5 days in Split

Day by day

1. Day 1: Diocletian's Palace and Peristyle and Vestibule

   Diocletian's Palace, Peristyle and Vestibule and Cathedral of Saint Domnius and bell tower, then Riva promenade in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Diocletian's Palace

      Walk the palace early in the morning, before cruise and tour groups arrive, and again after dark, when the white stone glows under the street lights. (Half a day, free).

   2. Late morning

      Peristyle and Vestibule

      Listen for klapa singers in the Vestibule during the day, and look out for open-air performances on the Peristyle during the summer festival. (30 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Pašticada

      Konobas in the old town and Varoš; it is a traditional Sunday and wedding dish.

   4. Afternoon

      Cathedral of Saint Domnius and bell tower

      The bell-tower stairs are steep and open in places; climb early, before the heat and the queues build. (1–1.5 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Riva promenade

      Sit for a coffee in the morning, when locals read the papers here, or join the evening walk at sunset.

2. Day 2: Temple of Jupiter and Palace substructures (cellars)

   Temple of Jupiter, Palace substructures (cellars) and Gregory of Nin statue, then Bačvice beach in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Temple of Jupiter

      It is tiny, so visit in the morning before the lane fills, ideally with a combined cathedral ticket. (15 minutes, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Palace substructures (cellars)

      The central passage from the Riva is free to walk through; a ticket opens the quieter side halls. (45 minutes, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Black risotto

      Seafood restaurants and konobas across the city.

   4. Afternoon

      Gregory of Nin statue

      Pair it with the Golden Gate and Strossmayer park just beyond, a shady place to rest. (15 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      Bačvice beach

      Come early with children, while the water is calm and the beach is quiet; evenings bring a younger, livelier crowd.

3. Day 3: Marjan Forest Park and Meštrović Gallery

   Marjan Forest Park, Meštrović Gallery and Pazar green market, then Prokurative (Republic Square) in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Marjan Forest Park

      Walk up to Vidilica for sunset, or rent a bike and ride the flat seaside road around the hill. (2–4 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Meštrović Gallery

      Combine it with a swim at Kašjuni beach, about 15 minutes' walk further west. (1.5 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Brudet

      Konobas, especially around the fish market and in Varoš.

   4. Afternoon

      Pazar green market

      Go in the morning for the freshest produce, and taste the dried figs and cheese before you buy. (45 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      Prokurative (Republic Square)

      Look out for summer concerts here; the square fills with locals on festival nights.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Trogir

   About 30–45 minutes by bus or boat each way. Getting there: Promet Split bus or seasonal boat from the Riva.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Trogir

      About 30–45 minutes by bus or boat (Promet Split bus or seasonal boat from the Riva); about 27 km.

   2. Day

      Trogir

      A tiny UNESCO-listed island town joined to the mainland by a bridge, Trogir packs Romanesque and Renaissance churches, palaces and a waterfront promenade into a few streets. Best for culture, couples and families.

   3. Evening

      Back in Split

      Dinner: try Peka.

5. Day 5: Fish market (Ribarnica) and Split City Museum

   Fish market (Ribarnica), Split City Museum and Klis Fortress, then Old town lanes in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Fish market (Ribarnica)

      Arrive early in the morning, before the best fish has gone, if you want to cook in an apartment kitchen. (30 minutes, free).

   2. Late morning

      Split City Museum

      A short, cool stop between sights on a hot afternoon. (45 minutes, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Peka

      Konobas in Varoš and in the hinterland around Klis; order in advance.

   4. Afternoon

      Klis Fortress

      Take a local bus or taxi up and visit late in the afternoon, when the light over the coast is softest. (1.5 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Old town lanes

      Small bars and courtyard venues in the palace and the streets just north of it, busy until late in summer.

Before you go

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Old Town (Diocletian's Palace) keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Varoš ($$$) suits couples, food lovers and quiet stays. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 17–22 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 9 hours in December to 15.4 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Split
• 2 days in Split
• 3 days in Split

Questions travellers ask