Split itinerary in 2 days
Hotels
♥♥♥♥
This lovely hotel right in the centre of the Old Town is located in a beautifully renovated 17th century building in the main square. The rooms are modern, quiet and comfortable and they offer a nice breakfast.
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When planning our trip to Croatia we initially weren't planning to visit Split. I'm glad we changed our minds! Split is a lovely town with lots of history. It's small enough that you can have a nice visit in just a couple of days. The Old Town has lots of small alleys and interesting historical sites and the waterfront promenade is lively - filled with restaurants and cafés.
Day 1
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Afternoon
We arrived in Split in the early afternoon and checked into the Heritage Hotel Santa Lucia. This lovely hotel right in the centre of the Old Town is located in a beautifully renovated 17th century building in the main square. The rooms are modern, quiet and comfortable and they offer a nice breakfast. Once we settled in we were hungry so headed to ST Burek to try one of their famous bureks. Croatia's national foods is the burek - phyllo pies filled with cheese or meat. If you're planning to try one in Split, then this is the place to get it. I had a cheese and spinach filled one and my husband had the meat. They are mouth watering delicious. This bakery is a take-away so you just need to find a nice spot to eat it or eat while exploring. This really hit the spot.
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We then spent the rest of the afternoon wandering around the Old Town. The city has many hidden alleys and small streets. It is an ancient town dating back to the 2nd or 3rd century BCE. It has Roman, Venetian and Austrian influences in its architecture. Split is currently the second largest city in Croatia after the capital, Zagreb.
We also wandered to the waterfront and walked along the promenade.
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By late afternoon we were fairly jet lagged so we went back to the hotel for a rest.
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Evening
This evening we went to Bokeria restaurant for dinner. This stylish restaurant located in the centre of Old Town, very close to our hotel, had delicious food made with local ingredients. It's popular so it's a good idea to make a reservation ahead of time. We had salads, fish and pasta.
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While we were eating dinner we couldn't help but notice the constant line ups at Gelateria Emiliana right across the alley so we had to go there for dessert. This gelateria serves several unique flavours of gelato - including lavender lemon. The lines can be long but they move quickly. The gelato is so creamy and refreshing.
Noteworthy Restaurants
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ST Burek. One of Croatia's national foods is the burek - phyllo pies filled with cheese or meat. If you're planning to try one in Split, then this is the place to get it. Come early as they start to run out by mid day. I had a cheese and spinach filled one and my husband had the meat. They are mouth watering delicious. This bakery is a take-away so you just need to find a nice spot to eat it or eat while exploring.
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Bokeria. This stylish restaurant located in the centre of Old Town had delicious food with local ingredients. It's popular so it's a good idea to make a reservation ahead of time. We had salads, fish and pasta.
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Gelateria Emiliana. Located very close to Bokeria, this gelateria serves several unique flavours of gelato - including lavender lemon. The lines can be long but they move quickly. The gelato is so creamy and refreshing.
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Kantun Paulina. This little kiosk bar in the Old Town is famous for its Chivapi sandwich, sausages in a pita with traditional fixings. Chivapi is Croatia's version of fast food burgers. It is so delicious and made fresh while you wait.
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Luka Ice Cream and Cakes. After a hot day walking around you deserve a delicious refreshing ice cream. Luka's ice cream is so good. There are many flavours to choose from.
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Konoba Fetivi. We loved this family restaurant. It is slightly outside the main Old Town area. We sat in the lovely patio in the back and had the most delicious fish and starters. We didn't realize it's a Michelin mentioned restaurant.
Guides and Tours
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Jewish History Tour Split. We booked a three hour walking tour with Lea Altaric. Her thorough tour covered just about everything you would want to learn about Split. She explained the history of this ancient city and toured us through the farmers market, Riva promenade, Diocletian’s Palace and Basements, the Peristyle, the Vestibule, the Golden Gate, the statue of Gregory of Nin, former Jewish quarter, and the People’s square. She even took us to the synagogue where her father, who grew up in Split, was able to tell us the history of the Jewish community and show us the small synagogue. It was very worthwhile spending the time with Lea.
Day 2
Favourite Museums
While Split is a small town it had two very good art museums.
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The Mestrovic Gallery. This gallery is dedicated to the works of sculptor, Ivan Mestrovic. There are sculptures and paintings throughout the building as well as a beautiful sculpture garden with gorgeous views of the Adriatic Sea below. He built this villa as a summer home and later donated it to the state.
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Museum of Fine Art. This art museum displays works from the 14th century up to the present day providing an overview of the artistic developments in the local art scene. It had some very interesting exhibits.
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Morning
This morning we met our guide, Lea Altaric, from Jewish Tour Split. We booked a three hour walking tour with Lea. Her thorough tour covered just about everything you would want to learn about Split. She explained the history of this ancient city and toured us through the farmers market, Riva promenade, Diocletian’s Palace and Basements, the Peristyle, the Vestibule, the Golden Gate, the statue of Gregory of Nin, former Jewish quarter, and the People’s square. She even took us to the synagogue where her father, who grew up in Split, was able to tell us the history of the Jewish community and show us the small synagogue. It was very worthwhile spending the time with Lea.
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Afternoon
We were quite hungry after our tour so we went straight to Kantun Paulina. This little kiosk bar in the Old Town is famous for its Chivapi sandwich, sausages in a pita with traditional fixings. Chivapi is Croatia's version of fast food burgers. It is so delicious and made fresh while you wait. We ate on the bench just outside their small shop.
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After lunch we walked through Old Town and along the promenade on the coast to The Mestrovic Gallery. It was a lovely walk to get there, slightly outside the centre of town. This gallery is dedicated to the works of sculptor, Ivan Mestrovic. There are sculptures and paintings throughout the building as well as a beautiful sculpture garden with gorgeous views of the Adriatic Sea below. He built this villa as a summer home and later donated it to the state.
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After a hot day walking around you deserve a delicious refreshing ice cream so we stopped at Luka Ice Cream and Cakes. Well known amongst the locals, Luka's ice cream is so good. There are many flavours to choose from.
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We then headed to the ​Museum of Fine Art located in Old Town. This art museum displays works from the 14th century up to the present day providing an overview of the artistic developments in the local art scene. It had some very interesting exhibits.
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Evening
After a well deserved rest we headed out for dinner to Konoba Fetivi. We loved this family restaurant. It is slightly outside the main Old Town area. We sat in the lovely patio in the back and had the most delicious fish and starters. We didn't realize it's a Michelin mentioned restaurant.
Itinerary Add-ons
This itinerary can be combined with:
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Day 3
Morning
This morning we packed up and headed along the promenade to catch our ferry to the island of Korcula.