Overview
Split is a place that many people know, but a place that many don’t. Set on the sunny Croatian coastline, Split is booming as the new Mediterranean hub for tourism in a country beaming with life.
It’s a place to party, to relax, to soak in the warm days and bright summer nights in a pleasant and welcoming atmosphere. The city will not let you down. A perfect entry point into the Balkans set just between Dubrovnik in the south and Zagreb in the north, Split is becoming a must see in Europe.
Is it Cheap?
No. Croatia is a bit of a complex country because tourism has affected some cities within this new nation so heavily, while leaving other cities pretty much untouched. Prices in Zagreb are about half of that in Split, although Dubrovnik trumps them all as the capital of big spenders in Croatia.
A good rule of thumb would be that prices in the north and east are cheap and the further you work your way south, the more expensive it will be. The average meal price in Split is around 12-15 Euros and a beer around 4-5. Be aware that the outskirts are cheaper because the tourists only stick to the city center. Another good rule of thumb would be: If you see cruise ships, it’s not going to be cheap.
Dioklecijan and His Tower
View from Parc Suma
Narrow Streets of the Split Old Town
What to Do
Split is a hub for activity in the Balkan region. The spot characterized by music festivals, watersports, hiking and day trips, you will never have a hard time finding something fun to do during your time here.
The old town of Split is a unique one as far as the region is concerned, with the center containing ancient Roman ruins that seem a bit out of place. It is not unusual that the Italians would have left their mark on a country just a few hundred kilometers away, but walking around the streets of Split with its slavic background and robust culture, the architecture just seems a bit out of place.
Nonetheless, the old town is extraordinary. Narrow streets, cobblestoned walkways, an ancient tower and high fortified walls of the Dioklecijan Palace make up an incredible story you just want to know more about. Wander and take in the history, it’s a perfect place to do so.
The one thing that we can say about Split is that it is touristy. Walk around the the old town or up and down the Riva (the wharf just on the water in front of the old town) you can see how crowded it is.
Souvenir shops, aggressive waiters pulling you into overpriced restaurants and day drinking 20-somethings are a big part of the aesthetic here. The beaches are full of Brits, Americans, Aussies and German all trying to get their tan on before heading back up to the grey north.
While the sun and beaches certainly bring a mystique and a charm, be aware that thousands of others know this too. There has been some pushback by the locals in recent years because of this increased tourist pressure which has driven prices up, and at times, the classiness and charm of Split down.
When you are done exploring the old town, Split has much more to do than it seems on the surface. The city is a perfect starting point for a day trip, or an island hopping weekend. Just off the shores of Split, the pristine blue water floats west until they run into one of Croatia’s various island chains.
Take a ferry for an hour or two and you get to Hvar, what many people call the Ibiza of the Balkans. A Place to rage, to drink and to participate in the nonsense of youth party culture, Hvar is becoming a major touring destination for Europe’s youth.
If partying isn’t your thing, you can take a ferry to the island of Brac and check out Supetar or Bol, both delightful sandy-beached towns. They are the perfect place to try some seafood, lay out on the beach and catch some sun.
Split also has a bevy of watersport activities at your disposal for a price. You can scuba dive, snorkel, visit some of the islands underwater caves or go for a sunset boat ride along the marina.
Just two hours north is Plitvice National Lakes, a protected forest and arguably one of the most beautiful natural wonders of the world. The turquoise water and natural waterfalls are something that you will fall in love with on first sight. If you have time during your stay in Split, we recommend taking a bus to Plitvice although trips from Zagreb tend to be cheaper.
You can find out the cost at the bus station in the city center.
While Split is home to many excellent clubs and nightlife options, this is amplified during festival season.
Ultra Europe, one of Europe’s largest EDM festivals takes place in the city center during July as well as Yacht Week just weeks later. While this sounds exciting and makes for an epic time, be aware that the city will be jam packed with people and prices for everything will skyrocket.
Where to Eat and Drink
Because eating out in Split is expensive and as a company that helps youth travelers, we are going to give you our favorite Croatian fast food items that make Split all the more delicious.
Pizza: Yes, this isn’t Croatian but with all the Italian influence here, you are going to find a ton of spots in and around the old town. Go for one of the stuffed pizzas with spinach. They are around 2.50 Euro a slice and worth it when you look at what other options you have.
Burek: Not as prevalent in this part of Croatia but still something you can find, the Balkans favorite treat has also made its way to Split. Filo dough stuffed with cheeses and meat makes for a crispy and delicious breakfast or late night drunk snack.
Cevapi: This dish is maybe the only link that Croatians and Serbians admit that they share these days but it is something that we are glad stuck through the hard times. Small grilled meat skewers either tucked in between a flatbread or served on a sandwich make for a filling and so so good experience.
Rakija: Come into any house or hostel in Split and you will most likely be confronted with a shot of Rakija, homemade grape alcohol. It’s potent, strong and will knock you on your ass.
Transportation
Split is crowded, especially during high tourist season in the summer. That means the roads will be full and the traffic will be bad. Split has a pretty decent bus system but during our stay there we decided Uber was probably the best bet as temperatures outside were in the high 90’s.
Where to Stay
There are tons of options for hostels in Split, although they aren’t the cheapest that you will find in Europe. An average night will cost around 20-35 Euros in the old town and you may be able to find better prices a bit farther away. Be aware that music festivals, boat gatherings and yacht parties all have severe effects on the prices in Split, so make sure you look before you book.
Clubbing and Nightlife
If you haven’t day drank yourself to shreds by the time night rolls around, Split is an above average place to spend a night out. Head down to Bacvice beach where you will find not only an amazing place to have a few drinks and watch the ocean but four to five clubs that go until around 6 in the morning. While many of those clubs cater to tourists, they are lively, fun and make for a ridiculous night out.
If you are looking for more of a standard club vibe, go to Central just north of the city center. Dark, loud and pricy, Central pulls good DJ’s from all over Europe to play and puts on a good mixture of events.
My Travel Essentials For A European Backpacking Trip
Below you'll find a list of my must bring backpacking items. I have gotten this list down to my essentials through trial and error over 4 years of living in a backpack. I hope you'll find these items helpful on your journey!
►Main Backpacking Backpack: https://amzn.to/3vUHdik [Amazon]
►Great Front Facing Duffle-bag : https://amzn.to/3SjK6Ra [Amazon]
►Quick Dry Towel : https://amzn.to/3uarxH8 [Amazon]
►Multi Country Charger Adapter : https://amzn.to/3Ul37p0 [Amazon]
►Refillable Water Bottle : https://amzn.to/48SnG0n [Amazon]
►Padlock : https://amzn.to/3SdyYp7 [Amazon]
►Earplugs : https://amzn.to/498xTpl [Amazon]
►Power Bank : https://amzn.to/3SyXP8e [Amazon]
Travel Photography & Video Favorites
If you're interested in creating your own video content on your trip, these are some of my favorite items I've had. They work, they're effective and besides the Sony Aa7C, they aren't going to break the bank either!
►On the Go Video | Go Pro Hero 12 : https://amzn.to/3u38oHh [Amazon]
►Photography | Sony A7C : https://amzn.to/3u1Y6ap [Amazon]
►Portable Tripod | https://amzn.to/42ojHqc [Amazon]
►Lavalier Microphone | https://amzn.to/3SbL41U [Amazon]
►Drone | https://amzn.to/47TCwSY [Amazon]
►Portable Monitor | https://amzn.to/3Hzv2dg [Amazon]
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