A picture is worth a thousand words, and this one sure has a story to tell. Join me today in Split, an iconic Croatian city on the Dalmatian Coast. I cannot think of a better word to describe the city; Split’s rich history and breathtaking views attract travellers from all over the world. The city has something unique to offer everyone, whatever their interests may be. I finally got the chance to visit this amazing city last month, and I can tell you honestly that it does not disappoint.

Split made an excellent first impression; my breath was taken away as soon as I stepped off the bus. I did not know what to expect from a city on the Adriatic, and I must admit that I was completely blown away. This marvellous view awaits all who visit. I had left Amsterdam, where it was cold, cloudy and raining every day to enjoy the sun in Split. At that moment, it seemed like I had picked the perfect destination. I simply could not wait to explore the lovely city of Split.

This was my favourite view of the city. The turquoise blue water, the green palm trees and the backdrop of the old buildings complemented each other perfectly. I loved how ancient the city was (the old fortifications of Diocletian’s Palace date back to the 4th century AD). The sun shone brightly on Split’s historic buildings; the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. Split’s charm was one of a kind. The aura of a place is extremely important when travelling, and I was definitely vibing with Split.

Explore Diocletian’s Palace

Diocletian’s Palace was the main reason I chose to visit Split. The city is best known for this ancient palace, built for the Roman emperor, Diocletian. Visiting the palace was something of a bucket list item for me. When I was younger, I was extremely fascinated with the Roman empire and had always dreamt of visiting an emperor’s palace in person. Just imagine the courtyard, filled with hundreds of men and women dressed in tunics and togas. What a sight it must have been!

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I will not go too deep into the palace’s history here but comment down below should you wish to know more. I felt a little like Indiana Jones, exploring Diocletian’s old palace. Wandering around the ancient grounds is an adventure in itself; you never know what you might find! The exterior walls of Diocletian’s Palace were actually torn down over the years, forming part of Split’s old town today. There are so many different parts of the palace to explore; the little historian in me was ecstatic! People absolutely love climbing Saint Domnius Cathedral for a bird’s-eye view of Split.

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I, however, found the cellars of Diocletian’s Palace to be most interesting. Since moving to Europe, I have been to many palaces, but Diocletian’s Palace was by far the oldest. What struck me the most was how these structures, built by the ancient Romans, survived all these years. Everything seems so temporary these days. Could you imagine creating something that lasts an entire millennium? I sure hope that my travel stories will stand the test of time. One day, someone in the future shall read my humble adventures and I hope it puts a smile on their face.

Become a Croatian celebrity

So, I may have exaggerated on the celebrity bit, but we did manage to make it on to the local newspaper. The palace itself was incredible, but getting interviewed made the visit even more memorable. There was some sort of campaign taking place while we were touring the palace grounds and the local reporters seemed to think that interviewing a couple of cowboys would be great for their article.

I was delighted and, admittedly, a little confused when they handed us roses and started asking us questions about workers’ rights. My friend, Reon, was our lead spokesperson and a hell of a good one at that. He may have had one too many mimosas that morning but he did a fantastic job, answering all the questions. Till today, I have no idea what the article says (I hope it’s good). And, that is the story of how we made Croatian news, a tale I will never forget.

What I love most about travelling are the experiences you don’t plan. Travelling allows me to break my routine, and it opens the door to unexpected adventures. The possibilities are endless in unfamiliar surroundings. Sure, things could go wrong, but things could also go very right. It is just a matter of perspective. True to this, my best adventures took place while travelling. You never fully know what to expect but that is the beauty of it, that is the beauty of travel.

Stroll along the Riva

The Riva is, arguably, one of the most important places in Split. This promenade sits right by the water and is always bustling with activity. I noticed the locals congregating here no matter the time of day. The boulevard was the heart of the city; everything seemed to take place here. The Riva is stacked with wonderful restaurants too. It is the perfect place to sit down for a coffee with friends and have a chat.

I must confess that I was initially confused to see the strip so packed with people. I had gotten so used to empty streets and eating at home during the last couple of months of lockdown that I forgot what real life was. It was so nice to see people out and about, enjoying life. Everyone was smiling and laughing, having a good time. I wanted to cheer out loud. It is about time we got back to life. Let us be happy and enjoy it to the fullest.

Hike up Marjan Hill

I try my best to include some sort of hiking activity no matter where I travel to. Spending time in the city is great but exploring nature is also an excellent choice! The hike up Marjan Hill only takes 20 minutes, and it is definitely worth the visit. The views of the harbour and the city from atop the hill are simply unparalleled. Also, we definitely needed the exercise after all the delicious seafood we had been eating.

Visit Krka National Park

Krka National Park is one of the most beautiful and most unique parks I have ever been to. If you are looking for an interesting experience to complete your trip, I highly recommend adding Krka to your list. The waterfalls within the park are mesmerising. Skradinski Buk, as pictured above, is the most famous of Krka’s waterfalls. You used to be able to swim here but the park has temporarily suspended this to preserve the condition of the waterfalls.

Swimming here must have been magical. I wish I had gotten the chance, but preserving the waterfalls is far more important. Nature is so beautiful, and we must take care of it. All of the waterfalls in the park are naturally occurring, formed over many many years. Isn’t it amazing how nature works in mysterious ways to create something so incredible? Nature truly is the greatest artist of all time. I hope that I can see as much of her works as I can during my life.

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The park is extremely accessible by public transport should you wish to visit on your own. You can also join a tour, as I did, which is extremely affordable. I really appreciate my tour guide, Ljubo, for showing us the park and joking around with us. He told us all about the waterfalls and the history of the old water mills. Ljubo definitely knew his stuff. Krka National Park is certainly worth the visit if you want to experience something truly unique.

Day trip to another city

There are many cities around Split which are easily accessible by bus and are definitely worth visiting. Each city has its own unique story to tell. This is the Cathedral of St. Jakov in Šibenik. It features a Gothic-Renaissance style with fine attention to detail. Our tour guide, Ljubo, introduced us to this gem and showed us many more interesting places. He went beyond the regular schedule and gave us an unforgettable experience. That is something I will not forget.

Go island hopping

Split is strategically located on the Dalmatian Coast, offering easy access to many magical islands. It is as easy as heading to the harbour and hopping on either a catamaran or a ferry. They are extremely affordable and take you directly to the island you desire. Croatia’s islands are simply irresistible. Trust me, do not miss your chance when you visit Split. Read about the unbelievable experiences I had on the islands here.

Split is definitely one of my favourite cities in Europe; I fell in love with it after my short visit. Whether you are interested in history, enjoying the sun on the beach, or partying the night away, Split has something to offer everyone. I found it to be an extremely versatile and affordable city. I was content, sitting on a terrace, enjoying my food and taking in this spectacular view. It almost seems like the mountains are glowing if you look close enough.

Give away!!!

Thank you so much for tuning in, and I hope you enjoyed the article. Before I end, I would like to ask you, what would be your favourite part of Croatia and why? I am doing a little giveaway, and I have a small token for the winner! All you have to do is share this post, subscribe down below and comment your answer to the question.

The most interesting answer wins, and I will mail you your prize, wherever you are in the world. So, be sure to make your answer as interesting as possible! Good luck, and I wish you a great week ahead.