Split Itinerary: How to Spend 2, 3, 4, 5 or 7 Days in Split, Croatia

Planning a Split itinerary sounds easy until you realize how much sits within reach of the city.

Split Old Town is compact enough to explore in a few hours, but Split is also one of the best bases in Croatia for island hopping, beaches, and inland adventures. That mix is exactly what makes Split so underestimated, and exactly what makes it confusing to plan.

I’ve been visiting Croatia since childhood, and Split is one of the places I’ve returned to again and again, sometimes as a stopover, sometimes as a base, and sometimes just because I wanted another excuse to wander those old stone streets. At one point, I even considered moving here.

And still, Split keeps surprising me.

The best Split Croatia itinerary depends on how you want to use the city, how many days you have in Split, and how much you want to see beyond the Old Town. It can work as a quick stop, a coastal base, or a launchpad for some of the best day trips in Dalmatia.

This guide will help you decide how long to spend in Split, choose the itinerary version that actually makes sense for you , and build a Split itinerary without overstuffing your days or wasting the city’s best advantage: how much you can reach from here.

How many days in Split?

Two to three days in Split is ideal for exploring Split’s historic center, seeing the main highlights, visiting museums, and enjoying the immediate surroundings.

If you mainly want to see Split itself and its immediate surroundings, 2 days is enough. One day in Split is enough to see Diocletian’s Palace and the historic center, but it is not enough to enjoy what makes Split such a useful base.

If you want to use Split as a base, 4 to 5 days is the sweet spot. This allows you to go on day trips from Split and visit Krka National Park, Omiš, Klis Fortress, Hvar, or Brač without changing hotels every night.

If this is your first (or only) trip to Croatia and you only have one week, I usually wouldn’t spend all 7 days in Split. I’d split your time between Split, Hvar, and Dubrovnik, depending on your priorities.

But if you want one easy base with ferries, beaches, restaurants, history, and day trips in every direction, a week in Split can absolutely work.

Time in Split	Best for	Main focus
1 day in Split	Quick stop, cruise stop	Old Town tour + Marjan. Follow my one day in Split itinerary
2 days in Split	Best minimum stay	Old Town + Blue Lagoon boat trip
3 days in Split	Best first-time visit	Split Old Town + Blue Lagoon/Trogir + one day trip
4 days in Split	Best short base itinerary	Add Krka, Mostar, Plitvice Lakes, or Blue Cave
5 days in Split	Best full base itinerary	Add more day trips, slow down, and consider renting a car
7 days in Split	Slow travel or or one-base trips	Works well as a base, but not always ideal for a first Croatia trip

Split Croatia Itinerary Overview – 2 to 7 Days in Split, Croatia

This guide is split (see what I’ve done here?) into separate itineraries because the best way to spend your time in Split depends heavily on how many days you have.

A 2 day Split itinerary should not just be the first two days of a 7 day itinerary. A good 2-day Split itinerary needs to be tight and focused on the best things to do in Split. A 5-day Split itinerary can breathe more and use the city as a base without feeling rushed.

I’ll include more detail the first time an activity appears, then keep repeat sections tighter so you don’t have to read the same Diocletian’s Palace paragraph five times.

Only have one day? Use my one day in Split itinerary instead. This guide is better if you have at least two days in Split or want to use the city as a base for exploring Croatia.

Planning Your Split Itinerary? Book These First

You don’t need to book everything in Split, but there are a few experiences I would sort early, especially in summer. The best Split itinerary usually combines one strong Old Town experience, one boat trip, and one day trip or adventure outside the city.

