Split Old Town: Things to Do, Where to Stay and Eat

Split is an incredible city to visit and spend some time in. It’s the second biggest city in Croatia and has a history stretching back over 1700 years. It’s full of famous historical sites, stunning beaches and plenty of its own delicacies.

When we visited this magical place, we were amazed by the historical buildings, the sense of culture and the picturesque winding alleys that make up so much of the city. Old City Split really is something to be amazed by!

We also loved the vibrancy that this city has. There are so many lovely restaurants serving traditional and modern takes in Croatian food, as well as a lively atmosphere in the evenings and exceptional cafes serving some of the best coffee we’d had on our trip so far.

Split is certainly often busy with tourists, especially if you visit in high summer between the months of June and September. So it can be better to visit in the shoulder seasons. However, you’re still guaranteed to love it, whenever you visit. So, this article is going to show you the best things to do in Split to have a really memorable experience like we did!

split old town

Is Split Old Town the Best Place to Stay?

You’re likely wondering if you’re still planning your trip and wanting to spend some time in Split whether Split Old Town is the best place to stay. From our experience, we think it has its advantages and disadvantages, and it really comes down to how long you’ll be visiting and how you want to spend your time.

If you’re arriving at Split Airport and using it as a springboard for other sections of your trip, then we would advise you don’t hire a car (if this is what you plan to do) until after your time in Split. The streets are extremely narrow in Split Old Town and the ‘grad’ is closed to cars.

There is parking on the edge of the Old Town walls, but it is pretty pricey. You likely wouldn’t want to park there for more than a day’s visit as it will add more expense to your trip, and you won’t be using your car for that time anyway.

As such you’ll find pretty much any hotel in the Old Town doesn’t have parking. You can then just pick up your rental car when you’re ready to move on from the airport. Great if you want to spend a couple of days immersed in the Old Town.

Alternatively, you could look to stay somewhere about a 20-30 minute walk out of Split Old Town. This is what we did for a portion of our trip around Split, as we wanted to check out more of the nearby coast and Marjan Forest Park. This gives a really good way to be in a quieter neighbourhood and go into the Old Town when you want to.

Then there’s also neighbouring cities/towns as well, such as Trogir, where we spent some more time exploring this stunning coastal area. Somewhere like Trogir gives you an excellent base, is less expensive than Split itself and gives you the best of both worlds. You can reach Split Old Town in under an hour and you also get a much quieter experience, with less tourists and more coastline and crystal clear waters to check out.

We had a week in this whole area before moving on as we really wanted to explore the coast as much as the city. So, it really depends on what you’re interested in and how long you have to spend when deciding if Split Old Town is the best place to stay.

split places to stay trogir
The stunning view from the apartment we stayed in just outside of Trogir!

Split Old Town Parking

There are a couple of locations around Split Old Town that you can park your car. These are handy if you decide to drive in for the day or if you do decide to rent your car straight from the airport and park up whilst staying in Split Old Town.

Split Old Town is pedestrianised and you will need to park outside and then walk in to get to the true old town proper. We found this very easy and a pretty short walk to get to everything you will want to go and see.

The great news is that a lot of the parking areas around Split Old Town are pretty big, so if you can’t get a space in one, you will easily be able to find another. Though, even when visiting in early July, we were still able to find a space and there were plenty so it likely won’t be a problem for you!

The main parking locations you can use for parking at Split Old Town are Trg Hrvatske Bratske Zajednice, Kragiceva poljana Parking Lot and Split Parkplätze. There are plenty of other car parks dotted nearby these too. You can expect to pay about 10€ and upwards to park near Split Old Town for a good few hours, and most of the parking lots take card and contactless payments.

We personally found Kragicevo Poljana Parking Lot the best as it put us in a great location for the harbour, some of the best restaurants we found in Split Old Town and also for wondering around the cobbled streets. From here it was about a 10-minute walk to all the best attractions.

