Best Tours in Split

When friends ask me what to see in Split, I start at the Peristyle early, before the café tables fill the square. I love pointing out the ancient Egyptian sphinx beside the cathedral, then slipping into the narrow lanes of Varoš. For quieter attractions in Split, I climb Marjan from Senjska Street and cool off under the pines at Bene. I’d choose that walk over crowded tours in Split. If you have an afternoon to spare, take the local bus to Klis Fortress: the view back across Split and the islands is especially beautiful in late light.

If you visit Split in early May, I recommend Sudamja, the feast of St. Domnius. I watch the procession near the cathedral, then browse the stalls along the Riva for wooden toys and local sweets. In my travel guide Split also gets a summer star for the Split Summer Festival: an evening performance in a palace courtyard feels quite different from a daytime stroll through Diocletian’s Palace. Among my favourite things to do in Split is returning in December, when locals linger over fritule and mulled wine around Pjaca rather than rushing between sights.

When I’m on my own in Split, I like to climb Marjan from the Varoš neighbourhood just before sunset. The steps begin near Senjska Street, and I can stop at the Vidilica viewpoint or keep walking under the pines when I want more quiet. It’s my favourite of the things to do in Split solo: I can set my own pace and still be back among the cafés for dinner. If friends ask what to see in Split, I suggest this over busier attractions in Split; there’s no need to plan tours in Split around it.

When I visit Split, I walk: the old town is compact, and its narrow lanes are best explored without a timetable. For things to do in Split beyond the palace, I use Promet buses; I check the route before leaving, since stops around the centre aren’t always obvious. The ferry port and main bus station sit beside each other, a short walk from the Riva, which makes island day trips straightforward. My travel guide Split tip is to save taxis for luggage or late nights—traffic around the waterfront can be slower than walking.

When friends ask me what to see in Split, I take them through Varoš to the small stone Church of St. Nicholas, tucked among houses above the waterfront. From there, I walk west to Sustipan, where the old cemetery’s surviving arcade stands among pines overlooking the sea. It’s one of my favourite quiet attractions in Split, especially late in the afternoon. Back in the palace, I also look up at the tiny Chapel of St. Martin above the Golden Gate; it’s easy to miss from the street. I’d explore these corners on foot rather than fit them around tours in Split.

When I visit Split, I shop in the Old Town early, before the lanes get crowded. Around the palace, I look for small studios selling ceramics and prints rather than souvenirs. Marmontova Street and the surrounding Dobri neighbourhood are better for clothes and everyday shops; I always duck into the fish market just off Marmontova to see what’s fresh. For food to take home, I head to Pazar market on the palace’s east side in the morning. My travel guide Split tip: browsing these streets is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Split without buying a thing.

I recommend three nights in Split: that gives me two full days without rushing. I spend one morning in Diocletian’s Palace before the lanes get busy, then walk through Varoš to Marjan for a swim or a shady break. On the second day, I browse Pazar market early and leave the afternoon open for a ferry trip or a slow lunch by the sea. If you visit Split mainly for the islands, I’d add another night so ferry schedules don’t dictate every hour. My travel guide Split advice is to leave space between planned things to do in Split.