How to Spend 7 Days in Split and its Surroundings

Split is the second largest city in Croatia and the largest city in Dalmatia. Its beauty and the beauty of the surrounding areas of the city of Split will leave you without breath. Although it is a relatively small town, it's full of fascinating history and natural beauty making it worth the visit. Today we have prepared a guide for you to make the most of 7 days in Split, while at the same time finding time for relaxation and sightseeing. This guide includes 3 days in Split, one day visiting Trogir, a place approximately 30 km from Split, 3 days on Hvar and 2 days on Brač - islands in the immediate vicinity of the city of Split, where you will experience the most crystal clear sea and clean beaches.

DAY ONE: OLD SPLIT AND BAČVICE

Split Riva
We assume that in the locations you travel to, you like to follow the motto "When in Rome, do as the Romans do". In Split, we not only eat well, but we also like to take the time to do our favorite morning ritual - drinking coffee. The busiest place in the city is definitely the Riva, and how could it not be when you are watching the sea, palm trees and islands in the shade of a cafe while having breakfast and drinking coffee, or natural juice. We recommend that you start your visit to Split right here - Split's Riva otherwise known as "the most beautiful Riva in the world".

Peristil
The most popular place, without which Split's panorama cannot be imagined, is certainly the central square of Diocletian's palace. The emperor appeared under the arch that is located above the square and under it he greeted his subjects. In turn, they knelt down, kissing the traditional garbs and bowing with their whole bodies. You can admire Peristil if you sit on the steps with a glass of wine, and when night falls you can expect live music and dance in the square where the ancient Romans and emperor Diocletian himself passed.

Cathedral and bell tower of St Dominus
From Peristil you will notice the high bell tower rising and overlooking Split. This bell tower belongs to the oldest cathedral in the world, the Cathedral of St Dominus (Sveti Duje). Originally built in the 4th AD century to serve as a mausoleum for emperor Diocletian, today it is used for Holy Mass ceremonies and attracts admiring tourists. We recommend climbing the bell tower of St. Dominus from where you will have the most beautiful view of Split and the islands, but be careful because you will come across narrow and steep steps that lead upwards. If you are afraid of heights, there are several stations on the way to the top from which you will feel safe and still have a very nice view.


Diocletian's cellars
When you go down the stairs below the Peristil, you will find yourself in the basement of the palace. The cellars of Diocletian's palace represent one of the best-preserved ancient complexes of this kind in the world, and they are largely responsible for the fact that the historic core of Split was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979. During the Roman times, their function was to raise the emperor's quarters above the basement, and today you can see various exhibitions, buy souvenirs and jewelry in the central hall, and the rest of the basement is open for sightseeing.

Lunch
After all that sightseeing and hearing about the history of Split, we recommend that you take a lunch break and hide from the high sun and temperatures. Be sure to be guided by Mediterranean food, try fish specialties or the traditional brudet. If you are more into the meat categories, we recommend that you try the Dalmatian pašticada, a traditional dish made from beef leg that is marinated for several hours in a sweet and sour sauce and served with homemade gnocchi. Don't forget to try one of the top Croatian wines from the nearby islands.

It's time for the beach
The most famous nearby city beach is the sandy beach in the bay of Bačvice. Home of the local sport of picigin, which is on the UNESCO list of intangible heritage, Bačvice is a symbol of Split. It is ideal for fun and sea games, considering that it is shallow even up to 100 m from the shore. Not a fan of sand? The beach also has a concrete part.

Dinner in the old town
After a full day of activities and rest after the beach, we recommend going to the old center of Split for dinner. Top quality Mediterranean food awaits you at every corner.

DAY TWO: WESTERN SPLIT

Breakfast on Prokurative
Prokurative, or officially named Trg Republike (Republic Square) is a large square located west of the Riva that resembles Venice's St. Mark's Square and is surrounded on three sides by neo-Renaissance buildings with arches, from which the square got its recognizable name. The square is open only to the south, offering a wonderful view of the harbor and the riva. Square Panels (Ploče Trga) serve as a stage for various cultural events, as well as restaurants and cafes where you can have your first morning coffee and breakfast with a view of the sea.

