How Many Days In Split Is Enough?

How many days in Split do you need if you are visiting for the first time and want to see the very best the city has to offer?

Located on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast – and the second-largest city in the country – Split has a rich cultural heritage and one of the Adriatic coast’s most beautiful promenades. It is also an extremely affordable destination!

Split is a city of contrasts, offering its visitors everything from Roman ruins to a thriving and thoroughly modern city with excellent cuisine and world-class nightlife.

Deciding on how many days depends on the type of break you are looking for. If you are happy with a very busy schedule – and little time for relaxation – then it would be possible to see most of Split’s attractions in just 2 days.

But if you prefer to do things at a more relaxed pace – giving you a chance to get a real feel for the city and soak up its atmosphere – then plan to spend 3 or 4 nights in Split.

There are a few other points to consider, though, before making your final decision about the length of your stay.

How To Choose How Long To Stay In Split

Here are all the factors you need to take into account when deciding how many days in Split you will need.

In fact, these are the things you need to consider when visiting any new destination, as they will help you plan a realistic itinerary that makes the most of your time.

I’ve also included a list of the best things to do in Split and suggested how long you should plan to spend at each attraction.

To help you figure out exactly how long you’ll need in Split, make a list of the things you want to do in Split, and consider the time of arrival and departure.

Then, look at the distance between places to keep it realistic.

At the end of this exercise, you’ll know how many days in Split you’ll need.

Time Of Arrival, Hotel Check-In Time, And Time Of Departure

When deciding how many days in Split is enough, consider the time at which you arrive in the city. Is it early enough to fit in some sightseeing on your first day?

Alternatively, will you be able to do any activities on your last day, or is your departure time too early?

If there isn’t much free time available to you on either of these days, then it might be worth adding an extra night to your stay.

To save time, you could book a shuttle from the airport to the city in advance. It can be a good way to waste less time on arrival.

You also need to think about what you will do with your luggage if your check-in and check-out times don’t match those of your arrival and departure.

In most cases, your hotel or accommodation provider will be happy to store your bags for you.

But this isn’t always the case, and some may even charge a fee. So it is a good idea to check on this ahead of time.

If you need to make other arrangements for your luggage then you have lots of places to choose from. 

There is a booth offering baggage storage in the area near the airport where the shuttle tickets are sold, although this may be one of the more expensive options because of its convenient location. 

There are also lockers available in the waiting room at the railway station and at the bus terminal, which is right next door.

Some shops and other hotels may have signs offering a left luggage service too, but if you want peace of mind then you might want to book ahead using a private storage network like Stasher.

You can book and pay online, which is not just convenient but also guarantees you a spot at busy times of the year.

Activities In Split

There are so many cool activities to enjoy in Split and sights to see that it can be overwhelming trying to decide which ones to do!

For that reason, it’s very important to do your research and plan your itinerary in advance.

Try to visit attractions that are close to each other on certain days to cut down on time spent traveling from one to the other. 

You’ll also need to factor in time spent queuing, particularly if you are visiting during July and August – the city’s busiest months.

Check if any attractions can be booked online in advance – this will sometimes help you ‘skip the line’ and maximize your sightseeing time!

Don’t forget to check out my list of ‘What To Do In Split’ (below) which includes some of my favorite Split highlights and recommends how much time to devote to each.

Note that many travelers prefer to book tours and activities in advance to save time, skip the queues, and make the most of their holidays.

Browse Tours In Split

Pace Of Activities

When you visit any new city it can be tempting to try to do everything! But packing too much into each day can leave you feeling stressed and may not allow you to appreciate everything properly. 

Be realistic about the pace you can comfortably maintain and ensure that your itinerary matches it. If you are the type of person who wants the freedom to linger in the places that interest you most, make sure your schedule allows for that.

And don’t forget to allow extra time for simple pleasures like enjoying a coffee and watching the locals go about their day.

Transportation

Think about how you will be getting around Split during your stay.

Most of the town center is pedestrianized, so you will be seeing quite a few of the sights on foot. But this also means that the route from east to west Split by road has to detour above Diocletian’s Palace.

Bear this in mind if you need to take a taxi anywhere, as it can sometimes feel as if you’re driving around in circles!

Be aware that you can’t hail a taxi from the road – instead, you need to order one from a taxi station. Uber is available in Split too.

Alternatively, you might prefer to rent a car. There are many major companies with offices in the city and near the airport.

Just remember that you cannot park in Diocletian’s Palace or Split’s Old Town.

Buses are Split’s only form of public transportation, but services are frequent on the major lines and the network is extensive.

If you are staying outside of the city center, however, you might find services far less frequent, and non-existent on Sundays. You may need to plan for taxis at weekends or late at night.

What To Do In Split

Here are my suggestions for the best things to see and do in Split, plus roughly how long you’ll need for each activity.

Take A Walking Tour Of Diocletian’s Palace

Located in Split’s historic old town, Diocletian’s Palace dates back to the 4th century AD and was once home to the Roman Emperor Diocletian.

This walking tour takes you through the complex, where you can see cellars, a monumental courtyard, the gates that originally provided access to the city, and more. Commentary from an English-speaking local guide is included.

Suggested time: 45 minutes

Experience Rafting And Cliff-Jumping At Cetina River

This adrenaline-packed experience starts when you meet your guide and together choose your equipment for the day!

The rafting tour itself covers 9 km of the beautiful Cetina River, taking in rapids and waterfalls along with tranquil caves and stunning scenery.

Optional activities along the way include swimming and rock jumping from cliffs up to 5m high.

Suggested time: 3 to 5 hours

Visit The Ancient Cathedral Of Saint Domnius

Believed to be the oldest Catholic cathedral in the world still in use in its original structure, the Cathedral of Saint Domnius was formed from an Imperial Roman mausoleum.

It has a bell tower that you can climb for a great view over Split, incredible Gothic tombs, and a stunning Baroque altarpiece.

Suggested time: Up to 1 hour

Tour Marjan Forest By Greyp E-bike

Prepare to take some of the best photos of your trip during this friendly, small group guided tour.

Once you’ve become acquainted with your host and your bike, you’ll be cycling through the heart of the old city on your way toward Marjan Hill.

Here the route takes you right through the shaded pine forest and affords you awesome views of the town from the popular Marjan Hill viewpoint.

Suggested time: 2 hours

Explore 5 Islands By Speedboat

This is an unforgettable day trip from Split that will take you to 5 of Croatia’s amazing islands where you can view caves, explore fishing villages, stop for some sightseeing, and swim or snorkel in the pristine waters.

All the gear you’ll need is included and you can choose from a small-group or private tour.

Suggested time: 10 hours

Try Traditional Croatian Cuisine

If you love to learn about a culture through its food, then you’ll enjoy this historical and gastro treasures tour! It starts at Green Market with a traditional brunch and takes you to a ‘konoba’ tavern-style restaurant for seafood, handmade pasta, and good Croatian wines.

You’ll also get to visit the city’s oldest pastry shop where you can try local sweets and gelato.

Suggested time: 3 to 4 hours

Final Thoughts On Split Getaways

I hope that this guide has helped you decide on how many days for Split you will need to see all of its highlights at a pace you are happy with.

I also hope you enjoy every moment of your time in this fun and friendly city.

If you’re heading to Split for two days, make sure to read our 2-day in Split itinerary.

Visiting Croatia soon? Read one of the following blog posts:

• How many days in Dubrovnik
• Croatia itinerary