Split: Here’s Why You Should Visit During a Croatia Vacation

Split, Croatia turned out to be quite different from what I expected. It’s the second largest city of the Dalmatian Coast, but it doesn’t quite have the dreamy appeal of its island neighbors, Hvar, Vis, and Trogir. Still, the area attracts throngs of tourists who usually go island hopping after spending time in the area.

Why visit Split?

If you are a Roman ruins junkie, then you will love this place. Constructed by the emperor, Diocletian’s Palace was built by the Roman dictator during the 4^thcentury. Enormous in stature, the space looks more like a bastion. And, locals confirmed that Diocletian only used a small part of the space. Either the ruler suffered from paranoia, or he shrewdly kept his military forces close. Either way, the area seems to go on for days, and given the number of galleries and museums that inhabit the space, it’s a cool way to spend the day in Split.

What else is there to do in Split?

As with pretty much all of Croatia, there is a magical coastline with beautiful water. The huge harbor makes Split a convenient jumping off point for visiting other islands. It’s easy to hop a ferry to your next destination, but please note that you should book ahead of time in the summer. During the high season, boats book up quickly (it is one of Croatia’s best places to visit)

Additionally, my favorite activity is chartering a skippered boat to take you around to the various sea caves. I honestly think this is the best way to spend the day in Croatia. You don’t necessarily have to do this from Split. However, if you want to see the medieval city of Trogir or eat ridiculously fresh fish in Solta, departing from this location makes the most sense.

Overall

Split, Croatia is on the rise playing host to major music festivals during the summer. Diocletian’s Palace is fascinating, Split Restaurants are amazing and imagining how the emperor and castrum (the Roman military camp) lived is about the coolest civics lesson ever.