More than just an arrival point for the playground central Dalmatia, Split is a World Heritage Site that has the vivaciousness of Italy and complexities of the Balkans all served together in a tasty vacation meal. For all your accommodation needs in Split, start searching here on FlipKey for the ideal apartment or villa to rent.

About Split, Croatia

With the sparkling-clean Adriatic Sea and a rugged limestone mountain backdrop, Split has the distinction of having been built inside a Roman palace. Built around the turn of the 4th century by Diocletian as a retirement home, Split has grown to become Croatia’s second largest city with a population of 178,000.

Inside Split’s medieval fortified walls, built to defend against the Ottoman Turks, you will find Roman, Venetian, and Renaissance Baroque buildings all worthy of UNESCO recognition as a World Heritage Site.

Despite its historic significance, Split is also very much a working city, where tucked away in side streets you will find chic minimalist cafes with house DJ music, and stylish boutiques selling all the latest Italian fashions.

Freshly caught seafood is always on the menu as are sunny days on the city’s popular Bačvice beach and people-watching on Split’s famous waterfront Riva Promenade.

What to do in Split

First on any traveler’s list of things to see and do in Split has to be the Old Town. Visit the world’s best preserved Roman Palace for an insight into the life of Emperor Diocletian. For a real sense of what Split may have been like in Roman times, visit the Peristyle Pavilion at night to view the original Egyptian sphinx that belonged to Pharaoh Tuthmosis III.

For the best views of the Old Town climb the bell tower in Split cathedral before encountering the world’s narrowest street, aptly named “Let me pass”.

With the entire Old Town feeling like a living museum, it is easy to miss the fact that Split does have museums and that they are worth a visit.

Book a tour to visit the popular summer resort island of Hvar and go snorkeling in a secluded lagoon before lunch at a harbor-front restaurant.

Top travel tips for Split

Split is best visited during June and August when it’s warm enough to swim in the sea and eat outside. To avoid the crowds, visit in October when the kids are back in school and the weather is still warm.

Unless you plan on doing day trips, a car can be a headache you don’t need. Everywhere is easily accessible by public bus and the Old Town of Split is a pedestrian-only zone.

Avoid anywhere where they have people in the street trying to lure you in and look for lunch specials in restaurants away from the tourist trail.

Split is a cosmopolitan city steeped in history and a perfect base from which to explore the Dalmatian coastal towns and islands. Whether you are looking for a room with a view or a villa with a pool, FlipKey is the go-to source for rental properties in Croatia. Start searching today!