Things to Do in Split Old Town

Split Old Town has so much to see and do, and we’d recommend you give yourself about two to three days to see things fully. You can see Split in a day, but in can feel quite full on, and having that bit longer allows you to take a more relaxed pace and explore all there is.

The great news is that a lot of the things to do in Split are in a relatively small are in the ‘grad’. So, you can look to combine things together (which is what we did) and focus on different areas over a period of days. For example, we visited the Diocletian’s Palace attractions on one day, another day at Marjan and around Klis and then another day exploring all the other little areas we hadn’t taken in, such as more restaurants, bars, coffee shops and beaches.

Below are some of our recommendations for what to do in Split, Croatia that will give you some highlights and hidden gems to really get a feel for what this city is all about. We’ve gone into as much detail as possible to help you plan more easily. We’re sure you’ll love Split just as much as we did!

See Split Old Town in Motion:

Our short video shows the general feel of Split and includes scenes from our days exploring there. It’s such a charming city!

Diocletian’s Palace & Peristyle

Location: 21000, Grad, Split, Croatia
How to Get There: Depending on where you park, you will need to reach Diocletian’s Palace & Peristyle on foot. We’d recommend walking along the Split Promenade & Harbour and then taking a right through Podrumi to reach the central square.
Facilities: As this is such a large area, there are a lot of things within. Such as restaurants, coffee shops, tourist attractions outlined below, public toilets and more. Think of it more as the heart of the Old Town of Split itself.

diocletians palace

Diocletian’s Palace and Peristyle, to the East of Old Town of Split, Croatia is actually a pretty big area, and contains a lot of the Old Town within its boundary (a fair majority actually). Even if you don’t go into any of the actual attractions, you will likely walk through this area numerous times when you’re looking around.

However, there are lots of attractions within the Diocletian’s Palace & Peristyle area which we’ve outlined per location below. In fact, it’s made up of 220 buildings and culminate as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We loved this area, even just taking in the Roman architecture is well worth it, and one of the best things to do in Split.

When we visited, the central square and in fact the whole area was a central hub of activity. From people looking around, to musicians and people just going about their way of life. It was quite full on, but the buzz of it all just engulfs you as you explore. We found we were getting lost in it all without having a care for what time it was or what to do next – exactly the way we like it!

Cathedral of St. Domnius (Sveti Duje)

The great thing about the things to do in Split Old Town is that many of them are free to explore and you only need to pay when you actually want to go inside. Even if you aren’t really heavily into history, you’ll still be amazed by all of the buildings you see. We found we were taken aback by how beautiful they were and just the general feel of this whole area.

The Cathedral of St. Domnius, also known locally as Sveti Duje, dates back to AD 305 and its consecration was in the 7th century. So, when you stand in front of this magnificent place, you’re seeing thousands of years into history – pretty cool right?!

It’s possible to head up through the church and up the bell tower, and from the bell tower there are some stunning views out over Split. You do have to pay a fee to go through the church and up the tower, but we think it’s well worth it.

Top tip: If you only plan go up the tower to see the view, you can avoid paying a hefty fee if you go up the steps at the end of the arch and through vestibule. Here there is a tower you can go up for €1 (you will need cash) and you get some good views out. It isn’t as high as the bell tower, but if you’re trying to save cash, it’s a great alternate option.

cathedral of st domnius

Vestibule

If you spend any amount of time looking around the Diocletian’s Palace complex, you’ll go through Vestibule, also often referred to as The Atrium or The Rotonda. Make sure you look up, as this grand cavern shaped structure has an eye (or a hole) at the top.

It’s truly mesmerising to look up and see all of the incredible patterns in the architecture. Now, Vestibule is a walkway through to various areas in this complex, but it was once the entrance to the imperial apartments of the court.

One of the things that we thought was very interesting about Vestibule is that from outside and before you walk in, it looks rectangular. When you go in, the walls are ovular. So, it really is a special place to stop for a few minutes and enjoy the acoustics of this space and take some photographs.

