11 best day trips from Split (reviews + photos)

Split is much more than just a stopover: the city serves as a gateway to a wide variety of landscapes, from fortified towns to national parks and secluded coves. We’ve tried out many of these day trips and are sharing our favorites here, from the closest to the farthest. Whether you have half a day or a full week, you’re sure to find an excursion that fits your schedule.

This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.

Our 3 Favorite Day Trips from Split

It’s hard to choose, but if you’re only staying for a short time, here are the three outings we recommend most:

• Krka National Park and its waterfalls – see guided tour options
• Klis Fortress, a “Game of Thrones” filming location overlooking the region— see guided tour options
• The Blue Lagoon and the 3 Islands by Boat – View Options and Availability

1. Krka National Park and its waterfalls

Why do we recommend this tour?

Krka National Park is one of our favorite nature excursions from Split. We recommend setting aside a full day to fully enjoy the wooden walkways along the river and the various viewpoints overlooking the waterfalls. You can explore all the waterfalls—including the famous Skradinski Buk—on foot via boardwalks built right next to the water, in a wooded setting quite different from Split’s rocky coastline.

What you will see

• The Skradinski Buk Waterfalls and Their Successive Pools
• Wooden trails that wind through the vegetation
• Various views of the Krka River
• Boat tours between the cliffs

Practical advice

• Plan on spending a full day—including travel time—to explore the park at a comfortable pace.
• Krka is just under an hour and a half’s drive from Split, which gives you plenty of time to enjoy the trails before heading back in the late afternoon.
• If you don’t want to drive, check out the guided tour options

2. Klis Fortress

Why do we recommend this tour?

Perched on a limestone ridge overlooking the valley, Klis Fortress literally dominates the region and was notably used as a filming location for the series *Game of Thrones*. We appreciated the striking contrast between the barren rock and the view stretching all the way to the sea. The village of Klis, at its feet, is also known for its olive museum—a worthwhile stop if you’re interested in local products.

What you will see

• The fortress’s ramparts and towers, offering a bird’s-eye view of Split and the coast
• The locations used for filming *Game of Thrones*
• The small olive museum, in the village below

Practical advice

• Half a day is more than enough to see both the fortress and the village.
• Klis is just a few minutes’ drive from Split, making it an easy stop to combine with Trogir or even the ruins of Salona, which are often included in the same guided tours.
• If you don’t want to drive, check out the guided tour options

3. Sail to the Blue Lagoon and the Three Islands

Why do we recommend this tour?

A boat tour departing from Split will take you to the Blue Lagoon and three islands in the Dalmatian archipelago. We recommend this excursion as a nice change of pace after spending several days exploring the narrow streets of the historic center. You’ll alternate between swimming in the open sea, free time on the islands, and cruising along the coast—usually over the course of a full day. It’s also a chance to see Split from the water, a perspective few visitors think to explore.

What you will see

• The Blue Lagoon, with its shallow turquoise waters
• Three islands in the Dalmatian Archipelago
• The Split coastline as seen from the open sea

Practical advice

• Trips depart early in the morning from the port of Split, right next to the Riva, and return in the late afternoon.
• So be sure to set aside a full day for this boat trip.
• See options and availability

4. Trogir, Split’s Venetian “little sister”

Why do we recommend this tour?

We like to start our recommendations with Trogir, as it’s such an easy town to visit even if you’re short on time. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this small medieval town is situated on an islet connected to the mainland by two bridges and boasts a rich Venetian heritage concentrated in a small area. We found its atmosphere much calmer than Split’s, making it a pleasant break after a few days spent at Diocletian’s Palace.

What you will see

• A maze of Venetian alleyways lined with Gothic and Renaissance palaces
• The city’s cathedral, on the main square
• The waterfront and its Kamerlengo Fortress, at the tip of the islet
• Learn more in our article

Practical advice

• Plan on spending half a day strolling leisurely through the narrow streets and walking along the waterfront.
• Trogir is about a 30-minute drive from Split, making it easy to combine a visit there with another stop on the same day, such as the Klis Fortress.
• No special guided tour is needed here: Trogir is easily accessible by car, local bus, or even water taxi from Split.

5. Thrills on the Cétina River

Why do we recommend this tour?

The Cétina River, which flows into the Adriatic Sea at Omiš, is our top pick for those who want to combine cultural heritage with thrilling adventures during their stay. Its emerald waters wind through a deep, steep-walled canyon, punctuated by a waterfall that gives the river’s mouth its distinctive character. We particularly enjoyed rafting, which lets you travel down the river while exploring the gorge from the inside. Canyoning and kayaking—both by day and by night—each offer a different way to experience this same landscape.

Practical advice

• Allow half a day for rafting or canyoning; transportation from Split is usually included in the tour.
• Omiš is located about a 30-minute drive south of Split.
• Rafting on the Cétina River
• Canyoning in the gorges

6. Plitvice Lakes National Park (long drive)

Why do we recommend this tour?

The Plitvice Lakes are Croatia’s most famous natural attraction, but a trip from Split requires planning for a longer drive than the one to Krka. Let’s make this clear from the start: expect a drive of about 260 km and nearly 3 hours each way, which makes the trip a full-day outing. Despite this drawback, the series of turquoise lakes connected by waterfalls remains, in our opinion, one of the country’s most striking landscapes.

