Split

Split port sits right in the centre: the old quarter is only a 5 min walk away, while the train station and long distance bus station are even closer. As the port expands continually, increasing numbers of cruise ships can berth here instead of using tenders.

Croatia's most visited cruise ports are 1.Dubrovnik, 2.Split and 3. Zadar.

Take a printable map with you.

An international airport and regular ferries to the nearby islands, the north and south Adriatic, Italy and Greece make Split a busy port.

At the end of the third century AD, Roman Emperor Diocletian constructed his palace on the Bay of Aspalathos. After he abdicated on the first of May in A.D. 305, he lived there for the remaining years of his life. The bay lies on the south side of a short peninsula projecting from the Dalmatian coast into the Adriatic, four miles from Salona, capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia. The site slopes gently to the sea and has typical karst terrain: low limestone ridges run east to west, with marl filling the clefts between them.

This palace now forms the centre of Split's inner city, where its most important historical buildings are found. Its importance extends well beyond local significance because of its preservation and the buildings from succeeding historical periods, from Roman times onwards, that make up the fabric of old Split.

The Palace is a famous, integral architectural and cultural construct on the Croatian Adriatic, holding an outstanding Mediterranean, European and world-heritage position.

In November 1979, UNESCO adopted the proposal under the international cultural and natural heritage convention to register historic Split inner city, built around the Palace, as World Cultural Heritage.

Despite Hop on Hop off promotion, this is essentially a short coastal trip out and back with nowhere to hop on or off. If a time has too few passengers, it is skipped and you wait; not recommended.

Central Split is compact, and walking is the easiest and best way to experience most sights.

Climb the Campanile bell tower by the palace mausoleum. Its stairs cling inside and sometimes cross wide open window spaces. The ascent is not for those with vertigo, but top views are marvelous. Bell-tower entry costs 3.50 Euro and includes cathedral entrance.

Diving and snorkeling operators have great places to view coral and other sea life.

Rafting down the Cetina River is one of the most popular active tours.

Across the cruise docks, you will find the long distance bus terminal, with buses leaving for Trogir about every 20 or 30 minutes. Buy tickets at its office for about 4 Euro each way; comfortable air conditioned coaches take around 40 minutes. UNESCO-listed Trogir is among Europe's best-preserved medieval towns, a fascinating place simply to wander around and well worth a Split day trip. Old Town's heart is minutes from the bus station: cross the small bridge, then enter through the north gate. Trogir’s finest sights are around the…

For cruise calls of 6 hours or longer, consider Trogir, because Split has too few points of interest for such a long stay.

Beside the Palace, Green Market (Pazar) is a buying-and-selling frenzy, offering fruits and veggies, clothing, plus a variety of other odds and ends.

Currency: Euro.

Croatian is the language used locally.

Wifi cafes sit along the boulevard or a few blocks uphill; ask around for them.

Banks and post offices generally work 7AM to 7PM uninterruptedly, while public offices open Monday to Friday, 8AM to 4PM. In tourist season, post offices usually remain open until 9PM, including Saturdays.

Shops and department stores open without breaks from 8AM to 8PM.

Since 2009, shopping hours have not been regulated, so most tourist-destination stores open 7 days weekly.