We’d heard that sometimes there are acapella groups who take up position in Vestibule and use the acoustics of this space to their advantage. We weren’t lucky enough to experience this but can imagine how wonderful that would be. So be on the lookout!

Vestibule in Split Croatia

Podrumi

Podrumi or Diocletian’s Cellars as they’re also called sit underneath Diocletian’s Palace and have been used over time for a variety of functions. One of the things that makes Podrumi so interesting to visit is the fact that it’s one of the better preserved complexes like this, which makes this one of the most interesting Split, Croatia attractions.  

As you walk around, you can get swept into thinking about how these cellars may have been used in times gone by. They also sometimes host exhibitions and concerts, and you may even remember some scenes from Game of Thrones that were filmed here featuring Daenerys.

We think Podrumi is well worth exploring, especially if there is an art exhibition on as the architecture is fascinating and the whole place feels a little eerie and grand. There is so much to get lost in looking at these substructures!

podrumi, split

The Golden Gate & Gregory of Nin Statue

As you spend some time looking around Old City Split, you will likely come to The Golden Gate and the Gregory of Nin statue. The Gregory of Nin statue is synonymous with locals as we found out apparently if you rub Gregory’s big toe, it is meant to grant you a wish!

He’s pretty famous in Split and rubbing his toe has been accredited to many people’s successes and fortunes. What’s more, it is a pretty important statue to Split as it depicts the 10th century bishop, Gregory of Nin and was produced by a famous sculptor called Ivan Meštrović.

In the same area is the Golden Gate. The Golden Gate forms the exit of the palace. The name may make you think it’s made of gold; it actually isn’t and was just named so due to its importance in relation to the palace. We didn’t find it the most exciting area, but if you’re in the area, you may as well take a look.  

gregory nin statue split old town

Ticket Prices for Diocletian’s Palace Attractions

Once you’re in the palace grounds, you need to pay to go into the various buildings of interest. Such as the cathedral, bell tower and Podrumi. This is just to go inside as walking around Split Old Town itself is free. So, if you do need to keep to a budget, you can get a good feel for all the buildings by walking around.

If you want to go inside, we found it best to pay for a package that gets you entry to a few or all of the main sites. There are a number available depending on how many you want to see. A ticket can be purchased from any of the sites. Below, we’ve broken the various prices down for you, but we would always advise checking in advance as prices are subject to change:

  • Blue ticket: cathedral, crypt, baptistry = 7€
  • Green ticket: cathedral, bell tower, treasury = 10€
  • Red ticket: cathedral, crypt, baptistry, treasury = 8€
  • Purple ticket: cathedral, crypt, baptistry, treasury, bell tower = 11€
split old town buildings

Jupiter Temple

Location: Ul. Kraj Svetog Ivana 2, 21000, Split, Croatia
How to Get There: From Vestibule and the bell tower, you’ll head west pretty much in a straight line. It’s roughly a 1-minute walk from here.
Facilities: None
Cost: If you buy the purple ticket above, it’s included.

jupiter temple

The great news is that if you’ve bought a purple ticket, you’ll be able to take a look at Jupiter Temple for free. This ticket gives you great access to pop in and out of some of the buildings that you otherwise might not, so we think it’s well worth it.

The Temple of Jupiter is a beautiful temple dedicated to the Roman God, Jupiter. It was opened in 305AD, so is rich in history. We loved taking a respite from busy Split Old Town and looking around which doesn’t take long.

As you enter, you’ll see the fantastic sculpture (pictured above) depicting Jupiter before walking in to see a headless sphinx, which head was apparently destroyed by Christians at the fall of the Roman Empire as it was thought to show pagan symbolism.

As you look around, you will also see the large font with various sculptures around which illustrate other Roman Gods. If you’re into your history, you may be interested to hear that this is one of the best preserved Roman temples in the world (we’re spotting a theme here, ey Split).

