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We have now spent a total of five weeks in this beautiful seaside Balkan nation; our second visit was in September, and we will be returning in the future. Having traveled virtually the whole length of the nation, Split stands head and shoulders above all the other towns and cities we visited. Split isn’t the most museum-rich or culturally rich city in Croatia, but there’s something about being by the water that gives me a peaceful feeling of belonging.
One European city that we could easily see ourselves settling into for a few months to unwind and experience life as a native is Split. Split is our favorite Croatian city for many reasons, including its peaceful old town, its large park with plenty of things to do, its excellent bathing locations along the shore, and its very walking route around the waterfront.
In this essay, I’ll describe four simple day excursions from Split, as well as our favorite restaurants in the city, and I’ll also include the lovely pebbled beach across the street, where we swam every morning.
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Where exactly is Split, first of all? Split, on the Adriatic Sea, is situated precisely in the middle of the nation, around three hours north of Dubrovnik. If you want to know why Dubrovnik didn’t impress us, read this post: The Croatian city-state of Dubrovnik is now among the most expensive in all of Europe.
We would swim every morning, have an iced cappuccino on the veranda, and read a nice book since our house was just a few streets away from a lovely pebbly beach. This was the pinnacle of affluence personified.
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Epic sunsets were seen from our balcony
Spending time at the picturesque Marjan Park, where one can go biking, swimming, and on leisurely walks, was one of our favorite things to do in Split. Bene Beach, located on the park’s northern border, was our favorite. There will be less tourists here as it is more of a neighborhood hangout.
SPLIT: 4 DAY TRIP REVIEWS
The National Park of Krka Lakes is an hour’s drive north of Split.
Drive time from Split to Trogir is 35 minutes.
Drive two hours north of Split to reach Zadar.
Two hours’ drive north of Split is Plitvice Lakes National Park.
The National Park of Krka Lakes
Swimming is off-limits in Krka starting in 2020. Krka used to be a popular swimming destination for visitors to Plitvice Lakes National Park, but alas, that is no longer the case. Nature, on the other hand, benefits from the area’s clean condition.
An attractive trail winds its way around the lakes, or you may hire a boat. The entrance fee was still somewhat exorbitant (400 kuna, or $67 USD for two of us) even though we went at the very end of September, when the busiest season was winding down.
The troublemaker
Just half an hour by vehicle around the bay from Split lies Trogir, making it the simplest day excursion. Enjoy a stroll along the waterfront and some seafood at one of the numerous eateries in this charming, peaceful town.
ZADAR
Many visitors tend to miss this old harbor on the Dalmatian Coast, which only makes it more deserving of your visit!
Some of the many reasons why Zadar should be on your itinerary when you visit Croatia are as follows:
The city supposedly has the greatest sunsets in the world, which attracted Alfred Hitchcock, the famed film director.
The public dancing floor is enormous and powered by solar energy!
A gigantic sea organ responds to the velocity of the wind and waves by playing enigmatic and mesmerizing melodies.
Dive and swim off the main pedestrian footpath, literally!
Numerous dynasties have left their mark on Zadar, from the Romans to the Slavs to the Turks, the Austrians, the Italians, the Germans, and the Serbians. Even now, in the heart of the city center, there is a glass floor that allows visitors to see down on the Roman remains below.
The National Park of Plitvice Lakes
With a three-hour travel time each way, this is the most ambitious day excursion you can do from Split, so get an early start. We overdid it by doing Plitvice Lakes on its own and spending two nights in the vicinity. Although a day is more than enough time to see the park, hikers may want to extend their stay due to the park’s expansive nature compared to its smaller sister, Krka. Read my article “A Comprehensive Guide To Visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park” for further details.
SPLIT: BEST PLACES TO EAT
Vegan and vegetarian alternatives abound in Split, where the term “Konoba” literally means “restaurant” in Croatian. This is a relatively recent trend in Croatia, which is becoming welcoming to all types of tourists. Fish, of which there are several varieties or “classes”), is perhaps the most popular dish here.
Noor is a chic and seductive spot in Split’s downtown serving up handcrafted drinks. The whole crew at Fig Split knows Spanish, and the breakfast is wonderful of this world. Our go-to spot for a delicious lunch or supper was Bistro Ciba, where the menu rotates daily to reflect the freshest, locally sourced ingredients.
Sasha and I typically agree that, with all the locations to live and visit in the globe, we truly need to love a place before we want to return there. Mostly because of the stunning scenery and sea, I’m delighted to report that Split is one of those locations we would visit again and again.
