THE BEST 20 THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN SPLIT (CROATIA)

In this post we tell you our experience in one of the most beautiful cities in Croatia and we recommend the best 20 things to see and do in Split.

How many times have we traveled in time through cities or places that seem to have been hung in the past and where the only thing that is changed are its people, the rest remains as it was hundreds of years ago? Rome, Toledo, Sigüenza, Hoi An, Angkor, Venezia, Agra ... This sensation was repeated when crossing the walls of the Palace of Diocletian and entering its labyrinthine streets for the first time, yes, instead of donkeys carrying our bundles we carried our backpacks on our backs, and instead of being guided by the sun and the stars we did it with the mobile GPS.

We discovered Split at dusk, we parked at “lobster” (the stroller that took us to discover Croatia) not far from the old palace and we embarked on our treasure hunt. In this case there was only one objective, the Salvezani apartments, where we would spend the following nights. Although we did not know that the real treasure would be much more valuable, that night traveling the streets in half light and with the candles of the coffees lit, our minds traveled in time like crazy, passing through the Roman Empire and reaching the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

Split is possibly the surprise of this trip. We met her in different ways: in the afternoon in the company of Vera, a place with which we took a very pleasant walk and ended up buying ravioli in the supermarket; at night in the company of the thousands of tourists who sit on the terraces of the cafes and restaurants while we smell and look at each other asking what delicacies they will be tested (only proof of well-packed wallets); and at dawn, accompanied by a terrifying dream and the occasional slogan, but that is when the city appears naked and can be enjoyed more. At 6:30 in the morning near the east wall, the local market begins to stretch and life begins again in Split (and if nobody buys at your stand, you can always approach the taxi with your rich garlic rich) 🙂

Diocletian's Palace, the heart of Split, was ordered to be built by this Roman emperor between the 3rd and 4th century A.D. His function was none other than his personal enjoyment, he had different departments for him and his servants, while some unremarkable settlements were established around the palace. Actually the true importance in this territory was concentrated in the city of Salona, ​​about 20km inland. It was considered the third most prosperous and largest city in the empire, housing 60,000 people in its streets, it is said soon! Today at each excavation they discover some new rest of the old city, of which the amphitheater is preserved as the highlight. When Salona was sacked by the greedy, its inhabitants took refuge behind the walls of the palace, and life sprang up like a true nerve center, thanks above all to its seaport.

20 Things to see and do in Split

| Flipar with the Diocletian's Palace

No doubt the jewel in the crown of Spalato (Split in its Latin name). It has an irregular rectangle shape and is surrounded by walls, which gives it that character of a strong military, although its function was rather a residential town. Within its confines are the biggest attractions of the city.

Did you know that Diocletian decided to create this huge Palace to end his days here, after his abdication in 305 AD?

Tip: if you have little time available, you are passing through or arrive on a cruise ... maybe this one-hour tour of the Palace of Diocletian may be to your liking.

| Take the Game of Thrones tour

In addition, if you are a fan of Game of Thrones, we recommend doing this tour to know all the locations of the series in the city (which are not few!).

| See the gates of Split

In each of its walls a door opens that gave access to the palace. There are the 4 doors:

• Ferrea Gate. On its western side, it gives access to a courtyard where in the Middle Ages the most important acts were celebrated, such as trials and acts. The most important thing about this port is not itself, but the bell tower that stands in the adjoining church: "Our Lady of the Bell Tower", the oldest on the Adriatic coast.
• Golden Gate The main door where the palace was accessed from the city of Salona, ​​to the north. In front of her stands the imposing statue of Gregory of Nin.
• Platea door. In the eastern wall and with an aspect similar to the Golden Gate. It was hit by the IIGM bombings and subsequently restored. If you cross it in the morning you will arrive at Pazar, the central market of the city.
• Brass Gate At its southern end, where the emperor used to pass to access his boats. Today it is the link between the Palace and the Riva, the promenade.

| Go down to the basements

Unlike many other cities, the basements of this palace were not intended to conserve oil or food, but to facilitate the construction and elevate this part of the Palace, as it is destined for the emperor's quarters, above the rest of the buildings, where the servants were staying. Nowadays they can be visited from outside, or pay a ticket to see them from inside. It is certainly one of the things to see and do in Split more curious 🙂

Buah, they are very cool (and if you find dragons ... warn!).

| Explore the Peristyle

The central square of the palace, accessible from the basements by a staircase. Surrounding him met the main elements of the palace. Today, at the foot of its columns at night you can enjoy live music sitting on its steps. It is undoubtedly one of the best things what to see and do in Split 🙂

| See the Cathedral of San Domnio.