As this temple is small, it can feel crowded. We’d recommend like many of the other best things to do in Split, that you arrive earlier on in the day when it is likely to not be as busy. Especially if you’re visiting Split in June, July or August. It’s a welcome cool respite from the heat too.

Voćni Trg (Fruit Square)

Location: Trg Braće Radić 5, 21000, Split, Croatia
How to Get There: You can either get there by walking up Trg Braće Radić from the promenade and harbour, which is about a 1 minute walk. Or you can walk along Ul. Mihovilova širina from Diocletian’s Palace and Jupiter Temple.
Facilities: As this is an open square, there are restaurants and shops with various things to eat, drink and buy and most restaurants have toilets.
Cost: Nothing. Fruit Square is one of the best free things to do in Split.

After you’ve spent some time checking out Diocletian’s Palace and everything that sits within its boundary, Fruit Square is a welcome respite. Narrow streets and cobbled floors give way to a big open square where we felt like we could take a breath again after being enthralled in the heart of the old town for a few hours.

Fruit Square gets its name because locals from villages that surround Split used to sell fruit and vegetables in the centre of the square. There are no market stalls now, just restaurants and bars, but it’s still a cool place to spend some time.

We spent some time here outside one of the many cute cafes and it has such a lovely ambience to it. Look up at the Baroque buildings around you and you’ll see shutters with cast iron mouldings and incredible brick work. There is something quite romantic about it.

There are also some lovely little shops and boutiques that line Fruit Square, and these seemed to be enjoying visitors who were both local and tourists. There are also various shops selling neckties, which interestingly we didn’t know until looking around, that they actually originated in Croatia!

Split Promenade & Harbour

Location: Split Riva, 21.000, Split, Croatia
How to Get There: Ul. Mihovilova širina 9, 21000, Split, Croatia
Facilities: This open area has lots of bars and restaurants lining the sea front.
Cost: Nothing. The Split promenade and harbour itself is one of the free things to do in Split.

Just outside of Diocletian’s Palace and the true heart of Split Old Town is the promenade and harbour. We found that after spending time looking around Old City Split that this was a welcome break and a really lovely place to walk along, look at the views and sit and have a drink.

It’s ultra touristy, but it’s also really nice (sometimes you’ve just got to, haven’t you). It feels ultimately romantic sitting and having a meal at one of the restaurants along the promenade looking out at the water, especially later on in the day.

Alternatively, if you don’t want to sit and have a drink or get something to eat, there are plenty of benches dotted along the harbour front that you can sit on and enjoy the views out. It’s also a great place to yacht spot!

It feels a lot more open and expansive than the historical old town, and this means it never feels overly busy or crammed, even when there are a lot of people there. If you go a little further along the promenade, you’ll notice that it actually runs on for quite a while. Keep walking along to the East and you will eventually reach Bacvice beach, which is a really nice way to spend a couple of hours, particually at the end of the day.

split harbour

Pjaca Trg (People’s Square or St Lawrence’s Square)

Location: Narodni trg, 21000, Grad, Split, Croatia
How to Get There: Walk West from Diocletian’s Palace in a pretty straight line and you’ll be there in about 4 minutes. From the promenade and harbour, you can walk up Trg Braće Radić and then take a left at Ul. Ispod ure, which is about a 4 minute walk.
Facilities: There are restaurants and bars in this area that serve food and drink with bathroom facilities.
Cost: Free to visit – no entry costs as this is a public space, so a great free thing to do in Split.  

There’s such a lovely Renaissance feel to People’s Square with some really cute cafes and places to eat. We loved spending some time here – the vibe was just really relaxed and happy, like much of the Split we experienced!

You will likely hear street music being played nearby and it just sets the scene even further as you look around the quaint shops selling artisan goods, truffles, jewellery and clothes. The buildings add to this lovely, romantic feel and are painted in contrasting pinks, yellows and whites which just give a real softness to the area.

