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Split, Croatia is a jewel of the Dalmatian Coast. I recently had the chance to visit Split for the first time, and I was absolutely stunned by the natural beauty, charming city, and fantastic food and culture. If you are traveling to Croatia soon, it is essential to add Split to your itinerary.
Split offers so much to see and do, you could easily spend a week there. However, in my opinion, you can get a good overview of Split in 3 days. I’ve compiled this itinerary to help you plan the perfect 3 days in Split!
Split Itinerary, Day 1
On your first day in Split, I would recommend exploring the city to get your bearings, and see what Split is all about!
Stop 1: Diocletian’s Palace
I would recommend starting your day in Split’s old town. This area is the hub for tourists, as it is packed with historical sites, shops, and restaurants. The most famous historical site in Split is Diocletian’s Palace, which is a must visit. This palace, dating back to the Roman Empire, forms a fundamental part of the old town, containing many shops and restaurants within it.
Entrance to the palace is free, as it is incorporated into the city’s blocks. However, you can pay extra to tour the palace’s cellars and the Temple of Jupiter. This incredibly preserved palace will take you on a trip back through time to the days of the Roman Empire. Must-see spots within the palace are the vestibule and the peristyle (look out for the genuine Egyptian sphinx!).
Stop 2: Archeology Museum or Game of Thrones Museum
Continuing on with your historical sightseeing tour, I would recommend heading to a museum next! I went to the Archaeological Museum of Split, and I thought it was absolutely incredible. It was chock-full of artifacts from the region dating back to the Roman Empire. If you are interested in history, I would highly recommend checking out this museum! It is just slightly outside of the Old Town, a short walk from Diocletian’s Palace.
Alternatively, if history isn’t your thing, consider visiting the Game of Thrones Museum. If you are a fan of the show, you probably know that some of the series was filmed in Croatia (including in Diocletian’s Palace). The museum, which is located in the Old Town, a short walk from Diocletian’s Palace, has props, costumes and city dioramas from Game of Thrones.
Stop 3: Dinner in the Old Town
After a long day of exploring historical sites and museums, it is time to relax and enjoy the evening. In my opinion, there is no better way to spend an evening in Split than to have dinner (and maybe an Aperol Spritz or two) on one of the many patios in Split’s Old Town. Just walking around, you will find so many restaurants to choose from. If you head down to the waterfront, you can find many patios with a beautiful view of the ocean. Don’t forget to top it off with some gelato!
Split Itinerary, Day 2
Your second day in Split will take you out of the city, and on to the gorgeous waters surrounding it.
Stop 1: Boat tour
It would be a shame to visit Split without spending some time on the water- the city is known for its beautiful coastline and beaches. There are many boat tours available from Split. Some focus on snorkeling and swimming, while some take you island hopping- visiting islands like Hvar and Vis. Either way, you won’t regret getting out and spending a day on the water. I did a boat tour that stopped in Trogir, a small town just North of Split, and the Blue Lagoon, a popular snorkeling spot. Although we did not see a whole lot of fish at the Blue Lagoon, swimming in the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic Sea was definitely still a highlight of my trip.
If you walk along the waterfront in front of the Old Town, you will see tons of kiosks for various tour companies offering boat trips. There are so many options available, and you can choose to do a half day or full day tour.
Stop 2: Dinner and shopping in the Old Town
After a day on the water, I would recommend spending the evening in the Old Town again. Your boat will most likely dock here, making it easy to go directly to exploring after your tour. If you didn’t get a chance to check out the shops in the Old Town yesterday, I would recommend doing that now. There is also a market on the east side of the Old Town that is open until the early evening. You will find tons of stalls there selling all sorts of treasures. This is also a great place to buy fresh fruit!
Again, I would recommend having dinner on a patio in the Old Town. With so many to choose from, all with such incredible views and food, you really can’t go wrong.
Split Itinerary, Day 3
On your last day in Split, it’s time to soak up some sun.
Stop 1: A Beach Club
3 Days in Split would not be complete without spending some time on the beach. The coastline offers many wonderful spots to spend a day relaxing and swimming. Depending on your preferences, you can just go to a beach, or pay a little bit and spend the day at a beach club.
Most beach clubs cost around €35 for a day, and you will get a lounge chair, and likely an umbrella for the day. Most beach clubs also serve food and drinks. I went to Mistral Beach Club, and had a fabulous day soaking up the sun and swimming in the ocean. It did start to get a bit busier and louder later in the day, as the party crowd trickled in. But until about 5pm, it was fairly quiet and relaxing.
If beach clubs aren’t your style, there are many beaches you can visit for free as well. My favourite was Kasjuni Beach, an absolutely beautiful spot to relax and swim.
Tip- pack water shoes or sandals that you can wear into the ocean. The beaches around Split are rocky!
Stop 2: Old Town for dinner
To finish off the day, I would recommend, you guessed it- dinner in the Old Town! You just really can’t beat the ambience and variety of foods available. Alternatively, if you’re exhausted after a day in the sun, pick up some takeout and head back to the hotel for a night in.
So there you have it- the (in my opinion) perfect itinerary for 3 days in Split, Croatia! If you stick to this guide, I think you will get a great overview of all the best history, culture, and nature that Split has to offer. Happy travelling!
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