Split is Croatia’s second largest city with a population of two hundred thousand. It is located on the south west coast in Dalmatia, north of Dubrovnik. Surrounded by arid mountains, it is an impressive city with a busy port. Its old town with Diocletian's Palace dating from 295 AD has World Heritage status. Although Split has a sand and shingle beach close to the city centre as well as a number of small pebble bays, it is not primarily a seaside destination. It is however very close to the Dalmation Islands which have a host of beach resorts. Split is the perfect choice for a city break as it combines culture with relaxation in stunning surroundings and is well placed to explore the nearby villages and islands. It is a lively city where restaurants, bars and pavement cafes sit alongside ancient buildings. With shops and boutiques, markets and stalls, Split is a shopper’s delight.
Split is an ideal base for those wishing to combine a cultural city break with explorations of Dalmatia’s stunning countryside. The natural beauty of the landscape, its rich history and its proximity to the Dalmatian Islands combine to make Split a very popular holiday destination.
Split is very popular with Northern Europeans looking for a city break. It certainly has much to offer those with an interest in history and architecture, and there is the added attraction of ferry trips to the pretty Dalmatian Islands.
The climate along the Adriatic coast gives long dry summers and pleasantly mild winters so Split can be visited at any time of year. The long summer holiday season lasts from April until October. City break visitors find early and late season bookings avoid the higher temperatures of July and August.
Split, Croatia’s second city, has a great deal to offer holidaymakers. Lying between mountains and the sea this World Heritage town offers natural beauty as well as wonderful architecture. The port was originally built around the third century Roman Palace of Diocletian’s, a wonderful structure of colonnades and stone squares with subterranean chambers that are still in use today. Although the port is busy, it is a very attractive area with palm-fringed promenades and cascading flowers. Along the length of the promenade are upmarket shops, pavement cafes and restaurants where you can rest awhile and enjoy the view.
Bacvice is the town beach and it does becomes fairly crowded. A mix of sand and shingle, it is popular with locals wishing to cool down in the heat of the day. There are many more, less busy shingle and pebble bays and inlets where you can enjoy a relaxing swim in crystal clear waters. Ferries depart regularly from the harbour to the nearby Dalmatian Islands which are well worth exploring. Alternatively you could hire a sailing boat and discover more remote places for yourself.
Split has a wide range of accommodation that caters for most budgets and its eateries satisfy most tastes. Bars, pubs and discos provide a lively nightlife and the shops should satisfy even the most voracious of shoppers. Split offers many cultural pursuits including concerts held in atmospheric churches, visits to galleries and to museums.
Should you have time to visit the old towns near Split, such as Trogir or Hvar, you will not be disappointed.
Split nightlife is fairly lively although the bars in the town centre, because of noise regulations, close around midnight. The Bacvice Centre near the beach and the coastal bars and clubs remain open and party through the night. There are of course many peaceful venues where you can relax over a meal and a glass of wine while watching the sun descend into the sea. Whatever your taste, Split nightlife will satisfy.
Shopping in Croatia is generally more expensive than in Britain, but the quality of goods tends to be excellent. Certainly you should be prepared to spend more on food whilst there. Split has many small shops and supermarkets supplying holiday essentials. Bargains are to be found in the market near Diocletian’s Palace and the craft stalls in the cellars of the palace provide traditional handicrafts such as wood carvings, ceramics and embroidered linens. These make very acceptable gifts and holiday mementoes. There are also a great many boutiques and specialist shops.
Split has a many cafes and restaurants serving a variety of cuisine that caters for most tastes and pockets. Fish features prominently on menus and there are some excellent eateries down by the harbour, along the seafront and in the old town itself. Enjoy your evening meal while watching glorious sunsets and end the day with a relaxing travarica which is a locally produced herbal brandy. Croatian wines are pleasant and inexpensive.