It’s also a welcome respite from some of the other narrow streets that make up a big portion of Split grad. You will also notice the clock tower, which is perhaps one of the most iconic sights of Pjaca Trg.

There is such a unique feel to People’s Square that we wanted to spend hours here, just drinking coffee and enjoying watching the world go by. You can do exactly that, as you will never feel rushed!

peoples square split

Prokurative (Republic Square)

Location: 21000, Grad, Split, Croatia
How to Get There: It’s about a 4 minute walk if you head West from Diocletian’s Palace.
Facilities: It’s a public area with cafes and restaurants and is also sometimes an open air music venue.
Cost: None – it’s free to enter!

The buildings that form Republic Square are incredible to look at, with their terracotta red and yellowish-cream accents. However, you may feel that when you visit, it doesn’t really fit in with the rest of Split’s architecture.

This is because it was built much, much later than some of the other attractions you may already have visited – setting its roots in the 19th century. It was also meant to symbolise Split’s ties to Italy, and therefore has taken on a very Italian feel.

You will find, much like some of the other squares in Split, that Republic Square is a great place to go to sit in lovely little cafes and restaurants. Arrive at around 7pm and you will find this area becomes busier and busier in the evening.

Sometimes you’ll even find live performances on, and it can sometimes be used as a central hub for city based celebrations. In the summer, Republic Square is particularly busy with open air concerts and festivals giving it a lively buzz.

republic square split

Marjan Forest Park

Location: Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda 25, 21000, Split, Croatia
How to Get There: By car or walk from Split centre
Facilities: None really, the parking is on street and there aren’t really any cafes or toilets available.
Cost: None. Marjan Forest Park is one of the great, free things to do in Split.

We were really blown away when we took a day to hike in Marjan Forest Park. We’d found out about this area from road signs, so decided to check it out and we’re glad we did as in our opinion it’s one of the best things to see in Split. You get some breathtaking and iconic views over the city from up there!

Marjan Forest Park is to the West of the city centre and is a really nice place to seek some calm outside the bustle and constant buzz of Split Old Town. If you don’t have a car, you can walk from Split centre, but good to keep in mind that it does add quite a bit to your journey and it is also all uphill too!

If you can arrive by car, the best place to park is on the streets near the bar Teraca Vidilica (obviously only park where you’re allowed of course). From here, you can find the entrance to the park pretty easily (but there is also more than one, so just head in). The entrances are really well signed.

There is on street parking on the side of the park, and this does get busy. When we visited, we arrived by 9am (also to beat the full on heat) and it was already starting to fill up.

We usually have hiking maps all worked out, but we didn’t for Marjan Forest Park as it all seemed pretty straightforward, and it was. Once you’re in, there is a wide gravel surfaced path for most of it, with signage to the different viewpoints. If you look on a map, you’ll see a variety of different areas you can stop in – and one area even named for a zoo, which is sadly no longer in operation.

marjan forest park split

One of the highlights is heading up to Telegrin Peak where you’ll get some of the best views in the park, and the views from here made this one of the biggest highlights of our trip to Split. The hike in from where you’ll likely park is about 2km there and back with roughly 100m ascent.

There are a few steep steps toward the end, but you can actually just keep walking around the side of the peak on the well graded path if you prefer to gain the height gradually. It’s a pretty easy walk, and the great thing is there is shade from the tree cover, which makes it a welcome treat from the heat of Split in summer. Make sure you take water, a hat and sunscreen if visiting in the hotter months!

There are of course longer hikes you can do in Marjan Forest Park, and some of these take you down to various beaches, some more accessible than others. Kasjuni Beach is pretty popular whereas Kupalište Bene is a bit more secluded, amongst so many others. From Kasjuni (pictured below) you can even see old buildings in the side of the rock face that make up the park.

