Split in Depth: 4 day Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to the beautiful port town Split.
Before we begin exploring, a couple of housekeeping/organisational pieces to get you set up for your time here.
Firstly, check into your accommodation - see my recommendation below. Once you have settled in, there are a number of Tourist Information Centers in Old Town, or make your way to the harbour where there is one. Book a tour for Plitvice Lakes National Park - hopefully for day 2 pending availability; and then also book a tour on the Omis Zipline for day 4 - for this I would recommend picking one which picks you up and returns you to Split, as you would generally need to be their early and won’t want to figure out the local bus services at this time.
This afternoon, you will explore what was originally built for Diocletian who was a Roman Emperor during the 4th Century. The extravagance of this structure was to create a large fortress which held both Diocletian and his military. Now the Palace is the heart of Split and boasts many shops, restaurants, bars and accommodations.
For a detailed walking tour, see my Split Walking Tour guide - this will give you information on each of the sights you will be walking to today!
Split Walking Tour:
1. Golden Gate;
2. Silver Gate;
3. St Domnius Cathedral;
4. Peristil Square;
5. St Domnius Bell Tower;
6. Bronze Gate;
7. The Riva;
8. Pjaca Square;
9. City Clock;
10. Iron Gate
After a long day exploring Old Town Split, it’s time to kick back and relax at Monika’s Wine Bar, tasting the many Croatian wines sold there and delicious tapas. They also hold tasting nights with local winemakers.
Day 2
Today you can embark on a journey to Plitvice Lakes National Park.
This is a full day tour that usually takes around 12 hours return including your time at the park, so I would recommend ensuring you have plenty of water (as you will be walking through the park) and some lunch and snacks packed, though there is a café at the National Park.
Depending on your preferences you can do this independently or with a tour. I recommend doing a tour for a number of reasons:
1. They pre purchase your entry ticket (This is extremely beneficial in the peak seasons as the lines can be astronomical to buy these at the park),
2. You are giving money to local guides and helping the local economy,
3. The guides are fantastic and knowledgeable which provides interesting facts on the Lakes along with areas on the bus ride between Zagreb and the National Park.
If you book a tour ensure you do it in advance as they do normally sell out a few days beforehand and also bring you concession to student card as they will normally offer discounted rates.
If you choose to go independently, there are multiple buses that run to and from the park, and you will need to buy your entry ticket at the park. From here you can obtain a map and stroll through the many pools and waterfalls around the park, taking in the glimmering turquoise waters at your own pace.
On the tour, your guide will give you insight into the places you drive by on your way to the National Park, making the long drive rather intriguing. The guide will also provide you with tickets which you will need to pay for in cash to the guide. They will walk you through the National Park, show you significant areas and provide you with information about the park.
Day 3
Get your bathers, some water, and sunscreen. It’s a beach day!
Marjan Hill is considered the lungs of Split. The hill offers stunning views of Split and the mountain ranges beyond. Hike the steps up to Cafe Bar Vidilica, where there is a lookout offering one of these views. If you like you can continue to hike further up and over the other side of the hill to the beaches on the north or western side of the hill, or if the sun is already beating down and you are in need of a swim, you can make your way back down and head towards one of the lovely beaches at the southern foot of the hill.
The beaches are all stone and pebble beaches but offer fantastic swimming spots with many of them having small kiosks or cafes nearby for drinks or lunch.
After a day of enjoying the Croatian sun, head back to your accommodation, shower and get ready before heading out to Zinfandel Wine Bar. Located a couple of blocks south of Pjaca Square, this wine bar promotes some of the best local wines from Croatia, whilst taking you through the country’s viticultural history.
Day 4
This morning, get up early to head on your Omis Zipline tour.
If you chose to do a return trip from Split it will be around 3 hours until you return. Ensure you take lots of water, wear sturdy shoes that wont fall off - best wear some runners or sneakers as it requires a little bit of walking and you don’t want to worry about your shoes falling off on a zipline, and a camera, the views along the trail are absolutely stunning.
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