How many days in Split? 3 days in a Roman palace and on the islands
By Tony Panopoulos · travel-agency planner in Greece · Updated
Split grew inside the palace of a Roman emperor: Diocletian built it around AD 300 to retire to, and medieval Split moved into its walls, so today 3,000 people live, shop and drink among Roman columns. Three days gives one to the palace and the city, one to the surroundings (Trogir, the fortress of Klis, the Cetina canyon), and one to an island. Split is the main ferry hub of central Dalmatia, so it is the best base for Hvar, Brač and Vis.
Short answer
Two days covers the palace, Marjan and one island trip. The third adds Trogir and Klis, or a second island.
The 3-day plan, day by day
Day 1: Diocletian's Palace
Morning. Enter the palace by the Bronze Gate from the Riva into the vaulted substructures (cellars, small fee), which kept the original plan of the emperor's apartments above. Climb to the Peristyle, the colonnaded court where Diocletian appeared to his subjects, and visit the Cathedral of St Domnius, built in his mausoleum, with a bell tower you can climb.
Afternoon. Visit the small Temple of Jupiter, with a Roman coffered ceiling, and walk out through the Golden Gate, beside the giant statue of Gregory of Nin by Ivan Meštrović (rub his toe for luck). Then the Meštrović Gallery on the road to Marjan, the sculptor's seaside villa.
Evening. Climb Marjan Hill from the Varoš quarter (about 20 minutes to the first viewpoint, Vidilica) for sunset over the islands, then dinner in the old town's lanes.
The palace is free to walk around at any time; only the cellars, the cathedral, the bell tower and some museums charge.
Day 2: Trogir, Klis and the Cetina
Morning. Take the bus or boat to Trogir (about 30-45 minutes), a tiny UNESCO-listed medieval town on an islet, with the Cathedral of St Lawrence and its Radovan portal (1240), and the Kamerlengo Fortress.
Afternoon. Visit Klis Fortress on a pass above Split (about 30 minutes by bus), a stronghold that resisted the Ottomans for 25 years and was used as Meereen in Game of Thrones, with views down to the city and the sea.
Evening. Alternatively, spend the afternoon rafting or canyoning on the Cetina river near Omiš (about 40 minutes), then swim at Bačvice beach, where locals play picigin, before dinner in Split.
Trogir is quieter in the morning; boats from Split's Riva are a pleasant alternative to the bus.
Day 3: An island day: Hvar, Brač or the Blue Cave
Morning. For Hvar, take the catamaran to Hvar town (about 1 hour) and climb to the Fortica fortress. For Brač, take the catamaran to Bol (about 1 hour) for Zlatni Rat, the 'Golden Horn' pebble beach whose tip shifts with the wind.
Afternoon. Or join a speedboat tour (about €100-130) to the Blue Cave on Biševo, where sunlight through an underwater opening turns the cave blue around midday, with stops at Vis and the Pakleni Islands.
Evening. Return to Split by evening catamaran or stay on the island.
The Blue Cave's colours are best between about 11:00 and 13:00 on sunny days; visits stop when the sea is rough.
Only have 2 days?
With 2 days, do Day 1 and Day 3. You lose Trogir and Klis.
Got extra days?
With more time, visit Krka National Park (about 1 hour), go to Dubrovnik (about 4 hours), or spend nights on the islands of Vis or Korčula.
Where to stay in Split
| Budget | Area | Why | Typical double/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Apartments in Varoš / Lučac | Old residential quarters next to the palace, good value. | €70-120 |
| Mid-range | Inside Diocletian's Palace | Sleep among Roman walls, walk to the ferries; noisy at night. | €150-260 |
| Mid-range | Bačvice / Firule | Near the city beaches, 10 minutes' walk to the palace. | €120-200 |
| Comfort | Riva and Meje hotels | Sea-view hotels and villas below Marjan. | €250-500 |
Getting around
The old town and the Riva are pedestrian. The ferry port, the bus station and the train station are side by side, 5 minutes from the palace. Local buses run to Trogir, Klis and the airport (about 30 minutes; the airport is near Trogir). Book catamarans online in summer.
What to eat in Split
Split's food is Dalmatian: grilled fish and squid, black risotto, pašticada with gnocchi, soparnik (a thin chard pie from the Poljica area, protected), fritule (small doughnuts) at Christmas, and rožata for dessert. Eat at konobas, family taverns in the side streets. Try Vugava wine from Vis and Plavac Mali reds. The Pazar green market next to the palace and the fish market (Peškarija) are best in the morning. Dinner costs €25-45 per person.
Best time to visit
May, June and September are best, with highs of 24-29°C and warm sea. July and August are hot, crowded and noisy. In winter, Split is mild and quiet, but island ferries are fewer and many restaurants close.
Month-by-month weather for Split →
What a day costs
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing a double) | €40 | €90 | €220 |
| Food & drink | €25 | €45 | €90 |
| Boats & sights | €15 | €50 | €120 |
| Local transport / ferries | €8 | €20 | €50 |
| Total per person, per day | about €90 | about €205 | about €480 |
Approximate 2026 high-season prices in euros. A small tourist tax per person per night is added.
Before you go
Common questions
Is Split worth more than a stopover?
Yes: the palace is unique, and Split is the best base for the islands, Krka and Trogir. Many visitors regret only passing through on the way to Hvar or Dubrovnik.
Which island is the best day trip?
Hvar for its town and the Pakleni Islands, Brač for Zlatni Rat, Vis and the Blue Cave for wild beauty.
Is there a beach in Split?
Yes: Bačvice (sandy, shallow, lively), Kašjuni (below Marjan, clear water), and small coves around the Marjan peninsula.
Is staying inside the palace a good idea?
It is atmospheric, but summer nights are noisy with bars. Light sleepers should stay in Varoš or Meje.
How do I get to Hvar?
By catamaran from Split to Hvar town (about 1 hour) or by car ferry to Stari Grad (about 2 hours). Book in advance in July and August.
Can I visit Krka from Split?
Yes, on a day trip by bus, car or tour; it is about 1 hour away.
Is Split good for families?
Yes: Bačvice's shallow water, Marjan's paths and short boat trips suit children. The palace streets are traffic-free.
Can I visit Plitvice from Split?
It is possible on a long tour (about 3-3.5 hours each way), but Krka is much closer for a day trip. For Plitvice, stay a night near the park or visit it from Zadar or Zagreb.
Where are the Game of Thrones filming locations?
In Split, Diocletian's cellars (Daenerys' throne room), and Klis Fortress (Meereen); Dubrovnik has most of King's Landing. Guided tours cover them.
Is Split expensive?
Less than Dubrovnik or Hvar, but prices in the palace area are high in summer. Konobas in Varoš and the green market keep costs down.
How this guide was made
Written by hand, without AI, from experience planning Adriatic trips. Prices are approximate for 2026; confirm on the official Visit Split, Jadrolinija, Krilo catamaran and tour operators' websites before booking.
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