These are the Split experiences I’d book first:

• For your first day: book this Split walking tour
  The palace is not a normal palace, and a guide helps connect the Roman ruins, gates, temples, courtyards, and Old Town streets into something that makes sense.
• For the easiest boat day: book this Blue Lagoon and Trogir tour
  It’s the simplest way to add swimming, snorkeling, and a nearby UNESCO town without planning ferries yourself.
• For Game of Thrones fans: book this Game of Thrones tour with Klis Fortress
  You’ll find filming locations, fortress views, and a good excuse to get out of the city.
• For foodies: book this Split food tour. It’s a good way to try local dishes, learn what to order, and avoid wasting a meal on the most obvious tourist-trap restaurant.
• For waterfalls: book this Krka Waterfalls.
  This is the easiest national park day trip from Split and a must see in Croatia.
• For island hopping: book this Blue Cave and 5 islands tour.
  This is the bigger, more dramatic boat day with caves, islands, swimming stops, and a lot more time on the water.
• For adventure: book this Omiš zipline tour
  if you want something more active than another pretty old town.
• For flexibility: rent a car
  if you want to visit Klis, Salona, Omiš, Krka, Makarska, or Plitvice independently.

Where to stay in Split

2 Days in Split Itinerary

With 2 days in Split, I’d use the city as a mini base for short excursions rather than spending both days only in the Old Town.

Split’s historic center is compact, so you don’t need two full days just for Diocletian’s Palace, the Riva, and the main Old Town sights. Instead, I’d spend one day on the water with the Blue Lagoon and Trogir, then use the second day for Split Old Town, Marjan, and either a history/GOT-style trip to Klis Fortress and Salona or a food-focused afternoon.

This gives you a much better feel for Split and its beautiful surroundings.

Day	Plan	Best for
Day 1	Split walking tour, Diocletian’s Palace, Klis + Salona or Bačvice Beach, dinner and Riva	History, Old Town, views, first-time orientation
Day 2	Blue Lagoon and Trogir boat trip, Game of Thrones tour or Split food tour, final dinner	Coast, swimming, Trogir, GOT locations or food

Day 1 – Split Old Town, Diocletian’s Palace + Klis or Beach

Day 1 of this Split 2 day itinerary focuses on the historic center. This is where you’ll get your bearings, understand why Diocletian’s Palace is such a big deal, and see the part of Split that most first-time visitors come for.

Start early if you’re visiting in summer. Split Old Town is beautiful, but the heat and crowds can build fast, especially around the Peristyle, the Bell Tower, and the Palace Cellars.

Stop	What to do
Diocletian’s Palace	Start early in Diocletian’s Palace before the worst of the crowds and heat arrive. Focus on the Peristyle, Vestibule, Podrumi Palace Cellars.
Split walking tour	Book this Split walking tour early in your trip so Diocletian’s Palace actually makes sense with stories and context.
Bell Tower of St. Domnius	Climb the Bell Tower for one of the best views over Split Old Town. Go early to beat the crowds if you’re visiting in summer.
Lunch in Split Old Town	Keep lunch central so you don’t waste time crossing the city. Try Konoba Korta, Villa Spiza, Fig Split, or Bokeria Kitchen & Wine Bar for an easy Old Town meal.
Klis Fortress + Salona or Bačvice Beach	Choose Klis and Salona if you want history, fortress views, Roman ruins, and GOT locations. Choose Bačvice Beach if it’s hot, you’re tired, or you’d rather swim and slow down after the Old Town.
Dinner + Riva walk	Stay in or near Split Old Town for dinner, then walk the Riva Promenade. This is one of the best parts of Split in the evening.

Explore Diocletian’s Palace

Start your first morning in Diocletian’s Palace, the heart of Split Old Town and the most important sight in the city.

Just don’t expect a normal palace. Diocletian’s Palace is not one building with a tidy entrance and a fixed visitor route. It is a living Roman palace complex that became the city center, with apartments, cafés, bars, restaurants, shops, courtyards, Roman ruins, and narrow stone streets all woven into the old palace walls.

I’d give yourself a little time to wander on your own first, especially around the Peristyle and the palace streets. Then use a guide to pull the whole thing together.

Join a Split Walking Tour

The best way to start your Split itinerary is with a walking tour of the Old Town and Diocletian’s Palace.

Split is beautiful on its own, but it makes a lot more sense once you understand how the Roman palace became a living city. Otherwise, it’s very easy to walk past Roman gates, medieval buildings, hidden courtyards, old temples, and palace walls without really knowing what you’re looking at.

I recommend booking this Split walking tour early in your trip, ideally on your first morning. That way, the rest of your time in Split feels less like wandering through pretty old stones and more like exploring a place with context.

