Melo Villareal
Best Things to Do in Split, Croatia
(Split, Croatia) – Unless you are an avid traveler with extensive knowledge of the Balkans, you may not have heard of Split. This stunning coastal city in Croatia has been attracting more tourists lately because of its picturesque beauty and old-timey feel. For a time, Split was only considered a departure point for magnificent islands. Now, it is drawing travelers on its own. These ten activities are among the best things to do in Split, Croatia:
Climb Split’s Cathedral
If you are looking for a unique experience in Split, there is nothing quite like climbing the city’s main cathedral. Named Cathedral Sveti Duje or Cathedral of Saint Domnius, you can pay off an entrance fee that will allow you to climb to the top of the church’s tall bell tower. Once you reach the top, you will get a fabulous view of the whole palace, the city’s landscape, and the sea.
Apart from the climbing activities, the cathedral also has a major historical mark. This particular cathedral served as the site of the remains of the Roman Emperor Diocletian.
If you are uncomfortable climbing an old tower, you may want to scale up the Vestibule instead. This was said to be the entrance to the old residence of the Roman Emperor.
Tour Game of Thrones filming locations
Viewers of “Game of Thrones” will find a lot of buildings and spots in Split familiar. This is because the city is a primary shooting location for the show. For example, the Red Keep in the medieval fantasy series is shot mainly in Fort Lovrijenac. The famous “Shaming” scene in the show’s fifth season was done in the Baroque Staircase.
If the reason why you are going to Split is mainly for an exploration of the shooting locations, you can book a slot on a walking tour.
Walk around the seafront promenade.
Every person who resides in Split is proud of their sea promenade. Fondly called Riva, the promenade is arguably the heart of the whole town as eateries, restaurants, cafes, and shops dot the whole street.
It is also perfect for your morning or late afternoon stroll. You can easily look into the deep blue sea while sipping on your take-out coffee.
Dine in one of Split’s varied restaurants
Split is becoming a major factor in Croatia’s growing gastronomic industry. Every year, there is at least one new restaurant that is opening in this city. Among these new establishments include Mazzgoon, Zinfandel, Villa Spizat, and Bokeria.
If you want classic and proven cuisine, you may want to try out more established favorites. Among these are Konoba Hvaranin and Appetit.
For those with a limited budget, you may also want to go for Dalmatian-style diners. The Buffet Fife and Tri Volta are the most famous ones.
Drop by Marjan Hill
In the northwest part of the city, you can see Marjan Hill, just on a small peninsula. It is a 178-meter tall hill that is great for hiking and walks.
Some do rock climbing and mountain biking on this hill. Once at the peak, you can also go into a café bar called Vidilica.
Roam around the old town
Split is a major city even during Roman times. In fact, it is now considered an enormous historical site because Emperor Diocletian made a palace in the area to serve as his retirement home.
As one of the few remaining decently preserved cities from the Roman era, it is a must for every traveler to visit Split. The cobbled streets and magnificent buildings are worth the trip.
Swim in Bacvice Beach
The great thing about Bacvice is the fact that it is very much a public beach as it is owned by the city. The social interactions are as much an attraction as the beautiful coast. There are also a couple of bars and sports areas on the strip.
This particular beach can be found just a few minutes from the main bus station and ferry terminal. So you can just drop by the beach even for an hour or so if your schedule is limited.
Explore Split’s bars near the Palace
There are a lot of bars that can be found near Diocletian’s Palace. The Academia Ghetto Club, Charlie’s Bar, and Gaga are a few of them.
Visit the city’s numerous museums.
One of the greatest things about Split is the fact that there are just a lot of museums in the area. Sure, it may not be as prestigious and as large as those in Florence, Paris, or Naples, but they do present a look at different perspectives on European art.
The two most popular museums are the Ethnographic Museum of Split and the Archaeological Museum of Split. The latter is especially renowned because it is the oldest museum in the country.
The Split Live Museum is also an interesting stop. In this museum, you can watch how the Romans lived in the city. Two other museums of note are the Maritime Museum and the Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments.
Admire Mestrovic’s work
Fans of contemporary art will be delighted with the number of artworks in this particular city. In fact, a few of Croatia’s most memorable artists lived for some time in Split.
For example, the country’s greatest sculptor Mestrovic spent much of his lifetime in the city. He has definitely left a mark on the town’s sculpting scene.
His villa and studio have become major tourist attractions: the Mestrovic Gallery and Kaštelet. He is also responsible for a statue of Renaissance writer Marco Maruli? and a different one for Grgur Ninski near the Golden Gate. But his crowning jewel as a sculptor should be the 28-piece work that shows different parts of the life of Christ.
While Split is not the most popular destination in Europe, it represents everything that people like about the continent. It has Mediterranean-style weather, and it has a classy feel to it. Split should definitely be on your go-to list.
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