Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Split?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Split?
Most people spend two to four days in Split during their visit. The budget-friendly city offers amazing highlights such as the nightlife scene, scuba diving and snorkeling, the beaches, and the famous sights and museums.
Split is the second largest city in Croatia and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. It sits on the Adriatic Sea and is filled with water sports, beaches, historic sights, and nightclubs. The city is popular with backpackers for its fun social scene, but families and couples will appreciate the beauty and cuisine of the area as well.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Split? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Split?
Split offers plenty of activities and attractions and remains a top choice for tourists. Three days is just right for checking out pretty much everything in Split. Most visitors prefer to spend two to four days here, and we have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting. Also, Split is popular with families, couples, backpackers, and students which enjoy visiting because the city offers activities specifically for them.
How to spend 3 days in Split
Don't miss Diocletian's Palace during your trip to Split, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. It has some of the best nightlife on mainland Croatia. Backpackers and students flock to this city for its parties and nightclubs. There's a great live music scene as well as DJs who keep the party going well into the early morning.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Tower Pub Crawl in Split ($30)
Split is a very walkable city. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. The city is laid out in a pedestrian-friendly way so it's easy to explore on foot, particularly in the old town. It's also easy to get lost, but that's all part of the fun.
Scuba diving and snorkeling around Split is very popular. Spend the day exploring the beauty of the surrounding underwater world. Some of the best snorkeling is found around the Kornati Islands. There are many boat trips that take visitors to some of the best snorkeling spots near Split.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Split Sea Kayaking & Snorkeling Tour ($55)
- Try Scuba Diving in Split ($143)
- Split: Blue Lagoon and Shipwreck Nečujam Snorkeling Cruise ($54)
You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this city, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. It's the second largest city in Croatia and the food scene reflects this. You'll find a mix of Dalmatian restaurants and international options. There's also everything from fine dining to local taverns, so whatever your budget or food preference, you won't be disappointed.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Krka Waterfalls Day Trip from Split including Wine Tasting & Lunch ($176)
- Split Cooking Class ($192)
- Split Food Tour: Discover Split One Bite At A Time ($131)
Public transit in Split is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. There are bus services that will help you get around town.
The beautiful beaches await you in Split, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. There are many beaches in the area that are a mix of pebbly or sandy. Many have restaurants or bars nearby and the vibe is social and laid back. Some of the best beaches near town are Bacvice Beach, Žnjan Beach, and Kasjuni Beach.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Southern cliffs sea kayak adventure ($93)
- Canoe Safari on Cetina River from Split or Blato na Cetini village ($49)
- Split and Trogir private tour *ideal for cruise ship guests* ($208)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Split.
Is 4 days enough time in Split?
Four days is more than sufficient for an in-depth trip to Split, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. The nightlife scene, scuba diving and snorkeling, the beaches, and the famous sights and museums on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel or use Split as a hub for some nice day trips in the surrounding areas.
Split, Croatia
How to spend 4 days in Split
Having 4 days in Split will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.
Plenty of amazing museums and famous landmarks make Split a special place to visit. Spend at least one full day visiting the sights that are appealing to you. The city is filled with historical sights, some of which were used in the shooting of the famed television series, Game of Thrones. Highlights include Diocletian's Palace, the Cathedral of St. Domnius, and the Ivan Mestrovic Gallery.
A few tour suggestions include:
- SPLIT-"Emperor's City for History Lovers"/PRIVATE Walking Tour+Cellars Museum ($210)
- SPLIT-"Emperor's City for History Lovers"/BOUTIQUE Walking Tour+Cellars Museum ($30)
- Jewish Heritage & Diocletian's Palace Private Split Tour ($172)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Is 5 days enough time in Split?
Five days is more than enough time to see everything that Split has to offer. After all, it's not such a huge city. Many visitors prefer to spend two to four days here, so you'll be able to take in all of the nightlife scene, scuba diving and snorkeling, the beaches, and the famous sights and museums at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then you can take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the area.
How to spend 5 days in Split
With 5 days in Split, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.
Shopping in Split is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. Shopping and sightseeing are intermixed in town. Make sure you don't miss the Old Market, which is the city's main outdoor market. There are many shops all through the old town as well.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Split.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Split, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.