Destinations · Southern Dalmatia
Split,the working capital of Dalmatia
The Roman city that never became a museum. A guide to villa holidays around Split, from Marjan and Podstrana to the coastal villages of Trogir and Omis.
The city in short
Split is the largest city on the Croatian coast and the natural gateway to central Dalmatia. Its old town is a fourth-century Roman palace that people still live and work inside, seventeen centuries after Diocletian's death.
That mix of daily life and historical grandeur is why Split feels different from Dubrovnik. It is not a walled museum piece; it is a real Mediterranean city, with the ferries to Hvar, Brač, Vis and Solta all leaving from the same harbour.
A stay around Split gives you the city, the mainland coast, and every important island within an hour's boat ride.
- 1,700 yrs
- Since Diocletian
- 5
- Islands within 1 hr
- 178 m
- Marjan hill
- 40 min
- To Hvar by catamaran
Why Split
One city,every option
Split is chosen by guests who want a base that puts everything within reach. The old town is walkable, the airport is twenty minutes away, and the ferries reach every major island in under an hour and a half.
As a villa destination, Split works particularly well for families who want the flexibility of day trips to different islands without committing to a full week on one.
Luxury lifestyle
Marjan mornings,Bacvice evenings
The best Split villas sit on the Marjan peninsula, in Podstrana, or in the small villages up the Zeta coast toward Omis. Mornings are spent on the villa terrace; days on the water or exploring the palace; evenings in the old town over long dinners on the Peristil.
A private boat on standby is almost a requirement here. Half the point of Split is that Hvar, Brač and the Blue Lagoon are all a short crossing away.
Best beaches
City covesand short-drive bays
Bacvice, the city's sand beach, is famous for picigin, the local paddleball game. Kasjuni on Marjan is the finest close-to-town swimming, backed by pine forest.
For real quiet, drive twenty minutes south to the coves of Stobrec, Podstrana and the Cetina river estuary at Omis, or take a private boat to the Blue Lagoon off Solta.
Fine dining
The best restaurantscene in Dalmatia
Zoi and Dvor for city dining with harbour views. Bokamorra for pizza cooked in a beach garden. Konoba Matejuska and Villa Spiza for authentic Split kitchens in the old town.
In Trogir, twenty minutes up the coast, Konoba Trs and Restaurant Foscolo hold long-standing reputations. Split does not yet have a Michelin star, but the density of good tables is higher than anywhere else on the coast.
Family activities
River rafting,kayaking, and city walks
The Cetina river at Omis offers gentle rafting suitable for children over eight, followed by a lunch in a canyon konoba. Sea-kayaking around the Marjan headland is a straightforward morning.
Diocletian's Palace is a genuinely engaging city walk for older children, especially with a specialist guide who unlocks the underground substructures.
Nature
Marjan, Cetinaand the near islands
Marjan hill is a 178-metre pine-covered peninsula walk directly out of the old town, ending at the swimming coves at Kasjuni. Krka National Park's waterfalls are eighty minutes north; Plitvice Lakes is three hours.
The Cetina river canyon is Croatia's most dramatic short-hike destination, and the drive down to it through the Omis gorge is worth the day on its own.
Local experiences
Palace by night,island by day
A private late-evening walk through the empty palace with a historian. An early-morning swim at Bacvice before the day begins. A skippered day-boat to Hvar, lunch on Palmizana, and back to Split for dinner.
A visit to Stella Croatica just outside town for an olive oil and prsut tasting, and a wine tour into the Peljesac peninsula for a full-day trip if time allows.
When to visit
Split is atwelve-month city
May through October is the villa season. July and August are hot, busy and full of energy, with a serious concert calendar at the Bacvice and Poljud open-air venues.
June and September are the balanced months. October is still warm enough for swimming, and the city stays fully open through Christmas, when the Advent programme in the palace is one of the best in the country.
Helpful information
Practicalitiesfor Split
Getting there
Direct flights into Split airport from most European capitals from March through October. Zagreb-Split by internal flight or a fast 4h drive.
Getting around
Private driver for airport transfers and day trips. In town, everything is walkable. For the islands, catamaran or private speedboat from the Riva.
Where to base
Marjan peninsula for city access with quiet; Podstrana for family villas with sea access; up the coast toward Omis for larger estates.
Islands from Split
Brač 50 min, Hvar 55 min, Solta 60 min, Vis 2h 20 by catamaran. Private speedboats are 30 percent faster and much more flexible.
Restaurants worth booking
Zoi and Dvor for evenings with a view. Bokeria for lunch. Villa Spiza for a table without a reservation, if you go early.
What to pack
Comfortable shoes for the palace stones, linen for the Riva evenings, and one smart outfit for a dinner at Dvor.
Frequently asked
Splitin questions
Luxury concierge
Plan your Splitholiday
Tell us the dates, the size of the party and the islands you want to explore. A specialist will reply within four hours with a shortlist and a suggested week.
Luxe Villas Collection
Browse villasin Split
Contemporary villas on Marjan, family estates in Podstrana, and larger houses in the villages up the coast. Each one personally verified.