The ULTIMATE 3 Day Split Itinerary for First Timers

Are you planning a trip to Croatia and wondering how to spend 3 days in Split?

Situated along the picturesque Adriatic Sea, Split offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and stunning coastal beauty. I visited Split in September 2023 and fell in love with this charming seaside town!

In this blog post, I will cover exactly how to spend 3 days in Split, Croatia. From wandering through the impressive halls of Diocletian’s Palace to enjoying the coastal views at Marjan Hill, there are plenty of things to do to fill 3 days! In addition, I’ll also cover where to stay in Split and how to get there!

So whether you’re drawn to ancient architecture, delicious cuisine, or chasing Game of Thrones film locations, Split is the perfect addition to your Croatia itinerary!

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The Ultimate 3 Day Split Itinerary: How to Spend 3 Days in Split, Croatia

How to Get to Split

Before we get into this 3 Day Split itinerary, let’s talk about how to get to Split, Croatia!

If you are traveling from the USA, you will likely have a connection in western Europe on your way to Split. For example, London, Dublin, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam are possible layovers, depending on the airline.

Direct flights from the USA to Split are limited, but seasonal routes may be available during peak travel seasons.

I personally flew from Orlando to Dublin since I was flying on Aer Lingus. From Dublin, it was a quick 3 hours to Croatia! Luckily, Split has its own international airport (SPU) with plenty of flights arriving daily from all over Europe.

This means reaching Split is super easy for travelers within Europe! European airlines such as Croatia Airlines, Ryanair, and EasyJet operate direct flights to Split from cities like London, Paris, Rome, and Berlin.

Getting Around Split

The Split Airport is located about 15.5 miles (25 kilometers) west of the city center (It’s actually closer to the town of Trogir!) Once you arrive at the airport, you have a few options for getting to the city center.

The drive from the airport to the city typically takes around 30 minutes by car, depending on traffic conditions.

If you are planning a road trip throughout Croatia, you can rent a car at the Split airport for your journey.

However, keep in mind that Split Old Town is pedestrian-only, so you will need to find a parking garage outside of the city center to keep your car at, which can be pricey. This is why we opted for private transportation during our 7 day Croatia itinerary to get between cities!

If you don’t want to rent a car, there are still plenty of options! For budget travelers, there is an airport bus that runs daily for as low as 8 euros. You can also take a taxi; however, I don’t recommend this, as we got scammed with high prices in a Split taxi!

Instead, I recommend just booking a private shuttle through Viator. For only $34, you can have a private driver waiting for you upon arrival and take the stress out of finding a ride!

Where to Stay in Split

Now that you know how to get to Split, I want to touch on where to stay! When visiting cities in Croatia like Split and Dubrovnik, I highly recommend skipping a hotel and opting for an apartment rental instead!

Because these cities are so old, there are no major hotels in the main city center / Old Towns. So, if you want to be close to the action, you’ll need to stay in an apartment!

You can find apartment rentals on VRBO or Booking.com, as you can see on the map below!

The above map is zoomed in on Old Town Split, so any accommodation in this area will put you near the best bars, restaurants, and attractions in Split. However, here are some specific recommendations:

Modern Apartment with Balcony: Outskirts of Old Town, clean and bright room with terrace
Roomy Apartment with Sea View: Located on the Riva, larger rooms than normal!
Luxurious Apartment with Hot Tub: Right in the middle of Old Town, luxurious studio, plenty of space!

Note: Keep in mind that European apartments (and even more so the bathrooms) are much smaller than American ones!! If you have more than 2 people, make sure there is enough space!

Day 1: Diocletian’s Palace, Marjan Hill & Riva Waterfront

Now it is time to get into the details of this 3 Day Split Itinerary!! This itinerary assumes you have 3 full days in Split, so you have either arrived the night before or early on your first day.

Explore Diocletian’s Palace

Start your first morning in Split by grabbing coffee and breakfast at D16 coffee in Old Town, Then, head straight to Diocletian’s Palace (the earlier the better!).

Built in the 4th century AD by the Roman Emperor Diocletian, this sprawling palace served as a residence for the retired emperor and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Constructed in the heart of Split, the palace features grandiose architecture and impressive defensive walls.

Entry to the Palace is mostly free since it’s an open air historical site accessible to the public. However, certain areas within the palace have separate entry fees, such as the Cathedral of Saint Domnius and the underground substructures.

Spend your morning exploring the various areas of the Palace. It’s easy to explore on your own; however, guided tours are available for visitors who want to learn more about its history and significance!

P.S. If you are a Game of Thrones lover, you’ll want to check out the basement of Diocletian’s Palace! You can read more about why in my Game of Thrones Croatia Guide!

Marjan Hill for Lunch with a View

After you’re done exploring the Palace, it’s time to get outside of the city center and grab some lunch!

Make your way over to Marjan Hill, which is a quick, 10-15 minute walk from the Palace. Head out towards the Riva Waterfront and walk west until you reach the bend in the road. Look for the little stairs and the sign that says “Marjan”.

