A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Split, Croatia
The Best Way to See Split for Free - A Self-Guided Walking Tour
In December of 2018, I visited the country of Croatia during my winter break. With limited time, I wanted to make sure I could see as much of the country as possible. The itinerary I created left me with just one full day to visit the city of Split. To make the most out of that one full day, I decided to take a self-guided walking tour of Split, Croatia, which, in my opinion, is the best way to see the city. The best thing about a self-guided walking tour was that I could see the parts of Split that I wanted to for free, as I would not need to hire a guide.
I focused on a few main areas, including the Riva Promenade, Adriatic Coastline, and Diocletian’s Palace. There was plenty to see in those three areas, and that was where I spent most of my time exploring Split. In the sections below, I will summarize the highlights of my self-guided walking tour of Split, Croatia.
Walking Around Split, Croatia - Table of Contents
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Is Split, Croatia Worth Visiting?
Split, Croatia’s second-largest city, is definitely worth visiting. Located on the Adriatic Sea, Split has become a major destination for tourists and beachgoers, especially during cruise season. I visited Split during the off-season, and the entire town was full of bargains. During my time in Split, I enjoyed an upgrade to a premium suite at my hotel, small crowds, and cheap meals and souvenirs. I only had one day in Split and decided to make the most of that time by going on a self-guided walking tour.
Split’s history dates back to 305 AD when the Roman Emperor Diocletian ordered the building of a palace. The palace still stands today and is the area’s top tourist draw. Whether you are interested in history, shopping, fine dining, or the beach, Split has something for everyone. For anyone visiting Croatia, Split is definitely worth visiting.
A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Split, Croatia - My Experience
When planning a self-guided walking tour of Split, it is important to familiarize yourself with the map of Split ahead of time. To successfully explore the city, I mapped out a route that would start at the Riva Promenade, walk through Diocletian’s Palace, and eventually end up following the shoreline of the Adriatic Sea.
Since I only had one day, I did not want to spend more than 15 minutes at any one attraction. This way, I would be able to see as much of the city of Split as possible.
What to See While Walking Around the Riva Promenade and the Surrounding Area
I began my self-guided walking tour of Split, Croatia, by walking from the Radisson Blu Hotel to the Riva, which is Split’s waterfront harbor and promenade. Located directly on the Adriatic Sea, the Riva Promenade is full of restaurants and shopping.
When I arrived at the Riva Promenade, it was already being set up for the New Year’s Eve festivities that would be taking place two days later.
Located near the Riva Promenade are the Church and Convent of St. Francis as well as Vodoskok Fountain.
Walking Around Diocletian's Palace and Old Town
After a brief walk through the main street, I turned inland towards Diocletian’s Palace. Diocletian’s Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the top attraction in Split. To find the Palace, simply walk towards the Bell Tower of The Cathedral of Saint Domnius, which is part of the Diocletian’s Palace. The Bell Tower is easily visible from the Riva Promenade.
The Walls of Diocletian's Palace
There is no entry fee to enter Diocletian’s Palace. While it is called a palace, it is more accurately described as a “walled-in Old Town.”
The Golden Gate and Gregory of Nin
Who was Gregory of Nin?
I entered through the Golden Gate near the Bell Tower and the statue of Gregory of Nin. Gregory of Nin was a medieval Croatian Bishop who introduced services in the national language in 926. Up until then, services could only be conducted in Latin. Gregory of Nin is credited with making Christianity stronger in Croatia, and in 1929, a statue of him was built near the rear entrance of the palace.
Get Lost in the Narrow Streets of Diocletian's Palace
Diocletian’s Palace is a great place to walk around and get lost. Getting lost on purpose is one of the best ways to enjoy walking around Diocletian’s Palace. The narrow, pedestrian-only streets are an ever-winding maze of shops, restaurants, and historical buildings.
Are there Restrooms Near Diocletian's Palace?
The Palace is also home to the cleanest bathrooms in Croatia. I have been all over Europe, and public toilets are usually in horrible shape. These bathrooms had an attendant who cleaned them after each use. The cost of using the restrooms was €0.50.
Shopping Inside the Walls of Diocletian's Palace
As I continued my self-guided walking tour, I was surprised to see some small shops built into the walls of Diocletian’s Palace. These tiny shops sold everything from cheap souvenirs to expensive jewelry.
Cathedral of Saint Domnius and the Bell Tower
After wandering around for a while, I found myself in the courtyard right in front of the Cathedral of Saint Domnius
Climbing the Bell Tower to the Cathedral of Saint Domius
Next to the cathedral is the bell tower. For a cost of €7.50, I climbed to the top. There were some tight squeezes to get to the top, and I had to “think thin” a few times. Despite my worries that the Split Fire Brigade would have to be called to pry me out of the narrow walkways, I made it to the top.
The Best Views of Split are from the Bell Tower of the Cathedral of Saint Dominus
The Bell Tower offered spectacular views of Split, the Riva Promenade, and the Adriatic Sea.
I highly recommend going to the top of the Bell Tower as it was one of my favorite activities during my self-guided walking tour of Split.
