Best Places to Visit in Split. Split is the second-largest city in Croatia and one of the most incredible cities in the world. Located on the Dalmatian Coast at the Adriatic Sea, it is home to several tourist attractions worth visiting and exploring. Split stands out with its fascinating medieval past and history, cozy narrow streets, lively seaside promenade, and vibrant nightlife.
The city is so rich with historical and archeological sites that many of those are under the UNESCO umbrella. So if you wish to visit this stunning city and plan to visit and explore as much as possible things to do in Split, check out the below-listed places to visit in Split, which are undoubtedly some of the most important ones.
See also: Nightlife in Split & Beaches in Split
Diocletian Palace
One of the best places to visit in Split and to start your city tour would be the Four Gates of Diocletian Palace preserved from 1700 years ago, UNESCO World Heritage Site. The four gates are named after four different metals; Bronze Gate, Golden Gate, Silver Gate, and Iron Gate. It is advised to explore the Palace by walk since all the essential attractions of the city are concentrated around it.
The entrance to the Palace is from the bronze gate located in the south where is also situated the incredible promenade, Riva. It is an interesting fact that centuries ago, this gate served as a direct exit to the sea in various situations. The silver gate also leads to the Main Square of the Palace, the Peristyle. Golden Gate, on the other hand, is the main exit from the Palace, leading to Salona.
It is undoubtedly worth visiting the Church of St. Martin, preserved from the 9th century and the Church of Our Lady. The unique thing about the latter is the 11th century Bell Tower which is the oldest one on the Adriatic. The eastern side of the Palace is accessed through the Silver Gate, which is also the busiest one since the green market “Pazar” is located nearby. Walking through this gate, you will appear in Decumanus, leading to the People’s Square.
Check out Split Croatia map at the end of the article
Bacvice Beach
In Split, you are most likely to find pebbly and rocky beaches, which are very common on the Dalmatian coast. Bacvice Beach, though, is a stunning shore with incredible white sands and turquoise waters. Bacvice is one of the most touristic places in Split, popular among the locals. The beach promenade is full of cafes, restaurants and bars are always full of people and very lively.
Many young travelers visit Split particularly for Bacvice beach, to enjoy some vibrant nightlife and lazy beach vacations. The beach is also known for the Picigin game, which is played with a small ball in shallow water. Located only a few minutes from the rail station, it is quite easy to get to Bacvice beach. Undowdely one of the best places to visit in Split.
Check out Split Croatia map at the end of the article
Riva
When in Split, you shouldn’t miss visiting the charming Riva, the sea-facing promenade. It is a favorite location not only for tourists but also for the locals. It is considered to be the heart of the city. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants which very often serve as a meeting point.
Many groups of friends tend to meet here for dinner or drinks before heading to party venues on Bacvice. You can catch a perfect view of the Diocletian Palace from here as well as the Bajamonti Deskovic Palace.
This iconic Croatian location and one of the best places to visit in Split, which is always crowded with people all year round. It is busy not only in summer when the city is booming with thousands of travelers but also in the New Year. Very frequently, the Riva hosts significant sports events, celebrations, even strikes.
The Fruit Square – Rodic Square
Walking through the Riva promenade and continuing your way on one of the tiny streets of Split, you will appear at the Fruit Square, which is called Vocni Trg by locals. This is one of the most authentic venue places to visit in Split. The exciting thing about it is that there is no fruit sale in the Square anymore, but it still carries the old name. In Rodic Square, it is impossible not to notice a tall octagonal tower which was built by the Venetians.
Facing the tower is located in the Baroque style Milesi Palace with an incredible façade. By taking a close look, you will detect typical Dalmatian architectural details. The PalacePalace has a more sophisticated look with the statue of Marko Marulic in front of it. Marulic was the father of Croatian literature.
Check out Split Croatia map at the end of the article
Marjan Hill
Marjan Hill, located in the northwestern part of the Old City of Split, is one of the best places to visit in Slit and a major highlight that shouldn’t be missed. It is an important area with plenty of plant species and cultural heritage. The wooded hillside is an excellent getaway location, especially in summer, when you wish to escape the heat for a few hours.
There are many biking trails and jogging routes. It is an excellent venue for some extreme sports such as mountain biking and rock climbing. If you’re interested in exploring more historical sites, surely head to the St. Jere Church built in the 1400s, which stands out with its splendid location comfortably carved into a rock.
It is as well advised to explore the wooden figures housed in the Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel. It is considered as part of the Capogrosso Castle. It is surely one of the most important points of interest in Split. If you wish to explore the entire area, note that it will take a whole day to walk everywhere on the hill.
Split is a typical Mediterranean city with so many positive vibes and ancient ambiance. The fascinating Old Town with the four gates, the Fruit Square and Marjan Hill shouldn’t be missed when visiting Split. With so much history and culture hidden in the walls of the palaces and churches of the city, it is as well one of the liveliest towns in Croatia.
The Riva, with its beautiful seaside promenade, is one of the busiest spots in Split full of many dining opportunities, coffee houses, and bars. Start planning your travel itinerary to Split and surely use some tips from above to make your Croatian vacations even more memorable.
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