SPLIT – Croatia’s seaside gem of history and culture

13.06.2022
Dalmatian coast

Split, Croatia’s second-largest city, sits gracefully along the central Dalmatian coast. With its vibrant ferry port and picturesque marina, Split serves as the gateway to the stunning islands of the Adriatic.

But Split is more than a coastal city — it’s a living museum. At its heart lies the legendary Diocletian’s Palace, a Roman marvel built over 1,700 years ago. Today, the palace isn’t just admired from afar — it’s alive. Cafés, shops, and homes are seamlessly woven into its ancient stone walls, offering visitors a chance to sip coffee or enjoy dinner in a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

☕ The art of taking it slow

Life in Split moves to a different rhythm. Locals aren’t in a rush. Horns don’t honk, and traffic lights don’t provoke stress. Instead, the city flows — gently, like the Adriatic waves. Along the palm-lined Riva promenade, cafés buzz from morning to night, no matter the season. A cappuccino here isn’t just a drink — it’s a ritual.

Perhaps that ease comes from the setting. Where else can you sit just meters from the sea, enjoying fresh seafood, surrounded by Roman columns and sun-warmed stone? The Temple of Jupiter and Peristyle Square aren’t just photo ops—they shape the atmosphere of this remarkable city.

🎬 Game of Thrones and timeless stories in Split

Split has also become a favorite filming location — most famously for Game of Thrones. Fans will instantly recognize the cellars of Diocletian’s Palace as the dungeons where Daenerys kept her dragons. Just outside the city, the imposing Klis Fortress stands in for Meereen, while nearby Kaštel Gomilica plays the role of Braavos. The architecture, the textures, the light — it’s easy to see why this region captured the imagination of filmmakers and travelers alike.

EXPLORE SPLIT

🎵 Ultra Europe – where energy meets the sea

Split isn’t always quiet — and that’s part of its charm. Each summer, over 100,000 music lovers descend on the Poljud Stadium for Ultra Europe, one of the biggest electronic music festivals in the world. The city vibrates with energy as international DJs light up the Adriatic sky with sound and spectacle.

When the music fades, the sea calls. Split’s marina is a launchpad to explore the 1,000 islands of the Croatian coast. Whether sailing to Hvar, anchoring in a hidden cove, or simply enjoying the sea breeze, this is where adventure begins.

💫 Why you’ll keep coming back to Split

Few places offer such a perfect blend of ancient charm and modern rhythm. Split invites you to slow down — or speed up — exactly when you need to. It’s no wonder so many travelers return again and again.

Whether you’re drawn by history, culture, festivals, or simply the feeling of sun on your skin with the scent of the sea in the air — Split is waiting.

🧡 A personal note from me

As a tour bus driver, I’ve driven hundreds of guests through Croatia — but every time I take the curve toward Plitvice, I still get goosebumps. It’s like nature quietly commands you to slow down.

While guests head off to explore, I usually find a quiet spot near the trees, just to breathe it in — the mist from the waterfalls, the silence of the forest, and the sense that this place has stood still for centuries.

Even after all these years, Plitvice reminds me why I fell in love with Croatia in the first place.

I hope you get to feel that too.