Free things to do · Split · Croatia
10 free things to do in Split
Split without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Mark Ahsmann, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Split without paying an entry fee: Diocletian's Palace, Peristyle and Vestibule, Riva promenade and Marjan Forest Park are all free. Visit in June or September for most of the summer weather at noticeably lower accommodation prices.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 10
- Low-cost extras
- 8
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February and November
Free sights and experiences
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Historic site · Old Town (Diocletian's Palace)
1.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.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Free
- Architecture
- After dark
- Photo spot
Landmark · Old Town (Diocletian's Palace)
2.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.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- After dark
Waterfront · Old Town (Diocletian's Palace)
3.Riva promenade
Sit for a coffee in the morning, when locals read the papers here, or join the evening walk at sunset.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- After dark
- Couples
- Kids
Park · Marjan
4.Marjan Forest Park
Walk up to Vidilica for sunset, or rent a bike and ride the flat seaside road around the hill.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Views
- Active
- Outdoors
- Kids
Landmark · Old Town (Diocletian's Palace)
5.Gregory of Nin statue
Pair it with the Golden Gate and Strossmayer park just beyond, a shady place to rest.
- Time needed
- 15 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- History
- Kids
- Photo spot
Market · Old Town (Diocletian's Palace)
6.Pazar green market
Go in the morning for the freshest produce, and taste the dried figs and cheese before you buy.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- Free
- Photo spot
Market · Old Town (Diocletian's Palace)
7.Fish market (Ribarnica)
Arrive early in the morning, before the best fish has gone, if you want to cook in an apartment kitchen.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Free
- Photo spot
Beach · Bačvice
8.Bačvice beach
Come early with children, while the water is calm and the beach is quiet; evenings bring a younger, livelier crowd.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Free
- Outdoors
- After dark
Park · Varoš
9.Sustipan
Come at sunrise or sunset with a coffee from the Riva; it is rarely busy.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Couples
- Off the beaten path
- Photo spot
Architecture · Old Town (Diocletian's Palace)
10.Prokurative (Republic Square)
Look out for summer concerts here; the square fills with locals on festival nights.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- After dark
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Old Town (Diocletian's Palace) | Diocletian's Palace, Peristyle and Vestibule, Riva promenade, Gregory of Nin statue, Pazar green market, Fish market (Ribarnica) and Prokurative (Republic Square) | Half a day + 30 minutes + 1 hour + 15 minutes + 45 minutes + 30 minutes + 20 minutes |
| Marjan | Marjan Forest Park | 2–4 hours |
| Bačvice | Bačvice beach | Half a day |
| Varoš | Sustipan | 30 minutes |
Worth a small ticket
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Religious site · Old Town (Diocletian's Palace)
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.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Views
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Historic site · Old Town (Diocletian's Palace)
Temple of Jupiter
It is tiny, so visit in the morning before the lane fills, ideally with a combined cathedral ticket.
- Time needed
- 15 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
Historic site · Old Town (Diocletian's Palace)
Palace substructures (cellars)
The central passage from the Riva is free to walk through; a ticket opens the quieter side halls.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
- Architecture
Gallery · Meje
Meštrović Gallery
Combine it with a swim at Kašjuni beach, about 15 minutes' walk further west.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
- Views
Castle · Klis
Klis Fortress
Take a local bus or taxi up and visit late in the afternoon, when the light over the coast is softest.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- History
- Kids
- Photo spot
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Historic site · Solin
Salona
Visit on the way to or from Klis Fortress, and bring water and a hat, as there is little shade.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Off the beaten path
- Outdoors
Museum · North of the old town
Archaeological Museum
Combine it with Salona to see where many of the exhibits were excavated.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Art
Museum · Old Town (Diocletian's Palace)
Split City Museum
A short, cool stop between sights on a hot afternoon.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
More ways to save
- Visit in June or September for most of the summer weather at noticeably lower accommodation prices.
- Look for marenda or daily set dishes at local konobas, and drink coffee away from the Riva.
- Car ferries to Brač and Šolta cost much less than catamarans and tourist boats.
- Beaches are public; bring your own towel and umbrella rather than renting loungers.
- Stay in Lučac–Manuš or Firule for better value than inside the palace walls.
- Use public buses to Trogir, Omiš and Klis instead of organised tours.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Split expensive to visit?
Split is moderately priced for most visitors, but 10 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Split?
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.