SPLIT Dalmatia Croatia - Travel Guide Map

Welcome to Split!

 

Split is one of the most fascinating tourist destinations in the Mediterranean and the most beautiful city in the world!

 

Coordinates: 43°30′36″N 16°27′00″E

 

Keywords: Split, Dalmatia, Croatia, the most beautiful city, history, 1700 years old, Diocletian's Palace, UNESCO, Cathedral of Saint Domnius - the oldest cathedral in the world, Ivan Mestrovic, sport, Adriatic Sea, wonderful beaches, Marjan Hill, excellent Mediterranean cuisine, “Dalmatina” motorway, friendly people, trips

​

Split is the second-largest city of Croatia and the largest city of the region of Dalmatia. It is a Mediterranean city in the center of the eastern Adriatic coast. Split is situated on a peninsula between the eastern part of the Gulf of Kaštela and the Brač Channel. The Marjan Hill (178 m) rises in the western part of the peninsula. The ridges Kozjak (779 m) and its brother Mosor (1339 m) protect the city from the north and northeast, and separate it from the hinterland. Due to its favorable geographical position, Split has a typical Mediterranean climate, with long, dry, warm summers and short, mild, rainy winters (yearly average of 900 mm of rain). The average summer air temperature in Split is 26°C (79°F), with 12 hours of direct sunlight (year-round average of 7 hours). Split is the cultural and political center of Dalmatia, as well as the official seat of the Split–Dalmatia County. Approximately 180 000 people live in Split. It is also the jumping-off point for exploration of the coast and islands of the beautiful Croatian Adriatic.  In 1979, the historic center of Split was included into the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. 

​

​

​

Split is one of the oldest cities in the area. The official history of Split stretches back for 1700 years, in 305 CE, when the Roman emperor Diocletian built his palace (emulating the form of the Roman military camp) as a place to which he would retire after stepping down from the imperial throne. However, preceding Diocletian's palace, the site held the Greek colony Aspalathos (4th century BC, about 2,400 years ago), which is the Greek name for the plant called Spanish or weaver's broom (Spartium junceum). The plant is still widespread, especially on the southern slopes of the park-forest Marjan.  It became a prominent settlement around 650 AD, when it succeeded the ancient capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia, Salona: as after the Sack of Salona by the Avars and Slavs, the fortified Palace of Diocletian was settled by the Roman refugees. Split became a Byzantine city, but later gradually drifted into the sphere of the Byzantine vassal, the Republic of Venice, and the Croatian Kingdom, with the Byzantines retaining nominal suzerainty. For much of the High and Late Middle Ages, Split enjoyed autonomy as a free city, caught in the middle of the struggle between Venice and the king of Hungary for control over the Dalmatian cities. Venice eventually prevailed and during the early modern period Split remained a Venetian city, a heavily fortified outpost surrounded by Ottoman territory. Eventually, its hinterland was won from the Ottomans in the Morean War of 1699, and in 1796, as Venice fell to Napoleon; the Treaty of Campo Formio rendered the city to the Habsburg Monarchy. In 1805, the Peace of Pressburg added it to the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy, and in 1809, after the Treaty of Schönbrunn, it was included directly in the French Empire, as part of the Illyrian Provinces. After Napoleon's defeat in 1814, it was eventually granted to the Austrian Empire, where the city remained part of the Austrian Kingdom of Dalmatia until the fall of Austria-Hungary in 1918 and the formation of Yugoslavia. During World War II, the city was annexed by Italy, and then liberated by the Partisans after the Italian capitulation in 1943. It was then re-occupied by Germany, which granted it to its puppet Independent State of Croatia. The city was liberated again by the Partisans in 1944, and was included in the post-war Federal Yugoslavia, as part of its Republic of Croatia. In 1991, Croatia seceded from Yugoslavia amid the Croatian War of Independence (the "Homeland War").

​

​

Many of Split's historical and cultural buildings can be found within the walls of Diocletian's Palace. In addition, it boasts several museums (including the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments, and the Split City Museum), several galleries, theaters (Croatian National Theater, City Youth Theater , and the City Puppet Theater ), and cinemas. Split is also a university seat and host to numerous scientific institutions. Sportsmen are traditionally held in high regard in Split, and the city is famous for producing many champions. Residents of Split prefer to refer to their city as "the sportiest city in the world". One of the most recognizable aspects of Split culture is popular music. There is great cultural activity during summers, when the prestigious Split Music Festival is held, followed by the Split Summer Theater Festival (Splitsko ljeto).

 

 

Split is a city of history, art, science, sports, and music, but also a city of leisure and entertainment. The beautiful beaches in the city, Marjan hill, and the abundance of restaurants, cafes and clubs will give you enjoyment in recreation, gastronomy and dancing. Many trips to the islands and Dalmatian Zagora are also possible.