Book this Split walking tour

Climb the Bell Tower of St. Domnius

Just off the Peristyle, climb the Bell Tower of St. Domnius for one of the best views in Split.

From the top, you can see Split Old Town, the red rooftops, the Riva, the ferry port, Marjan Hill, the Adriatic Sea, and the Mosor and Kozjak mountains rising behind the city.

The climb is narrow and a little sweaty in summer, but I think it’s worth doing early in your trip because it helps you understand the layout of Split. You can see how compact the Old Town is, how close the port sits to the historic center, and why Split works so well as a base.

Lunch in Split Old Town

After your walking tour and bell tower climb, stay central for lunch.

For a casual Dalmatian meal, look for seafood risotto, grilled fish, octopus salad, black risotto, or pašticada with gnocchi. I’d keep lunch simple and avoid crossing the city just to eat.

Good central options include Konoba Korta, Villa Spiza, Fig Split, or Bokeria Kitchen & Wine Bar, depending on your mood.

Choose Klis Fortress and Salona or Bačvice Beach

In the afternoon, choose between history and beach time.

If you want your 2 days in Split to feel richer and more varied, head inland to Klis Fortress and Salona.

• Klis Fortress sits above Split and has incredible views over the city, coast, islands, and surrounding mountains. It’s also one of the major Game of Thrones filming locations near Split, used as Meereen.
• Salona was once the capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia and is one of the most important archaeological sites near Split. It is less polished than Diocletian’s Palace, but that’s part of the appeal. You get Roman ruins, open space, and a much quieter look at ancient history without the Old Town crowds.

You can visit Klis and Salona on this tour or independently if you have a car. If you’re planning more inland day trips later in your Croatia itinerary, compare rentals through Discover Cars.

If you’d rather keep the afternoon easy, go to Bačvice Beach instead. It’s the easiest beach to reach from Split Old Town and works well if it’s hot, you’re tired, or you just want a swim and a drink instead of another history lesson with stairs.

My take: choose Klis and Salona if you want a stronger itinerary. Choose Bačvice if you want your first day to feel more like a holiday.

Book a Klis and Salona tour
Book this Game of Thrones tour with Klis Fortress
Rent a car

Dinner and Riva Walk

For dinner, stay in or near Split Old Town so you don’t waste the evening crossing the city.

After dinner, walk the Riva Promenade. This is one of the best parts of Split in the evening: palm trees, lights on the water, people out for a stroll, and that very Croatian talent for sitting around for ages and somehow making it look purposeful.

Day 2 – Blue Lagoon, Trogir + Game of Thrones or Food Tour

Day 2 is your coast-and-fun day. This is where you get out on the water, visit Trogir, and then use the evening for either Game of Thrones filming locations or food, depending on what you care about more.

Stop	What to do
Blue Lagoon + Trogir tour	Start with this Blue Lagoon and Trogir half-day tour. It’s the easiest way to add swimming, snorkeling, bright Adriatic water, and a visit to UNESCO-listed Trogir without planning ferries yourself.
Marjan Hill or slow afternoon	After the boat trip, walk up Marjan Hill to Prva Vidilica if you still have energy. If not, keep it easy with coffee on the Riva, gelato, beach time, or another relaxed wander through Split Old Town.
Game of Thrones or food tour	If you’re a GOT fan, book this Split Game of Thrones tour to match filming locations around Diocletian’s Palace and the Podrumi to the actual scenes. If food matters more, book this Split food tour instead and use it as an easy final evening.
Final dinner or drinks	If you didn’t do the food tour, end with a proper dinner in Split. Go for seafood, black risotto, pašticada, grilled fish, octopus salad, Plavac Mali, and one last walk along the Riva.

Take a Blue Lagoon and Trogir Half-Day Tour

Start your second day with this Blue Lagoon and Trogir half-day tour.

I like this option for a 2 day Split itinerary because it gives you the classic Croatian coast feeling without making the whole trip revolve around ferry schedules. You get sea, swimming, and another historic town in one clean morning.

