Split holidays

Deals from £319 per person
Split holidays

Best hotels in Split

Are you after a sunny beachside escape or a vibrant city break? Split holidays give you both. In the shadow of the Dinaric Alps lies this ancient palatial city, with socialist-era skyscrapers in the north, and the turquoise Adriatic Sea in the south. The Roman Emperor himself is responsible for the erection of Diocletian's Palace at the turn of the fourth century. Split sprawls out from the palace, with pretty cobblestone streets lined with family-owned bars and restaurants. Or, take a stroll along the seaside promenade and sip freshly-brewed kava in the shade as you watch boats glide out into the Adriatic. 

City breaks to Split wouldn’t be complete without visiting its main beach, Bačvice. There are more secluded beaches nearby, but Bačvice is an ideal spot to bring the whole family. After dark, the beach stretch comes alive with bars and nightclubs.

But it’s not all about the beach. Split city breaks provide a glimpse of local life, and the central ruins are more than a tourist attraction. Alleyways in this area are teeming with activity; suitcases rattle over cobblestones, and ancient balconies are strewn with  laundry. Here, you can experience the Croatian coast at its most authentic.

Take in the city's history and marvel at the palace of Diocletian or just relax on the beach - Split holidays give you plenty of choice.

Sunbathe on sun-kissed beaches

There’s more to Split holidays than relaxing on the beach - but it’s a good place to start! If you're enjoying a family holiday, the Firule beach is the one for you. Hop on a short bus ride to this sandy family beach and play games on the sand with the kids. The shallow waters are ideal for the little ones to splash about in, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a day out together as a family. On the days where you'd rather relax somewhere quiet, head to Bavice or enjoy a romantic stroll along the Riva promenade. If you're thirsty for some more adventure, set sail on a boat trip to the pearl-string of Dalmatian islands: Brac, Vis and Hvar.

More Travel Guides

We also have travel guides available for destinations, including: Brac Island | Croatia | Dalmatian Coast | Dubrovnik | Hvar | Korcula | Makarska | Rovinj | Zadar

 

Map of Split

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9 to 25 ℃

Want to soak up the sun? July and August are your best bet, with highs in the low 30s°C

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3 hours

Fly to Split International Airport, around 50km away

Split is best for...

Beach lovers: In Split, you can swim in the Adriatic. The crystal-clear water is just a five-minute walk from the town centre - and wild, windswept coves are under 2km from Diocletian's Palace.

Couples: Eat mussels in the harbour, wander through Diocletian's Palace, watch the sunset in Kaštelet by the sea - Split is one of the Dalmatian Coast’s most romantic cities.

History buffs: Split is set on the ruins of an ancient Roman Palace that once belonged to Emperor Diocletian, meaning it’s brimming with antiquities and historic sights.

 

Fast facts for Split

Language: The language spoken is Croatian. Many locals speak impeccable English, but it’s worth packing a phrasebook or downloading an app to encourage you to try the local language.

Currency: The Euro is the currency in Croatia.

Local time: Split is an hour ahead of UK time.

Fly to: Split International Airport. The 23km journey to the city centre typically takes around 30 minutes by car or around 45 minutes by bus.

Flight time from the UK: 2.5-3 hours.

Tourist information: Find out more before going to Split by checking out The Tourist Board of Split’s website.

Getting around Split

By foot: The bulk of Split's central palace is pedestrianised, and the best way to explore it is by foot.

By bus: If you’re not planning on hiring a car, you could travel to nearby destinations like Solin and Makarska instead; local connections are cheap and reliable.

By boat: Go island-hopping to Brac, Hvar and Vis by ferry, or rent a boat and make your own coastal adventure.

Events in Split

Split Summer Festival: Split's ancient centre hosts open-air performances of opera, ballet and classical music throughout July and August. This is one of the country's longest-running arts festivals, and families with kids will have a blast there, too.

Days of Diocletian: As part of this event, the town seeks out its most famous citizen (usually an actor or musician) to play the Emperor himself. During a weekend in August, the city is buzzing with toga-clad performers and gladiators posing for insta pics.

Shakespeare-on-sea: Organisers go to great lengths to recreate the vibe of Shakespeare's Midsummer’s Night Dream at this annual two-dayer in late summer. You'll dance under the stars to a mix of Croatian music legends and international acts.

Split safety and security

Visa / Health: Before you travel to Split, head to www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/croatia for recommendations and advice on visas and health.

Split weather

Temperature: 9°C to 25°C

Split enjoys the privilege of being located in one of the sunniest spots in Europe. Basking in an average of 12 hours of sunshine a day in spring and 13 hours in the summer, you’ll find the warmest months are between May and September, with the mercury hopping into the low thirties between July and August. May and June offer slightly cooler conditions, making them ideal times in which to laze on the beaches. September and October also see the mercury hovering in the low-to-mid-twenties. November is the wettest month and the temperatures continue to fall, hitting their lowest in January, at around 9°C, but it’s still mild enough to get some exploring done.

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