3 DAYS IN SPLIT CROATIA: A PERFECT ITINERARY FOR FIRST TIMER VISITORS!

PLANNING A 3 DAY ITINERARY TO SPLIT CROATIA?

You’ve come to the right place! We’ve just come back from spending a wonderful long weekend in Split.

Split really surprised us on how much it has to offer, even in a short time! A sun-soaked coastal city built around an ancient Roman palace, where you can maze through stone alleyways one minute, swim in turquoise water the next and be sipping a glass of bubbly and listening to live music by evening.

3 days we’d say is the perfect amount of time to spend in Split. All your days are jam-packed with adventure, and you’ll leave feeling like you well and truly ticked it off!

Here’s the itinerary we followed, tweaked to perfection from our recent “on-the-ground experience”. It’s packed with all the best things to do in Split, plus hidden gems we found along the way.

Sound good? Let’s do it! 🤩

Planning your trip to Split?
Start here:

Skyscanner ↗ to find the best flight deals into Split Airport (SPU).
Booking.com ↗ to browse the best places to stay in Split.
🎟️ Viator.com ↗ to book unforgettable tours, like island hopping.
🛡️ Staysure ↗ for easy, reliable travel insurance (UK travellers only).

3 DAYS IN SPLIT CROATIA ITINERARY

DAY 1: EXPLORE OLD TOWN, MARJAN HILL LOOKOUT & DIOCLETIANS PALACE

Stunning full view of Split's Riva Promenade at sunset, with pastel coloured sky and soft reflections off the water. It looks like it could be a still painting. — Split’s Riva Promenade at sunset, taken **from here** across the harbour. *Photograph by Jordie.*

ARRIVE INTO SPLIT AIRPORT
Fly into Split Airport (SPU) early this morning. Check Skyscanner for flight deals.

Book an UBER as soon as you land or hop in a waiting taxi. From the airport, it’s a 30 minute Uber into Split’s city centre.

💡 All pick-ups are from here, under the large bridge. Just turn right coming out of the airport and follow the road.

3-days-in-split-croatia-itinerary — © Photography copyrights reserved by Diocletian’s Gem ZF

WHERE WE STAYED IN SPLIT 💤
(and recommend!)
Diocletian’s Gem Apartment ↗ – Modern, comfortable apartment inside Diocletian’s Palace walls, ideal location with epic square views. Large SPAR supermarket nearby.

🎥 We filmed a full room tour, watch it here!

Fun fact, our son took his first steps here 🥹

EXPLORE SPLIT’S OLD TOWN
Get your first bearings around Split’s UNESCO-listed Old Town within Diocletian’s Palace walls, the heart of the city!

Wander through its alleyway labyrinths, admire the Roman architecture and grab a bench along the palm-tree lined Riva Promenade for sea views to watch the world go by.

Split has no shortage of ice cream spots, but for the very best, head to Gelateria Emiliana in Old Town. Their mango and passion fruit flavour was unreaI – I genuinely could’ve eaten two back-to-back! 🤣

Walking through the Riva Promenade seating area, with white benches and towering palm trees lined either side. — Riva Promenade’s seating area. To the left, dozens of restaurants. To the right, the bustling harbour and waterfront. *Photo by Jordie.*

A zoomed in photo showing the stark contrast of architecture along Split Croatia's Riva Promenade, with a modern restaurant set against the ancient Roman architecture of Diocletian's Palace walls. — I LOVED the architecture contrasts around Diocletian’s walls and the RIVA Promenade. *Photo by Jordie.*

MARJAN HILL LOOKOUT
Marjan Hill lookout is Split’s most popular and easiest viewpoint to reach. The staircase up is walkable just a short distance from Riva Promenade, located here. Take a short ascent and you’ll be at the main terrace within minutes.

The beginning of the steps up to Marjan Hill Lookout terrace in Split Croatia. — The starting steps up to Marjan Hill Lookout, **located here**. The green “Marjan” sign is a small and hard to miss 😂 *Photo by Jordie.*

The wide concrete steps up to Marjan Hill Lookout terrace in Split Croatia. — Continue up stairs like this for about 5 minutes before reaching Marjan Hill Lookout! *Photo by Jordie.*

Marjan Hill Lookout in Split Croatia at sunset. The sky is a mix of warm yellow and blue hues. — Marjan Hill Lookout terrace. It’s pretty small, so can get a little crowded when busy! *Photo by Jordie.*

💡 For a quieter spot, head just behind the main lookout and follow the slightly inclining, bench-lined path. This bench especially has the best city vantage point while sitting down!

