Split Itinerary: How to Spend From 3 to 7 Days in Split, Croatia

Need help planning your Split itinerary? You’ve come to the right place!

In this article I have outlined everything you need to know to plan the perfect Split itinerary. 

Starting with exactly how many days you need in Split, a day-by-day outline of all the best things to do in and around Split, where to stay, what to pack and much more.

Located on the Dalmatian Coast of the Adriatic Sea, Split is Croatia’s second-largest city, and one of the most popular destinations in Croatia, and it’s easy to see why.

On a trip to Split you can expect to discover a unique medieval old town, to relax on beautiful beaches, go on boat trips to pristine beaches, swim in waterfalls and even adventure in a stunning natural landscape.

It’s a beautiful city, which offers plenty to do for all types of travellers. This article will help you plan the best itinerary, so that you can have an amazing time in Split.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s dive in and start planning your perfect Split itinerary!

Logistical tips for your Split itinerary

Before we dive into my detailed day-by-day Split itinerary, I wanted to share with you some useful tips that will help you arrange the logistics of your trip.

How many days in Split? 

When planning your Split itinerary, you need to take into account just how much you want to see not only in Split, but also its surroundings.

There’s a long list of amazing sights and adventures to be had on a trip to Split, and working out just how many days to spend there can be difficult.

Thankfully, it’s pretty easy to tailor your trip to the length of time you have to spare for your Croatia itinerary.

For example, one day in Split Croatia, will be enough to see the Split Old Town. It’s basically just enough to see the must-see spots of the town centre, but not enough to do everything – just enough for a taste of what the city has to offer. 

A weekend in Split is a good length of time to easily see all of the top attractions of the city. But if you want to see some of the amazing sights outside of Split, you will have to consider an even longer trip.

In my opinion, three days is the bare minimum you need for a Split itinerary, to see the highlights within the city of Split and go on one day trip. 

That said, one of the great things about Split, is that you can use it as a jumping-off point for discovering lots of the awesome places in the area. 

Split is super well positioned to go on day trips, so you could easily stay up to seven days in Split, and from there explore Krka, Plitvice, Omis and Hvar among others.

Since in this Split itinerary you will be sleeping in Split, and coming back every night, you can be flexible with what Split tours or activities you do.

There is a core Split 3-day itinerary, whilst the following days then build on the core 3-day itinerary.

You can shift things around depending on what suits you best, or even take out days if you don’t have up to one week in Split. It’s a flexible itinerary, which you can adapt to fit your interests.

Where to stay in Split

The best places to stay in Split are around Diocletian’s Palace and the Old Town centre. That way you’ll be super central, and within walking distance of all the main attractions.

Here are some great accommodation options for every budget.

Budget: Old Town Hostel – this hostel is right in the centre of Split. Here you can find an affordable stay and friendly sociable environment.

Click here to book your stay at Old Town Hostel!

Mid-range: Hotel Bellevue – located in the heart of Split, this cosy hotel is the perfect place for a relaxing stay.

Click here to book your stay at Hotel Bellevue!

Luxury: Villa Split Heritage Hotel – if you want to treat yourself, this is the place to do so. In the heart of the Old Town this hotel has a very traditional feel, with its exposed brick walls and an outdoors courtyard.

Click here to book your stay at Villa Split Heritage Hotel!

What to pack for your Split trip

You don’t need much besides the usual travel essentials. However, I’ve listed below some key things you don’t want to forget!

Power bank – Whether it’s to check where you’re going with Google Maps, or to take beautiful travel pictures, you don’t want your phone to run out of battery.

Water bottle – You can drink the tap water in Croatia, so kill two birds with one stone by saving money and using less plastic!

International adapter – Depending on where you’re travelling from, you might need an adapter to charge your electronics.

Fast drying towel – Whether it’s for the shower of your hostel dorm, after a swim in Krka waterfalls or to lie on the beach, you’ll need one of these. I love them because they dry quickly and don’t take up much space.

Do you need travel insurance for Split?

After my personal experience spending two nights in a private hospital in Tenerife, and having to pay for it out of pocket (it wasn’t cheap), I always recommend getting travel insurance.

