Split Croatia Tour – tourism, attractions
Croatia’s second largest city, Split is the most populated place down the Adriatic coast and noteworthy because of its numerous transportation links. It’s an ideal location for a visit before planning to travel somewhere else but doesn’t get away from Split without visiting all that is available.
Split Croatia, things to do
Split comes with a vibrant mixture of pulsating lifestyle, seaside walks, ancient historical background and interesting galleries and museums. Dedicate the morning hours visiting Diocletian’s Palace and the Old Town, then go walking along Marjan peninsula for great sights.
Split is currently divided between the Old Town, inside the walls of Diocletian’s Palace, and the new city which extends for 1km (0.75 miles) north, east and west of the palace. Farther away from the Old Town, the more modern the concrete architecture becomes. The majority of the city’s restaurants, cafés, and nightlife choices are in and around the walls of the palace.
Split is a fast paced, historic town and a transport center for central Dalmatia. To the north are Trogir and Salona and the Krka National Park, while the beaches of Baška Voda and the port of Makarska are to the south. Split is also a good starting point for exploring the Dalmatian islands, providing ferry connections to the islands of Brac, Vis, Hvar, and Korcula.
The town has an exciting historical past as it commenced with a massive palace of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. The area of Split expanded inside the palace walls in the Middle Ages and then spilled out to revolve around the palace. In addition to this main attraction, Split has much to deliver with its cobblestone walkways, street entertainers, and Dalmatian dishes. Split’s seafront promenade, The Riva, is the ideal spot for beautiful port sights and to meet with the local people.
Diocletian Palace
Split began with the Roman emperor Diocletian in AD295. Dalmatian by birth, he requested the building of a massive palace in his birthplace, then came back to enjoy the last years of his life here. With sights over the Adriatic Sea and a background of rugged mountain tops, the location he picked is stunning.
All through the 7th century, as scores of Avars and Slavs rampaged through the entire area, residents from the neighborhood Roman village of Salona took refuge inside the palace walls, in so doing marked the beginning of Split’s formation as a town. As reported by some sources, the name Split (Spalato in Italian) comes from the Latin palatium (palace).
The southern façade of Diocletian’s Palace provides a perfect suntrap, and the café terraces here remain open almost all year round.
The palace joined the characteristics of a villa with the ones from a fortified military camp. Four high external walls each have a massive gate which offers controlled accessibility to the area. This Unesco-listed palace looks like a walled ancient town with streets and pathways around a central square that are dominated by the cathedral.
The southern façade, now giving on to the Riva, in the beginning, rose directly from the water, and boats could enter the compound from the sea.
The southern façade of Diocletian’s Palace provides a perfect suntrap, and the café terraces here remain open almost all year round.
Podrum
Walk down the Riva and find an opening to go in the dark subterranean halls called the Podrum. This large space functioned as a substructure to the construction above and was most likely utilized for storage space. One passageway through the halls brings about the Peristyle above and is covered with stalls that sell pictures, ceramics, jewelry and handmade souvenirs.
Peristyle
Through the Podrum go up a steep trajectory of stone steps, and you will come on the Peristyle. In Diocletian’s time, this square with columns was the central public space inside the walls. Nowadays, it continues to be a favorite meeting point. Throughout summer festival, the Peristyle’s impressive quality creates the scene for outdoor opera and concerts.
Vestibule
Straight above the Podrum exit stands the Vestibule, the great door into Diocletian’s seafront places. The domed roof, in the beginning, was ornamented with mosaics, and the walls faced with marble. Klapa, groups that sing traditional Dalmatian plainsongs, typically travel all the way from the surrounding islands to benefit from the Vestibule’s exceptional acoustics.
Split Croatia beaches
Hit the beach
Don’t forget that Split is actually located by the sea. So, on a hot summer day, take some downtime to chill out on one of town’s popular beaches.
If you like crowds, water sports and stylish cafes, head to Bacvice beach. Bacvice is the most popular local beach, the only sandy beach in the town, and it’s closest to the old town. From Bacvice, further southeast, you’ll find other popular Split beaches like Ovcice, Firule, Trstenik and Znjan.
At the foot of the Marjan Hill, you’ll find various beaches, less crowded than beaches to the southeast of the old town.
The most popular ones are Jezinac, Bene and Kasjuni beach. Bene beach still has lots of trees and shadow and the water is clean. Kasjuni has been recently arranged, with a lounge bar offering sun beds, and umbrellas to rent.
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Croatia comes with an extensive and untouched coastline, numerous islands and eight national parks. The summer temperatures are typically warm to hot, and the Adriatic sea during this period is mostly calm.
From hiking on the hills to scuba diving in the Adriatic Sea, there’s lots of outdoor activities and fun-based recreation which can be done in Croatia. Sailing can also be a fantastic way to get a good view of the many islands or other small archipelagos. Should you decide to sail, make sure, you make plans for it before you get there.