Four Easy Day Trips from Split To Add to Your Croatia Itinerary

Split, the second-largest city in Croatia, dazzles with its glistening Adriatic Sea views, rich history that dates back to the second century BCE, and dramatic views from the gardens of Marjan Hill. Wandering the maze-like beauty of Diocletian’s Palace, strolling the buzzing riva (waterfront promenade), meeting the welcoming locals, and tasting the mouthwatering Dalmatian cuisine—it’s not hard to fall in love with this enchanting city! 

But don’t stop there! We used Split as the perfect home base to explore some fantastic, nearby, one-of-a-kind, Croatian gems—the charming medieval towns of Trogir and Šibenik, the natural wonders of Plitvice Lakes National Park, the super popular island of Hvar, and the culinary delights and magical sunsets of Zadar. Each side trip offered a unique adventure jam-packed with unforgettable moments!

Day Trips from Split

Disclaimer: The author was provided with discounted and/or complimentary tours, admissions, and meals so that she could try them and review them for your information. All opinions are her own. 

Trogir and Šibenik

If you’re looking to enhance your stay in the bustling city of Split, why not take a little detour to two delightful nearby towns, Trogir and Šibenik? While there are direct public transport options from Split to Trogir, there is a lack of public transport options to Šibenik. You can more easily cover both Trogir and Šibenik in one day by renting a car or hiring a driver. To make the most of our time and reduce the stress of navigating an unfamiliar area, we decided to book a day trip with top-rated Octopus Transfers (who also provides efficient and reliable transport to and from the Split airport). Our driver promptly picked us up in a luxury vehicle—he was very professional and made our journey even more enjoyable. 

Just a quick 30-minute drive from Split, we arrived in charming Trogir, ready to explore. We quickly fell in love with this quaint Venetian town—with its fortified medieval walls, striking Romanesque-Gothic architecture, and romantic winding streets. We sat in the picture-perfect main square amongst locals sipping coffee, and then strolled down the palm-lined riva (waterfront promenade)—several lovely cafés to choose from for lunch and so many gorgeous yachts to admire. 

One of the highlights for us was climbing the walls of Kamerlengo Fortress, which rises above the edge of the town. Built by the Venetians in 1420, the views from the top of the walls were well worth the effort! As soccer fans, we were intrigued to discover that the local soccer field is located right next to this fortress. If you have some extra time in Trogir, check out the historic Cathedral of St. Lawrence and the city logia. 

After soaking in Trogir, we texted our driver that we were ready to continue the adventure, and we quickly embarked on the one-hour ride to beautiful Šibenik. While you could easily spend a whole day here, we felt that even a few hours was enough to experience the riches of this well-preserved city.

We had a blast watching the local kids play soccer in the lively Square of the Republic of Croatia, the heart of this town, which is also home to the fictional city of Braavos in the HBO hit, Game of Thrones. The “must-visit” square boasts the impressive Šibenik Town Hall from the 1500s and the remarkable St. James Cathedral, which artfully blends both Gothic and Renaissance styles. Leave time to get lost in the meandering pedestrian streets of the Old Town, and enjoy a drink, bite to eat, or a delicious gelato along the peaceful esplanade.

One of our favorite memories was the tranquil garden of the Monastery of St. Lawrence, tucked away deep into the narrow alleys of Šibenik, complete with an adorable café and a serene Francisan styled stone-walled garden—a magical little oasis. To round out your day, visit some of the town’s small churches, the aquarium, the City Museum, or a few of the nearby fortresses, with St. Michael’s being the most popular one to climb. Enjoy the photo-ops awaiting you at every turn! 

Plitvice Lakes National Park

If you’re looking for an unforgettable day trip from Split, Plitvice Lakes National Park should be at the top of your list! This spectacular gem in Croatia is a “must-visit” destination known as one of the world’s most breathtaking natural wonders—and we wholeheartedly agree! In just a little over 2.5 hours en route, you will find yourself at the oldest and largest national park in the country. Prepare to be wowed by sparkling waterfalls, miles upon miles of scenic hiking trails, crystal-clear blue-green lakes, and a zen-like atmosphere. It’s truly a marvel!

Since this park is huge, it’s a good idea to plan out your adventure ahead of time to make the most of your day. Consider hiring a park guide to take you on a half-day journey through the many wonders of Plitvice. We had the pleasure of touring with Nina, our extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide, who led us through the upper and lower lakes.

Along the way, we marveled at the incredible geology and vibrant plant life that make this landscape so special. Even with just a few hours to explore, we immersed ourselves into the allure of the park’s magnificent lakes and gorgeous waterfalls. Your timed entry includes a soothing boat ride and efficient shuttle transfers. 

