Excursions from Split: 11 destinations for half or full days

Trogir

Trogir is the best choice when you want a real trip, but do not want to lose half a day on the road. The historic core is compact, flat and interesting enough to explore without getting tired, while still giving you the feeling that you have left Split for a completely different rhythm.

Start from the waterfront, pass through the city gate, take a look at the Cathedral of St. Lawrence and Kamerlengo, then leave time for coffee or lunch. In summer, it is most pleasant to arrive earlier in the morning or toward evening, because the narrow streets fill up quickly. If you go by car, keep in mind that parking around the bridge can already be busy before noon.

If you want to stay closer to the airport, Čiovo and the old town, check out apartments in Trogir.

Klis

Klis is a trip for a day when you do not have much time, but want a view that immediately justifies going. The fortress stands above Split like a natural viewpoint, so here you get history, a bit of walking and a wide view toward the sea without much logistics.

It is best combined with Salona or lunch in the hinterland. Start before 9 if you are going in summer, because the stone heats up quickly, and the parking below the fortress can become stressful after 10:30. Bring water and non-slip footwear; this is not a place for thin beach shoes.

For the easiest combination of Klis, Salona and the islands, apartments in Split are a practical base.

Salona / Solin

Salona is a good reminder that around Split you do not always have to escape to the beach. If you like history, here you get an ancient open-air city, without the feeling of a closed museum. Solin is quieter than Split and close enough to include even when you only have a free afternoon.

Walk to the amphitheatre, old basilicas and the remains of the city walls. After that, head down toward the Jadro River or combine Salona with Klis. This combination is one of the best short trips by car from Split because you do not lose time on a long drive.

If you are staying for a few days and planning shorter routes, accommodation in the centre of Split is the most practical.

Omiš and the Cetina Canyon

Omiš is the best answer when a regular walk is not enough. It has an old town, a beach, fortresses and the Cetina right behind it. That is why it works both for an easy family day and for an active trip with rafting, kayaking or zipline.

In the morning, climb to Mirabela if you want a view without too long an ascent. Fortica Fortress requires more time and fitness, but the view of the canyon and the Brač Channel rewards the effort well. In summer, start earlier, because the road from Split to Omiš can slow down just when you would most like to already be in the water.

Rafting on the Cetina

Radmanove Mlinice

If Omiš sounds like a better base than a big city, check out accommodation in Omiš.

Makarska and Biokovo

Makarska is a good choice when you want to combine the sea and the mountain in the same day. In the morning you can walk along the waterfront and through the old town, and later move toward Biokovo if your goal is a view, a drive and a slightly different feeling of Dalmatia.

This is not a trip that should be squeezed into the hottest part of the day without a plan. Biokovo requires a reserved time slot, careful driving and enough time. If you are going only for swimming, Makarska is simpler. If you are going to Biokovo, organize the day around that.

Skywalk Biokovo

For a longer stay by the beaches and Biokovo, check out accommodation in Makarska.

Imotski – Blue and Red Lake

Imotski is a trip for a day when you do not feel like heading toward the sea. Blue and Red Lake look as if they belong to a completely different geography: steep cliffs, depth, silence and colours that change with the light and season.

Blue Lake is more accessible and you can often experience it up close, while Red Lake is best viewed from the viewpoint. Do not count on a classic “beach day”, but on a drive, walk and photos. A good combination is lunch in Imotski or continuing toward the Dalmatian hinterland.

If Split remains your main base, for this kind of trip by car it is easiest to choose accommodation with good access out of the city.

Krka National Park

Split Krka trips make sense if you want nature, walking and waterfalls without traveling all the way to Lika. Krka is close enough for a day trip from Split, but still large enough to give it a full day, especially if you want to visit Skradinski Buk more calmly.

If you go by car, pay attention to which entrance you choose and buy your ticket in advance in season. Organized trips from Split are practical if you do not want to drive, but by car you have more freedom for Šibenik or Skradin after the park.

For several days in Dalmatia and trips toward Krka, the offer of accommodation in Split and the surrounding area is practical.

Plitvice Lakes

Trips to Plitvice Lakes from Split are not short, but they can be excellent if you want one big continental contrast to the coast. This is a day for getting up early, comfortable sneakers and a plan without too much improvisation.

They work best in spring, autumn and winter, when the crowds are smaller and the forest offers more than ordinary summer shade. In summer it is doable, but then buy tickets earlier and do not leave after breakfast at 10. That is too late for a calm day.

If you are doing Plitvice as one of several day trips by car from Split, stay in the city and choose accommodation in Split with good access to exit roads.

Island of Brač: Bol and Zlatni Rat

Trips to Bol from Split are most worthwhile when you want a beach day with a strong visual reason. Zlatni Rat is not the calmest beach in season, but it is one of those sights many people really want to see while they are in Dalmatia.

If you go via Supetar with a car, count on an additional drive across the island. The catamaran to Bol is simpler when the schedule suits you, but gives you less flexibility. For a less complicated day, you can also stay around Supetar, Sutivan or Milna.

For more than one day on the island, check out accommodation on Brač or directly apartments in Bol.

Island of Hvar

Trips to Hvar from Split are good when you want an island day that also has town energy. Hvar is not just swimming; it has a waterfront, square, fortress, small streets and enough places to sit without feeling like you spent the whole day only on the beach.

For a first visit, it is most logical to stay in Hvar town and climb to Fortica. If you have more time, add swimming or a short boat ride toward the Pakleni Islands. Just do not try to squeeze the whole island into one day — Hvar is too long for that kind of plan.

If one day is not enough, check the offer of apartments on Hvar.

Island of Šolta

Šolta is the best island choice when you do not want to prove that you have “done” the most famous island. It is calmer than Hvar, simpler than Vis and close enough that you do not have to plan the day like an expedition.

Maslinica is the most photogenic, Stomorska is good for an easy walk and lunch, and Nečujam works if you want swimming. Šolta is especially good for couples and families who want the sea without constantly rearranging the plan.

For a slower island rhythm, check out accommodation on Šolta.

Boat trips from Split: what guests choose

Boat trips from Split most often revolve around Brač, Hvar, Šolta, the Pakleni Islands and Vis with the Blue Cave. If you want a simple day, choose Šolta or Brač. If you want a stronger “wow” effect and do not mind a longer schedule, Vis and the Blue Cave are attractive, but also more demanding logistically.

Day boat trips from Split can look similar on paper, but the difference is in the pace. Some are more about swimming and coves, others more about transfers and photos. Before booking, check how much time is actually spent at the destination and how much in sailing.

If the boat is your main plan, choose accommodation in Split close to the port or with easy morning connections toward the centre.

Trips from Split with children

Trips with children from Split work best when there is not too much driving, waiting or strong sun. That is why, for younger children, choose shorter routes, places with shade and locations where the plan can be changed without much trouble.

Leave Plitvice, Vis and longer boat tours for a day when the children handle travel and waiting well. They sound great on paper, but tiredness often eats up the best part of the trip.

Where to go from Split in winter and off season

Off season changes the rules of the game. It is less worthwhile to chase beaches and swimming, and more worthwhile to choose places that have content even without summer energy: fortresses, old towns, waterfalls, lakes and walks without crowds.

If you are choosing only one trip from Split off season, Klis and Salona are the easiest for half a day, while Krka is the best for a full day without island logistics.

FAQ: trips from Split