Split Attractions & Highlights: Where Antiquity Meets the Adriatic

Contents:

• Split travel tips: Everything you need to know for your trip at a glance
• Split Attractions: The city’s most beautiful highlights
• Split beaches: The best spots for swimming and relaxation
• Split Activities: Excursions, adventures & experiences in the region
• Eating out in Split: Cuisine, culinary delights & the best restaurant recommendations
• Conclusion: Split – a city that leaves a lasting impression

Split travel tips: Everything you need to know for your trip at a glance

• Getting there: During the summer season, there are direct flights to Split from Switzerland – for example, from Zurich, Basel or Geneva. Split Airport (SPU) is around 25 minutes from the city centre and can be easily reached by shuttle bus, taxi or hire car.
• Best time to visit: The most pleasant months are May to October – with plenty of sunshine, warm seas and a lively city atmosphere. If you prefer a quieter experience, visit in spring or autumn, when temperatures are milder and the old town is less crowded.
• Getting around: Split’s old town is car-free – everything can be easily explored on foot. For day trips, ferries, buses and hire cars are available. Ferries to the islands of Hvar, Brač and Vis depart directly from Split Ferry Port next to the Riva.
• Currency & payments: The euro (EUR) is the currency in Croatia. Card payments are widely accepted, but it’s still worth carrying some cash for markets or smaller cafés. Our tip: With the Swiss Bankers card, you can make contactless and secure payments anywhere. You can also conveniently order cash in euros online via the Swiss Bankers banknote delivery service – ideal for the start of your city break.
• Safety & behaviour: Split is a very safe city, even in the evening. However, the old town can get very busy during the summer months – so do keep an eye on your valuables.
• Our hotel recommendations: Whether you’re looking for an elegant boutique hotel or a stylish luxury retreat – everyone will find the right accommodation in Split. Staying right in the heart of the action allows you to experience the city’s special atmosphere even more intensely. On our Travel Deals page, you’ll discover carefully selected hotels at attractive rates. Our favourites:

  • Judita Palace Heritage Hotel – an elegant boutique hotel in the heart of the old town, ideal for culture lovers.

  • Hotel Vestibul Palace & Villa – exclusively situated within Diocletian’s Palace, combining modern design with an ancient setting.

  • Hotel Ambasador – right on the Riva waterfront promenade, with stylish architecture, a rooftop bar and views over the harbour.

Split Attractions: The City’s Most Beautiful Highlights

Split’s sights offer a fascinating blend of history, culture and Mediterranean charm. Hardly any other city combines ancient splendour and modern life so harmoniously. At the centre stands the imposing Palace of Diocletian, once the residence of a Roman emperor and now the heart of the old town. Amidst mighty walls, winding alleyways and sun-drenched squares, cafés and small boutiques mingle with the bustling activity of the locals – a place where history remains tangible.

Anyone entering the palace passes through one of the four gates – the Golden Gate (Zlatna Vrata), the Silver Gate (Srebrna Vrata), the Iron Gate (Željezna Vrata) or the Bronze Gate (Mjedena Vrata). Each tells its own story and offers a view of a different part of the city: from majestic columns and marble façades to narrow alleyways leading straight to the sea. The Golden Gate is particularly impressive, featuring a statue of Bishop Gregory of Nin – it is said that anyone who touches his toe will be blessed with good luck.

On Peristyl Square, you can sense the splendour of bygone days, whilst the Cathedral of Saint Domnius – once the emperor’s mausoleum – delights visitors with its bell tower and sweeping views over the rooftops. Beneath the ground, the vaulted cellars with their mystical arches – made famous by *Game of Thrones* – quietly tell tales from another era.

A stroll up Marjan Hill finally leads to one of the city’s most beautiful vantage points: from here, the view stretches across the old town, the deep-blue sea and the offshore islands of Hvar and Brač. Split blends past and present in an incomparable way – a place that enchants its visitors with charm, history and a sea breeze.

Split’s beaches: the best spots for swimming and relaxation

Split proves that a city break and a beach holiday can go hand in hand. Just a few minutes from the old town lies the popular Bačvice Beach – known for its gentle slope into the water, crystal-clear waters and the lively atmosphere created by the traditional ball game, picigin. Here you’ll meet locals and travellers alike, enjoying the day with music, sunshine and an espresso by the sea.

Those who prefer a quieter atmosphere will find idyllic coves around Marjan Hill, tucked away amongst the rocks and pine trees. Particularly beautiful are Kašjuni Beach with its turquoise-blue water and the unspoilt Bene Beach, where the shade of the pine trees creates a sense of Mediterranean serenity.

In the evening, the beaches transform into atmospheric retreats – ideal for a stroll in the evening light or a drink whilst watching the sunset. In Split, the sea is never far away – and relaxation is part of the way of life.

Things to do in Split: Excursions, adventures & experiences in the region

Split is the ideal base for anyone looking for more than just the usual sights and classic sightseeing. Unforgettable experiences await all around the city – from the sparkling sea to wild river landscapes.

• Day trip to the Blue Cave (Modra Špilja): An absolute highlight! On the island of Beševo, not far from Vis, the sunlight transforms the water into a magical, luminous blue. Speedboat tours often combine a visit to these special attractions – such as the Blue Cave – with stops on Hvar or other islands – a day full of colour, sunshine and the sound of the sea.
• Historic Trogir: Just 30 minutes away lies the small, charming island town of Trogir, whose entire old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Amidst palaces, narrow alleyways and Venetian charm, you can explore the main sights at your leisure – whilst strolling, dining and daydreaming.
• Rafting on the Cetina: For the adventurous, Dalmatia’s wild side awaits – with rafting on the Cetina River. About an hour south of Split, you’ll experience crystal-clear water, green gorges and a pure adrenaline rush.
• Water sports & the sea: On beaches such as Bačvice or Kašjuni, you can paddle, dive or glide along the coast on a SUP – always with a view of the sparkling blue Adriatic.
• Wine tours: Those who prefer a more leisurely pace can discover Dalmatia’s culinary soul with a wine tasting in the hinterland. The region is renowned for its indigenous grape varieties such as Plavac Mali – a full-bodied red wine with character.

Eating out in Split: cuisine, indulgence & the best restaurant recommendations

Split tastes of sunshine, salt and the south. Nestled between Roman walls and the Riva promenade, a vibrant dining scene unfolds – from traditional konobas to modern bistros with sea views.

In the morning, Bobis’ bakeries tempt you with fresh burek, fragrant croissants and sweet krafne. A good coffee is a must – ideally at Kava2 Split Coffee, a popular meeting place for coffee lovers right in the city centre. At lunchtime, it’s well worth a detour to the Pazar, the green market right outside the walls of Diocletian’s Palace. Here, olives, cheese, figs and fragrant herbs are piled high – the very essence of Dalmatia.

In the evening, Split reveals its more indulgent side. Highly recommended:

• Mazzgoon: Creative Dalmatian cuisine with a modern twist, served in a stylish courtyard in the heart of the old town.

• Konoba Fetivi: Family-run and authentic – here, the freshly caught fish tastes as if it’s straight off the boat.

• Zinfandel Food & Wine Bar: Perfect for a glass of local wine and Mediterranean tapas with an urban vibe.

Conclusion: Split – a city that leaves a lasting impression

Split combines history, the sea and Mediterranean joie de vivre like almost no other place. Amidst the historic sights such as Diocletian’s Palace, the elegant Riva and the beaches around Marjan Hill, a sense of freedom and warmth unfolds that touches you immediately. Whether it’s culture, cuisine or the coast – Split makes every moment special and stays in your heart for a long time.