Split Holidays

Split’s Old Town is essentially comprised of the Diocletian Palace. The UNESCO-listed walled palace was built in the 4th Century as the Emperor’s retirement home, though he only lived there for a decade before being assassinated. Many of the palace’s buildings are still standing today, now housing numerous museums, shops, restaurants, cafes and even private residences. Take time to explore the Cathedral and Bell Tower of Saint Domnius, one of the world’s oldest operating Catholic churches. Pass by the unfinished Temple of Jupiter and marvel at the Vestibule – the formal entrance hall where only the most important guests were welcomed and where today you may be greeted with a performance by a ‘klapa’ singing group. Don’t miss browsing the stalls at the Podrum Underground Market in the bowels of the palace, on the site of a former prison. The Ethnographic Museum is also worth several hours.

Podstrana is a small upscale, scenic tourist town just five miles outside of Split, well known for its wine and olives. Podstrana comprises five villages: Gornja Podstrana, Strozanac, Grljevac, St. Martin and Mutogras. There’s four miles of pebble beaches with small sandy stretches offering family-friendly spaces with crystal clear waters to splash around in. The town is something of a gastronomy hotspot with numerous taverns, restaurants and pizzerias serving traditional Dalmatian cuisine, such as black risotto, peka, pasticada and prosciutto, served with cheese from the nearby island of Pag. The town is also rich with archaeological finds, including megalithic blocks of the original Pituntija walls, a section of a Roman mosaic in the old cemetery of St. Martin, Illyrian castles in the old town, remains of a Roman stone olive mill and the torso of Roman deity.

The Makarska Riviera is one of Croatia’s key tourist destinations. Located between Vruja and Brela, in the north-west, and Gradac in the far south. The Makarska Riviera is a 37-mile stretch of coastline known for its long pebble beaches, beautiful scenery, cultural heritage, comfortable hotels and rich cuisine and wine. The imposing Biokovo Mountain overlooks the coast. The area is famed for its beautiful, pine tree lined beaches and secluded bays. Some key towns on the riviera include Brela and Baska Voda, prized for its beaches, popular holiday resorts Podgora and Tucepi, Makarsa itself and Gradac.

Solin is a small inland town popular with families. Visit the 18th Century Gaspina Mlinica watermill, the Jadro River and Our Lady’s Islet, a small islet housing the 19th Century St Mary’s Church and the remains of a much older church from the 10th Century. There are also some modern interactive sculptures by artist Ivan Tokic just outside the town. By far the major draw here though are the remnants of the Roman town Salona that was once the Dalmatian capital and the birthplace of the Emperor Diocletian.