The Ultimate Visitor's Guide to Split, Croatia

Located along the Adriatic Coast, the dazzling coastal city of Split was long thought of as just another industrial town. But over the past decade, the tourism industry has struck gold on its potential, turning it into one of the most sought-after summer destinations in the region.

The city’s character is found in its charming mix of ancient architecture and modernity, making it a unique place to explore.

Accessible by boat or plane, it’s a hub for travellers venturing between the Croatian islands, and especially buzzing in summer.

With so much on offer in and around the city, here’s a guide to what to see and do – whether you’re in town for just a few days or have a week or more up your sleeve.

When to go

The city thrives in summer (between June and August), but the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn will offer pleasant, sunny days minus the crowds. The winter months (between December to February) are the wettest time of the year.

What to do

Walk down the Riva promenade

Split’s a very walkable city so you’ll spend the majority of your time on foot. And the best place to start is the Riva promenade.

This is the seafront strip that wraps around the harbour and looks out onto the mesmerising Adriatic Sea; it’s lined with charming old-time buildings fronted by an array of cafes and bars.

The Riva is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat after a long day of exploring, or to stay until the evening with a cocktail or glass of wine as you watch the promenade come to life before your eyes.

During the day, grab a fresh juice or some delicious Fritule, aka Croatian doughnuts from one of the many stalls along the boardwalk. Then, take a seat and do some people-watching while lapping up that amazing European sun.

Grab some delicious Fritule, aka Croatian doughnuts

Visit the Old Town

As Croatia’s second largest city, Split is rich with history. It’s also home to some truly fascinating ancient sites, including the Old Town of Split.

It’s the gem of the region and known for its cobblestone streets and medieval atmosphere. Venture into this historic ‘city within a city’ and be prepared to delve into the true essence of Croatian culture.

Make sure you stop off at one of its many souvenir stores or quirky candy shops, like The Candy Bar, where you’ll find all types of sugary treats held in old-school wooden barrels.

Don’t visit the Old Town without heading down to the People’s Square, found in its centre. Home to a myriad of cafes and restaurants, this is where you can get a taste of some signature local cuisines.

Diocletian’s Palace

Considered the heart of the Old Town of Split, the ancient Diocletian’s Palace is a historic World Heritage Site made of white stone and marble.

Created in the fourth century, it’s a pillar of grand Roman architecture and was built like a fortress, making it a maze to navigate.

From courtyards and ancient sculptures to basements and living quarters, the palace has become a bustling living museum incorporated into normal city life.

Explore the majestic St Domnius Cathedral, located within the site, and climb the narrow staircase leading up to its famous bell tower. Though a later addition built into the cathedral, the bell tower has become an important symbol of Split – plus the views from the top of the tower will make it well worth the climb.

Finish up your palace tour at Peristyle, also known as the Emperor’s Square. Found at the centre of the palace, this place has become a hub for modern culture and entertainment.

When exploring Diocletian’s Palace, we recommend making Peristyle your meeting place, just in case you ever lose your friends or travel group in its maze. You’ll thank us later.

Interior of temple of Roman Emperor Diocletian

Pazar Market

If you love fresh produce and wholesome Mediterranean food, then the Pazar Market is for you.

Located on Hrvojeva Street, along the east side of the Diocletian Palace, the vendors of this daily market have stalls filled to the brim with the best fruits and vegetables in town.

Pazar Market encompasses the best that the cities produce has to offer, and is open from the early morning until well after the sun goes down, so there’s no bad time to visit it. Known as the ‘green markets’ it really is a feast for the senses.

We recommend that you dabble in all the fresh ingredients they have to offer, and try your hand at some cooking. Not only is it a great way to save money on your trip, but it’s culturally enriching as well.

Mestrovic Gallery

The Mestrovic Gallery, located just outside the Old Town of Split, is an art gallery dedicated to the work of 20th-century sculptor and writer Ivan Mestrovic. His most famous statue, Grgur Ninski, can be found in the heart of town.

Spend some time exploring the gallery, as it showcases around 200 of his most creative sculptural pieces and other works as well.

The stunning villa the gallery is housed in was designed by the sculptor himself, and is perfectly placed on a hill looking out over the Adriatic Sea.

And if that wasn’t beautiful enough, the museum also has a tranquil garden surrounding it, in which some of his wooden sculptures are displayed.

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Krka National Park Tour

The Krka National Park is located in central Dalmatia, close to the city of Sibenik. An easy one-hour drive from Split, it runs along the 73-kilometre Krka River that spans from the Adriatic Sea all the way into the Croatian mountains.

Upon arrival, the sight before you will take your breath away. Its abundance of charming walkways, monasteries and sparkling lakes will easily fill your day’s exploring.

But it’s the Krka Waterfalls that are the true jewels here. There are seven marvellous waterfalls scattered along the Krka River but the most famous is the Skradinski Buk.

This waterfall’s cascading feature has made it famous worldwide, with its base forming a picturesque natural swimming pool that gives you a perfect view of the stunning rapids and surrounding lush flora.

From the main parking lot, situated near Skradinski Buk, there’s a network of wooden walking trails that take you around Krka and through the town of Skradin. The streets of this alluring little village are paved with cobblestones and have hidden passages around every corner.

With hiking trails, river canyons and splendid lake views, a tour through this natural beauty is every explorer’s dream.

The Krka National Park is located in central Dalmatia

Guided tours

Guided tours are a great way to meet like-minded travellers, while also getting to experience the uniqueness of Split’s culture in ways you may have never thought of. A quick trip to any of the travel agencies around the city, will have you booked and ready in no time.

Don’t miss a sunset sailing tour around Split and its neighbouring islands, and an Old Town walking tour.

Take a walking tour through the Old Town

Klis Fortress

This medieval fortress is 20 minutes north of Split and is positioned between two mountains, Mosor and Kozjak.

Its historical importance in Croatia dates all the way back to the second century, where the panoramic views of the coast were commonly used as a vantage point for Croatian defence.

As an attraction that flies under the radar for many tourists, witnessing a sunset from the rarely visited Fortress of Klis is a serene opportunity that you shouldn’t pass up.

You can wander through these historic grounds as you please, which is uncommon in many ancient sites nowadays. Just be careful to watch your step.

And for all the Game of Thrones fans out there, this fortress is the filming location for the City of Meereen. There are also several Game of Thrones tours dedicated to taking groups to all the filming locations around Split.

Klis fortress is 20 minutes north of Split

Temperatures are soaring this summer, breaking records across Europe and the UK.

Euro summer is a feeling like no other. But when a heatwave hits? The dream trip quickly turns into a sweaty mess. Extreme heat is sweeping Europe and the UK this week, with record-high temperatures impacting travel plans across the continent.

And while Australian summers are typically hotter in absolute temperature, many European cities aren’t equipped for high temperatures, resulting in unbearable weather.

Why is it so hot in Europe?

Signs of a hot summer loomed in May, when the mercury hit unprecedented spring highs. Now, extreme high temperature warning alerts have been issued in countries such as Spain, Italy, France, England, the Netherlands and Germany.

France saw its hottest day on record on Wednesday, with an average temperature of 30°C across the day and night. This surpasses the average temperature for June, which is 15°C to 25°C. Dozens of people have died, including 40 from drowning.

In Spain, 212 deaths have been linked to the heatwave.

The UK recorded its hottest June day ever on Wednesday with temperatures soaring to 36.1°C. In an article published by the Met Office – the UK’s national meteorological service – Professor Stephen Belcher CBE, Met Office Chief Scientist, shared his concerns about June’s heat. “To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering. Events like this bring home the implications of climate change, with very high temperatures and humidity bringing significant health implications from heat stress, as well as impacts to a range of sectors such as transport, energy and water supply,” he said.

Heatwaves are becoming increasingly common in Europe and the UK, neither of which is prepared for such extremes. The World Meteorological Organization reported that in 2025, at least 95% of Europe experienced above-average annual temperatures and that the continent was heating up twice as fast as the global average.

How travel is impacted

A pharmacy sign displaying 40 degrees Celcius — A pharmacy broadcasting local weather data. (Credit: Getty/Dragoncello)

During a heatwave, power grids, water systems and transport networks can be affected, resulting in disrupted itineraries for travellers. In France, power outages have left thousands without electricity and early closures have been implemented for two of Paris’s biggest attractions, the Eiffel Tower (early afternoon rather than late at night) and the Louvre (two hours early). Eurostar cancelled its London to Paris and Paris to London services from the 22nd to the 25th, and major UK rail companies have been advising travellers to avoid using trains where possible, or to travel during early hours.

If a heatwave is predicted, being flexible with your itinerary and having fully refundable/changeable tickets is key, as extreme heat can force the cancellation of outdoor activities, impact rail and flight services and change the opening hours of sites and eateries.

Why does summer in Europe often feel hotter than summer in Australia?

people swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris — People swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris to cool off. (Credit: Rachael Thompson)

With some of the highest UV levels in the world, Australians are no strangers to the heat, adapting well to intense weather. But our infrastructure is largely equipped to withstand soaring temperatures with climate-responsive passive design, refrigerated air conditioning or evaporative coolers, as well as swimming spots aplenty.

Buildings in Northern and Western Europe and the UK, however, are constructed to retain heat and handle frosty winters. The lack of universal air conditioning means it generally feels hotter even though the temperature on your app might not look it. During a heatwave, it can feel like you’re in a sauna as cities act like heat traps.

How to stay cool and prepare for another heatwave

Relief is expected across Europe and the UK later this week, but more heatwaves are still possible in the coming months. Summer heat typically peaks in July and August.

Public transport often doesn’t have air conditioning, and buses in particular can be swelteringly hot. If you’re heading outside or your accommodation has no air conditioning, it’s worth buying a spray bottle and a handheld fan from a pharmacy or tourist stand. Check ahead of time if restaurants and cafes have air conditioning and make a booking in advance. The highest temperatures typically hit between 3pm and 6pm, so aim to head outdoors outside of these hours.

Rising temperatures invite travellers to enter a more intentional era of seeing the world. Now more than ever is the time to embrace lower-impact “coolcations” and off-season getaways.

A first-timer’s guide to Split, Croatia