A walk on Marjan
The people of Split like to call the park forest Marjan the "lungs of the city", which it actually is if we consider the fact that it covers a large part of western Split. Along with the beautiful nature, you will come across the chapel of St Jerome built along a vertical cliff, and at the ground you will notice the beaches where the locals like to hide from the city crowds.

Sustipan
Another location that enhances the natural beauty of Split is the Sustipan peninsula, which is located not far from the center of the city itself, and in the past served as a cemetery until it was demolished after World War II. To this day, only the classicist gloriette has been preserved from the cemetery, and Sustipan has been turned into a beautiful park; a true little green oasis close to Marjan and the city, with the breathtaking view of the sea and the islands in front of Split. The eastern parts of Sustipan offer one of the most beautiful views of Split: the ACI marina at the foot of the hill, while on the western side is the Jadran swimming pool, belonging to the swimming club and waterpolo club of the same name.

Lunch
We assume that the clean air of the Marjan and Sustipan parks has increased your appetite, so we suggest lunch before continuing your activities. On Sustipan itself, you will find the restaurant Adriatic, where the islands and the sea are in the palm of your hand, and the food is fantastic.

Meštrović Gallery
Ivan Meštrović is the most prominent Croatian sculptor, and he once built a villa in the western part of Split. After his death, he donated the villa with its studios to the Croatian people, which is why it is open to the public today. You will witness the beautiful architecture of the villa itself and the fantastic works of the virtuoso Meštrović, but keep in mind that the gallery is closed on Mondays.

DAY THREE: TROGIR
 

City Bazar
We suggest that you start the day with fresh fruit at Split's bazar, where you will feel the true Mediterranean spirit. After a morning refreshment, head towards Trogir, a small town about 30 kilometers from Split. If you don't have a car, there are bus lines that will take you to Trogir (number 37).

Cathedral, town square and loggia
Trogir Cathedral of St Lawrence (Lovre) was built almost 400 years ago. It's one of the most prominent sights of Trogir and a UNESCO protected world heritage site. Radovan's portal is the main portal of the cathedral and at the same time the most important medieval portal in the eastern Adriatic and in this part of Europe. It is located on the town square, right across from the town lodge, which will certainly attract attention to its eastern wall. On the eastern wall, there is a stone relief depicting the Venetian lion and the protectors of the city, St Lawrence and Blessed John (Ivan) of Trogir, made by Nikola Florentinac in 1471. A stone table for judges is placed on the floor of the relief.

Čipiko palace
Opposite the cathedral is the palace of the Čipiko family. Although it isn't open to the public, it's still worth knowing about so that you can stop and observe the Gothic windows, as well as the famous inscription in Latin: "Nosce te ipsum", meaning "Get to know yourself". Also the work of the aforementioned Nikola Florentinec.

Old core
Just like the case with Split, the old core of Trogir is also charming. We believe that it will be interesting for you to wander through the narrow stone streets where you will come across various small shops where you can buy unique souvenirs.

Lunch
The old town center is full of small restaurants that attract with smells and sounds, but for lunch in Trogir we recommend the family restaurant Franka, which will delight you with its approach and delicious food. Be sure to try one of their unique cocktails. For dessert after lunch, we suggest gelateria "Bella", where you can try top quality ice cream that is loved by both tourists and locals.

Kamerlengo fortress
The Kamerlengo fortress is located in the western part of the Trogir peninsula, built by the Venetians from the 13th to the 15th century as a military base for their soldiers in this part of the Adriatic. It was named after the city master Camerarius. Nowadays, the fortress has become a multimedia center with an open-air cinema and a stage for various cultural events. It is open for visits every day from 9 am.

DAY FOUR: ISLAND OF BRAČ, BOL

The island of Brač is the nearest to the mainland larger island, with just a 45-minute ferry ride from the city of Split. As such, it offers a variety of activities and places to see, but in this guide we will focus on the most popular place on the island – Bol
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Zlatni rat
An unmissable place when you're on the island of Brač with one of the most beautiful and special beaches in the world. Zlatni rat is a pebbles beach that changes its shape at the will of Mother Nature. Depending on the currents and the wind, it changes the direction of the peak and thus fascinates the world. The crystal clear sea will attract you to refresh yourself, and the view of the forest will delight you.

