Discover Split: The Palace, Marjan and Bačvice
Accommodation in Split
Split can be explored through a wide range of themes: Roman architecture, art and maritime collections, viewpoints on Marjan, a sandy beach and a fish market. Diocletian’s Palace is a striking gateway to the city’s cultural history; Marjan and Bačvice reveal other sides of the city. These offer different focuses for planning your trip, depending on whether you are particularly interested in history, views and activity, or the coast and local food.
Roman architecture and history
Diocletian’s Palace is one of the best-preserved monuments of Roman architecture in the world. The rectangular complex measures about 215 × 180 metres and has four large towers at its corners. These approximate dimensions convey the scale of the complex, while the four corner towers mark its clearly defined layout. The Golden Gate offers a specific historical connection: Emperor Diocletian used it when he entered the palace on 1 June 305.
Gripe Fortress also connects a place with its history. The preserved 17th-century fortification houses the Croatian Maritime Museum Split. In the courtyard, the museum displays the bow of the steamship “Bakar”. The fortress and a specific object from maritime history thus stand side by side, extending the historical overview beyond the palace.
Galleries, museums and sacred art
The Meštrović Gallery is in the Meje neighbourhood, at the foot of Marjan. Its collection includes sketches, letters, photographs and plans documenting Meštrović’s life. This means visitors can explore not only his works, but also different kinds of material about his life.
The Meštrovićeve Crikvine – Kaštilac complex consists of an old Renaissance fortress and the Church of the Holy Cross. The church in Kaštilac contains 28 wooden reliefs depicting scenes from the life of Christ. The number and subject of the reliefs give the sacred art there a clearly defined focus.
The Archaeological Museum in Split offers a virtual tour. This adds a digital way to explore the museum to the city’s other museum and cultural offerings.
Marjan, Bačvice and local experiences
Marjan rises above Split, reaching 178 metres at its highest point. It is directly accessible from the Riva, and several viewpoints offer views of Split and the islands. Nature trails and fitness trails provide opportunities to relax and exercise. Views and activity are two distinct reasons to include Marjan in your travel plans.
Bačvice is a sandy beach in the heart of Split that officially opened in 1919. Picigin is played there year-round. The beach’s history and an established local game go hand in hand, with Picigin played throughout the year.
The Peškarija offers seafood from the Adriatic, including sardines, mackerel, red mullet, dentex, spiny lobsters and mussels. The selection may vary. The market adds a different dimension to a stay than the historic sites and museums: a glimpse of the food on offer from the Adriatic.
Find a hotel in Split to suit your travel plans
When looking for a hotel in Split, it can help to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: architecture and collections, views and activity on Marjan, or the beach and local food. Tailor your search to whichever of these aspects of Split matters most for your trip.
Explore more destinations: Donje Sitno, Slatine, Stobrec, Zrnovnica, Kaštel Kambelovac, Kamen, Srinjine, Gornje Sitno.
For the overview of the wider region: Split-Dalmatia.