What you will see

• A string of 16 turquoise-colored lakes
• Waterfalls connecting the park’s different levels
• Wooden walkways crossing the most spectacular areas

Practical advice

• Plan on spending a full day just for the round trip and the tour, leaving early in the morning.
• A guided bus tour, with admission tickets included, saves you the trouble of traveling this long distance on your own.
  View the guided tour with admission tickets
• To plan your visit, see our comprehensive guide to Plitvice National Park.

7. Dubrovnik, the Pearl of the Adriatic (a long journey)

Why do we recommend this tour?

Dubrovnik remains one of Croatia’s most iconic cities, but it is located about 230 km south of Split, a 4- to 4.5-hour drive. We recommend this day trip to those who aren’t planning a separate stay there, though keep in mind that it’s a long day. In our opinion, the ramparts surrounding the old town and the polished marble of the pedestrian streets make the travel time well worth it. Find all our tips in our guide dedicated to the city.

What you will see

• The Old City Walls and Their Panoramic Walkway
• The main street, Stradun, paved with marble
• The Old Harbor and Its Fortifications

Practical advice

• Day trips organized from Split generally last a full day, including the round-trip travel time.
  View options for guided day trips in Dubrovnik
• To get the most out of your visit once you’re there, check out our comprehensive guide to visiting Dubrovnik.

8. Šibenik, the City of Four Fortresses

Why do we recommend this tour?

Šibenik surprises visitors with the richness of its heritage: the city boasts no fewer than four fortresses, two of which are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We were particularly impressed by St. James Cathedral, built entirely of stone without mortar, and by St. Michael’s Fortress, which overlooks the historic center. Unlike Split or Zadar, Šibenik remains relatively untouched by tourist crowds, which only adds to its charm.

What you will see

• The maze of alleys and stairways in the old town
• St. James Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• The Saint-Michel Fortress and its view of the red rooftops of the old town
• The Saint-Nicolas Fortress, at the entrance to the maritime canal

Practical advice

• A half-day to a full day is enough time to explore the historic center, its steep narrow streets, and its fortresses.
• Allow 1.5 to 2 hours for the drive from Split—a travel time to keep in mind if you’re planning to return the same evening.
• Sibenik is easily accessible by regular bus or by car from Split, without the need for an organized tour.

9. Primosten, the former island that became a peninsula

Why do we recommend this tour?

Located between Trogir and Šibenik, Primošten was once a small island connected to the mainland by a drawbridge, which has since been replaced by a causeway. We find this small town particularly picturesque, with its stone houses huddled close together and its peninsula surrounded by islets. You’ll find the pace of life here much more relaxed than in Split, making it the perfect place for a break from the hustle and bustle of summer.

What you will see

• The Old Town and its maze of narrow alleys on the peninsula
• The 15th-century Saint-Georges Church, at the top of the hill
• Beaches with views of the small town
• The vineyard plots, bordered by dry-stone walls typical of the region

Practical advice

• Half a day is enough to explore the old town and enjoy one of the nearby beaches.
• Primošten pairs well with Šibenik, located about a 30-minute drive away, for a full day spent between the two cities.
• A car is still the most convenient way to get to Primošten; no organized tour is needed for this leg of the trip.

10. Zadar: From Roman Heritage to Sunsets

Why do we recommend this tour?

Zadar is located about 156 km north of Split; the drive takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes. We recommend this excursion to anyone who wants to explore another major Dalmatian city without having to deal with overly crowded tourist routes. The city blends Roman ruins, medieval churches, and contemporary seaside attractions, creating an atmosphere quite different from that of Split.

What you will see

• The Roman Forum and the Church of St. Donatus
• “Les Orgues Marines,” a sound installation powered by the waves
• “Sun Salutation,” a luminous sculpture on the Riva in Zadar
• The gardens
• The Surprising Museum of Antique Glass

How much time should I allow?

• A full day—including travel time—gives you the chance to explore the historic center and enjoy the sunset on the Riva.
• A 1-hour-and-40-minute drive from Split
• See our complete guide to visiting Zadar.
• You can get to Zadar by car or bus from Split without needing to take an organized tour.

11. Mostar (in Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Why do we recommend this tour?

Mostar lets you visit a completely different country in a single day, since it’s located in Bosnia and Herzegovina, about 170 km and a 2.5- to 3-hour drive from Split. We strongly recommend taking a guided tour rather than driving your own rental car for this trip: rental agreements rarely include coverage outside of Croatia, which can cause problems when crossing the border. The city blends Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian influences around its famous bridge, which was rebuilt after the war in the 1990s.

What you will see

• The Stari Most, an iconic bridge listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• The Old City and its bazaar
• Traditional Ottoman Houses and Their Mosques

Practical advice

You’ll need a full day for this trip, including the round-trip travel time. Some tours also include a stop in Medjugorje, a nearby village, before returning to Split. Be sure to bring your passport, which is required for crossing the border.
See the small-group tour of Mostar and Medjugorje

Frequently asked questions

What’s the best day trip from Split?

There isn’t just one right answer—it all depends on what you’re looking for. For nature, we recommend Krka National Park. For history, Klis Fortress is a great choice and easy to get to. For a seaside experience, the excursion to the Blue Lagoon and the Three Islands remains our favorite.

Is it possible to visit Dubrovnik in one day from Split?

Yes, it’s possible, but the 230-km drive—which takes about 4 to 4.5 hours each way—makes the trip a long day. We recommend an organized tour by bus or minibus rather than a round trip in a personal car, so you can rest during the trip.

Should you rent a car to explore the area around Split?

It depends on how much time you have and how much freedom you want.
There’s a good variety and quality of excursions from Split.
So it really depends on what you’re looking for.