8 reasons why you should definitely go to Split in Croatia

After two years of the corona pandemic, the country is attracting more tourists again, with beach destinations on the Adriatic coast and cities like Split.

1. Good (sea) location

It is, among other things, its location by the sea that makes Split one of the hippest city destinations in Europe. Located in southern Croatia on the Adriatic coast, you can start a (coastal) road trip through the country from here. Or, thanks to cheap flights, just come for a weekend. In summer, for example, Eurowings flies directly from Düsseldorf (DUS) and Berlin (BER) to Split (SPU), from Munich (MUC) Croatia Airlines and Lufthansa fly to the Croatian downtown. Easyjet flies to Split several times a week between April and October from Berlin and Basel-Mühlhausen (BSL).

2. Combine city and beach holidays

If you can’t or don’t want to decide between city and beach holidays, you can combine both in Split. The small city beaches like Bačvice, Ovcice, Jezinac do not offer enough variety for an extended beach holiday. But if you want to cool off in the sea after sightseeing or shopping, this is the place for you. Beautiful bays can also be found in Split on the small peninsula of Marjan. As is often the case on the Adriatic coast, these are not sandy beaches, but there are great opportunities to refresh yourself surrounded by fir trees.

3. Stroll along the promenade, Riva

Riva is a promenade right on the water and the place where everyone meets: to stroll, to go to a café, to shop in the side streets or just to watch the sailing boats arriving here and the cruise ships in the distance to observe.

4. Diocletian Palace

A palace as a retirement home for the emperor: This is the Diocletian Palace, named after the Roman emperor who lived here after his office from 305 AD. A part of the building is still standing today, which you should definitely visit on a city trip to Split – and actually can’t miss it. Because the south side of the palace faces the sea, the entrance is directly via the famous Riva promenade.

The peristyle is the central place in the palace, and here is an original, albeit small compared to the statue at Giza, 3500 years old Egyptian Sphinx. Anyone who walks through the old walls without a guide should always take a look at the old plans – because suddenly you are sometimes standing where the emperor’s dining room used to be.

5. The narrowest street in Croatia

Pusti Me Proć, which translates as “let me go through”, is the name of the narrowest street in Croatia. It is located right next to the Temple of Jupiter in the palace. And because the crowds of tourists push their way through here in the midsummer months, only very few people notice which famous alley they are walking through.

6. Good Dalmatian cuisine

The south and south-east of Croatia – and therefore also Split – belong to the region of Dalmatia. And it is particularly known for its hearty food. The menus of the local restaurants include meat dishes with veal or lamb, or fresh fish and other seafood, accompanied by potatoes or chips. As a starter you usually eat air-dried ham, olives from the surrounding islands and Pag cheese made from sheep’s milk.

If you want to eat authentic Dalmatian food in Split, you can do so in Konoba Varos, for example. Probably the hippest place in town is the Bokeria with great service and a gigantic wine list.

If you just want a quick but really good sack, you should go to Kantun Paulina: they have the tastiest Ćevapčići in bread in Split – some even say they are the best in all of Dalmatia.

7. Head for the surrounding islands by sailing boat

Probably the most beautiful way to explore Croatia is by sailing boat. If you have a sailing license, you simply charter a boat and set off. For everyone else there is the possibility of hiring a skipper in addition to a boat. Not only does he take control, he also knows good mooring spots and hidden beaches.

8. Nightlife

Though Novalja is the party hotspot for teenagers, Split has plenty of bars and clubs worth staying up late for.