Quick Answer
Top 12 things to do in Split, Croatia: 1. Explore Diocletian’s Palace (UNESCO living Roman palace where 3,000 still live), 2. Climb Cathedral Bell Tower (€2 panoramic), 3. Tour Cellars (€5 Game of Thrones location), 4. Marjan Hill Hike (1 hour, panoramic, FREE), 5. Bačvice Beach (city beach, picigin local ball game), 6. Walking Riva promenade, 7. Day trip Trogir UNESCO (30 min), 8. Day trip Hvar Island (1h ferry), 9. Day trip Krka National Park (1h waterfalls), 10. Day trip Plitvice Lakes (3h cascading lakes UNESCO), 11. Boat tour Blue Cave (€60-80 from Split), 12. Game of Thrones tour (€40-60 includes Cellars, Klis Fortress). Best time: April-October. Days: 3-4 minimum. Currency: Euro (since 2023).
Top 12 activities
- Diocletian’s Palace (UNESCO): 4-hectare 1,700-year-old palace where 3,000 people live. Walking it is the activity. Free.
- Cathedral of St. Domnius: originally Diocletian’s mausoleum. Climb Bell Tower €5 for views.
- Cellars (Underground): Game of Thrones Daenerys throne. €5.
- Marjan Hill: 178m. 1-hour hike up. Panoramic city + sea views. FREE.
- Bačvice Beach: city beach. Birthplace of “picigin” — Croatia’s traditional shallow-water ball game.
- Riva Promenade: palm-lined waterfront. Sunset cocktails.
- Trogir day trip (UNESCO): 30 min by bus. Medieval town on island. Cathedral of St. Lawrence.
- Hvar Island: ferry 1h, €15. Lavender-scented island. Hvar Town fortress, beaches, party scene.
- Krka National Park: 1h drive. Skradinski Buk waterfalls. €30 summer.
- Plitvice Lakes (UNESCO): 3h drive. 16 cascading lakes. €25 entry.
- Blue Cave boat tour: Biševo Island. Sunlight illuminates cave blue. €60-80 from Split.
- Game of Thrones tour: €40-60. Cellars + Klis Fortress + Trogir.
Diocletian’s Palace deep dive
- UNESCO 1979: built 295-305 CE by Roman Emperor Diocletian as retirement residence. Now living museum-city.
- Size: 4 hectares. 220 buildings. 3,000 people still live inside.
- Original purpose: retirement palace + military fortress.
- Layout: rectangular Roman castrum design. Decumanus (east-west axis), Cardo (north-south axis), 4 gates: Golden, Silver, Iron, Bronze.
- Cathedral of St. Domnius: originally Diocletian’s mausoleum. Converted to church 7th century. Oldest Catholic cathedral in world.
- Peristyle: grand colonnaded square. Heart of palace. Free.
- Cellars: well-preserved underground. Filming location for Game of Thrones (Daenerys’ throne room). €5.
Day trips ranked
- Trogir (UNESCO): 30 min, easy. Medieval Old Town on island.
- Krka National Park: 1h drive. Skradinski Buk waterfalls. Bus €15 round-trip.
- Hvar Island: 1h ferry, €15-25. Day trip possible. Stay overnight for nightlife.
- Plitvice Lakes: 3h drive. Most photographed Croatian site. Worth full day.
- Blue Cave: Biševo Island. Boat tour €60-80 from Split. Best at noon.
- Brač Island: Bol’s Zlatni Rat (Golden Horn) beach. Changes shape with tides.
- Klis Fortress: 30 min drive. Game of Thrones Meereen. €10.
Dalmatian cuisine
- Pasticada: traditional beef stew. Slow-cooked with spices.
- Crni rižot: black risotto with cuttlefish ink.
- Brodet: Dalmatian fish stew. Multiple fish varieties.
- Peka: meat or octopus slow-cooked under iron bell with hot coals. Order in advance.
- Pršut: Croatian prosciutto. Aged in coastal wind.
- Ćevapi: grilled minced meat sausages.
- Wine: Plavac Mali (red, indigenous), Pošip (white). Try at konobas (taverns).
Practical info
- Getting there: Split Airport (SPU), 25 km. Bus #37 €4.40.
- From Zagreb: Bus 5h, train 6h, flight 50 min.
- From Dubrovnik: Bus 4h, ferry 6h.
- Walking city: Old Town compact. Walking is best.
- Best time: April-October. Avoid August (peak crowds). May-June and September best balance.
- Where to stay: within Diocletian’s Palace (most atmospheric, can be noisy), Bačvice (beach), Marjan (peaceful).
Frequently Asked Questions
Best things to do in Split?
Top 5: Diocletian’s Palace UNESCO walk, Cathedral Bell Tower climb, Marjan Hill hike, Bačvice Beach picigin, Riva sunset cocktails. Plus day trips.
Best Split day trip?
Hvar Island (1h ferry, lavender-scented). Plitvice Lakes UNESCO (3h, 16 cascading lakes). Krka waterfalls (1h). Trogir UNESCO (30 min, easy).
How long for Split?
Minimum 3 days for Old Town + Marjan + day trip. Ideal 5-7 days for multiple day trips and beaches.
Game of Thrones in Split?
Cellars beneath Diocletian’s Palace = Daenerys’ throne room. Klis Fortress = Meereen. Game of Thrones tours €40-60 from Split.
When to visit Split?
April-October. May-June + September best balance (warm + fewer crowds). Avoid August (peak crowds, expensive).
Where to stay in Split?
Within Diocletian’s Palace (atmospheric but noisy at night). Bačvice (beach access). Marjan (peaceful). Avoid: industrial zones outside center.
Recommended on Amazon
grandgo.com is an Amazon Associate and earns from qualifying purchases. Links open your local Amazon store.
- Lonely Planet Croatia — comprehensive country guide.
- Croatian phrasebook — travel essentials.
- Diocletian Palace guidebook — historical context.