How to Spend the Perfect 3 Days in Split Itinerary

Last Updated on 14th January 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

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Split is an excellent weekend destination in Croatia where you can get the best of a city break, with historic attractions to visit, museums and churches, gorgeous restaurants, and even a magnificent coast for a short escape for a swim. Here’s your perfect guide and itinerary for 3 days in Split, Croatia.

Located on the Dalmatian coast, the town sits in a strategic location, halfway from the country’s capital, Zagreb, and the popular southern seaside resort of Dubrovnik. It’s one of the best places to honeymoon in Croatia and easily one of the most beautiful places in Croatia.

And even when there is a lot to explore in Split and your three days there will be fully packed, this geographic position also gives you the chance to take short but interesting day trips nearby.

Croatia itself is a beautiful country which borders alongside the Adriatic Sea. A European country, Croatia is best-known for its beautiful scenery, its major cities of Zagreb, Dubrovnik, and Havar, and for its rich history.

For more inspiration, check out our guide for spending 3 days in Dubrovnik, the best-kept secrets of Croatia, and how to spend one week in Croatia.

Read on to discover what are the best things you can do in Split in three days and start planning your city break in Croatia!

Split: When is the best time to visit?

Being the second most important city in the country (after the capital of Zagreb), there is always something to do in Split no matter the time of the year you visit.

When deciding to devote three whole days to the town, take into account that summers can be hot and humid, so spending a few hours on the beach is important to cool down and avoid the streets during the hottest hours of the day.

Consider that, all over Croatia, you will find higher prices both for attractions and accommodations in summer, while the country is often flooded with tourists in the high season. On the other hand, and although quite cold, winter is perfect if you’re traveling on a budget. Hotel prices go down and so do entrance tickets to major attractions.

There are fewer tourists which lets more free time to locals to engage in friendly conversation with visitors. This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the city and the local traditions.

The best time of the year is always during the shoulder season. Spring and autumn have relatively mild weather and crowds are not yet there. Prices are also more affordable during these two seasons of the year than during the hottest months of the year.

How to get to Split

Split is located on the Central Dalmatia coast, facing the Gulf of Kastela and the Adriatic Sea. The city airport receives flights from all over Europe and from other cities in the country. Most international flights tend to land in the capital, Zagreb.

You can get to Split from Zagreb by plane (less than 2 hours, prices range from €70 to €200), bus (about 5 hours, from €15 to €40), or train (from 6 to 8 hours, from €15 to €60).

It’s possible to get to Split by car. The road trip is about 4 hours long, and you should estimate about 50 euros for tolls and petrol, plus the cost of the car rental. Check car rental comparison prices here. The total distance between the two cities is about 260 kilometers.

From Split, you can also visit the islands off the coast of the country. Split hosts the main port on the Dalmatian coast with ferries departing daily to nearby islands including Hvar, Korcula, Vis, Bra, and the Elaphite Islands.

Best Things to Do in Split in Three Days: City itinerary and day trips

Day 1: The Diocletian Palace and the old town

Split’s old town grows and expands around an ancient center that starts around the ancient Diocletian Palace, an impressive complex that the former emperor ordered to be constructed for his retirement.

The palace is a must-stop not only for its important Roman heritage but because it houses some of the best ancient landmarks in Split. Dating back to the fourth century, the palace has been built by Emperor Diocletian thus expressing his preference for Split over other imperial cities in the Mediterranean.

The imposing citadel features a huge military area, used for the training of the imperial army. There are also remains of Diocletian’s villa which is surrounded by dozens of ancient cobblestoned streets in excellent condition.

Although most of the Game of Thrones was filmed in nearby Dubrovnik, many scenes of the series have also been shot in Split, mainly in the Diocletian Palace. The site has also been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You could easily spend a whole day exploring the immense structure, but you could make your visit shorter by visiting with a local guide like this one or checking out the following points of interests related to this Roman structure.

Start by heading to Peristil Square which in the past was a Roman yard with imposing columns and two ancient Egyptian sphinges around it. The place is a common location for concerts due to its impressive acoustics. It is believed that in this square, Diocletian would talk to the subjects of the empire.

Also, part of the palace, Saint Duje’s Cathedral is a religious building deemed the oldest cathedral in the world. The structure was originally built to be the emperor’s mausoleum, but it later became the city’s cathedral.

The former Roman building was built back in 350. Today, however, it features Romanesque architectural details and an impressive bell tower which can be seen from any port of the old town.

The tower is a much newer structure, dating back to the thirteenth century. Another place to check out in the palace is the ancient Temple of Jupiter, which was built at the end of the 200s in honour of the Roman god Jupiter.

Once the visit is complete, have lunch inside the palace before exploring the rest of the old town, a place I recommend you to try is Zinfandel Food & Wine Bar which features a rotating seasonal menu and an interesting wine list.

After that check out the main square of Split, Pjaca Square and the old town hall also situated in the square. Walk past the endless coffee shops and bars in the area until you reach Marmont Street for some Croatian window shopping.

