07 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions and Things to Do in Split
1. Dig up some history at the Archaeological Museum of Split.
The Archaeological Museum should be on every history lover’s bucket list when in Split. Considered the oldest institution of its kind in Croatia, the museum was established in 1820 and has been in its current location since 1922.
Highlights of the more than 150,000 objects include the largest collection of gemstones in the country, as well as stone carvings from Salona, Hellenistic Greek ceramics, Roman glass, nearly 1,600 ancient clay lamps, and numerous bone and metal objects. The museum’s beautiful garden is also worth a visit.
2. Klis Storm Castle
Located about 12km northeast of the city centre, Klis Fortress is well worth a visit and can even be reached by city bus number 22 which runs from the local bus station in Split. If you watched Game of Thrones, you might recognize the castle as a Marine Corps town.
The impressive fort sits on a limestone cliff, 385 meters at its highest point, and is used to dominate the valley leading to the town. The fort is long and narrow due to the length of its existence, which led to continuous expansion as the centuries progressed.
A small museum on site displays the fort’s bloody past as well as traditional costumes and swords. There is also a room dedicated to filming Game of Thrones, and visitors can climb the castle inside.
You can visit the Castle Fortress and other Game of Thrones attractions, such as the basement of Diocletian’s Palace, which once served as Daenerys’ throne room, on the Game of Thrones organized tour in Split.
3. Soak up the culture at the Croatian National Theatre.
The Croatian National Theater in Split (HNK Split) opened in 1893 and is one of the oldest buildings in the country, playing an important role in the city’s vibrant arts and culture community.
Finally, the theater hosts a diverse program of more than 300 performances annually, including everything from ballet to stage events, as well as classical music performed by local symphony orchestras.
The National Theater also hosts several important festivals, including the famous Split Summer Festival (Splitsko ljeto), one of the oldest performing arts events in the country, and Marulić Days (Marulići Dani), Croatia’s main festival which is a week-long celebration of literature. .
4. Visit People’s Square.
Dating back to the 15th century, People’s Square (Narodni Trg Pajaka) in Split contains many interesting Renaissance, Venetian, and Gothic buildings built over the ages.
Of particular note is the Venetian-Gothic Cambi Palace, with its Renaissance-style town hall building, which houses the Ethnographic Museum of Split, an interesting museum well worth a visit.
People’s Square is located in the area once occupied by Diocletian’s Palace and west of the Peristyle. Also of interest is the nearby statue of Grigor Ninski (Gregori Nun) by the famous Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrović.
5. St. Dominic’s Church
Rebuilt in the 17th century and expanded in the 1930s, the Split Church of St. Dominic (Srebrna Vrata I Sv. Dominik) stands on the site of the former Chapel of St. Catherine. Originally built in the Middle Ages, this impressive church features works by Palma il Giovane and his followers, including the famous Surian miracle and the Apparition in the Temple.
Also of interest is the nearby market, which stocks a wide range of fruits, vegetables, cheeses and meats from all over Croatia (it also has great views of Diocletian’s Palace).
6. The Baptistery of St. John and the Papal Palace
The Baptistery of Saint John (sv. Ivan Christietilj) is centrally located inside Diocletian’s Palace. Consecrated in the sixth century, it was originally a Roman religious building, the Temple of Jupiter. Among the many noteworthy features are a baptismal font with a painting representing King Zunemir and other dignitaries, as well as carvings by Ivan Mestrović, added to the statue of Saint John on the end wall.
A number of interesting ruins can also be enjoyed from both St. John’s Baptistery and Diocletian’s Palace in the neighboring Split Museum (Museum Grada Split), housed in a former Gothic papal palace.
One of the finest 15th- and 16th-century buildings built on the open grounds of Diocletian’s Palace, the museum houses a collection of books chronicling the city’s history, as well as exhibits from the 15th to 15th centuries. It is also famous for displaying weapons. 18th century.
7. Enjoy a day trip to Salona.
About eight kilometers north of Split, the ancient town of Salona (Solan) is a popular destination for history buffs. Conquered by the Illyrians, Greeks, and finally the Romans, this ancient city features many historical monuments within the ancient city walls, including the amphitheater, aqueduct, bishop’s complex, and forum.
Built by the Romans in the 2nd century, designed to hold 20,000 people at a time, Salona’s impressive amphitheater is known for its underground aqueducts, which are believed to have been used in mock sea battles. The Salona Aqueduct, built in the 1st century, is an impressive and easily accessible sight that once carried water from the Jadru River to Split, ending at Diocletian’s Palace.