Split Cruise Port, located about 15 minutes walk from the centre of Split Old Town, means that you’ll be strolling through a Roman Emperor’s Palace or chilling on a buzzing beach in no time! In this guide, I’ll also share attractions further afield, such as Klis Fortress, made famous in the Game of Thrones and the ruins of Salona.
This is Part 1 of my Split Cruise Port Guide series. Check out the other guides if you’re interested to do a day trip:
- Part 2: Split to Trogir Day Trip: UNESCO Journey Through Time
- Part 3: Split to Krka National Park: DIY Guide to Krka Waterfalls
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Split Cruise Port: Is a DIY Excursion Easy? 😎😎😎😎😎 Easy Peasy
My DIY Shore Excursion rating for Split (Croatia) cruise port is 😎😎😎😎😎 – Easy peasy!
Split’s cruise port makes DIY exploration a breeze! Here’s why:
- Location, location: The town center, packed with attractions, is a short 15-minute stroll away. The walk is about 1km (0.6 miles) on flat ground.
- Beach Vibes: Even Bačvice Beach, Split’s popular sandy spot, is within easy walking distance.
- Beyond the Walk: Need to go further? Buses from Old Town can take you to spots like Kašjuni Beach in Marjan Hill Forest Park and Klis Fortress (featured in Game of Thrones TV series)
Curious about my DIY ratings? Check what my DIY Shore Excursion rating means.
Split Cruise Port Essentials: What You Need to Know
- Split Cruise Port Address: Obala kneza Domagoja 16, 21000, Split, Croatia
- Currency: Euro
- Kuna no longer accepted: Croatia changed its currency to the euro on January 1st, 2023. The Croatian Kuna is no longer accepted as legal tender.
- Language: Croatian
- Official Split Port Website lists scheduled cruise ship arrivals
- Official Tourism Website: The Tourist Board of Split’s official website has an interesting virtual tour of Split; try it out before your cruise to have a panoramic view of the city. You can clearly visualise where the cruise ships are in relation to the old town.
- Recommended Transport App: I used Google Maps while I was in Split. If you plan on using buses, the local bus authority’s website has a good interactive bus map.
- eSIM for roaming in Croatia: For a great data connection without the huge roaming fees, use an eSim data pack from Airalo. I always recommend having a smartphone with a valid plan when you’re at port touring independently. Get US$3 off your first eSIM data pack from Airalo when you use ROXANN1666 when you sign up or apply it at checkout
Getting from Split Cruise Port to City Centre (Old Town): Easy Walk
Split’s gorgeous Old Town is car-free. And it’s an easy 15-minute stroll away! Once off your ship, walk towards the ferry terminal along the harbour and you’ll be there in no time. I remember the walk being pretty exposed during August, so don’t forget your hat and sunscreen.
Split Cruise Port Map
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Split Cruise Port: Top Things to See & Do
1. Diocletian’s Palace: A Must-See Roman Relic
This is THE must-see in Split. This UNESCO World Heritage Site isn’t just a historical ruin; it’s a living breathing city centre that has survived from the 4th century. Built for Emperor Diocletian’s retirement, here’s a few landmarks not to miss:
- The Peristyle: This is the grand central courtyard of the palace, surrounded by impressive columns and arches. It would have been the heart of palace life in Roman times.
- The Vestibule is a circular domed hall that once served as the grand entrance to the emperor’s private apartments.
- The Temple of Jupiter is a Roman temple transformed into a baptistery in the early Christian era. The vast underground halls, which would have been used as cellars, now house shops and art exhibits.
- Golden, Silver, Iron and Brass Gates: These four main gates mark the Old Town parameters – these gates are on my map above 👆
- The Golden Gate could only be used by the Emperor and the immediate members of his family. Don’t miss the nearby monument to the Bishop Gregius of Nin, the work of a great Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović.
- The Silver Gate, notably more modest in its decorations, was used to enter the palace to the central city square.
- The Iron Gate was originally a military gate where the troops would enter the city
- The Brass Gate was originally a sea gate which the Emperor entered the complex by boat.
Want to really picture Diocletian’s Palace in its prime? Check out the Diocletians Dream VR experience! Imagine stepping back in time to see it in all its glory. I really enjoyed it and went back to Old Town afterwards to re-imagine it. Plus, it’s a great way to escape the heat for a bit! Alternatively do a guided walking tour of Old Town and the Diocletian Palace.
2. Cathedral of St. Domnius
Diocletian’s final resting place was an extravagant octagonal tomb – fitting for the emperor who built the surrounding palace. But over the centuries, his grand mausoleum was transformed into the Cathedral of St. Domnius.
History buffs: Diocletian persecuted Christians, including St. Domnius, who later became Split’s patron saint. He’d likely be horrified to know his tomb was converted into a cathedral honouring his former target!
