After spending a few days in Split’s southern half, I was headed from Dubrovnik to Split. Like Dubrovnik, Split also sits on the Adriatic coast and my decision travel in Split for a couple days was really just based on others recommendations as I was planning to travel even further north within the country but decided to stop here for a couple days. After taking an early morning bus I arrived from Dubrovnik to Split right around lunch and decided to just drop my bags and venture into town.
View along the coast from Dubrovnik to Split
Split is considered to be an ancient city dating back over 1700 years and it all began when the Roman emperor Diocletian built his palace. From there, the city has grown to become Croatia’s second largest city.
Just outside the palace entryway
The palace took ten years to build and after Diocletian died in 313 AD many of the inhabitants in the city sought refuge within its walls and to this day, it is still home to many residents as well as shops, restaurants and hotels. I actually stayed just outside the walls of the palace but its still very unique to imagine living in small apartment within a palace this old (or maybe just living in a palace!).
Entrance into the palace
There is no doubt that Diocletian’s palace is the main attraction of the city but since it sits along the Adriatic Sea, there is a lot more to split than just sightseeing. After a couple hours wandering within it, I decided to venture out to see the rest of the city. However, at night, this is still the place to be with restaurants and bars around every corner.
One of many narrow alleyways within the palace walls
I was told about an overlook just outside the city that was only a short hike by the coast so about an hour later, this is the view I came across.
Overlooking Split
And after that, I decided to continue the hike which followed the coastline for some more amazing views.
A few helpful steps to get to the overlook
However, what I was really after was another swim cove like I had found in Dubrovnik. Both Split and Croatia get very hot even though they are on the coast so swimming is about the best idea to beat the heat. (Or maybe it’s just fun to swim in these places). After about an hour hiking along the coastline, I finally found a good spot with beach access. The only problem was, it was at least a thirty minute hike down the mountain to get there but was well worth it.
If you can see it, there is a small stretch of beach in the distance near the bottom of the photo…
Almost there….
After spending a couple hours here, I ventured back into town as I had only the rest of the day and night to spend in Split as I was off to the Plitvice Lakes National Park in the morning, one of my initial reasons for visiting Croatia….
Finally made it!
4 Comments... Join the conversation below
Hi Rory! OK, do you pronounce, “Split” the way we would do in English, or is there a different accent on it? It seems like an odd name for a Eastern European city. Since you’ve already travelled before to western Europe, what is the main difference you see in Eastern Europe, that makes it different? Less tourists? Or is there a difference at all?
Your ‘hike’ down the mtn to the beach must have been difficult. Was there a trail or did you have to make your own trail down? And when you got to the alcove and the beach, was it simply a public beach? Crowded with tourists or more locals? It really looks so pretty and peaceful.
Amazingly beautiful photos…. I don’t think the average person thinks of eastern Europe as being so beautiful, so you are doing us all a great favor by educating us! Keep em coming, Rory….we all miss you and think of you everyday!
Actually, Split is pronounced just the same. As for the main difference between Eastern and Western Europe that I have found is their current and past political situations and the history that led them to where they are today. Obviously the cultures are different from country to country but then again, France is very different from Spain just the same. I would encourage everyone to travel to Eastern Europe. I actually wish I could have spent more time in some of the other countries there.
That beach I hiked down to was accessible by trail but it was just that I was a mile up on the hillside that made it interesting. And yes, it was a public beach though it wasn’t crowded and there were definitely no tourists there (other than us).
So, the Panthers won a football game. Thought you might want to know. I doubt The so called “ancient city” of Split, Croatia was showing that particular game.
Ahh, no. They were not showing the Panthers game in the ancient city. You had to have the NFL Sunday Ticket through Direct TV for that. It was an upgrade on top of linen rentals and I decided to pass it up this week. Glad to hear we won though! Hopefully it was a solid, well deserved win