You might not end up needing it, but for a small fee you can travel without worries. Personally, I suggest getting your travel insurance with  Heymondo.

Heymondo offers tailor made travel insurance, providing the best value for money for your specific trip. You can also buy it once you’re already abroad and have forgotten about it before flying (which, if you’re anything like me, is quite likely).

Besides the usual cancellation, medical expenses, luggage coverage and general travel insurance services, Heymondo also has a 24/7 doctor chat and instant assistance through their app.

Plus, as a Greta’s Travels reader, you get 5% off your Heymondo travel insurance!

Click here to get your 5% off Heymondo travel insurance!

How to get around Split 

Getting around Split and its Old Town is easily done on foot. The main part of the town is really walkable and it doesn’t take too long to walk from place to place.

If you want to go a bit beyond the main attractions, but still stay within the city, you can use public transport.

The city has a comprehensive bus system that is modern and simple to use. Or for extra ease, you can hop in a taxi and get where you need to be quickly, for a still relatively affordable price. 

For going further afield, on day trips to Omis or Krka for example, organised tours are the easiest option. That way you don’t have to worry about driving, parking and all the hassle that comes with it.

Discover some of the most popular Split tours below!

 

Split Itinerary day 1 – Explore Split Old Town

We’re starting our Split one-day itinerary by heading straight to the Old Town. This is the centre of the city and where most of the main tourist sights are located.

One day will give you enough time to tick off the most famous locations around the area.

You can start the day exploring the Old Town, perhaps stopping for a morning coffee at a local cafe. After that, here are the main sights you can’t miss.

Explore Diocletian’s Palace

Begin the day early with a visit to Diocletian’s Palace. Built at the start of the fourth century for the Roman emperor Diocletian, the palace now makes up a large part of the historic centre of Split.

The striking Roman architecture is UNESCO listed and is an amazing place to spend time taking pictures and learning about the history of ancient Split.

The main square here is a lively spot (a great place to return to in the evening for a few drinks and live music)

You can also head underground to the Substructures of Diocletian’s Palace; the subterranean area used to open right out onto the water from the Bronze Gates.

Today, it’s a warren of basements, but the main section is busy with souvenir stalls. If you want to enter chambers on either side, tickets cost 42 HRK for an adult.

Visit the Cathedral of Saint Domnius

Nearby, the 4th-century Cathedral of Saint Domnius is another great place to see yet more historic architecture.

There’s also the chance to get a view from the city from atop its 57-metre-tall bell tower. I did this early in the morning to snap pictures of the city from above with fewer crowds. 

It’s also a long walk up a narrow, winding staircase to the top which would be less fun with more people coming the other direction.

Tickets to the bell tower cost 15 HRK; entrance to the cathedral is separate and costs another 20 HRK.

To maximise your first day in Split, you can also join a guided tour of the Old Town and Diocletian’s Palace. That way you’ll have a local guide sharing with you interesting facts about the rich history of Split.

Click here to book your Old Town & Diocletian’s Palace tour in Split!

Or click below to see prices & availability!

 

Walk along the seaside promenade

Next up take a walk over to the seaside promenade, the coastal pedestrianised path is dotted with trees and is busy with people enjoying their day in the sunshine.

This is a good place to find somewhere to eat lunch as there are plenty of little cafes and restaurants with terrace seating. 

Discover Pazar Market

After lunch, you’ll have time in the afternoon to soak up some local life at the city’s markets. One great option is the open-air Pazar Market, which runs along Hrvojeva Street by the east wall of Diocletian’s Palace. 

Split itinerary day 2: Viewpoints & beaches

If you have the time to spend two days in Split, then you have the chance to slow down the pace a bit. On day one you saw many of the main sights, so today is all about soaking up the atmosphere of the area a little bit more.

See the view from Park Marjana

Start the day by getting a good glimpse of the city from Park Marjana viewpoint.

The walk up to the viewpoint is only around a 15 minutes from Split harbour, and the hike up Marjan Hill is only a few hundred metres of uphill walking, so it’s not too taxing. 

Once you get to the top you are rewarded with a fantastic view across the old red rooftops of Split and over the sparkling sea.

