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For anyone with the least interest in history, a trip to Split would never be complete without visiting the Diocletian Palace. This 1,700-year-old palace of the emperor who divided the Roman Empire into two for better management overlooks the harbour and now has hotels and bars built into its massive walls.

The Cathedral of St Duje is the iconic symbol of Split, built to honour the first bishop here in the 13th century. Standing 57 metres tall, the main tower features on most postcards of Split and you get great views of the city and Dalmatian islands from the top - if you can make it up there.

Right in front of the cathedral you’ll find Peristyle Square, a hugely popular gathering place in the city. It’s surrounded by Classical columns and is at the heart of Split’s buzzing cultural life. The Split Summer Festival is held here because the acoustics are so good.

You should certainly visit Jupiter’s Temple in the Peristyle area. Dedicated to Cybele and Venus, it was built on a large, raised podium and tourists like to have their photos taken next to the Egyptian sphinx in the forecourt.

Another great place for a leisurely stroll with great views on your trip to Split is the city’s waterfront. It’s where Croatians go to see and be seen, and hosts everything from New Year’s Eve celebrations to major sports events. Riva, as it is known, was completely revamped just a few years ago and is now lined with chic coffee shops and entertainment venues.

The most popular piazza in Split is People’s Square, surrounded by a series of stunning buildings and a great spot to hang out in and enjoy the atmosphere. The huge Renaissance clock that dominates the square was built on the remains of an old Roman tower, and whilst there you can drop in to the legendary Gradska kafana for cake and coffee.

For some outdoor relief, Bacvice is Split’s gorgeous sandy beach, backed by many cafés and restaurants. As the waters are shallow it’s an ideal spot for spending a day with young kids in tow.

Split has a very wide choice of options when it comes to dining out. There’s a vibrant international food scene in the city, with everything from salad bars and pizzerias to trendy local cevapci joints. Some of the finest traditional Croatian cuisine can also be found in Split’s atmospheric small eateries in the Diocletian Palace area. 

Because of Split’s long Dalmatian coastline, fresh seafood is especially popular and specialty dishes include the likes of grilled lobster, octopus salad and squid ink risotto. But don’t worry if these don’t take your fancy because there are plenty of fast-food and international options in town as well.

A city of 200,000 citizens naturally has lots of different shopping options, and if you’re travelling to Split with shopping on your mind you’ll not be disappointed.

There are four shopping malls in Split where you’ll find a mix of trendy designer stores selling mainly clothing as well as smaller outlets for souvenirs and specialist goods. For furnishings, try the Emmezeta shopping centre, while in the Mercator Mall you’ll be able to pick up mainly shoes, sportswear and jewellery. 

There are also small markets throughout the city, such as the popular Stari Pazar, and an excellent Fish Market in the square beside Marmontova.