Book this Blue Lagoon and Trogir half-day tour

The Blue Lagoon, also known as Krknjaši Bay, is one of the easiest boat trips from Split and a great way to add swimming, snorkeling, and bright Adriatic water without committing to a full island-hopping day.

The tour also includes Trogir, a beautiful UNESCO-listed town near Split, plus a stop around Čiovo / Laganini Beach Bar depending on the exact route.

Read next: Blue Lagoon Croatia guide and Best things to do in Trogir

Walk Up Marjan Hill or Slow Down on the Riva

After the boat trip, keep the afternoon easy.

If you still have energy, walk up Marjan Hill. You don’t have to do the whole trek, just to Prva Vidilica for one of the best views over Split, the Riva, the port, the Adriatic, and the mountains behind the city.

If you’re tired from the boat, don’t force it. Grab a coffee, sit on the Riva, get gelato, or have a nap in your hotel room Split is one of those places where doing less often feels better than trying to squeeze in one more attraction just because it technically fits.

Choose a Game of Thrones or Food Tour

For your final evening, choose between Game of Thrones and food.

Split was used for several Game of Thrones filming locations, especially around Diocletian’s Palace and the Podrumi Palace Cellars. The cellars were used for Daenerys’ dragon dungeon, and parts of the Old Town stood in for Meereen.

If you’re a GOT fan, book this Split Game of Thrones tour. I visited not long after watching the show, and it still took me a while to recognize the right spots. This is one of those cases where the tour actually makes the experience easier and more fun.

Book this Split Game of Thrones tour

If you’re not into Game of Thrones, book this Split food tour instead. It works well as dinner, gives you local dishes and context, and saves you from ending up in the most obvious tourist-trap restaurant because you were hungry and decision-fatigued.

Book this Split food tour

Final Dinner or Drinks

If you didn’t do the food tour, use your final evening for a proper dinner in Split.

Go for seafood, black risotto, pašticada, grilled fish, octopus salad, or whatever looks fresh that day. Pair it with Plavac Mali or a crisp local white, then finish with one last walk along the Riva.

3 Days in Split Itinerary

With 3 days in Split, you have enough time to see the city properly, get out on the Adriatic, and add one bigger day trip.

It also works well for a long weekend in Split. You’ll get the historic center, sea time, views, and either islands, waterfalls, wine, or mountains before moving on.

This is my favorite version of a short Split itinerary because it gives you a bit of everything: Split Old Town, Diocletian’s Palace, Marjan Hill, the Blue Lagoon, Trogir, Klis Fortress, and one day trip based on your travel style.

3 Days in Split at a Glance:

Day	Plan
Day 1	Split Old Town, Diocletian’s Palace, walking tour, Marjan Hill, beach, Riva
Day 2	Blue Lagoon, Trogir, Klis Fortress, dinner in Split
Day 3	Choose a day trip: Hvar, Brač, Blue Cave, Krka, Makarska, or food tour if you want a slower final day

Day 1 – Split Old Town, Diocletian’s Palace + Marjan Hill

Your first day in Split is all about the city itself.

Start in Split Old Town, where Diocletian’s Palace forms the historic heart of the city. This is the part of Split you came for: Roman ruins, stone streets, hidden courtyards, old gates, busy squares, cafés, and that slightly chaotic lived-in atmosphere that makes Split feel different from Croatia’s more polished old towns.

Stop	What to do
Diocletian’s Palace	Start early in Diocletian’s Palace before the crowds build. Focus on the Peristyle, Vestibule, Podrumi Palace Cellars, Cathedral of St. Domnius, Temple of Jupiter, palace gates, and the narrow streets around Split Old Town.
Split walking tour	Book this Split walking tour early in your trip so Diocletian’s Palace actually makes sense. It’s the best way to understand how a Roman palace turned into the living center of Split.
Bell Tower of St. Domnius	Climb the bell tower for one of the best views over Split Old Town, the Riva, the ferry port, Marjan Hill, the Adriatic Sea, and the Mosor and Kozjak mountains behind the city.
Lunch in Split Old Town	Keep lunch central. Try Konoba Korta, Villa Spiza, Fig Split, or Bokeria Kitchen & Wine Bar depending on your mood.
Marjan Hill	Walk up to Prva Vidilica for one of the best views in Split. If you have more energy, continue deeper into Marjan Forest Park.
Kašjuni Beach or Bačvice Beach	Cool off at Kašjuni if you want a prettier swim below Marjan, or choose Bačvice if you want the easiest beach near the Old Town and ferry port.
Riva Promenade	End the day with a slow walk along the Riva. This is one of the best free things to do in Split and a perfect way to settle into the city.
Optional food tour	If food is a priority, book this Split food tour instead of a regular dinner. It’s a good way to try local dishes without guessing your way through touristy menus.