Lunch
After a day at the beach, we suggest having lunch in the center of town. You will surely find something for yourself, because many restaurants nurture Mediterranean cuisine and provide a superb gastronomic experience

Vidova Gora
The peak of Vidovica above Bol makes the island of Brač the highest Croatian island, and from the top you can see the Zlatni Rat from a bird's eye perspective. It's a perfect backdrop for a photo, and you can see the other locations for taking photos here. You can reach Vidova Gora by car on by an asphalt road, or via hiking trail from Bol, but we recommend this venture during or before sunrise.

DAY FIVE: ISLAND OF BRAČ

Ribarska beach
Ribarska (Fisherman's) beach is located to the east of the town of Bol. Beautiful and less crowded compared to the popular Zlatni Rat, it is located a mere 10-minute walk from the center of Bol. Centuries-old pine trees make it cool, and right on the beach you can find the restaurant "Ribarska kučica".

Kopačina Tavern
In addition to classic Dalmatian dishes, lamb dishes are traditional on the island of Brač. We recommend the Kopačina tavern, a place that has become a must-see when visiting Bol, and is located in Donji Humac, a place 7 km from Supetar. The small place has a long and rich history of processing the famous Brač stone and is home to several prominent artistic families.

Blaca desert
The very name desert (pustinja), or hermitage, comes from a group of inhabitants who lived in one area. With the first appearance of Christianity, individuals who lived in complete solitude appeared, the so-called hermits. Today, a museum is located here, where old furniture, kitchen, dining rooms and different style furniture are displayed in the rooms. But the specialty of the museum collection is made up of various astronomical instruments, a rich collection of antique weapons and clocks, and a rich library with works written in Croatian Cyrillic - Poljica script. Blaca itself can be accessed in two ways. The first is by car to get to the north side. The road goes towards Vidova Gora, but it can be difficult for low suspension vehicles, which is why it is recommended to leave the vehicle and walk through the abandoned village of Dragovode to Blace desert. Another way is by boat, from the south side. Arriving in Popovo cove, you will need another 45 minutes of walking to reach the Blace desert. Given that there are no shops in Pustinja, make sure you have enough water and food.

DAY SIX: HVAR ISLAND

The island of Hvar is the sunniest Croatian island, with more than 2,800 hours of sunshine per year. In 2021, it was declared the best Croatian island, and today we bring you a guide on how to explore it in 2 days.

Old core
After breakfast, we recommend sightseeing in the town of Hvar and its streets. If you are a fan of specialty coffee, be sure to stop by the "Kava37" bar.

Franciscan monastery
With a nonchalant walk along the sea from Hvarska pjaca, across the Hvar riva, we very quickly reach the Franciscan monastery. Inside the tranquility of the monastery, you can enjoy rich museum exhibits (collections of Greek, Roman, Venetian coins, liturgical utensils, atlas of the ancient cartographer Ptolemy, rare examples of amphorae, etc.), as well as paintings by Venetian painters Francesco Santacroca and Palma the Younger. The monastery is known for its magnificent painting of the Last Supper (2 x 8 m), which leaves every visitor breathless.

Falko beach
One of the beaches that you can reach on foot from the center of Hvar is Falko beach. There is also a bar of the same name on the beach where you can refresh yourself with a cocktail and try some of the Dalmatian dishes.

DAY SEVEN: PAKLENI ISLANDS

The Pakleni or Paklinski islands are located right across the town of Hvar. Their name comes from the word "paklina", which is pine resin that was once used to repair ships. The chain of islands is about 10 kilometers long and contains about twenty smaller and larger islets covered with low pine forest. These islands are one of the most beautiful parts of Hvar's water area, and hide many places for swimming and beautiful bays with crystal clear sea. We suggest an organized island tour, which includes lunch on board. If you have a license to drive boats, it is an ideal opportunity to rent a small boat with which you can tour the Pakleni islands on your own arrangement, and the renters will suggest the best coves for swimming on the map. Renting a boat per day with gasoline will cost you approximately 50 euros, while an organized tour with lunch will cost you around 40 euros.