Split is Croatia’s second-largest city. Set on the beautiful Dalmatian coastline of the Adriatic Sea, Split is 17 centuries old! It’s dramatic Roman and Venetian history can be felt as you walk the cobbled streets of this ancient, yet vibrant seaport. It’s the perfect location to start a sun-filled incentive trip or host a corporate conference in one of its unique venues.

Must experiences:

• Take a walking tour of the Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace that dominates the city’s historic core and skyline. There’s nothing else like it in Europe. It’s a wonderfully-preserved 4th-century Unesco Heritage Site, blending Diocletian’s stately retirement villa with the remnants of a large military camp. Such is the scale that it’s more of a citadel than a palace and surprises await around every corner. It won’t come as a surprise that scenes from Game of Thrones have been filmed at this stunning location.
• A Split City Tour includes visits to Peristil Square (the original Roman court), two 3,500-year-old Egyptian sphinxes brought to the city by the Romans, the Statue of Grgur Ninski where people rub Ninski’s big toe for good luck and finish with lunch on the palm-lined promenade called Riva. In the late afternoon, enjoy a sea kayaking tour with a swim in the crystal clear waters and watch the sunset on a remote beach.
• Experience a full-day tour to visit the ancient Roman ruins of Salona where 60 000 people lived in the 6th century. Walk around the ancient amphitheatre, which once had capacity for 18,000 spectators. Then its off to visit Klis Fortress, balanced on a bluff above the terraced hills and framed by yet more towering cliffs of pale grey rock. For centuries throughout the medieval era, Klis was the seat of the Croatian Kings. During the Ottoman Wars, whoever held this castle, 10 km northeast of Split, held the upper hand in the region. You may even recognise where some of the dramatic Game of Thrones scenes were filmed. Finish with a visit to the historic medieval coastal town of Trogir.
• Wine and Waterfalls Tour – On this full-day tour you will visit St James Cathedral in Sibenik, swim under the waterfalls of Krka National Park and take a boat cruise to the town of Skradin for Croatian wine and cheese tasting.

Must eat: Pašticada – Croatia is not all about fish and seafood, Dalmatians are also experts in preparing meat. This dish is all about marinated beef, stuffed with bacon and carrots, enriched with wine and cooked for at least 6 hours. It is usually served on special occasions.

Best nightlife: After dinner, people usually go down to the Riva promenade and have a drink in one of the numerous coffee bars along the Riva. Here our personal recommendation would be St-Riva Cocktail Bar or Lvxor, where you sit in the centre of the old town in Peristyle square and listen to some of Split’s best young musicians performing live.

Best time to visit: The less crowded shoulder seasons of March-June and September-November.

Top tips:

• Ultra Europe Festival – Join 100 000 fans and attend this festival of electronic music held in Split in mid-July each year. The best DJ’s in the world perform in venues across the city with the main event held in Split’s Mladeži park.
• Croatia Boat Show – Every year in April, for the past 16 years in a row, Split hosts the Croatia Boat Show, bringing together the most prominent names in the nautical industry.

Our recommended DMC: Spektar Holidays DMC & PCO – Marin Vukov-Colić manages this friendly team of Croatian travel experts.