Be sure to bring a good zoom lens or binoculars, as they will make it much easier to spot specific locations.
The Vestibule of Diocletian's Palace
After descending from the Bell Tower, I wandered into the Vestibule. The Vestibule is a circular area that used to serve as the entrance point to the residential part of the palace. It is one of the oldest structures at Diocletian’s Palace that remains in its original form.
Croatian National Theater
As I exited again through the Golden Gate, I accidentally walked in the wrong direction. One issue with a self-guided walking tour is that it is sometimes easy to get lost. I ended up a little off-course, but as a result, I was able to see the brightly colored Croatian National Theater.
Wallking Around the Shoreline of the Adriatic Sea and the Surrounding Area
After walking in the wrong direction, I eventually worked my way back to the Riva Promenade. From the Riva, I followed the shoreline walkway toward the harbor. The weather was so lovely that I was happy to be out experiencing the warm sun.
The West Bank - The Best Views of Split
I continued walking to an area known as the West Bank. The shoreline of the West Bank offers the best view of Old Town Split. The photo below was taken from the West Bank of the Adriatic Sea.
Croatian Olympic Plaques
The first time I had ever heard of Croatia was in 1992. I was ten years old and following the Barcelona Olympics. The Chicago Bulls had drafted Toni Kukoc, who was one of the stars of the Croatian Olympic Team, which won a Silver Medal in 1992.
Kukoc was always announced during the starting line-ups as “From Split, Croatia.” There was a section of the walkway dedicated to famous, and sure enough, I found Toni Kukoc’s plaque.
Split Harbor
I continued my self-guided walking tour until I reached Split’s main harbor. There were many yachts and sailboats in the harbor and even more on lifts that had been stored for the winter. There was no one around, and I was able to walk around and look at the various boats.
Bacvice Beach Area
At this point, it was getting late, and I turned around and headed back toward my hotel. It would be about a 4 km walk from the main harbor back to my hotel. I decided to take the walking path that followed the Adriatic shoreline all the way back to my hotel. It took me past the Bacvice Beach area.
During the summer season, this area would be full of beachgoers and tourists. Even though it was off-season, there were a lot of shops and restaurants near the beach that were open. There were also some that were closed.
A Beautiful Adriatic Sunset
As I wrapped up my day in Split, I took in a beautiful sunset. I arrived back at my hotel shortly after dark and was happy that I made the most of my one day in Split, Croatia.
Split, Croatia Tours and Packages
A tour of Split is not necessary in my opinion. Still, I understand that many tourists prefer to be led around by an expert. Below, are some of the tours that caught my eye. I am an affiliate partner of Viator. If you book a tour using one of the links below I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I would greatly appreciate it if you would consider booking using one of my links.
Prices are accurate as of April 2024.
 Split City Walking Tour - $88.04 Enjoy walking tour of Split, the second-largest city of Croatia and the largest city of the region of Dalmatia. Explore the streets and alleyways of the Roman Emperor Diocletian's Palace that have been continuously inhabited since it was built. See sites ranging from the sphinxes that the Romans brought from Egypt to remarkably preserved Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque palaces. Explore the local market and talk a walk along the Riva promenade. |
 Diocletian's Palace Small Group Tour in Split - $55.93 Learn more about the rich history of Split, one of the oldest Croatian cities, get acquainted with the city's tradition and experience Split's "Šušur". Take a walk through the most famous Riva in Croatia where all major city events take place. Visit all the most important city squares such as Fruit Market, National Square known as "Piazza" and the central square of Diocletian's Palace - Peristil. |
 Guided Tour: Highlights of Split by Rickshaw - $44.57 Enjoy an unique way that we have created for exploring the city of Split. Receive knowledgeable insights from your local guide as you soak up all the atmosphere in a comfortable rickshaw. |
 Half-Day Split Sea Kayak Adventure - $55.99 Spend a relaxing day paddling around the town of Split and fascinating Marjan hill while enjoying the spectacular views. Take a relaxing morning session or enjoy the magnificent sunset from the sea on the afternoon tour. |
 Grand Split Walking Tour - $15.79 Take a walk through Split's 1700 years of history with our expert guides Lucy, Danko, Darko, Olga, Vicencija, Nataša, Ina, Luka, Tanja and Mijo who will bring the past alive. Your local guide will share facts and inside stories with you. |
 Split Culinary Tour - $33.63 Enjoying a world-famous, healthy, light Mediterranean cuisine in magnificent atmosphere of 1700 years old Diocletian's Palace, makes Split Culinary Tour a special and unforgettable experience for all age groups. Participants have the opportunity to visit colorful and picturesque fish and green market to buy groceries from which the cooks of Diocletian Wine House Restaurant will prepare a delicious lunch for them. Based on the fact that food is a hedonism and one of the life pleasures for many people, gastronomy is an excellent way to get guests closer to the local community and destination itself. |
 A Tale Of Split - private walking tour of Diocletian’s palace - $144.69 Visit the majestic Diocletian's Palace still inhabited today, only not by emperors and kings. Learn why it's so special and unique and discover with me all the small hidden streets, corners and stories surrounding this Roman masterpiece during this 1.5 hours tour. |
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