Split Central Dalmatia
3
Day Itinerary •
Croatia
Three days in Split and Central Dalmatia take you through the most extraordinary living Roman city in the world, the remarkable UNESCO medieval island of Trogir and the extraordinary Zlatni Rat beach on Brac. Split's Diocletian's Palace is the most remarkable ancient monument in Croatia, a 4th-century Roman imperial palace within whose extraordinary walls an entire city has grown and continues to live. This route covers the essential Central Dalmatia. Split's extraordinary Diocletian's Palace and the remarkable Riva promenade, the remarkable Meštrovi n Gallery, the extraordinary Trogir UNESCO old town with its fine Romanesque cathedral, the famous Zlatni Rat beach on Brac and the remarkable Omis canyon and the extraordinary Klis fortress above Split.
Best Time To Visit
May to Jun and Sep to Oct. Cooler and less crowded than peak summer.
Getting There
Split Airport (SPU). Many direct European flights. Ferry from Italy.
Getting Around
Split old town walkable. Car for Klis and Omis. Ferry for Brac and Trogir.
Budget Per Day
Approx EUR 100 to EUR 220 per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, walking and short drives
DAY 1
DIOCLETIAN'S PALACE
MORNING
DIOCLETIAN'S PALACE OLD TOWN
Diocletian's Palace in Split is the most extraordinary living Roman monument in the world, the remarkable 4th-century AD imperial palace that became the nucleus of the entire city with approximately 3,000 people still living and working within its ancient walls. The extraordinary Peristyle courtyard, the remarkable Cathedral of Saint Domnius built inside Diocletian's mausoleum, the fine Golden Gate and the extraordinary underground cellars giving the finest single Roman heritage experience in Croatia. Cathedral entry approx EUR 5. Travel: 15 min walk
MIDDAY
SPLIT RIVA AND MARJAN HILL
Split's extraordinary Riva promenade along the waterfront is the most remarkable gathering place in Dalmatia, the fine palm-lined terrace overlooking the harbour and the remarkable view back to the palace walls giving the finest people-watching afternoon on the Adriatic. The remarkable Marjan Hill forest park west of the old town with its extraordinary city and island panorama from the summit and the fine Kasjuni beach below give the finest afternoon in Split. Travel: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
MEŠTROVI n GALLERY
The Meštrovi n Gallery in Split is the most extraordinary single-artist museum in Croatia, the remarkable villa of sculptor Ivan Meštrovi n housing his extraordinary collection of monumental works including the fine Karadjordje, the remarkable Job and the extraordinary religious sculptures giving the finest sculpture museum on the Adriatic. The remarkable sea-view garden of the villa with its extraordinary carved reliefs and the fine Crikvine chapel nearby are outstanding. Entry approx EUR 10.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Split underground cellars beneath Diocletian's Palace are the most extraordinary hidden Roman space in Croatia, the remarkable vaulted cellars that once supported the imperial apartments now giving the finest impression of the original palace scale. Entry approx EUR 8. The finest hidden experience in Diocletian's Palace.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Diocletian's Palace Outstanding breakfast inside the Roman palace walls. Unique in the world. | Lunch: Konoba Matoni, Split Outstanding Split konoba. Local lamb peka and Dalmatian wine. | Dinner: Dvor, Split Outstanding Split restaurant. Local Adriatic fish and Dalmatian produce.