After a short, easy climb up a few sets of stairs, you’ll be rewarded with stunning, panoramic views of Split! About halfway up the hill, there is a restaurant that makes the perfect lunch spot – Teraca Vidilica. You can spend your afternoon here enjoying the views and Aperol spritzes on your first full day in Croatia!

Wander the Riva Waterfront

After you’re finished with lunch, you can continue climbing up Marjan Hill if you have the energy! If not, head back down into Old Town Split.

I recommend spending your evening wandering along the Riva Waterfront. Grab dinner at any of the outdoor patio restaurants and enjoy the views of the Adriatic Sea!

Day 2: Island Hopping Tour OR Hvar Only

Island Hopping Boat Tour

On your second day in Split, I highly recommend getting out on the water and exploring one (or a few) of the neighboring islands in the Adriatic!

We personally decided to do this 5-Island boat tour through GetYourGuide, which included the following activities!

Riding on a tiny boat to the famous Blue Cave
Exploring the town of Komiža on Vis, where Mamma Mia 2 was filmed
Swimming in the water of Stiniva Cove
Grabbing lunch on the stunning Pakleni Islands
Wandering around the beautiful Hvar Island

This tour lasts over 11 hours, so it will take up your entire day! You will also get from place to place on a small, exposed Zodiac boat. So, if you’re not a huge fan of the open ocean or getting wet, I would skip this tour!

Hvar Only Day Trip

Another option for your second day in Croatia is just visiting the island of Hvar. While the tour above includes a stop in Hvar, it’s not enough time to explore the entire island, and there is so much to see and do!

In the summer months, there are multiple ferries from Split to Hvar each day. The journey takes around an hour and costs as low as 25 euros!

Once you’re on Hvar, you can spend your day however you choose. I highly recommend climbing to the top of the Hvar Fortress for panoramic views of Hvar to start!

You can also wander around the Square and Cathedral of St. Stephen in Hvar Town. Grab some lunch at one of the patio promenades and enjoy the beautiful views.

In the afternoon, you can visit one of Hvar’s beautiful beaches, like Pokonji Dol Beach, which is just a short walk from the port. If you decide to stay for sunset, Hula Hula Beach Bar Hvar is a popular spot to watch with fun vibes!

Day 3: Beach Day OR Krka National Park + Watch the Sunset

Hit The Beach

On your last day in Split, you have a few different options depending on your personal preferences!

If you feel like you haven’t seen enough of the city, I recommend spending your morning exploring a bit more. You can go on a free walking tour to learn more about the city, or check out the Split Green Market, locally known as Pazar.

In the afternoon, head to one of the beautiful Split beaches. If you’ve never been to Europe before, it’s important to know that most European beaches are not sandy, but rocky. So bring water shoes like these Reef sandals!

Two of the most visited beaches around Split are Bacvice Beach and Ježinac Beach. These are both just outside the city center and very popular, especially in the summer months.

Another option is Raddison Blu Beach, named after the Raddison Blu Hotel on its shores, and located less than 10 minutes from Old Town Split!

While the beach has public access, you can also check out the luxurious Mistral Beach Club at the Raddison in the summer months (typically May through October). They have a bar, cabana rentals, sun loungers, and a sometimes a DJ!

Krka National Park

If you don’t want to waste a day relaxing on the beach, another very popular activity to do in Split is take a day trip to Krka National Park.

Located just over an hour from Split, Krka offers the opportunity to get out of the city and experience cascading waterfalls, crystal-clear lakes, and lush forests.

There are plenty of tour companies that offer day trips from Split to Krka, so don’t worry if you don’t have a car. You can book half day trips for as low as $20 USD. Some of the longer tours include other stops at local wineries and the coastal town of Skradin.

Watch the Sunset

To wrap up your last night of this 3 Day Split itinerary, I highly recommend making a point to watch the sunset!

If you’re visiting in summer, one option is to go on a sunset kayaking tour. This is a great way to see Split from another viewpoint, experience the Adriatic, and embrace the warm weather.

There are a couple tour companies that offer sunset kayaking in Split, and most cost around 50 euros.

For those that want to stay on land, I recommend heading to Kasjuni Beach, which is located on the far west side of Marjan Hill. It’s a quick 5-10 minute drive from Old Town Split. Thanks to the beach’s location, this is an epic spot to watch the sunset!

There is also another beach club here, Joe’s Beach Lounge and Bar. You can rent cabanas if you wish, or just grab dinner at the main restaurant! This is the perfect place to end your trip to Split.

Final Thoughts

That wraps up this guide on how to spend 3 days in Split, Croatia!

As you can see, there is so much to see and do in Split, and it also makes a great base for day trips throughout Croatia. If you have less than 3 days in Split, I recommend cutting out the day trips and focusing on exploring Old Town and the surrounding neighborhoods.

I absolutely loved visiting Split in 2023 and will certainly be back someday! I hope this guide has helped you plan your trip to Split!

Make sure to check out my other Croatia blog posts to help plan your adventure!
Perfect 2 Day Dubrovnik Itinerary
How to Plan a Game of Thrones Croatia Trip
A Complete Game of Thrones Guide to Dubrovnik
The Ultimate 7 Day Croatia Itinerary for First Timers

Don’t forget to pin this post for future planning!