There’s also a little bar where you can sit down, have a drink or ice cream and soak up what is one of the best views of Split.

Relax at Kasjuni Beach

In the afternoon you could cross Marjan Park and make your way down to Kasjuni Beach. Split has two main beaches.

The sandy Bacvice Beach is closer to the Old Town and has many more tourists. Kasjuni beach on the other hand is more local and laid back, and in general is just a lot more of an enjoyable place to unwind for a few hours. 

Go for a sunset SUP tour

If you have time to spare, you could end your second day in Split by embarking on a sunset SUP tour.

You get to paddle in the calm waters around the shore, watch the sunset and then turn on LED lights below your board to help light the way!

Click here to book your sunset SUP tour in Split!

Split itinerary Day 3: Day trip to Omis

If you’re planning on spending three days in Split, then you have the time to take a day trip beyond Split. This is the perfect chance to spend the day exploring Omis.

This charming Croatian town is up there on any Croatia bucket list, because it is just so beautiful. 

Explore Omis Old Town

Located at the mouth of the Cetina River, right where it meets the Adriatic Sea, the town sits right on the sea with the dramatic backdrop of the towering Cetina Canyon.

The town centre has been incredibly well preserved, which makes for a great place to spend an hour or two simply strolling along its stone streets. 

Similarly to Split, it has a well preserved medieval town centre, and walking down these picturesque streets will feel like stepping back in time.

Above the town you will find Starigrad Fortress, an ancient castle with stunning views over Omis.

Discover the Cetina Canyon

But wandering around the charming town isn’t the only thing to do in Omis. From here you can make the most of the picturesque Croatian landscape by exploring the Cetina Canyon.

The lush 100km-long canyon runs along the Cetina River, and makes for an ideal spot for any adrenaline junkie or nature lover. 

Go zip-lining

Ziplining is one of the most fun ways to see the canyon in all of its glory. You can read more about my time zip-lining Omis here.

It’s one of the most iconic zip lines in the world, with eight wires running for a total length of 2,100 metres! I did the Zipline Croatia tour, which costs 400 HRK per person.

It’s not only a thrilling activity, but it’s also a great way to enjoy this unique landscape. Especially from the first wire, where you’ll be zipping high above the Cetina Canyon, the views are simply stunning.

Click here to book your zip-lining experience in Omis, Croatia!

Or click below to see prices & availability!

 

Or go rafting

But, if zip-lining isn’t your thing, a lot of people also choose to raft along the Cetina River to really get a feel of the epic canyon from below. Some great hiking routes lead through the canyon of various lengths too. 

Or if that all sounds like too much effort for a holiday, why not simply spend the day in Omis?

There’s the striking 15th-century Starigrad Fortress to visit with viewpoints of the region and some local eateries to sample in the town, too.

Click here to book your rafting experience in the Cetina River!

Or click below to see prices & availability for your chosen date!

 

Split itinerary day 4: Day trip to Krka 

For those of you who have enough time to spend four days in Split Croatia, then you are in for a treat.

You can spend the fourth day of your trip visiting Krka. This famous national park is like a slice of paradise, and is within easy reach of Split. 

You could opt to hire a car and drive to Krka National Park, it’s only about a 1.5-hour drive.

There’s also a bus from Split bus station to Skradin; from here you can catch a ferry to Skradinski Buk and into the main area of Krka National Park.

Click here to book your Krka day tour from Split!

Or click below to see prices & availability for your chosen date!

 

For a completely smooth-sailing day, you can book an organised day tour to Krka from Split.

The tours are only a little bit more expensive than taking public transport, and mean you don’t have to worry about working out bus times, which is a bonus.

I really recommend taking a day trip to this National Park. It’s famous for its waterfalls, and they simply do not disappoint.

Your day will be spent taking a cruise on a boat along the river, from where you can take in the lush green surroundings. 

You’ll also be able to see the famous Skradinski Buk Falls up close, where the fresh water gushes down into an emerald pool below. There’s even the chance to enjoy a refreshing swim in the pools themselves. 

The park itself is really large (it covers an area of 142 square kilometres), so you won’t be able to see all of it in a day, but you will be able to see a lot of the most iconic spots.