It was the mausoleum of Diocletian and later went on to become the cathedral. Diocletian was the last emperor to persecute Christians and it is said that once all pagan symbols were removed and the city was converted to Christianity, the tomb was removed by extracting the remains of the emperor and placing those of the martyrs who suffered his go to. At its door you can see an authentic sphinx brought from Egypt and if we look up we will see the bell tower, which says that if you are still able to climb its steps, you should not be considered an old man. We do not try for fear ... but if you want to enjoy a view of the city, go up!

| And the temple of Jupiter.

One of the three ancient temples that the palace had. It became the church of San Juan. If you look closely ... you'll see an Egyptian sphinx!

| Go through the street “pusti me proc”

The literal translation is "let me through." It is the narrowest street in Split and that does not fit two people at the same time. It is right next to the Jupiter temple.

| Meet the statue of Gregorio de Nin

Facing the Golden Gate is this huge statue of the Croatian bishop of the 10th century. It is considered a very important figure because it got the Croatian language used in ecclesiastical celebrations, 10 centuries before the church gave this freedom to other countries! If you tefijas, his big toe is completely worn out, this is because everyone who passes by touches him waiting for some wish to be fulfilled.

| Go through Prokurative Square

A beautiful square imitating St. Mark's Square in Venice. It is located outside the palace, although a few meters from its western wall.

| Get lost in its neighborhoods and squares

Like the Fruit Square or the beautiful Republic Square (which gives an air to the San Marco Square in Venice). Although simply losing you around the city, many more surprises and charming corners will be waiting for you.

| Stroll through the Maritime Port

We were twice in Split, the last one was with a cruise and we will never forget when, just awake we saw that we were in the port of Split: how beautiful it is! Always brimming with life and people 🙂

| Meet Ivan's art Meštrovič

If you like art, you have time and want to know the works of one of the best known artists in Croatia, get close to the Meštrovič Gallery

More info: //mestrovic.hr/en/

| Do some excursion

Do you have more time? Then take advantage of your stay to do some excursion, such as:

1. Krka Waterfall Day Tour
2. Plitvice Lakes Excursion
3. One day tour to Hvar, Blue Grotto and 5 islands
4. Excursion to Mostar and Kravice waterfalls
5. Bol boat tour
6. Excursion to Trogir and Klis

| return

Split is a city that engages and where you will love to come back 🙂 do it!

Do you know more things to see and do in Split?

USEFUL INFO

• Where to sleep: we did it in the Salvezani apartments
• Tour of the palace: It is not large and in a couple of hours you can see the fundamentals. Access to the cathedral, the underground and the jupiter temple are paid.
• Free parking in Split: if you arrive by car you have to know that the Diocletian's Palace is closed to traffic, and in the surrounding area parking lots are usually paid. But near the center (1 or 1.5 km) there are many areas where you can park for free. If you go down the street Slobode Ulica There are some attached streets where to look for parking, also in residential and on the sidewalks that are wide enough to leave a meter's space for the pedestrian. Mind you, when you park, check that there is no sign indicating if it is a payment area, even ask a place that is there. We leave you a map of an area where you can find free parking near the center of Split.

• How to save on food: if you stay in an apartment with kitchen you have it easy, both inside the palace and outside there are many supermarkets (Billa or Konzum) where you can buy for example fresh tortelini for about 15 kunas. There are also the typical bakeries called "Perkara" with buns, pizzas, burek ... from 7-8 kunas. Inside the palace they are a bit more expensive, we find one in the local market very cheap and with very good products.
• How to arrive by car from Pula: It can be reached by local roads without paying tolls. Remember, they are those of the yellow signs and the aules roads (the green ones are paid). The majority of the route is made on Highway 8, along the coast, through charming landscapes and villages.

Video: 15 Things to do in Split, Croatia Travel Guide (April 2024).