In sunny August I explored the beautiful city of Split for three days – and here you will find my recommendations for a perfect weekend in the second largest city in Croatia for you.
Many tourists hurry across Split to catch the ferry to the popular islands of Brac and Hvar in Split, but they should definitely plan a stop for one or two days in the second largest city of Croatia! Follow the Roman tracks through the ancient Diocletian’s Palace, because the heart of the city has rightly been declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy the fantastic view from the old Bell Tower, check out dozens of bars and fine Croatian cuisine.
Friday
4 pm: Book a downtown accomodation! Then all attractions in Split are just a few steps away. You will find romantic and affordable rooms in the ancient house of the small boutique hotel Judita Palace with a delicious breakfast. Rememer to book early! www.juditapalace.com
5 pm: Your first path leads you to the historic Diocletian’s Palace, which was built around the third century BC in a record time of ten years as a retirement home of the Roman emperor Diocletian. Later, the area was used as a fortress and was influenced over the centuries by many different cultures. Today the imposing ruins and buildings form the bustling center of Split. The labyrinthine streets are full of people, bars, shops and restaurants, children’s play between the historic walls. Just stroll through the narrow streets and leave back to bygone times!
7 pm: In the evening the wide pedestrian promenade in front of the multi-story walls of the Roman palace really comes to life! Since the expencive redesign with marble-like stone slabs and huge sun roofs, although the prices have risen, but the view is perfect. Watch the people strolling by at the palm avenue and enjoy a nice cocktail with seaview.
Saturday
11 am: To get a perfect overview, you have to climb some steps. The most beautiful panoramic view of Split offers the bell tower of the Sveti Duje Cathedral.
200 steps lead up, at the top you will enjoy a view across the entire old town and the harbor over to the green hill Marjan and the Croatian islands. The cathedral was originally a mausoleum for the Emperor Diocletian and his wife ans was later consecrated to the patron saint Domnius of Split.
1 pm: For lunch you can grab a snack at the green market directly next to the palace wall. Numerous stands offer fruits and vegetables and local specialties like honey and sausages. For dessert, there’s finest ice.
2 pm: After lunch there are still a lot of highlights to explore inside the palace: In the Peristyle, the citizens of Split cheered their Emperor, today the place is still beautiful with its high colonnades. In the late Middle Ages, some of the columns were installed as a facade in the adjacent Renaissance palace. A few steps higher is the remarkable vestibule of the palace and the Ethnographic Museum, an ethnological collection with countless costumes. With the temple of Jupiter an its antique portico and some well-preserved city gates in the outer walls of the palace you will find a lot more spots that are worth taking some photos.
4 pm: Now it’s time for the New City, the “Novi Grad”. When you cross the Porta Ferrea you start a journey from Roman times to the middle age. The newer part of the city is a medieval city expansion with a typical Venetian character. The covered square called Loggia is a typical element for Venetian provincial towns, worth a visit is also the second major square of Novi Grad with its Baroque Palazzo Milesi.
8 pm: Now it will be a tasty evening: If you search for typical Croatian dishes check out the tavern Kod Joze, a small restaurant just a few meters away from the palace. A must try: Fresh sea bream with the typical Dalmatian mix of chard and potatoes or green pasta with seafood.
Sunday
11 am: If you take a ferry in the afternoon, you should take some time for a trip to the nearby hill Marjan. Walk down the Senjska street to the green oasis of the ancient city. A staircase leads you up to the viewing platforms, from here you have a fantastic across Split, its harbor and the mountains in the background.
After half an hour you will reach the highest point at 175 meters, in a further hour, the headland of the peninsula or the beach settlement Bene is reached. After that walk you can easily return by bus.
12 am: If you fly back today from Split, you can pay a visit to Trogir. The tiny town with its narrow streets behind medieval walls and with its magnificent cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage site. There a dozens of nice cafés at the broad promenade – from there you have an interesting view across all the expensive yachts in the harbour. Regional delicacies are available on the market outside the city walls – they offer great gifts!
And Trogir is only a few kilometers away from Split Airport.
This text has been translated to the best of my knowledge into English.