There is also a free electric bus available between July 1st and September 30th that will collect from the Visitor Centre (near where you’ll park) that will take you around to Marjan Peak. This is a great accessibility option. Please check this in advance of your trip. The timetable and information can be found on the Visit Split website here.
beaches near split croatia
kasjuni beach

Klis Fortress and Mountain

Location: Trg Mejdan 10, 21231, Klis, Croatia
How to Get There: By car or bus (though this isn’t frequent, there is a bus service, line 22, from Split).
Facilities: None really – there are no cafes or toilets
Cost: It is free to climb up from the parking to see the views overlooking Split (well worth it – about a 5-minute walk) but to visit the fortress itself, it’s currently 10€ for adults and 3€ for children up to the age of 15. You should check up to date pricing in advance of travel.

We admittedly hadn’t researched or sought out Klis Fortress and Mountain before we arrived, but naturally always looking up at the mountains, we noticed something interesting sitting high above us. So, one day we decided to drive up there (12km from Split) and we’re glad we did. If you’re looking for Split and also Croatia attractions that aren’t as busy, we’d really recommend Klis Fortress.

Once you park up, you can head up the short hill to the views out over Split and they’re simply stunning, especially if you visit toward sunset. You don’t need to pay to see the views, which is great if you’re trying to keep things cheaper. However, we’d really recommend you look around Klis Fortress if you can.

klis fortress

Klis Fortress is loaded with history, is medieval and was central to some of the Ottoman invasion of Europe in the 16th century, which was taken under Ottoman rule in 1669. In times gone by, the fortress was used to control access from the rest of Croatia (inland) and Bosnia as well as Dalamatia.

There are also a number of hikes you can do from Klis. The most notable one is along the ridge from Klis Fortress, and there are some really amazing views out from here. You can either do the trail as a slight loop (we’ve linked to an AllTrails map for this here) or go as far along as you want and turn back.

If you do the full route, it’s just over 11km with 610m of ascent, but it’s well worth it. We’d recommend you start early or go later in the day and be prepared for bugs and insects on the trail. It’s a pretty full-on hike and it’s fairly overgrown in parts, so we’d recommend going fully prepared with the right gear and good hiking shoes. Our guide to what to wear hiking and our day hiking checklist both have you covered!

kliss mountain

City Market and Fish Market

Location: Hrvatska, Obrov ul. 5, 21000, Split, Croatia
How to Get There: Head West from Diocletian’s Palace, and it’s about a 3 minute walk in pretty much a straight line.
Facilities: None – it’s a relatively small building
Cost: Dependent on what you buy! Though it’s well priced considering the level of produce.

The City Market and Fish Market is really famous in Old Town Split and naturally, being on the coast, Split is well known for its seafood. You’ll need to get there early though as it’s only from 6am until around 1pm. Here you can get a real feel for the kind of culture around Dalmatian cooking with plenty of fresh catch being the star of the show in a lot of nearby restaurants.

You will likely see passionate cooks and chefs as you look around if you go early in the morning getting inspired for what they’ll get for their restaurant that day. If you’re staying somewhere with a kitchen, you will find it hard not to buy all of the fresh produce at reasonable prices.

The market is also historical (though not so much as some of the other buildings in the area) and spans back over 120 years. So, it really is an institution with locals and tourists alike. It’s pretty small too so can feel quite bustling, especially around 8-10am.

Where to Eat in Split Old Town

As you can imagine, Split Old Town is a great place to eat – there are so many things to try in Croatia and none of them will leave you disappointed. Croatia has a rich culinary scene, and this is vibrant and obvious in Split. Also, borek.

As is often the case, we did find a few of the places along the harbour quite touristy and as such the food was not as exciting. The prices were also over what we felt they should be for the level of food, but it’s a captive audience. So, we would advise to focus on more hearty local places, which give much more value for money.

Some of our favourites are Konoba Nikola, which serves a lot of fresh seafood and is also very veggie friendly. It’s such a lovely place and whilst it is a bit pricier, it’s a nice memory as the hosts are warm.

