Photos by Goats on the Road unless otherwise indicated
When researching our trip to Croatia, many of the blogs and articles we read online were about the famous city of Dubrovnik - which is one of the locations used for filming the "Game Of Thrones" series. We knew that we wanted to visit this popular seaside town, but what else was there to see in Croatia?
Then we found it. The city of Split, which is the second largest in the county, yet doesn't feel overpopulated, and has everything a tourist could want. Having spent two weeks staying in an apartment in the city, we were able to do and see many things. Here are five of our highlights of Split:
Hike The Marjan
A huge bonus of this city is that you are very close to nature. Within a five-minute walk from the old town, you will reach the bottom of a set of stairs climbing up a hill. At the top of these steps, you will find a cafe with stunning views out to the Adriatic Sea. Hang out here for a little while and sip on an espresso - do as the locals do!
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Moving on, you have two routes up the hill. You can choose to climb up some more stone steps, which are set in the forest surrounded by trees. Or, you can opt to take the seaside route, which offers views of the water on your left hand side, and the forest on your right. Whichever route you take, don't miss the church! The highest point of the hill is 584 feet. The Marjan is a popular recreation spot for locals during both summer and winter months.
Take The Float Plane
Seaplane service started in Croatia during 2014, and since then it has become a very popular and exciting way to get around the country, and its islands. Recently, the plane service began to serve Croatia's neighbor, Italy! With European Coastal Airlines, you can fly from Split to the beautiful offshore island of Hvar, take a flight to the popular city of Dubrovnik, or fly to the city of Pescara across the Adriatic in Italy (and many other routes as well). This affordable way of getting from point A to point B is much more interesting and picturesque than taking the bus, or boat. Flying over the islands and seeing the sea from a bird's-eye view is an incredible experience.
Photo via European Coastal Airlines
Walk the Promenade
There is a beautiful promenade, which runs along the "Riva" area (pedestrian walkway), winding around the harbor, past a park, and hugging many cliffs along the way before arriving at a beautiful beach. Towering Marjan Hill provides a backdrop, and the water here is clear and great for swimming in the summer months. After passing through the park, you will see a large dock. Wander along there until you see a small cafe tucked away! This is the ultimate sunset watching spot, with a local beer in hand.
Visit the Palace of the Emperor Diocletian
This is an absolute must while visiting Split. The old town is actually centered on this 4th century palace. You can visit the basement of the palace, check out the Romanesque style Cathedral of St. Domnius and explore the palace walls and gates. It's incredible to think that this palace has always been inhabited - for the past 1,700 years! This Roman masterpiece is definitely a must-see during your trip to Split. You'll find yourself wandering past it many times, and each time it will still look impressive.
Eating Dalmatian Food
Being right along the sea, it's no surprise that most of the meals found in Split contain some sort of seafood. Fish, oysters, prawns, mussels, scampi and clams are all popular protein choices. However, you will also find a lot of beef meals on the menu.
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The food in Split is hearty and very satisfying! There is an excellent restaurant in the old town called Villa Spiza, which is run by local people, and is very affordable. The food there is fresh, authentic Croatian and they offer daily specials. This is the place to go both in the high season, and the low. Expect friendly faces, and delicious food.
Have you been to Split? What would you add to this list? Tell us in the comments!
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