Split is the second-largest city in Croatia and is located on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea, making it a hub for tourists looking to explore Dalmatia and its surroundings. With stunning sea views, a lively city centre and exquisite surroundings, Split accommodate every kind of traveller.

Here are my tips for things to do in Split!

In the heart of the old town, you will find the Diocletian Palace, built by the roman emperor Diocletian at the turn of the fourth century AD. Covering close to half of the old town and featuring many structures, exploring this area could easily fill a day.

One of my favourite things about Split was the charming narrow streets, crisscrossing all over the old town. Heading out without a destination or plan, just choosing the next street by chance was an amazing experience and the perfect way to get to know the city and find forgotten gems and hidden stores that you might not come by or notice if you were heading for a particular destination.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a 295-square-kilometre forest reserve containing sixteen terraced lakes combined with beautiful waterfalls extending into a  limestone canyon. Crisscrossed with walkways, breathtaking hiking trails and electric boat rides. This UNESCO heritage site can be found on many bucket lists and for good reason! The crystal blue water and cascading waterfalls make a perfect backdrop on any day out and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Croatia.

Arguably the best viewpoint in all of Split. Marjan is a peninsula with a beautiful park of Mediterranean pine forest. From the Riva, it is about a 30-minute steep walk to the top. However, there are also sightseeing “trains” that you can join that will take you on a round trip to the hill with a 10-15 minute stop at the viewpoint.

Close to the Diocletian Palace, you will find the outdoor market. Even though the number of supermarkets in the city is increasing the outdoor market is still a favourite among locals and tourists. Here you’ll find everything from fruit stalls to souvenir shops and a stroll through the alleys of stalls is a must-do when getting to know the city.

Located along the Krka River in southern Croatia, just a couple of hours outside of Split, Krka national park is known for its series of 7 waterfalls and is a must-see in Croatia. Beautiful nature trails run along the river and waterfalls surrounded by rich nature and traditional watermills. And you can hop on a river cruise down to one of the charming villages along the riverbank.

The wide Riva promenade runs along the harbour and is packed with restaurants, gelato shops and street food stalls. Making it a perfect spot for a morning or evening stroll or a place to enjoy a meal.

Hvar is an island in the Adriatic Sea, about an hour by boat from Split. It is best known as a summer resort featuring beaches and boat excursions. However, it also has some beautiful architecture including a hilltop fortress and a cathedral from the Renaissance-era.

Croatia is home to many of the filming locations from the world-known Game of Thrones series, and you will easily notice the influence the show has had on the city and tourism.  One of the most known filming locations in Split is Klis fortress which was used as a backdrop for the city of Meereen. However, there are also some streets in the old city used as filming locations and Split even has its own Game of Thrones museum. If you are a fan, visiting these locations is a must!