Makarska and Biokovo from Split

Makarska is easy to reach from Split by car or bus, but if you want to combine the coast with Biokovo Skywalk, I’d strongly recommend having your own wheels.

A rental car gives you the freedom to stop at beaches, drive the coastal road, visit Makarska town, and head up into Biokovo Nature Park. This is the kind of day trip where flexibility really matters.

There aren’t loads of clean, dedicated Makarska + Biokovo tours from Split, which is why I’d usually treat this as a self-drive day trip. You can also take the bus to Makarska and then do this Biokovo Skywalk tour from there, but check timings carefully.

Bonus Day Trips from Split

If you have extra time in Split, these bonus day trips are worth considering after you’ve covered the big hitters like Krka, Hvar, the Blue Lagoon, the Blue Cave, Mostar, and Trogir.

Šibenik

Šibenik is one of the easiest historic town trips from Split, and it works great also when paired with Krka National Park.

The old town has steep stone streets, sea views, fortresses, and the UNESCO-listed Cathedral of St. James. It feels a little more lived-in and less polished than Trogir, plus its full of friendly cats.

Klis Fortress & Salona

Klis and Salona are the best short inland trips from Split if you don’t want a full-day excursion.

Klis Fortress sits dramatically above Split, with huge views over the city, sea, islands, and mountains. It was also used as Meereen in Game of Thrones, which gives it an easy pop-culture hook without making the whole trip only for fans.

Nearby Salona was once the Roman capital of Dalmatia, and you can still see ruins of the amphitheater, basilicas, baths, city walls, and old Roman streets.

Cetina Springs / Eye of the Earth

Cetina Springs, also known as the Eye of the Earth, is one of the most unusual natural places you can visit from Split. From above, the spring looks like a blue-green eye, and the water is insanely clear.

I loved it, but it’s niche. The springs are about 1.5 hours inland, and you don’t need much time there once you arrive. It’s stunning, but it’s also a long drive for a short stop.

If you go, I’d combine it with Peruća Lake, Krčić waterfall, countryside stops, or Knin rather than driving all that way just for the spring.

Where to stay in Split for Day Trips

If you’re using Split as a base for day trips, I’d stay close to the Old Town, Riva, ferry port, or main bus station. That way you can walk to early boat tours, ferries, buses, and most tour meeting points.

When picking where to stay in Split, remember that parking can be a serious issue. If you’re traveling by car this is a major consideration and something you should check before booking.

How many days in Split?

I’d spend at least 3 days in Split if you want to see the city and take one proper day trip.

With 2 days in Split, you can explore the Old Town, Diocletian’s Palace, Marjan Hill, and maybe squeeze in one easy day trip like Trogir, Blue Lagoon, or Krka.

With 4–5 days in Split, you can use it as a proper base and mix islands, waterfalls, historic towns, and adventure. This is where Split really starts to make sense as a hub.

Best time to visit Split, Croatia

The best time for day trips from Split is May, June, September, and early October. The weather is usually warm and sunny, but the heta and crowds are easier to handle than in peak summer.

Spring is better for Krka, Plitvice, Mostar, Trogir, Omiš, and Makarska. Autumn works best for Blue Lagoon, Blue Cave and the islands as the sea may be too cold for proper swimming in spring, but is warm enough in September.

As a rule of thumb, I would advise you to avoid Croatia in the peak of summer. July and August are the busiest months. Boat tours run frequently, but popular places like Krka, Hvar, Blue Lagoon, and Plitvice get crowded. Book tours and national park tickets ahead of time.

Planning a trip to Croatia?

Croatia is a stunning country with countless gorgeous islands, charming roman towns, beautiful nature and delicious food. To help you plan your trip I’ve prepared a series of Croatia travel guides. And for an easy plug & play solution make sure to check out my Croatia itinerary (coming soon).