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Split, Croatia Port Reviews
Split, Croatia on Your Own Shore Excursion
By Nancy Norris
Split
Overview:
Split, Croatia's second largest city, located on a peninsula
on the eastern shores of the Adriatic Sea, is known as the
heart of Dalmatia. Split enjoys a Mediterranean climate and
is one of the sunniest ports in Europe. The official
language is Croatian, but many people in the tourist areas
speak English. The official unit of currency is the Kuna (HRK).
Many of the main hotels, restaurants and shops accept credit
cards, and while some places do accept Euros, many only
accept Kunas for cash transactions. However, ATM's are
readily available.
Cruise Port Location and Information:
Tender Pier
The cruise port is located right in the heart of the city,
only steps away from the Riva and Diocletian's Palace. Small
ships are able to dock at the port, but larger ships anchor
in the harbor and tender guests to this centrally located
pier within walking distance to all of the major tourist
spots.
Exploring on Your Own:
View of Split from Cruise Pier
As noted above, it is very easy to explore Split on your
own. As you step off your ship and onto the dock, you are
greeted to an expansive view of the Riva (waterfront
promenade), with the 1,700 year old Palace of Diocletian in
the background. Within 5 minutes of strolling out of the
port and crossing the Riva, you can enter the palace walls
through the Brass Gate and begin your own walking tour of
the crown jewel of Split.
Brass Gate entrance
Allow yourself a couple hours to explore the shops, streets,
museums and historical sites within the walls. A free
tourist guide, available at the tourist office in the
central square of the palace, provides a detailed pull-out
walking map. As you exit the walls of the palace, take some
time to stroll along the sunny waterfront promenade, stop
for a coffee, glass of wine or sample some traditional
Dalmatian cuisine.
Diocletian's Palace
If you choose, you may also have some time to spend a couple
hours at the Bacvice Beach, less than a 15 minute walk from
the promenade. Facing Diocletian's Palace, follow the Riva
east (to your right) walking past the bus and train station,
cross over the railway bridge and continue a short walk
until an old concrete seawall and the sandy beach is in
view.
Bacvice Beach
Shopping Tips:
Split provides excellent shopping opportunities.
Hand-crafted leather handbags and belts, locally crafted
sterling filigree jewelry, cold-pressed olive oil, original
artwork, lace from the Dalmatian islands, and quality wine
are all good buys. However, most notable are shoes (I don't
think I have ever seen more shoe stores in such a compact
area in my life) and men's ties (this colorful neck-wear
originated in Croatia).
Green Market and street vendors:
Street Vendors
For those looking for souvenirs or a bargain, a wealth of
street vendors line Hrvojeva, the street along the eastern
exterior wall of the Palace. (You can also access this
street by exiting the Palace walls through the Silver Gate.)
Green Market
Directly next to the street vendors is Split's famous Green
Market. Here, locals and tourists alike can sample the fresh
fruit, vegetables, cheeses, etc. that make for a great place
to pick up a “lunch-to-go”.
Marmontova:
Marmontova
If you are a serious shopper, then head for Marmontova, a
street that runs perpendicular to the Palace at the west end
of the Riva. It is the most popular pedestrian shopping
street in the city.
Port Highlights:
Diocletian's Palace
Diocletian's Palace:
Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Palace was
built in the 4th century by Emperor Diocletian as
an imperial residence and fortified camp. Typically Roman,
it is rectangular in shape and one main street running
north/south and another running east/west divide it into
four distinct quarters (each with its own gate to the
outside wall). Within its walls there are many significant
historic sites worth visiting:
Peristyle Square:
This was the central meeting place for residents and also
the place where the two main streets intersect. The tourist
office is located here, as are guides offering to give
private narrated walking tours.
Peristyle Square
Cathedral of St. Duje and Diocletian's Mausoleum:
Converted to a church in the 5th century, the
hand-carved wooden doors are 800 years old. The Cathedral
was actually built inside the remains of the Roman emperor's
mausoleum and is situated on the eastern side of Peristyle
Square.
Entrance to St. Duje Cathedral
Bell Tower:
Part of the Cathedral of St. Duje, the Bell Tower is
considered one of the city's main symbols.
Bell Tower
Temple of Jupiter:
This impressive, intact temple of the legendary Roman god is
worth the 5 kn entrance fee.
Temple of Jupiter Baptistery
A headless Egyptian sphinx sits guard at the entrance.
Temple of Jupiter Entrance
Ethnographic Museum and Split City Museum:
Within the walls of the Palace, the Ethnographic Museum and
Split City Museum are both worth a visit. The basic forms of
economic life and on-site excavations can be found at the
Ethnographic Museum located just inside the Brass Gate. The
Split City Museum is housed in what was originally the
Papalic Palace.
Split City Museum
Gregory of Nin Statue:
A huge statue of Grgyr Ninski, sculpted by Ivan Mestrovic,
sits just outside the walls of the Golden Gate on the north
side of the Palace. The statue was erected to honor the
Croatian bishop who opposed the Pope and introduced the
Croatian language into religious services. Rubbing the
statue's toe is supposed to bring good luck.
Gregory of Nin Statue
Off the Beaten Path:
If you have enough time, or have visited Split before, here
are a couple recommended options to consider for your
independent explorations.
Marjan Hill:
Marjan Hill
The easiest way to get to Marjan Hill is to follow the
street just to the right of St. Frane Church (the one with
the clock tower at the end of the Riva, behind the town
fountain).
St. Frane Church
Follow the street uphill for about 15 minutes and you will
arrive at Marjan Hill.
Uphill Walk to Marjan Hill
From this vantage point you will be treated to one of the
best overlooks of the city. This ancient part of the city is
a maze of interesting streets, tiny churches, hermit houses
and location of one of the oldest Jewish cemeteries in
Europe.
Trogir:
Trogir waterfront
Trogir, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a Romanesque
treasure with a pedestrian-only walled Old Town. Old Town is
a labyrinth of ancient streets and alleys that wind from an
open air court on one end to the waterfront on the other.
Trogir Old Town
The best way to get from Split to Trogir is to take the 30
minute ride on the “Coach Bus” (not the local bus #37 which
is often recommended) which leaves about every half hour
from the main bus terminal. The main bus terminal is located
opposite the ferry terminal, about a 10 minute walk from the
Green Market. While the local bus #37 will get you to Trogir,
it will take much longer as it makes numerous stops along
the way. If you prefer, there is also a water taxi that
leaves from the head of the Riva (can be seen from the
cruise dock). However, the journey takes about 1 hour and
the schedule is limited to departures every 3-4 hours.
Water taxi to Trogir
Dining and Drinking Suggestions:
While I can't recommend any one place in particular, the
Riva is lined with cafés and restaurants that offer drinking
and dining opportunities.
Riva Dining
There are also a number of dining/drinking options within
the Palace proper. From local dishes like slow-cooked peka,
black risotto and pašticada to fresh sea bass, mussels,
grilled sardines and shrimp, Split is a city of
gastronomical treats. Split is also known for its excellent
pizza. You will find some of the very best wood-fired, thin
crust pizza along the shopping street of Marmontova. For the
more adventurous palate, scorpion fish is a noted delicacy.
Courtyard Dining Inside Palace Walls
Wine has been an integral part of Mediterranean life for
centuries and Croatian wines are no exception. A bottle of
local graševina is an excellent choice if you like a light
white wine.
Must Do List:
Taking a walking tour of Diocletian's Palace and strolling
the Riva promenade are definitely the highlights of this
port.
Riva Promenade
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