 

Split has excellent connections with the rest of Croatia and Europe. The new Split–Zagreb A1 motorway (popularly called "Dalmatina") reduces the almost 400 km (250 miles) journey to mere 3.5 – 4 hours of enjoyable car-ride. Daily ferry lines connect Split and Ancona, furthermore, regular and charter flights are available at the Split airport. After Zagreb Airport, Split Airport is the most important one in Croatia. Scheduled services fly to major European cities, with many summer charter flights. The airport is about 25 km west from Split, near the city of Trogir. Airport buses run from the terminal to the city and stop at the eastern end of the 'Riva' promenade. Local buses run from the road outside the terminal - walk through the parking lot and go to the bus stop across the road. The Port of Split, with its annual traffic of 4 million passengers, is the third busiest port in the Mediterranean, with daily coastal routes to Rijeka, Dubrovnik, and Ancona in Italy. During the summer season Split is connected with other Italian cities as well, such as Pescara. Most of the central Dalmatian islands are reachable only via the Split harbor (with Jadrolinija  ferries,  catamarans and trip boats). This includes the islands of Brač, Hvar and Šolta, as well as the more distant islands of Vis, Korčula and Lastovo. Split is also becoming a major cruise ship destination, with over 260 ship visits, carrying 130,000 passengers.  

​

​

May 7th

St. Domnius' feast day with church procession and a city-wide fair.

 

 

 

Customs and Visas

The Republic of Croatia is the EU member country; there are no longer custom limits between member states or tax return. For other non-member states, we recommend that you follow info at www.porezna-uprava.hr.

 

Croatian visa policy is fully compliant with the European Union visa policy; all citizens of states that need visas to enter other EU member states will also need a visa to enter Croatia. Therefore, make sure to visit the Croatian embassy or consulate in your country of origin before visiting Croatia. In addition, if you are flying to Dubrovnik and wish to visit other cities throughout Croatia, we recommend that you obtain a visa for multiple entries because of the border crossing through Bosnia and Herzegovina. If you cross the border without the aforementioned visa, you will not be able to enter Croatia, just across the Pelješac bridge is possible without a visa for multiple entries!

 

Electricity

The electricity supply is 220V, frequency 50Hz.

 

Water

Tap water is absolutely safe for drinking. For free drinking water on the streets and around Marjan Hill, see map, please.

 

Currency, money

The Euro (€) is the currency of Croatia.

 

There are plenty of exchange offices in Split, as well as an abundance of ATMs that operate twenty-four hours a day. Many restaurants, bars and cafes accept credit cards, but not all! So, be sure to have a reasonable amount of cash on you. For a trip to one of the islands in the area, you should definitely plan ahead and carry the amount of cash.

 

 

Roads and parking

Drivers must always have their driving license and green card with them. Standard laws apply, such as compulsory use of a seatbelt and no mobiles except hands-free. Maximum blood alcohol level for drivers over 24 is 0.05 mils. The speed limit in urban areas is  50 km/h, unless otherwise marked, 80 km/h on secondary roads, and 130 km/h on highways. Cars are forbidden inside Diocletian’s palace!

 

There are parking zones in Split and different price ranges, depending on your proximity to the center. Most of the car parks operate around the clock.  You can also pay using your mobile for the same price. However, be aware of the time; if you are caught without a ticket when you're supposed to have one, you might catch a fine.

​

Taxi

​

Taxis wait in front of most major hotels, Firule and Križine hospitals, at the ferry port, at the main bus station and near the Riva, see map  or taxi web-site, please.

 

Public transport

Public transport in Split is organized by Promet Split. Ticket can be purchased on the bus or from Promet Split automats near each bus stop. If you're trying to beat the system and chance it without a ticket, you might catch a fine. Split is covered by one zone, so a ticket is good for one trip anywhere in city. Sukoišanska (see map, please) is the main station of public transport, from there you can catch buses for Trogir, Omiš, the airport, and other destinations outside of Split.

​

​

Bikes

Nextbike public bike sharing system is the first and largest system in the region. Register in any city in Croatia and use nextbike in more than 250 cities worldwide!

 

Shopping centers & malls

Shopping centers are: Joker, City Center One, Mall of Split. 

 

 

 

Walking

In front of the tourist office (ex Church of St. Roch, see map), you can arrange a tour of the city with a licensed guide, it lasts about 70 minutes.

 

 

Split Card - see the best of Split and save money! 

Ask for it at Tourist Information center, please (http://www.visitsplit.com/en/407/split-card).

 

 

Disabled travelers

All public car parks have parking spots for disabled, most hotels have at least one adapted room, shopping centers have suitable access with facilitated toilets, as do new buildings, and some beaches have adapted access to the sea (see  map).

​

​

Public toilets

Split has several public toilets, most of which are clean, tidy and in very good condition. See map, please.