The stunning views of Split Croatia's Old Town from the popular Marjan Hill Lookout. The view is framed by trees either side. — Walk a few minutes up this hill behind the viewpoint terrace, and you’ll get a quieter seated spot on one of these benches. And higher views! *Photo by Jordie.*

DIOCLETIAN’S PALACE FOR LIVE EVENING MUSIC
In the early evening, make your way to Diocletian’s Palace main square. There’s usually an acoustic band playing outside LVXOR café and restaurant, and the atmosphere here was just incredible and wholesome.

Grab one of the cushions laid out on the steps, sit back and soak it all in. If you feel like it, you can also order a drink from one of LVXOR’s serving waiters darting around the square.

Acoustic guitarists outside LXVOR café and restaurant inside Diocletian's Palace main square in Split Croatia. The vibe is cosy and atmospheric in the early evening, spectators sat on cushions dotted around the Palace steps. — An acoustic guitarist duo outside LVXOR café in Diocletian’s Palace. *Photo by Jordie.*

A nighttime close up of a restaurant set within Diocletian's Palace walls in Split, Croatia. — An acoustic guitarist duo outside LVXOR café in Diocletian’s Palace. *Photo by Jordie.*

🗺️ Before heading home, try to squeeze in 1 day in Trogir ↗

🗺️ Just a weekend? 2 day Split itinerary ↗
🗺️ Got an extra day? 4 day Split itinerary ↗
🗺️ Extend into a road trip: 7 day Croatia itinerary ↗

🗺️ Discover more of Croatia: 3 day Dubrovnik itinerary ↗

🇭🇷 See all our Croatia travel guides ↗

DAY 2: TELEGRIN VIEWPOINT, MARJAN HILL FOREST PARK & KASJUNI BEACH

EARLY VISIT TO DIOCLETIAN’S PALACE (OPTIONAL)
If you were wondering last night, “Is there ever a time when Diocletian’s Palace’s main square isn’t absolutely flooded with people?”

The answer is yes. It’s around 6am.

For those wanting to, head out bright and early for a people-free photo, or to enjoy it in the peace and quiet. My son was up at the crack of dawn anyway, so I made the most of it! 👇🏼

A young blonde woman holding her young son looking up in awe at the sun-drenched Diocletian's Palace courtyard tower in the early morning in Split, Croatia. There are no other people in sight. — I’m not a morning person by any means, but capturing this photo made the early start worth it! Photo taken by my trusty **retractable tripod with long-range Bluetooth remote**.

Quiet streets of Split Croatia's Old Town near Diocletian's Palace on a blue skied early morning

Wandering Split Croatia's stone alleyways within it's Old Town walls. It's early (6am) so there's no one around. — Early morning is the perfect time to wander the quiet streets, and have Old Town all to yourself. *Photo by Jordie.*

TELEGRIN VIEWPOINT, MARJAN HILL FOREST PARK
Beat the heat with an early walk up to Telegrin Viewpoint, the highest point in Marjan Hill Forest Park, Split’s green oasis to the West of the city.

At the top, you’ll get epic 360 views and plenty of benches to sit, chill… or just recover from the uphill walk up!! 🤣

Vast panoramic views of Split Croatia and distant Adriatic Sea from Telegrin Viewpoint, the highest point in the middle of Marjan Hill Forest Park. — Stunning views across the Adriatic Sea and beyond from Telegrin Viewpoint, Marjan Hill Forest Park’s highest point. *Photo by Jordie.*

From Telegrin, it’s a much easier 50-minute downhill walk through the forest out towards Kasjuni Beach.

This part of the walk is honestly stunning, with turquoise water, dramatic cliff edges and almost Tuscany-style trees!!

The idyllic walk down from Marjan Hill Forest Park down to Kasjuni Beach, passing the parks rugged cliff-faces on the right hand side, and deep blue Adriatic Sea on the left hand side. — After seeing Church of St Jerome, continue to follow this road down until you reach Kasjuni Beach. *Photo by Jordie.*

💡 On route, don’t miss seeing Karepica’s Tower, carved into the cliff, and the Church of St. Jerome right next to it.

KASJUNI BEACH
Throw down your towel or rent a sunbed at Joe’s Beach Lounge & Bar and spend a few blissful hours here.

Kasjuni is by far Split’s most beautiful beach, a distinctive boomerang shaped bay made up of of smooth pebbles and calm, turquoise water that’s perfectly safe for swimming!