If you’re after veggie or vegan food, you should check out Veg. Even if you’re not vegetarian, the food is so hearty and delicious. They serve burgers, salads, and other plates and have some of the most exceptional truffle fries we’ve ever tasted! The staff are super friendly too.

Bokeria Split is another great option and the building, first and foremost has a really romantic look to it. Inside, or outside, depending on where you sit, you’ll find modern European food with a Croatian fingerprint. They really care about the food they put out and it’s all really inventive and vibrant.

There are also tonnes of small, hole in the wall local bakeries to enjoy the pastries that Croatia is famous for. Split really gets breads, borek and other pastries right! One thing you will not be disappointed with in Split is the food!

food in split

Where to Drink Coffee in Split Old Town

Coffee is taken pretty seriously in Split Old Town, and this is evidenced through the fact that there are plenty of cafes and speciality modern roasteries serving excellent cups. We take coffee very seriously too, so naturally we were happy to see so many good coffee shops to choose from!

Of course, there are a lot of more cafes and bars in many of the squares and along the harbour that serve traditional coffee – like espresso and such. However, Split has a range of independent or small batch coffee shops selling artisanal cups made by baristas taking the art of coffee very seriously.

There are a few places that we’d really recommend:

Coffee Biljka

Location: Trg Braće Radić, Ul. Mihovilova širina 9, 21000, Split, Croatia
Opening hours: 7am – 9pm every day except Tuesday, though this is subject to change.

This coffee shop was a real gem and serves exceptionally good cortados, flat whites and espresso, amongst others. They have alternative milks and also have a range of pastries that are delicious too, like croissants and pain au chocolates.

D16 Coffee

Location: They have a couple of locations in Split, but we tried the D16 located at Dominisova ul. 16.
Opening hours: 7am to 6pm every day, opening hours are subject to change.

This was without a doubt our favourite coffee spot in Split. Their café area (it’s split over two areas across the narrow street) is a nice break from the heat of the city. They do cold brew, beautiful iced lattes, strong cortados and silky espresso, amongst others. They also use extremely good quality alternative milks when requested.

4 Coffee

Location: Hrvojeva 9, 21000, Split, Croatia
Opening hours: Open 7am to 12:30pm everyday expect Monday (subject to change).

4 Coffee is just outside the old town city walls and serves some of the most beautiful cortados which feel like rocket fuel to get you on your way for a day of exploring. We found the baristas really friendly and knowledgeable about their products, which was great to see. It’s such a cute little hole in the wall place that you’ll want to spend lots of time here.

d16 coffee in split

Nightlife in Split Old Town

Whilst Split has a lot going on in the daytime, it would be fair to say it has just as much, if not more happening in the evenings. The first thing you’ll notice is that Croatian’s tend to eat quite late and going out for a meal and really savouring and enjoying will have you spending a lot of the evening doing just this!

So, if you go out for dinner in Split at around 7pm and it’s not quite buzzing yet, you should start to see activity at around 8 to 9pm. At this point, restaurants and bars really do become more and more lively and quite a fun place to be.

If you want something a little bit later into the evening, we’d recommend heading to The Daltonist, which offers the best of both worlds. In the daytime, it serves coffee and in the evening, turns into a cocktail bar. Their Spicy Night in Split cocktail is strong and moreish with their habanero infused tequila! The Dalmation Negroni is pretty special too.

If you want something with even more of a buzz, head to Charlie’s Bar. It’s pretty popular with tourists, but the staff are friendly and know how to pour a good drink.

Out toward Marjan Park, and close to where you’ll park if you visit there (see our section on Marjan Park above) is Teraca Vidilica. It’s a bit of a mission out of the centre of Split just for the evening, but you can easily get a cab and it’s a really lovely place as the views out from the terrace are stunning (and give a similar feel to those seen from Telegrin Peak). If you want a quieter drink, this is the place to go! They also serve food too.

nightlife in split

Where to Stay in the Old Town

Obviously earlier on, we said that personally, we think it’s better to stay just outside of Split Old Town as it allows you the best of both worlds. Especially so if you want to explore the coast too.