Be sure to check out the 13th-century carved doors. They depict scenes from the life of Jesus like a medieval comic book. And if you’re up for a climb, the six-story bell tower (which took centuries to complete!) offers stunning views. A combined ticket (€15 at 2023 prices) grants you access to the cathedral, crypt, baptistery, treasury, and bell tower.
3. Bačvice Beach
If you fancy a beach day, then mix with the locals at Bačvice Beach! There’s great public facilities including showers and changing rooms as well as a whole bunch of cafes & bars along the promenade right behind the beach. Don’t forget your beach towel from the ship!
How to get there from Split cruise port: Bačvice Beach is about a 10-minute walk from the cruise port. Once you disembark, walk along the main road towards the big round-about. Instead of walking north towards the ferry terminal, take a right turn and walk along the paved road. Follow signs to the beach.
4. Kašjuni Beach & the Marjan Peninsula
Kašjuni Beach is perhaps not Split’s most famous beach but it makes up with crystal turquoise water! Slightly further from the cruise port, it is located in Marjan Peninsula, a green forest oasis west of Split’s old town area.
Often referred to as the “lungs of the city”, there’s plenty of activities to choose from, from hiking, biking to rock climbing. If you fancy a gentle hike and walk up the 300 steps to Telegrin Peak, where you’ll get some stunning panoramic views of Split’s Old Town and the Adriatic Sea. The stairs are in good condition and there’s many benches along the way for a break.
How to get there from Split cruise port: Walk from the cruise port towards Old Town as described above. Walk along the waterfront (“Riva”) towards the western end. From bus stop called “Sveti Frane”, Bus #12 will drop you off right at the beach. If you’re planning to climb up to Telegrin peak, the entrance to the trail is not far from the bus stop, so just keep on walking.
5. Klis Fortress
Klis was founded in 2nd century BC by the Illyrians. Over the centuries, it was taken by the Romans, the Turks and the Venetians. Made famous by the TV series Games of Thrones as Meereen, where Daenerys Targaryen had all the nasty slave-masters crucified in season 4.
If you’re visiting during the summer months, make this your first stop as there is little shade. You can then cool off on one of the beaches on your way back to the port. Check out this virtual tour if you’ve deciding whether this is worth the trek to get there.
How to get there: Klis is 12 kms (7 miles) north-east of Split Old Town. Catch bus #22 directly to Klis from the bus stop close by the Croatian National Theatre. Download the local bus authority app to pay for your bus fare or purchase tickets from the Tisak kiosk nearby before boarding the bus. Don’t forget to double-check timetables! Klis Fortress is open 9am to 5pm every day; tickets are €10 – check for opening hours update on its Croatian website. Google Translate works just fine!
6. Further afield: Salona, Trogir & Krka Waterfalls
Group shore excursions will typically offer a few half-day tours including Salona, Trogir and Krka Waterfalls, so I’ll cover them here with my views on whether you can see these sites independently.
(a) Trogir
Trogir’s Old Town is so special, it earned a spot on UNESCO’s World Heritage list! This tiny island is packed with history – founded way back in the 3rd century BC, its streets echo with Greek, Roman, and Venetian influences. Think cobblestone lanes, hidden courtyards, and gorgeous old buildings galore. Must-sees include the stunning Cathedral of St. Lawrence and the Kamerlengo Fortress (climb it for the views!)
Trogir is 20km (12.5 miles) west of Split. You can get there via intercity coach, ferry or regular suburban bus services. Read my detailed guide on how to do a DIY shore excursion Split to Trogir Day Trip: UNESCO Journey Through Time.
(b) Ruins of Salona
On the main road to Trogir (see below), the ruins of Salona was the fourth-largest city in the Romain Empire during its heyday. Only about 10-15% has been excavated so far. If you’re into Roman history, then this will be an interesting half-day trip idea for you.
There’s plenty to see, from the amphitheatre built around 2nd century A.D. to the public baths and aqueduct fragments. Opening hours change depending on season, so do check the website as well as bus timetable.
How to get to Salona independently from Split cruise port: Walk towards Split Old Town as above and find the bus stop at Croatian National Theatre. Bus #1 will take you directly to the entrance.
(c) Krka Waterfalls
Krka National Park is famous for its breathtaking waterfalls, especially the magnificent Skradinski Buk. This cascade of 17 waterfalls spills into natural pools along the Krka River. There are also smaller waterfalls, canyons and rich variety of flora and fauna to explore.
Krka National Park is about a 1.5 hour drive away from Split – read more in my guide Split to Krka National Park: DIY Guide to Krka Waterfalls
Featured Image with thanks to Michelle Raponi from Pixabay
Dubrovnik gets all the hype but I found Split to be wonderfully delightful town to spend a port day, with just as much history and far fewer crowds.
Hope you’ll have a wonderful day in Split cruise port. If this post has been helpful to you, please do share it. And drop me a comment to let me know your questions!