Each season reveals a different perspective—when we visited in mid-October, we were lucky enough to witness the leaves changing colors. From the summer’s lush greenery to the winter’s frosty beauty, Plitvice enchants visitors year-round. 

After a day of exploring, don’t miss out on dining at the acclaimed Lička Kuća Restaurant. This beloved spot has a lodge-like vibe and serves modern twists on traditional Croatian dishes. As you settle into this warm space, it feels as though you’ve entered a grandmother’s loving home filled with the aroma of a made-from-scratch meal with the freshest ingredients.

The lamb dishes are definitely the stars here, featuring tender, melt-in-your-mouth meat from indigenous sheep that graze in Lika’s open pastures. Whether you’re craving spit-roasted lamb, lamb cutlet, or our favorite—a hearty bowl of fragrant lamb and vegetable soup—your taste buds will rejoice. Seafood enthusiasts will also be delighted, especially by the trout from local rivers, which is showcased in dishes like trout a la meunière and trout gnocchi. 

TIPS: 

• To avoid crowds in Plitvice, leave Split early to head to the park, or consider staying overnight at Hotel Jezero— a grand lodge, operated by the park—with large comfy rooms, a breakfast buffet, and a convenient location to access Plitvice. Check out the hotel packages that include park entrance tickets. 
• A quick heads-up: be sure to book your park entrance ticket in advance. The most popular times tend to fill up quickly! 
• Before heading out for the day, pack all your essentials—including sunscreen, water, and snacks. Wear sneakers or hiking shoes, bring a hat, and dress in layers for the changing weather. 
• You have plenty of travel options to get to the park, including buses, private transfers, rental cars, or a variety of day tours. 

Hvar

Hop on a quick and easy fifty-minute catamaran ride from Split, and you’ll land in the gorgeous paradise that is Hvar—known as Europe’s sunniest island. In just one delightful day you can cover so much of this dreamy island famous for its splendid beaches, soaring mountains, lip-smacking Mediterranean cuisine, and a ton of fun activities. It’s no wonder Hvar is consistently ranked as one of the “Best Islands to Visit Around the World” by Travel + Leisure. While many visitors flock to Hvar in the summer for the fabulous nightlife, we found from our October visit that there’s a whole lot more to uncover on this exquisite island.

To dive into the treasures of this island, I highly recommend spending a half-day with Hvar Tours on their “Grooves, Gardens, Vineyards & Kitchen Tour.” Our friendly driver picked us up in a luxury vehicle and whisked us away on an adventure around this remarkable island, sharing entertaining stories about Hvar’s history, culture, and cuisine along the way.

Our first stop was at a cliffside olive grove, where we learned about the island’s fascinating olive culture. Next, we drove to the quaint town of Brusje to stop by the family home of the Hures, the island’s foremost beekeepers. There, we sampled some gourmet honey and snacks, sniffed the fragrant lavender products, and even tried on a modern lightweight beekeeping suit—how fun is that?!

The tour highlight was definitely our visit to the Lacman Family Winery, perched high in the stunning hilltop village of Selca. We enjoyed our lunch served family-style featuring generous tastings of their natural wines and olive oils. Our enthusiastic host, Boris, shared his passion for winemaking. And let me tell you, the authentic dishes we savored, including homemade salami and ham, aged sheep cheese from the island of Pag, flatbread pizzas, and other local delicacies, were simply divine. The terrace offered panoramic views of the lush valley below. 

We then stopped into a museum tucked away in an old rural house where we sampled freshly made juices and Turkish-style snacks. We had a blast roasting coffee beans over a fire and receiving a hands-on lesson in the art of cookie making in the Croatian tradition. Our half day adventure with Hvar Tours was filled with hidden gems, distinctive tastes, and exquisite landscapes.

TIP: Hvar Tours lets you customize your itinerary and their expert driver makes the day so relaxing. We didn’t have to worry about getting lost; we just soaked in the dazzling scenery.  

Once the tour wrapped up, we spent the rest of our time in Hvar wandering through Old Town. We strolled around St. Stephen’s Square, the largest piazza in all of Dalmatia and the ideal place for people-watching. Afterwards, we explored the historic arsenal, which has an interesting history as both a shipyard and a commodities storage facility, used for products like grain. We also toured the oldest public theater in Europe and peeked inside the Cathedral of Saint Stephen.

