Making the most of Split
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
The Port is right in the center of Split: the old quarter is only a 5 min walk and the train and long distance bus station even closer. This port is constantly expanding so that more and more cruise ships can dock here and will not have to use their tenders anymore.
The most visited cruise ports in Croatia are 1.Dubrovnik 2.Split 3. Zadar.
Printable map to take along.
Split is a busy port, with an international airport and regular ferry services with the nearby islands, the north and south Adriatic, Italy and Greece.
At the end of the third century AD, the Roman Emperor Diocletian built his palace on the bay of Aspalathos. Here, after abdicating on the first of May in A.D. 305, he spent the last years of his life. The bay is located on the south side of a short peninsula running out from the Dalmatian coast into the Adriatic, four miles from the site of Salona, the capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia. The terrain on which the palace was built slopes gently seaward. It is typical karst terrain, consisting of low limestone ridges running east to west with marl in the clefts between them.
This palace is today the heart of the inner-city of Split where all the most important historical buildings can be found. The importance of Diocletian's Palace far transcends local significance because of its level of preservation and the buildings of succeeding historical periods, stretching from Roman times onwards, which form the very tissue of old Split.
The Palace is one of the most famous and integral architectural and cultural constructs on the Croatian Adriatic coast and holds an outstanding place in the Mediterranean, European and world heritage.
In November 1979 UNESCO, in line with the international convention concerning the cultural and natural heritage, adopted a proposal that the historic Split inner city, built around the Palace, should be included in the register of the World Cultural Heritage.
Getting around
Hop on Hop off bus. Although promoted as an hop on/off bus, it is essentially a short trip along the coast and back the same way and no place to hop off or on. If there are not enough passengers for a certain time, the time slot will be skipped and thus letting you wait. Not recommended.
Central Split is quite compact and most sights can be easily seen and best experienced on foot.
Climb the Campanile bell tower next to the palace mausoleum. The stairs cling to the inside of the tower, and in places the steps cross the large open window spaces. The ascent is certainly not for those with vertigo, but the views from the top are marvelous. It costs only 3.50 Euro to go up the bell tower and includes entrance into cathedral
Diving and snorkeling operators offer some great locations for viewing coral and other sea life.
One of the most popular active tours are rafting trips down the Cetina River.
Nearby places
Across the cruise docks you will find a long distance bus terminal with about every 20 or 30 minutes busses leaving for Trogir. Buy your tickets at the ticket office, about 4 Euro each way. Bus trip is around 40 minutes in comfortable air conditioned coaches. Trogir is on the UNESCO World Heritage List as it is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe. It is a fascinating place to just wander around. It is definitely worth the day trip from Split. The heart of the Old Town is a few minutes walk from the bus station. After crossing the small bridge near the station, go through the north gate. Trogir’s finest sights are around the…
If your cruise stop is 6 hours or longer, consider Trogir, as Split has too few points of interest to keep you occupied for that long.
Food and shopping
Green Market (Pazar) is right next to the Palace. The buying and selling frenzy involves a variety of wares such as fruits and veggies, clothing and other odds and ends.
Money
Euro
Staying connected
Language: Croatian
Several Wifi cafes are located along or a few blocks up from the boulevard. Best to ask around.
Opening Hours and
Opening Hours and Holidays: banks and post offices are generally open from 7AM to 7PM without breaks, and public offices from Monday to Friday from 8AM to 4PM. During the tourist season, post offices are generally open until 9PM, including Saturdays.
Shops and department stores are open from 8AM to 8PM without breaks.
Since 2009 shopping hours are not regulated anymore, therefore most stores in tourist destinations are open 7 days a week.