Things to do in  Split

With its startling blue light and luminescent waters, it's easy to see how the Bisevo Blue Cave (Modra Spilja) earned its name. The natural wonder is hidden in the sea cliffs along the coast of Bisevo Island and is made even more enticing by its remote, difficult-to-reach location. The effort is rewarded with stunning scenery and endless photo opportunities.

Mostly uninhabited and untouched, pristine Budikovac Island (Veliki Budikovac) is an ideal place to experience Croatia’s natural beauty. The island, off the coast of Split, is a great destination for getting out of the city and relaxing, thanks largely in part to its quiet bay, clear turquoise water, and pebbly beaches.

With its emerald-green lakes, rocky caves, and cascading waterfalls—all framed by soaring limestone cliffs, ancient woodlands, and fields of wild orchids—Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of Croatia’s most postcard-worthy natural playgrounds. The UNESCO World Heritage Site comprises more than 73,000 acres (20,500 hectares) of unspoiled landscapes and boasts a chain of 16 lakes and 90 waterfalls, all linked by a network of hiking and biking trails.

Flanked by two Corinthian colonnades, Peristyle Square (Peristil) is the central plaza of the town of Split and part of Diocletian's Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. An 187-feet (57-meter) eye-catching belfry towers above the square; climb to the top for a stellar view of the sea.

Stiniva Cove is a crescent-shaped cove formed thousands of years ago when a sea cave collapsed. The cove is enclosed by steep sea cliffs, which means that it's calm enough for swimming and completely shaded in the afternoon. It’s located right on the island of Vis, famous for its stone fortress and charming marina.

Go for an evening stroll along the Riva Promenade, a waterfront walkway lined with palm trees in the town of Split. This stretch of glazed white tiles runs the length of the Old Town, offering harbor views and shady benches for watching residents stroll by. Restaurants and cafes line the promenade as well.

Built in the fourth century as a retirement complex for the Roman Emperor Diocletian, this vast, fortress-like compound still dominates Split Old Town. After the palace was abandoned in the sixth century, locals flooded into it. Now, the 220 Roman-era buildings within the palace boundaries house homes, shops, bars, and other businesses.

Off the coast of Croatia, Solta island is one of the country’s under-the-radar hideaways. While it’s a popular haunt for mainland locals, it’s still an undeveloped pocket of paradise, with pinewoods, farmland, and maquis-coated hills tumbling to tiny harbors, pebble beaches, and azure bays.

Located inside the gates of Diocletian’s Palace, the Cathedral of St. Domnius ((Katedrala Svetog Duje) is a massive octagonal cathedral built in Roman times as the Mausoleum of Diocletian. The structure was converted to a church in the 7th century and mass is still held here today, making it one of the oldest Catholic cathedrals in the world still in use in its original structure.

Ivan Meštrović’s iconic Gregory of Nin (Grgur Ninski) statue is one of Split’s most popular attractions. Originally erected in 1929, the 27-foot (8.5-meter) sculpture commemorates the medieval bishop and advocate of Croatia’s national language. Today, his bronze toe has been rubbed clean by countless visitors seeking good luck.

The heart of Split, the 2nd-largest city in Croatia, and its main gathering place is Prokurative, also known as Republic Square. With architecture inspired heavily by St. Mark’s Square in Venice and easy access to the nearby Riva Promenade, the square is a popular place for concerts, performances, and people-watching.

As a revered local monument and protected heritage site, Poljud Stadium (Stadion Poljud) is on the itinerary for most sightseeing tours of Split and is just north of the city’s historic UNESCO World Heritage-listed center. It was built in 1979 for the Mediterranean Games and was opened by then-President of former Yugoslavia, Marshall Tito. Designed as a multi-purpose facility by Croatian architect Boris Magaš, the stadium’s main function today is as the beloved home of Hajduk Split football team, which plays in the European Champions League and is followed by avid fans across the region. The stadium is a seafront landmark that appears at its most beautiful when illuminated by hundreds of floodlights by night. Constructed with two stands forming an arched, shell-like layered concrete exterior, Poljud has a seating capacity of 35,000 and among other events, hosts athletics matches and music festivals, including August’s annual Ultra Europe dance-music extravaganza.

A castle, palace, and restaurants draw visitors to Fruit’s Square (Trg Brace Radic) in Split. The space once held a bustling fruit market, but today the stone-lined square’s main attractions are historic landmarks and Baroque architecture. Literature buffs may want to check out the statue of Marko Marulic, a 15th-century poet considered the father of Croatian literature.

Dedicated to the Ancient Roman king of gods, the Temple of Jupiter was constructed in the 3rd century as part of Diocletian's Palace and is considered to be one of the most well-preserved Roman temples in the world. Diocletian believed he was the reincarnation of Jupiter, who was highly worshipped until the Roman Empire was taken over by Christian rule.

Dotted with pine trees and Mediterranean shrubs, Marjan is a hilly peninsula jutting out into the Adriatic Sea. A beautiful nature reserve in Croatia, some of Split's best beaches are here, along with important museums, such as Mestrovic Gallery and Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments.