More about: 8 Best Day Trips from Split
One of the best things to see and do in Split is to base yourself in the city and embark on exciting excursions to see the beautiful natural landscapes and charming villages within a few hours' drive of the city.
From leisurely cruises on rivers and lakes to white water rafting, there are many and varied excursions you can take from Split, where fun, adventure and enriching experiences will never be lacking.
1. Excursion to 5 islands including entrance to the Blue Cave
Split is a city with a long coastline on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, so a great option is to embark on this speedboat excursion to 5 nearby islands, including the wonderful island of Hvar, the most popular in the region. You will also be able to visit amazing places such as the famous Blue Cave, which is located on the island of Bisevo.
These tours last approximately 10 hours and start early in the morning. It can be done by the whole family, especially in summer and spring, when the weather is warmer and you can take the opportunity to take a dip.
During the tour, you can stop at some islands for lunch, or visit interesting places like Komiza, a charming fishing village with quiet beaches. In addition, these excursions include some free time on Hvar Island for you to enjoy as you wish. This island has a village with very interesting renaissance buildings that you can visit in addition to its beaches.
Many excursions also include snorkelling, especially at Stiniva beach, which is located on the popular island of Vis. For this activity, you will be provided with the necessary equipment, and you will have professional guides who will give you all the instructions so that you can fully enjoy this experience.
Details of interest
- Price: from 125 € per person.
- Duration: around 10 hours.
- Means of transport: it is done by speedboat for about 60 people.
2. Excursion to 5 islands and Blue Cave and Hvar for small groups (without entrance fees)
If you prefer a more personalised tour of the islands, you can opt for a small group tour. These tours usually start with breakfast on Vis Island or Hvar Island and give you the opportunity to snorkel on Budikovac Island. They also include a visit to the famous Blue Cave, which is located on the island of Bisevo, although the entrance fee is not included in the price.
These excursions last approximately 12 hours, so they start early in the morning so that you can take advantage of the sunshine hours on the islands. They are conducted in a boat with a maximum of 12 people and you are accompanied by an expert guide who will give you valuable information about the sites you visit.
Other popular stops include Vis Island, which is home to a charming fishing village where you can have lunch or a snack. Another popular stop is the Blue Cave or Blue Grotto, where the waters turn a beautiful blue colour as the sun's rays enter the cave. Although you can't swim in the grotto, you can still see this amazing 8.3 km long sea cave in the Adriatic Sea, which is one of the best things to see in Split in two days or more.
Details of interest
- Price: from 105 € per person.
- Duration: about 12 hours.
- Means of transport: motorboat.
3. Plitvice Lakes National Park Excursion
One of the best day trips you can do from Split is to visit the Plitvice Lakes National Park, where you can see wonderful natural refuges, crystal clear lakes, waterfalls and forests with a great biodiversity. This excursion to Plitvice Lakes from Split includes a boat trip on the lakes, where you will appreciate the enormous beauty of this natural area.
This is an ideal excursion for people who like to walk and enjoy nature, as it usually includes a 5 km walk along the trails of the park accompanied by a local guide, who will be able to give you a lot of information about the park. There you can see numerous species of native animals and plants such as the Lika Pramenka sheep and other animals such as grey wolves, Eurasian lynxes and otters, brown bears, golden eagles and many, many more.
These excursions take place every day, starting early in the morning. They are open to people of all ages who have no difficulty walking on uneven terrain. They usually include transfer to and from the hotel (or nearby meeting point), and are conducted in groups of around 36 people.
Plitvice Lakes National Park is a forest reserve that has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It consists of 16 lakes and covers an area of 295 km2. One of the most impressive lakes you will see during the tour is the Upper Lake, the largest lake in the park, where the waters of the 80-metre high Veliki Slap waterfall spill over.
Interesting details
- Price: around 65 €.
- Duration: approximately 12 hours.
- Means of transport: by train and boat.
4. Excursion to the waterfalls of Krka National Park
Another great option to enjoy nature is to join a cruise excursion to Krka National Park from Split, where you can marvel at 7 beautiful waterfalls, trails, forests and the great diversity of flora and fauna. You will also visit the town of Primosten and the Ethnographic Museum of Krka, where you will see pieces of cultural and historical importance of the region.
The experience includes transfer to and from your hotel, or nearby meeting point, and takes place every day in the morning. Throughout the tour you will be accompanied by a professional guide who will provide you with valuable information about the park and the species of animals and plants that live there. Weather permitting, in addition to a boat ride, you can take a dip in one of the beautiful waterfalls.
In addition to touring the park along the trails, you can also visit the Ethnographic Museum and see the collection of objects that reflect the life of the locals, such as handicrafts, furniture, mills and old tools. As for Primosten, it is a beautiful seaside town with crystal-clear beaches and stone houses, where you can take a leisurely stroll in the Mediterranean air.
Interesting details
- Price: from 30 € per person.
- Duration: around 8-9 hours.
- Means of transport: bus and boat.
6. Boat trip to Hvar, Pakleni islands and Brac from Split or Trogir
If you prefer island hopping with luxury services, an excellent option is a boat trip to Hvar, Pakleni islands and Brac with lunch and unlimited drinks included from Split or Trogir. You will see islands, beaches, lagoons and islets with crystal clear waters on the island of Hvar and the Pakleni islands without having to worry about bringing food and drinks. In addition, the excursion ends with an on-board party with an open bar.
On board the catamaran you can sunbathe on the deck with your favourite drink, while watching the natural scenery around you. You will be accompanied at all times by a professional guide who will provide you with lots of information about the history and culture of each place you visit.
The cruise makes several stops so you can swim or refresh yourself. One of them is on the island of Brac, where you can swim and see the seabed through the crystal clear waters. Another stop is on the island of Hvar, where you can see historical monuments, coves and lavender and rosemary bushes. In addition, you can visit the beaches, lagoons and islets of the Pakleni Islands, which consists of about 20 islets with exotic flora and fauna.
Interesting details
- Price: from €72.
- Duration: about 10 hours.
- Means of transport: by catamaran.
7. City tour to Dubrovnik from Split
One of the most interesting cities to visit is Dubrovnik, a city famous for its medieval walls and buildings, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also famous for being one of the filming locations for the Game of Thrones series.
To get to know it, a good idea is to take an air-conditioned bus tour from Split It is organised in groups of about 30 people and includes free time for you to explore the city at your own pace. It is a full day tour (about 11 hours) with transfer included, and can be done a few days a week. It starts early in the morning.
At all times you will be accompanied by a professional guide who will tell you about the fascinating history of the place. Some of the sites you can visit in the city are St. John's Fortress, the Cathedral, Sponza Palace and Lokrum Island. You can also admire the city from its viewpoints which provide a beautiful panoramic view.
If you decide to walk around the city centre, you can also enjoy the gastronomy in its bars and restaurants. One of the most traditional Croatian dishes is burek, a dough stuffed with meat, vegetables, potatoes and cheese.
Interesting details
- Price: from 70 € for adults and 45 € for children under 12 years.
- Duration: approximately 10-12 hours.
- Means of transport: by air-conditioned vehicle.
5. Cruise excursion to the Blue Lagoon and the island of Solta
If you visit a coastal city like Split, a cruise along the Dalmatian coast is a must on your itinerary. So it's a good idea to hop on a boat to the Blue Lagoon and Solta, where you can try water sports if you're up for it. These excursions usually include a delicious lunch and drinks so you can make the most of the stops and the beautiful panoramic views.
The Blue Lagoon and Necujam Bay are ideal places for water activities such as snorkelling, as the crystal clear waters allow you to observe the seabed unobstructed. You can also paddle surf, and of course, swim in the beautiful turquoise waters. If you decide to snorkel, you will be provided with all the necessary equipment and professional instructors to guarantee a very safe experience.
These excursions also usually include a visit to the island of Solta, a beautiful island that used to be the favourite island of Emperor Diccletian. There you will find the village of Maslinica, where you can explore the unspoilt beaches, browse the shops and taste homemade honeys and local wines, or the famous olive oils.
Interesting details
- Price: from €45 per person.
- Duration: around 8 hours.
- Means of transport: by cruise ship.
8. Excursion to Mostar and Kravica waterfalls from Split
If you are looking for a tour that combines history, culture and natural scenery, the Mostar and Kravica Waterfalls tour is an excellent choice. This tour will take you from Split to Bosnia and Herzegovina, where you can discover the fascinating city of Mostar and enjoy spectacular natural surroundings.
Mostar is famous for its iconic Old Bridge (Stari Most), a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture. As you stroll through its cobblestone streets, you can learn about its history, multicultural culture and taste the exquisite Bosnian cuisine. After exploring the city, the tour continues to the Kravica Waterfalls, a natural paradise where you can relax, swim in the crystal clear waters or simply admire the beautiful scenery.
This tour is perfect for those who want to see more of the Dalmatian coastline and immerse themselves in the history and nature of the Balkans. Don't forget to bring a swimming costume, towel and comfortable shoes to make the most of the experience.
Interesting details
- Price: from €57 per adult.
- Duration: approximately 12 hours.
- Means of transport: air-conditioned vehicle with professional guide.