However, there is something to be said for staying in Old Town too. Having done so, we’d say that it does give you a good opportunity to really immerse yourself in Split Old Town for a couple of days.

Of course, there is a whole range of places to stay in Split Old Town, some of them being relatively reasonably priced and others more on the pricey side, so it really depends what you’re looking for and how much you want to splurge. We were also told that places to stay in the Old Town have become more pricey since the move to the euro.

One place we particularly love in is Plaza Marchi Old Town Split – as it gives you the opportunity for a really unique stay. It’s a boutique hotel with 24 rooms set over the substructure halls of Diocletian’s Palace. So, it really does put you in the heart of the city!

Good to keep in mind that there is no parking here either, as it is in the pedestrianised section of Split. So, if you do bring a car, you will need to park at one of the car parks listed above and leave it there whilst staying here.

where to stay in split

Is Split Old Town Accessible?

Split, sadly is not the most accessible place, but it will really depend on your accessibility needs as to how you find it and if it’s right for you. As you have probably seen from our photos and also noted from a lot of the historical dates we’ve talked about, Split is old!

This generally means cobbled streets, some slick surfaced rock streets and also a lot of steps in places. If you’re using a motorized wheelchair, then you may find these easier, but if you aren’t, you may find that the arm power needed is pretty full on.

Likewise, the Old Town of Split itself is only accessible on foot. Everything is relatively close together, but there is still walking involved. So, if your energy levels are a problem for you, you may find this something you need to consider, especially in the sunnier, hotter months of the year.

Some of the areas in Diocletian’s Palace are wheelchair accessible too – for example the cathedral is accessible, but access to the tower is only by a staircase. This is quite full on if you have energy issues too.

Marjan Forest Park is actually pretty wheelchair accessible, as the trails are well graded (and are intended for cars too) so are easy going, though are uphill. There is the electric bus available to Marjan Peak in summer too (more on that above).

If you’re planning to stay in Split Old Town, you should also just check how many stairs there are to your room or apartment or if there is an elevator. Some of the older buildings are sadly stairs only. This is similar for restaurants – some of the inside areas can be very small and bathroom facilities may be off limits.

Is Split Old Town Worth Visiting?

We spent a few days in Split Old Town, and we would say, without a shadow of a doubt that Split Old Town is worth visiting! It’s got that perfect mixture of history – with its cobbled streets, Roman architecture and baroque, romantic style. Then it’s got its culture – with a great foodie scene, bars and utterly fantastic coffee shops!

Then just a little bit out, you have Marjan Forest Park with some of the most stunning views of Split to be had. Alongside that, you’ve got miles of mesmerising beaches with some of the clearest water you’ll ever experience that are perfect for snorkelling or just relaxing.

Its history is certainly one of its main draws, but it’s also not drab or stuffy – as we think everyone can really appreciate just how beautiful Split is, old buildings or not! What’s more, its digestible – and if needed, you could very easily look around the Old Town in a day. Though we’d say give yourself two just to be more relaxed about it.

There’s a good chance if you’re visiting Croatia on a longer trip that you will perhaps fly into Split. Or you may drive close to Split from Dubrovnik or on your way to Montenegro for example. So, it’s well worth taking a little bit of time to check this place out – we guarantee you won’t be disappointed!

We would visit Split Old Town again in a heartbeat. It was so memorable, and aside from the history and tourist attractions of Diocletian’s Palace to look around, it’s a really vibrant place to go and sit at one of the many restaurants or cafés in the squares and just watch the world go by.

If you’re looking for some further travel inspiration and love exploring historical cities with a lot going on, you may want to read our guide to the best things to do in Bergen, Norway next. Our guide covers everything you need to know about planning the perfect trip.