Some scenic trains loop around to viewpoints and offer the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the natural surroundings. 

Tickets cost 30 HRK out of season (November to March) and 200 HRK in the summer months. 

Click here to book your Split to Krka day trip!

Or click below to check out prices & availability for your chosen date!

 

Split itinerary day 5: Day trip to Hvar 

Opting to spend five days in Split is an awesome idea if you have the time. You can really slow down the pace of your previous days, and enjoy immersing yourself in the town and the surrounding area. 

Your fifth day in Split is a great opportunity to hop on a boat and head over to Hvar Island.

It takes about an hour to get to Hvar Island via one of the ferries that regularly leave from Split harbour. Once you reach Hvar Island, you can enjoy a day lounging on a choice of beaches.

The island has a whole host of incredible natural spots and a sweet historical town to wander too. 

To really get the most out of your day, a Hvar day tour from Split is a good shout. A good tour itinerary will take you to all of the main sights of Hvar Town, as well as the nearby smaller islands.

Most tours will take you to see the stunning Blue Cave, and the picturesque coves around the islands of Vis, Ravnik, Budikovac and Bisevo.

Click here to book your boat tour to Hvar, Blue Cave & Five Islands from Split!

Or click below to see prices & availability for your chosen date!

 

Split itinerary day 6: Day trip to Plitvice

There are yet more things to be added to this Split Croatia itinerary. Six days in Split gives you the perfect amount of time to take a day trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park.

There’s a reason that this UNESCO World Heritage Sight is the most visited tourist attraction in the whole of Croatia.

Located 150 miles (240 km) from Split, you can easily reach this stunner of a National Park in around two to three hours by car. 

Covering an area of 295 square kilometres, the forest is famous for its Eden-like terraced lakes, each of them joined by trickling waterfalls that run into a deep limestone canyon.

The park can be explored in a number of different ways; there are easily accessible walkways, more strenuous hiking trails, and the opportunity to board electric boats and cruise a number of the upper and lower lakes.

Entrance costs 80 HRK (May to October) and 300 HRK in the summer season. 

Click here to book your Split to Plitvice Lakes tour!

Or click below to see prices & availability for your chosen date!

 

Split itinerary day 7: Relax in Split

We’ve reached the end of the Split itinerary, with seven days being a great amount of time to truly enjoy the town at a leisurely pace, while also seeing the surrounding sights on day trips.

On your final day in Split you can tick off the things you might have overlooked on previous days. 

You could spend the morning walking around the Old Town, doing a spot of shopping for souvenirs to take back home with you.

Or maybe you just want to enjoy one more day in the sunshine, which means kicking back at the beach. 

But for those of you who really want to max out your time in Split, and Croatia as a whole, then you could opt to go on a day trip to Dubrovnik!

Don’t miss out, book your Dubrovnik day trip from Split here!

Or click below to see prices & availability for your chosen date!

 

Dubrovnik is another beautiful Croatian city. It has many similar features to Split, but it’s still different enough that they’re both worth visiting and adding to your Europe bucket list.

The Old Town of Dubrovnik is surrounded by tall city walls, its characterised by red roofs and picturesque pedestrian streets. 

If you have a bit more time on your Croatia trip, I highly suggest extending your Dubrovnik itinerary and sleeping in Dubrovnik, as there so many awesome things to do there.

If you’re short on time, worry not, as you can still visit on a day trip from Split, thanks to the many organised Dubrovnik tours.

Final thoughts on this Split itinerary

There you have it, the ultimate Split itinerary! Have you visited Split before? How did you find it? Let me know in the comments below!

Split is a gorgeous city, and one of my favourite European weekend getaways. The city is incredibly charming, with its medieval narrow streets and unique architecture.

However, if you have longer to spend in Split, that’s even better! As the surroundings of Split are also stunning, and you can go on epic day trips to cute towns, dramatic waterfalls, pristine islands and gorgeous canyons.

In this article I tried to share with you the most thorough Split itinerary. An itinerary that you can adapt depending on your interests and how much time you have.

I hope you find this useful in creating your own Split itinerary! If you have any questions, just let me know in the comments below!

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