From here, you will be a stone’s throw from the sea, where you can stop next for a coffee or a drink. Sunsets here are particularly charming. Make sure you choose a place with live music and spend a few hours people-watching.

Day 2: Day trip to Krka Waterfalls

While incredibly beautiful, visiting the famous Plitvice Lakes in northern Croatia can be a very tiring and long day trip when you’ll only be in town for three days. Instead, there is another lakes day trip you can take.

Not far from Split, you can enjoy another beautiful national park where, just like in Plitvice, you will be able to experience the majestic landscape of waterfalls and lush forests, ride a boat and go swimming in the refreshing river.

There is a lot to do in the area, start by visiting the small town of Skradin from where several boats depart during the day for visitors to explore the natural park. After a short boat ride down the Krka River, you will reach the Skradinski Buk waterfalls, Europe’s largest travertine cascade system, and a gorgeous spot for pictures.

In the nearby area, there’s an ethnic museum inside an old mill, which displays the remains of ancient settlements and small stone houses, along with the first hydroelectric power station in Europe.

You can spend some more time wandering the marvelous national park to then head to Skradin’s sandy beach. In the area, it is possible to visit a winery to sample local wines and extra virgin olive oil.

There are day tours departing from Split that offer all these activities and a few more for a convenient fee like this one. Once this long day is over, make your way back to Split and spend some walking in the old town, and then grab dinner in town or by the sea.

Day 3 in Split: Green Market and Marjan Hill

One of the best ways to approach the local country of any destination is to get lost inside a farmer’s market to discover the tastes and aromas of the local cuisine. In Split, the best place to do so is the Green Market.

The Green Market is one of the biggest open markets in the city and is where local vendors sell all sorts of fresh produce. There are dozens of delicious staples to taste in the market, including local ham, pancetta, cheese, and a variety of local bread known as peka.

If you want to explore joining a local guide that is experienced in Splits, cuisine, then this Historical & Gastro Treasures Tour is the perfect activity to spend three hours tasting some of the best dishes in the city.

Other than visiting the market, this tour takes you to the oldest pastry shop in Split where you can have traditional sweets and gelato. It’s a good idea to spend your last afternoon in Split visiting the city’s most important viewpoint which overlooks all the historic district.

The hike is not very difficult if you follow the well-marked hiking trail. Along the way, there are great places to stop too for breathtaking views of the coast and the Bay of Split.

There are several entrances to the Marjan Peninsula area, but the easiest route begins at a restaurant known as Teraca Vidilica, about 20 minutes from the old town. The path that starts from here takes you uphill so it’s better to wear comfortable shoes.

The first interesting stop is the small Saint Nicholas church, from here there is a small staircase that you need to follow to stay on the path. As you walk your way up, stop to admire the views. You will be at the top of the hill in a short while. From here, the views of the city, the harbour, and the Diocletian Palace are spectacular.

Once you’ve reached the top and soaked in the views, ideally at sunset, you can either continue walking through the green forests or turn back to Split to enjoy the last dinner in town. But before sitting at a table, you can catch the last glimpse of Split’s coast by heading to Bacvice Beach, a popular sandy and shallow beach, perfect for scuba diving.

You can choose to end the day dining by the coast promenade or you can head back to Split’s old town to go for a walk along Riva Promenade and have a tasty dinner back in the Diocletian Palace. This time, choose a konoba or the local tavern that serves seafood, olive oil pies, and south Croatian wines.

Where to Stay in Split

As most of the attractions are in the old town, then a stay in the area is the most convenient thing to do to be close to good dining options, landmarks, and more.

Accommodation in Split goes from affordable hostels to luxury boutique hotels. These are some of the most convenient and comfortable ones:

Budget: AI Hostel offers adults-only accommodation with a restaurant, a bar, and a shared lounge 700 m from the Diocletian Palace. Check prices and availability here.

Mid-Range: Riva City Rooms is a guest house near the palace, offering comfy air- conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, and a minibar. Check prices and availability here.

Luxury: Jupiter Luxury Hotel is situated within the Diocletian Palace and offers a free sauna, a gourmet restaurant, and a rooftop terrace with a lounge bar. Check prices and availability here.

More time in town?

As we said before, there are several day trips you can take from Split. Visiting Vis Island is one of my favorite ones. The trip often includes a stop for swimming in some stunning blue caves. You can get there by catching a ferry at the port of Split, however, visiting the surrounding area and the coastline is much easier by joining an organized tour.

Some excursions include visits to other islands during the day trip too. Packed with outstanding ancient attractions and a pristine coastline to relax and enjoy, it is clear why Split can be an enjoyable destination for a short break in the Balkans.

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Gabi Ancarola is a journalist and travel writer who has lived over 20 years in Italy, and has been living in Crete for the last five years. She hosts culinary tours, translates and writes for her Crete travel blog The Tiny Book. She’s written for Greek Reporter and published several travel guides about Greece.