Check out our guide to Split which includes top rated sightseeing trips, packages, recommendations for cheap and free things do, tips for where to stay and how you can save money and visit Split on a budget.
Why Travel to Split?
Split is Croatia’s second most populated city and is a vibrant mix of ancient and modern Dalmatian culture. Here are some top reasons to book a trip:
- Easy and cheap to get to from a number of international destinations
- Great value for money
- Authentic experience and less touristy compared to Dubrovnik
- Tasty food
- Spectacular sights and ancient architecture
- Close proximity to spectacular islands
Best Time to Visit Split
Which time of the year you visit really comes down to what appeals to you. Summer is the most popular period but this is also the most expensive in terms of flights and accommodation. We do though highly recommend going to Split in summer as you will be able to eat out and enjoy all the main attractions in a warm climate. If you visit out of season though you will get great value for money, the months of April/May/September/October are recommended as the weather is cooler and the city is not overloaded with international tourists.
How Many Days to Stay
Four or five days is enough time to soak up the culture, atmosphere and sights of this beautiful city. If you are on restricted time frame or budget a long weekend of two/three days can be enough time to enjoy the highlights. If you have more time to spend you might like to search Croatia tours where you can visit more destinations in the country in the same trip. I would also recommend learning some basic Croatian words and phrases which will help make your experience easier and more fun when you impress locals with their local language.
How to Get to Split
There are several ways to travel to Split including train, bus, ferry, cruise ship and plane. If you are planning a short break from the UK we recommend flying as this will save time and there are also some great deals to be had with low cost airlines.
Airlines which fly to Split from the United Kingdom include:
- British Airways, Jet2, Thomas Cook, easyJet, Norwegian Air, TUI, Croatia Airlines and Wizz Air.
Airlines which fly to Split from international destinations include:
- Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Alitalia, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, eurowings, KLM, Lufthansa, Iberia, LOT, Norwegian, SAS, Finnair, SWISS and Vueling.
To get the best deals you will need to book in advance and also travel out of the busy summer season. We recommend searching flights on Skyscanner which is the best flight comparison website.
How to Get from Split Airport to the City Center
From Split airport the most cost effective way to get to Split old town is public bus. You will need to check where you are staying as to which bus to catch but the number 37 is probably your best option. If you have a slightly bigger buget then there are taxis which cost around £25-£40.
Where to Stay in Split
There are lots of options when it comes to places to stay in Split including hotels, hostels, villas, apartments and AirBnB.
These are some of the best and also cheapest hostels to stay in Split:
- Al's Place, Grand Hostel LerO, Split Backpackers, CroParadise Green Hostel, Adriatic Hostel, Backpackers Fairytale, Hostel Dioklecijan and Hostel Split.
There are lots of hotels to choose from for all budgets. A general room costs around £20-£30 per night.
Best Things to See in Split
Here are some of the essential things you must do in Split, most of which are very cheap or free!
Explore the Old Town
The majority of the city life and tourist haunts are located in the old town (Diocletian’s Palace) - a UNESCO world heritage site. Here the relaxed Dalmatian attitude is shown, with drinks al fresco in the palace walls at ‘Lxvor’ and plenty of gelato stalls dotted around to try.
Getting around the sites of the Old Town is easily a day’s work as there is many sights to visit, including the Saint Dominus Bell Tower (which has spectacular views of the city from the top), the perfectly preserved basement halls of Diocletian’s palace, the Cathedral of St Dominus and the Cathedral Crypt.
Entry to these attractions is very cheap if you buy at the door and is rarely over £2.
Enjoy the Beaches
There are around 10 miles of coastline in Split which is ideal for visiting beaches and going swimming. This is completely free and a great way to spend a relaxing day! There are lots of amazing beaches in Split and all are different. The best beaches we recommend checking out include Bacvice, Duilovo, Firule, Ovcice, Stobrec, Stobrec, Trstenik, Zenta and Znjan.
Go Island Hopping
If you would like to see some of the islands, there are plenty of tourist companies on the promenade who offer various day tours. However, these trips can come with very inflated prices and if you fancy doing it like the locals, catch a Jadrolinija ferry which will take you to Hvar and other islands.
Visit the Klis Fortress & Mountains
Klis Fortress is worth a visit and is a site that isn’t overly visited by tourists.You can catch a tourist coach up to the mountains or alternatively you can hop on the local bus where the return journey costs as little as £4. Klis Fortress is where Games of Thrones filmed the scenes in Meereen and the local café’s proudly display photos of the cast visiting on their walls.
Relax in Marjan Park
If you want to end your trip with a bit of relaxation, there are plenty of little coves and pebble beaches in Marjan Park which sits on the outskirts of the city. You can either walk into the park or you can catch the public bus from the promenade, depending on how far you want to go. The beaches are secluded with clear sparkling water, but make sure to wear sea shoes as the bottom of the sea is quite rocky and sharp.
Budget & General Costs
Croatia is one of the cheapest countries to visit in Europe and although prices have risen in the past few years there is still great value to be had especially compared to places like France, Spain and Greece. You can easily get by on a small budget in Split and there are also so many things to do which are free like going to the beach or exploring the city on foot. To save money you can avoid eating and drinking in the main touristy squares and try the backstreets for a more local and cheaper experience.
Split Sightseeing Tours
On our directory you can find the best trips, excursions & sightseeing activities in Split - a lot of which are low cost or free!
Split really is a beautiful mix of both buzzing city culture and beach relaxation – it is well worth a visit before the world hears about it and descends! So what are you waiting for, book a break today.
This guide was written by Erin Harris. Have you been to Split? Share your experiences in the comments section below.