DAY 2
TROGIR UNESCO
MORNING
TROGIR UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE OLD TOWN
Trogir is the most extraordinary medieval island city in Croatia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its remarkable intact Romanesque-Gothic old town on a tiny island connected by bridges containing the finest collection of medieval monuments in Dalmatia. The extraordinary Cathedral of St Lawrence with its remarkable Radovan Portal of 1240, the finest Romanesque sculpture in Croatia, the fine Kamerlengo fortress and the extraordinary loggia give the finest medieval UNESCO morning in the Adriatic. Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
TROGIR WATERFRONT AND ISLAND VIEWS
Trogir's extraordinary waterfront promenade faces the beautiful wooded island of Ciovo and the fine Dalmatian mainland mountains giving the most remarkable small-town setting on the central Dalmatian coast. The remarkable Cipiko Palace with its extraordinary Gothic loggia, the fine Dominican and Benedictine monasteries and the extraordinary narrow lanes of the medieval quarter give the finest heritage afternoon in Central Dalmatia. Travel: 30 min ferry
AFTERNOON
BRAC ISLAND AND ZLATNI RAT BEACH
Zlatni Rat on the island of Brac is the most extraordinary beach in Croatia, the remarkable golden shingle promontory that shifts direction with the winds and currents extending into the brilliant turquoise Adriatic water giving the most photographed beach scene in the country. The fine swimming, the extraordinary clarity of the water and the remarkable position beneath the pine forests of Bol give the finest beach experience in Central Dalmatia.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Trogir Cathedral treasury contains the most extraordinary collection of medieval ivory carvings in Croatia, remarkable Byzantine and Romanesque ivories of extraordinary quality rarely visited by tourists who see only the portal outside. Included in cathedral entry approx EUR 5. The finest hidden treasure in Trogir.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Trogir old town Outstanding coffee inside the UNESCO medieval walls. | Lunch: Konoba Trs, Trogir Outstanding Trogir seafood. Local Adriatic fish and local wine. | Dinner: Restaurant in Split or Bol Outstanding Dalmatian dinner. Local seafood and Dalmatian wine.
DAY 3
OMIS CANYON
MORNING
OMIS CETINA CANYON
Omis south of Split is the most extraordinary pirate fortress town in Dalmatia, its remarkable position at the mouth of the extraordinary Cetina River canyon giving the finest combination of medieval fortress and dramatic gorge on the central coast. The remarkable Mirabella fortress above the town and the extraordinary Cetina gorge with its crystal-clear river giving the finest canyon landscape accessible from Split are outstanding. Fortress entry approx EUR 3. Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
CETINA RIVER RAFTING OR ZIP LINE
The Cetina River through Omis canyon offers the most extraordinary adventure activities near Split, the remarkable white-water rafting through the extraordinary limestone gorge and the fine zip line across the canyon giving the finest active afternoon in Central Dalmatia. The remarkable clarity of the Cetina river and the extraordinary canyon walls rising above give the finest gorge experience on the coast. Rafting approx EUR 35. Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
KLIS FORTRESS AND RETURN TO SPLIT
Klis Fortress above Split is the most extraordinary medieval and Ottoman fortification in Dalmatia, the remarkable fortress that resisted Ottoman siege for over a century perched on an extraordinary rocky ridge above the Klis pass with the finest panorama over Split, the islands and the Dalmatian coast visible for 100km on a clear day. The remarkable Game of Thrones filming location and the extraordinary historical significance are outstanding. Entry approx EUR 8.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Salona archaeological site 5km north of Split is the most extraordinary Roman ruined city in Croatia, the remarkable former capital of Roman Dalmatia with extraordinary amphitheatre ruins, forum remains and early Christian basilicas spread across a vast open site. Entry approx EUR 5. The finest hidden Roman site near Split.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Split Before the Omis drive. | Lunch: Konoba in Omis or on the Cetina Outstanding local trout from the Cetina river. | Dinner: Restaurant in Split Outstanding farewell Split dinner. Local Adriatic fish and Dalmatian wine.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Split, Nights 1 to 3 Hotel Vestibul Palace or Cornaro Hotel. Old town. Approx EUR 100 to EUR 280. Alternative Trogir for night 2 if preferring a quieter medieval base. Approx EUR 80 to EUR 200.
Top Tips
1. Diocletian's Palace is most atmospheric early morning before tour groups arrive. Go at 8am.
2. Trogir Cathedral's Radovan Portal is finest in the morning light. The carving detail is extraordinary.
3. Zlatni Rat beach shifts with the currents. The west-facing tip is the finest swimming spot.
4. Klis Fortress is most extraordinary at sunset with Split and the islands silhouetted below.
5. The Split Riva is the finest people-watching promenade in Dalmatia. Best in the evening.
6. Book the Brac ferry at jadrolinija.hr in advance in July and August. Spaces fill quickly.
Total Budget
Approx EUR 100 to EUR 220 per person per day