Approaching the stunning boomerang shaped Kasjuni beach, Split's best local beach on the mainland. Shown surrounded by vibrant fauna and bright turquoise blue sea. — The WOW moment you see Kasjuni Beach in all its glory, walking down from Marjan Hill Forest Park. *Photo by Jordie.*

💡 Joe’s Beach Lounge & Bar (on Kasjuni Beach) was cash only when we visited, definitely bring some just in case.

💡 This pebbled beach is beautiful, but BRUTAL on bare feet. Bring your flip flops, or a pair of rubber beach shoes!

A young boy splashing in the crystal clear waters on the pebbled Kasjuni Beach, the most beautiful beach in Split Croatia. — Evidence why Kasjuni Beach is the most beautiful beach in Split. Palm trees, shallow crystal clear water – can’t ask for more! 🤩

LATE LUNCH AT BASTA
Try to grab a waterside table with views back to Old Town 👇🏼

From Kasjuni, walk or UBER back over to Split, making a late lunch pit stop at Gourmet Bar Basta along Split’s southern yacht-lined harbour. It’s really modern round this area!

Basta is known for their wood-fired pizzas with thin, crispy bases and massive portions.

Sitting at Gourmet Bar Basta on an outside table looking back at Old Town in Split Croatia. — At BASTA, try to grab a table near the water for views of Old Town. *Photo by Jordie.*

After lunch, spend the rest of the afternoon soaking up Split’s quirky corners. Some fun ideas, walk the ridiculously narrow “Let Me Pass” alley, or rub the shiny big toe of the Gregory of Nin statue for a bit of (apparently) some good luck!

EVENING EXPERIENCE (OPTIONAL)
If you’ve still got energy, this is also a great time to squeeze in a late afternoon or evening experience, like:
1. Split Sunset Cruise With Live Music ↗
2. Glowing Stand-Up Paddle Experience in Split ↗
3. Transparent Kayak Glow Tour in Split ↗

Young blonde woman smiling posing in the "Let Me Pass" tight alleyway in Split Croatia's Old Town, just wide enough for one person to get through. — The “Let Me Pass” alleyway in Split Croatia’s Old Town, just wide enough for one person to get through! *Photo by Liam.*

DAY 3: ISLAND HOPPING BOAT TRIP (FULL DAY)

(FULL DAY) ISLAND HOPPING BOAT TRIP
Being your final day, end it with a metaphorical “cherry on top” by exploring some of Croatia’s most beautiful islands. Luckily, Split is the perfect base to access them.

There are hundreds of day tours to choose from here. I remember feeling so overwhelmed, scrolling endlessly.

To save you from going down that rabbit hole, we’ve narrowed it down to the “Top 3” we originally found, based on the itinerary and consistently high reviews:

Makarska 3-Island Speedboat Tour: Golden Horn and “Little Venice” ↗ Explore three stunning islands by premium speedboat, with Blue Lagoon swims, hidden less-touristy spots, a stop in Hvar’s “Little Venice” and direct drop-off at Zlatni Rat beach (Golden Horn) – which is a must see 🤩

Luxury Blue Cave (Biševo), Hvar & Vis Boat Tour from Split ↗ This is the classic island hopping experience with caves, hidden bays and some of the most beautiful water you’ll see.

Exclusive Blue Lagoon Luxury Boat Tour from Split ↗Snorkel in the Blue Lagoon, wander the cobbled streets of nearby Trogir and unwind in the quieter bays of Šolta Island.

FINAL THOUGHTS: 3 DAYS IN SPLIT ITINERARY

And there you have it! An epic 3 days in Split itinerary, packed with only the good stuff and a perfect plan for first time visitors.

You’ve got the best of everything here. Ancient Roman history, buzzing Old Town streets, crystal-clear water, scenic viewpoints, wind down time at gorgeous local beaches and unforgettable island hopping days.

3 days in Split really is the perfect amount of time, filling your days with adventure and epic sights, but giving yourself enough time to tick everything off and have the time to enjoy it too.

Feel free to tweak the order of the days to suit your trip, whether that’s working around weather, tours or just how you’re feeling.

We hope you found this itinerary helpful. You are going to have the BEST time in Split, we’re genuinely excited for you! Please do get in touch at hello@theflainstravel.com if you follow this guide, we’d love to hear from you!! 😊

A photo of Jordie, the author of this specific blog post and owner of the wesbite.

This blog post was written by Jordie Flain!

Founder of TheFlainsTravel.com

A travel-obsessed Sagittarius creating honest, easy-to-follow guides. Powered by tea, chocolate and a slightly concerning amount of tomato ketchup.

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