Split tours and tickets
Split sells little in advance outside summer. The palace is free to walk, and the cellars, cathedral and bell tower are bought at the door. What needs a booking is the sea and the national parks: island ferries and boat trips in July and August, and Krka or Plitvice day tours a few days ahead. Trogir is an easy bus ride.
Book these first
- Island ferries and catamarans
- A week or more ahead in July and August. Popular sailings fill, especially for cars and for the fast boats to Hvar.
- A table at the best restaurants
- 1 to 2 weeks ahead in peak season. The small, well-known places in the palace and the fish restaurants fill at weekends.
- Krka or Plitvice day tours
- A few days ahead in summer. Tours and entry slots are limited at the national parks.
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Monuments and landmarks
Diocletian's Palace walking tour
A guided walk of the Roman emperor's retirement palace, now the old town, with the peristyle, the Golden Gate and the Temple of Jupiter. Tours last about ninety minutes and run in English.
Which to pick. Take a guide on your first morning. The alleys make more sense with the history, and you can then wander alone.
A day or two ahead in summerVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorPalace cellars
The vaulted underground halls of the palace, among the best preserved Roman structures, and a film location. Tickets are sold at the entrance on the seafront. A visit takes about 30 minutes.
Which to pick. Go early, since tour groups arrive mid-morning. Buy at the door, and skip a guide.
On the day is fineVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorCathedral of St Domnius and bell tower
A cathedral in the former mausoleum of the emperor, with a bell tower that gives a view over the roofs. Tickets cover the cathedral, the crypt, the treasury and the tower.
Which to pick. Climb the tower in the morning, before the stone gets hot. Buy at the door.
On the day is fineVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorSalona
The ruins of the Roman capital of the province, a few kilometers from Split, with an amphitheater, baths and early Christian remains. It is reached by local bus.
Which to pick. Go by bus and combine it with a swim. A guide is helpful here, since the signs are few.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Outdoors
Marjan Hill
A forested peninsula west of the old town, with paths, viewpoints and beaches. A walk to the top takes about 30 minutes from the base, and you can hire bikes.
Which to pick. Walk up in the late afternoon for sunset. No booking is needed, and a guide adds little here.
Not neededOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorCetina river rafting and zipline
A day outdoors on the Cetina river, with rafting on rapids, canyoning or zipline over the gorge. Groups are small and gear is provided.
Which to pick. Book a morning start for the best water levels. Bring a change of clothes, and ask about age limits.
A few days ahead in summerTours and tickets on Viator
On the water
Island ferry to Hvar or Brač
Ferries and catamarans leave from the harbor for Hvar, Brač and Šolta, with the faster boats taking about an hour to Hvar. Tickets are sold online and at the port.
Which to pick. Buy tickets a week ahead in July and August, and arrive early. Take a morning boat and return in the late afternoon.
A week or more ahead in July and AugustOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorBlue Cave speedboat tour
A day boat to the Blue Cave on Biševo, with stops on Vis and Hvar for swimming. Trips last eight to ten hours and depend on sea conditions, with fast boats.
Which to pick. Book a morning start and check the weather. Take sea sickness tablets if you are prone to it.
A week ahead in July and AugustTours and tickets on Viator
Day trips
Krka National Park
Waterfalls and wooden walkways about an hour north, with a swim at the bottom of the falls in some seasons. Tours include the boat to Visovac. Tickets vary with the season.
Which to pick. Go in the morning and bring a swimsuit if allowed. A tour makes the transfers easy.
A few days ahead in summerOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorPlitvice Lakes
A park of lakes and waterfalls about three hours from Split, with long boardwalks. Tickets are timed in high season. Most visitors take a full-day tour.
Which to pick. Take a full-day tour or stay overnight nearby. Buy the timed ticket ahead in summer, and arrive before the coaches.
A few days ahead in summerOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorTrogir
A walled island town about 40 minutes by bus, with a cathedral and a seafront promenade. It is a UNESCO site and an easy half day.
Which to pick. Go by bus and spend two hours walking the old streets. Add a swim, and return by the late afternoon.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Booking tours and tickets in Split
Do I need to book the palace cellars?
No. Tickets are sold at the entrance, and the cellars are open most days. Go early to avoid tour groups from the cruise ships.
When should I book island ferries?
In July and August, a week or more ahead, since fast boats fill. In spring and autumn, you can usually buy the same day at the port.
Is Krka better than Plitvice?
Krka is closer and simpler, with a swim in some seasons. Plitvice is larger and more dramatic but far away. Choose Krka for a half day, Plitvice for a full day.
Can I do the Blue Cave in a day from Split?
Yes, by speedboat, but it is a long day on the water. Choose a morning start, and check the sea conditions. The cave is not always accessible.
Is a guide worth it for the palace?
Yes, for the first visit. The palace is crowded with shops and houses, and a guide explains what is Roman. After that, you can wander alone.
What can wait until I arrive?
The palace, cathedral, Marjan and Trogir can be done on the day. Book island boats in summer, Plitvice and Krka tours a few days ahead.