You can wander Diocletian’s Palace and the Old Town on your own, and you should. But if this is your first time in Split, I’d still book this Split walking tour with a historian first. A guide makes the Old Town much easier to understand, especially around the Peristyle, palace gates, Temple of Jupiter, and Podrumi.

If you want the full historic-center breakdown, read my Split Old Town guide.

In the afternoon, head up Marjan Hill. I like adding Marjan on the first day because it gives you space, views, and a break from the stone streets. From Prva Vidilica, you get a gorgeous view over Split, the port, the Riva, and the islands.

If it’s warm, finish with a swim. Kašjuni Beach is prettier and more scenic, while Bačvice Beach is easier and livelier. Don’t try to do both unless you enjoy turning beach time into admin.

For dinner, stay in or near Split Old Town. Or, if you want to turn the evening into an actual experience, book this Split food tour.

Day 2 – Blue Lagoon, Trogir + Klis Fortress

Day 2 gets you out of Split without overcomplicating the logistics.

You’ll start with a boat trip to the Blue Lagoon and Trogir, then end the day at Klis Fortress for history, views, and Game of Thrones drama if that’s your thing.

Stop	What to do
Blue Lagoon + Trogir tour	Book this Blue Lagoon and Trogir half-day tour for swimming, snorkeling, bright Adriatic water, and a stop in UNESCO-listed Trogir.
Trogir Old Town	Wander the narrow streets, see the waterfront, visit St. Lawrence Cathedral if you have time, and get gelato. Mandatory? Technically no. Spiritually yes.
Quick lunch or snack in Split	After the boat trip, keep lunch simple before heading inland.
Klis Fortress	Visit Klis Fortress in the late afternoon for panoramic views over Split, the coast, and the mountains. It was also used as Meereen in Game of Thrones.
Dinner in Split	Head back to Split for dinner near the Old Town or Riva. Keep it easy after a full day.

The Blue Lagoon is one of the easiest boat trips from Split. It gives you swimming, snorkeling, and that bright turquoise Adriatic water without needing to commit to a full island-hopping day.

I like this Blue Lagoon and Trogir half-day tour for a 3 day Split itinerary because it pairs well with a second stop in Trogir, one of the best small towns near Split. You get sea time and a UNESCO-listed Old Town in one clean route.

In the late afternoon, head to Klis Fortress. It’s perched above Split and has some of the best views in the area, especially when the light starts to soften. If you watched Game of Thrones, you’ll know it as one of the filming locations for Meereen.

If you want the GOT context, book this Game of Thrones tour with Klis Fortress. If not, Klis is still worth visiting for the views and history.

Read next: Blue Lagoon Croatia guide and Best things to do in Trogir.

Day 3 – Day Trip of Choice

Your third day in Split is all about choosing the right day trip for your travel style.

This is where Split really earns its place as one of the best bases in Croatia. From here, you can go island hopping, visit waterfalls, head into the mountains, explore another coastal town, or make the day more relaxed with food and wine.

Here are some amazing options—there’s no wrong choice here, just different flavors of awe-inspiring!

