A Roman palace you can walk through, a seafront promenade and a forested hill: the essentials for your time in Split.
Split is compact and easy to explore on foot. The old town, the harbour and the main sights sit within a few minutes of each other, so one full day covers the highlights. It is also the main ferry port for the Dalmatian islands.
Built around AD 305 as the retirement home of the Roman emperor Diocletian, this is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is not a museum behind walls. Shops, cafés, homes and bars fill the old Roman streets, and you can walk in for free through any of its gates. Look for the Peristyle, the central courtyard, and the underground halls beneath the palace, which are open to visitors.
The cathedral inside the palace began as Diocletian's mausoleum. Climb the bell tower for a view over the terracotta rooftops and the harbour. The stairs are narrow and steep, so go early in the day.
The wide palm-lined promenade along the harbour is where Split meets in the evening. Sit at a café with a coffee or a glass of wine and watch the ferries and yachts.
Just outside the palace's north gate stands a large bronze statue of Bishop Gregory of Nin. Tradition says that rubbing his big toe brings good luck, and you will see it shining.
A forested park on the peninsula west of the old town, with paths, small chapels and several viewpoints. It is a short walk up from the Varoš neighbourhood, and the view from the top covers the city and the nearby islands. Go in the late afternoon for the light.
A sandy city beach with shallow water, a short walk from the centre. Locals play picigin here, a ball game in the shallows. After a day of sightseeing, it is a simple place to swim.
Tip: the palace is busiest from late morning to mid-afternoon when cruise groups arrive. Early morning and evening are much quieter.