To save money while visiting the Old Town attractions, consider purchasing a combo ticket from the Public Cultural Institution of Hvar. If you have spare time, make your way up to the Spanish Fortress with sweeping views of the Old Town and the Pakleni Islands. And don’t miss out on walking along the famous promenade with its mega-yachts moored in the marina. 

For a dramatic sunset, head to the garden of Franciscan Monastery. With its ancient Cypress tree and views of the Adriatic Sea, it’s a dreamy place for photos. For a laid back dinner we chose Vintage Hvar Bar. We cuddled up outside in their stone courtyard surrounded by twinkling lights while toasting our vacation with a chilled local beer and a tasty Cherry Paloma. Our favorite dishes of the night were the yummy bao buns stuffed with fried chicken and drizzled with Korean BBQ sauce, as well as a juicy hamburger paired with crispy fries. Mmm! Plus, they offer plenty of options for vegans and vegetarians. 

After dinner, we headed to Central Park Club, a festive hangout with lots of locals. We kicked back on comfy couches, listened to performances from talented musicians, and joined in singing familiar songs (lots of classic hits with English lyrics). Perfect end to a perfect day!

TIPS: 

• When booking the catamaran (faster) or the ferry (longer), double check which port you’ll be arriving at and leaving from. Be sure to book in advance as tickets often sell out! 
• To really get to know the island, we spent the night at one of the area’s top-rated hotel chains, Sunicar Hvar Hotels. We adored the Riva Marina. Located on the marina, the hotel exuded a cool South Beach-vibe with spacious and modern rooms and an excellent breakfast. We visited many other Sunicar Hotels in Hvar, and we were equally impressed with them. 

Zadar

For a quick escape up the Dalmatian coast, Zadar stands out as a shining jewel, just a short drive away—about an hour and a half by car from Split. Once we arrived, we kicked off our time in Zadar with an incredible three-hour Food Tour Zadar with Free Spirit Tours. Our guide, Andrea, was not only knowledgeable, but also super fun!

He regaled us with fascinating stories about all things Zadar—history, culture, religion, and of course, the spectacular culinary scene. Our delectable journey included well-curated stops. We sampled award-winning Croatian cheeses at Gligora Cheese & Deli Shop, enjoyed fresh fruit at the vibrant Green Market, and grazed on the region’s famous prosciutto and olives at Konoba Skoblar.

We also sipped on local maraschino cherry liquor and fine wines at Bibich, feasted on a platter of seafood at 4 Kantuna, and ended the tour on a sweet note with homemade ice cream from Bob Rock’s. A plus of this tour is that you will see a lot of sights along the way between the stops, such as Five Wells Square, the City Walls, and the Garden Zadar by the Land Gate. 

Since the tour covered a lot of the places we had planned to see, we used the remaining few hours before sunset to explore the Roman Forum, peek inside the Church of St. Donatus, and climb 183 steps to the top of The Bell Tower of St. Anastasia for 360-degree views—totally worth it! 

For the grand finale of our day, we joined tourists and locals alike for the most spectacular (and free!) show in town at the Sea Organ. We settled onto the stone steps that lead into the Adriatic Sea, where you can hear surreal, whale-like sounds seemingly emanate from the ocean. Actually, the unique hum is activated by the waves of the sea flowing up into the organ chambers hidden inside the steps themselves.

And the sunset was magical—no exaggeration, this was truly the best sunset we have ever witnessed. We sat in awe staring at the sky as it rotated among majestic shades of orange, red, yellow, purple, and pink. As night fell, we made our way to the very tip of the peninsula to experience The Greeting to the Sun, a one-of-a-kind art installation featuring three hundred solar panels shaped into a circle with bright colors that create  patterns as humans dance atop them, representing the planets and orbits of our Solar System. So incredible! 

For a chill dinner, we grabbed delicious gourmet pizzas at the family-owned Pizzeria Tri Bunara, before heading back to Split. What a perfect day trip! 

TIPS:

• While it is easy to see most of compact Zadar on a day trip, if you want to stay overnight, the Art Hotel Kalelarga is a well-rated, centrally-located, boutique hotel. 
• To save time and reduce stress, we arranged for a driver from Octopus Transfers to transport us to Zadar. You can also rent a car or take a bus.  

And don’t forget, Split is also the ideal base for exploring other incredible destinations like the island of Brac, the radiant falls in Krka National Park, and in Bosnia both the knockout Kravice Waterfalls and the city of Mostar.

Visiting Croatia? You May Also Like:

• Our Croatia itinerary for couples
• 3 Days in Dubrovnik itinerary
• Day trips from Dubrovnik
• 3 Days in Hvar itinerary
• 4 Days in Istria itinerary

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