• Krka Waterfalls & Wine: Wander through lush Krka National Park, see the famous Skradinski Buk waterfalls, and add a wine tasting for the easiest nature-and-wine day trip from Split.
• Blue Cave & 5 Islands Tour: Visit the Blue Cave, Vis Island, Hvar, and swimming spots like Stiniva Bay on one big boat day. This is best if you want the dramatic island-hopping version and don’t mind a long day on the water.
• Mostar and Kravice: A long but memorable day trip into Bosnia and Herzegovina, combining Mostar, the iconic Stari Most bridge, and Kravice Waterfalls.
• Plitvice Lakes National Park: Best if Plitvice is high on your Croatia bucket list. The turquoise lakes and waterfalls are stunning, but this is a long day trip from Split, so don’t plan much for the evening.
• Sail to Hvar & Pakleni Islands: Explore Hvar Town, climb to the Spanish Fortress for epic views, and swim around the turquoise coves of the Pakleni Islands. Ideal if you want a mix of culture, island scenery, and relaxation.
• Hvar, Brač & Pakleni Islands Cruise: Visit Hvar, the iconic Zlatni Rat / Golden Horn beach on Brač, and the Pakleni Islands in one Adriatic sampler. Best if you want to see several island highlights

Longer Split Itineraries: 4, 5 or 7 Days

Once you have 4 or more days in Split, I wouldn’t spend every day trying to “see more” inside the Old Town. With 4, 5 or 7 days in Split, I’d plan one main tour or day trip per day, then use the rest of your time for slower mornings, coffee, people-watching, beaches, galleries, museums, and relaxed dinners.

This is also when I’d consider staying just outside the Old Town instead of right inside it. If you’re here longer, a hotel with beach access, a pool, sea views, or more space can become part of the appeal, not just a place to sleep.

4 Days in Split Itinerary

With 4 days in Split, you have enough time for the city, one boat trip, one inland/nature day, and one slower beach or food-focused day.

4 days is the first version where Split really starts to work as a base. For Day 3, choose Krka if you want waterfalls and nature, or Omiš/Cetina if you want rafting, canyoning, ziplining, and a more active day.

For Day 4, don’t over-plan. This is a good day for the Split food tour, a slow beach afternoon, the Meštrović Gallery, a museum, or Klis Fortress and Salona if you skipped them earlier.

Day	Main plan	Keep it easy with
Day 1	Split Old Town, Diocletian’s Palace + walking tour	Riva, coffee, Bell Tower, dinner in the Old Town
Day 2	Blue Lagoon + Trogir boat trip	Marjan Hill or a slow Riva evening
Day 3	Krka National Park or Omiš/Cetina adventure	Easy dinner or food tour back in Split
Day 4	Beach day, food tour, museum/gallery, or Klis + Salona	Bačvice, Kašjuni, Mistral beach club, or one final Old Town wander

5 Days in Split Itinerary

5 days in Split is the best version if you want Split as a proper base: city, sea, waterfalls, adventure, beach time, and enough breathing room to enjoy where you’re staying.

Day	Main plan	Keep it easy with
Day 1	Split Old Town, Diocletian’s Palace + walking tour	Riva, Bell Tower, dinner near the Old Town
Day 2	Blue Lagoon + Trogir boat trip	Klis Fortress, Marjan Hill and sunset drinks
Day 3	Krka National Park or Omiš/Cetina adventure	Easy dinner or food tour back in Split
Day 4	Hvar, Brač, Blue Cave or Mostar	Full-day (boat) trip, no extra evening pressure
Day 5	Slow Split day: beach, food tour, museum/gallery, shopping	Bačvice, Kašjuni, Mistral Beach Club, Meštrović Gallery, Riva

Day 4 depends on your tolerance for long boat days:

• Choose Hvar or Brač for a classic island day.
• Choose Blue Cave and Vis only if you’re happy with a long, full-day boat trip.
• Choose Mostar instead of a long island tour if you get seasick.

Day 5 is deliberately slower. Sleep in, have coffee, go to the beach, visit a gallery, book the food tour, or spend the day at a beach hotel or beach club. At this point, you’ve earned a day that does not require a spreadsheet.

7 Days in Split Itinerary

A full 7 days in Split only makes sense if you want one easy base and several day trips. If this is your first Croatia trip and you only have a week total, I’d usually split your time between Split, Hvar and Dubrovnik instead.

But if you hate changing hotels, want a slower base, or found a hotel you actually want to enjoy, you can easily spend one week in Split without getting bored.

Day	Main plan	Notes
Day 1	Split Old Town, Diocletian’s Palace + walking tour	Keep this as your orientation day
Day 2	Krka National Park	Classic waterfalls/nature day
Day 3	Hvar, Brač, or Blue Cave	Treat Blue Cave/Vis as a full-day commitment
Day 4	Slow Split day	Beach, Klis fortress, hotel pool, food tour, gallery, shopping, Riva. Use this day to recover and recharge.
Day 5	Omiš, Cetina adventure + Makarska	Rafting, zipline, canyoning, and Makarska beaches. This works best with a rental car.
Day 6	Mostar + Kravice or Plitvice Lakes	Long day trip; don’t plan much that evening
Day 7	Blue Lagoon + Trogir	Easy sea day from Split and you’ll get back in time to cants your flight

The key with one week in Split is not to turn every day into a 10-hour excursion. Pick a few big trips, then protect slower time for beaches, coffee, the Riva, your hotel, and evenings that don’t involve rushing back from somewhere.

For the long day trips:

• Mostar + Kravice is a full-day cross-border trip.
• Plitvice Lakes is beautiful, but it’s a long day from Split.
• Blue Cave is stunning but also a long and exhausting boat day.

Do not stack these back-to-back.

With 7 days, I’d stay somewhere that adds to the trip. Briig Boutique Hotel works well if you want Bačvice and walkable Split. Radisson Blu makes more sense if you want a resort-style beach base. A stylish beachside stay around Žnjan or Trstenik can also work if you’re happy using taxis or buses to reach the Old Town.

Getting to Split, Croatia

Split is a breeze to reach, whether you’re coming from within Croatia or abroad. The city is well-connected by plane, train, bus, car, and ferry, making Split travel a breeze and a great central hub for exploring Dalmatia.

• By Plane: Resnik Airport is 30–45 minutes from Split. Public buses 37 and 38 are affordable but less convenient with luggage. The airport shuttle bus is quicker and drops you close to the ferry port, while renting a car is ideal if you plan to explore beyond the city. Keep in mind that Old Town is pedestrian-only and parking is scarce—check options before booking accommodation.
• By Boat: Split is the main ferry hub for exploring nearby islands like Hvar, Brač, and Vis, with frequent ferries by Jadrolinija and Krilo. There are also international routes from Ancona, Italy. Summer trips are scenic but busy, so book ahead!
• By Bus: Split’s main bus terminal is well-located near the Old Town and ferry port. Croatia’s major cities, including Zagreb, Dubrovnik, and Zadar, are well-connected with frequent, comfortable buses (many with air conditioning). You’ll also find international routes to cities like Mostar and Munich.
• By Train: Trains connect Split to Zagreb with a few daily routes, including an overnight option. The ride is slow (6–8 hours) but scenic. The train station is next to the bus and ferry terminals, making connections easy. Note: There are no trains to Dubrovnik or other coastal cities.
• By Car: Driving gives you ultimate freedom, with Croatia’s A1 highway providing a smooth 4-hour trip from Zagreb to Split, passing stunning stops like Plitvice or Zadar. Parking is limited and pricey in Split, so consult your accommodation in advance and remember Old Town is car-free.

Best time to visit Split, Croatia

Like most of Croatia, Split gets really busy and extremely hot in summer which is considered to be high season. Personally, I prefer Split in late spring or early autumn when the temperatures are milder and the crowds smaller.

If you have to visit in summer make sure to start your Split old town visit in the early morning before the crowds hit the town and the scorching sun heats up the city.

As a rule of thumb, I would advise you to avoid Croatia in the peak of summer. It just gets too hot, too crowded, and too expensive. I believe you’ll have a much better experience visiting Split in late spring or early Autumn.

Is Split worth visiting?

Split is a must-visit in Croatia! This vibrant city perfectly blends ancient history, stunning coastline, and lively Mediterranean charm. Its centerpiece is the Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site but there’s much more to Split than ruins.

With its easy access to crystal-clear beaches, breathtaking islands like Hvar, and nearby gems like Krka National Park, Split will steal your heart (and some serious space on your camera roll).

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.