How to spend 24 hours in Split, Croatia
This Croatian city on the Adriatic peninsula offers history, beauty and food. Here’s how the perfect day might unfold.
Split is Croatia's second-largest city and is abound with things to explore, including its UNESCO-listed Old Town.
8.30am
Make the Radisson Blu Resort & Spa your base for exploring historic Split. Located on the peninsula’s southern seafront, it’s within easy walking range of the centre. Start the day with breakfast and beautiful sea views at The Fig Leaf Restaurant, which serves a buffet of juices, cold cuts and pastries and also has an array of hot options, like waffles and omelettes.
10am
After breakfast, walk into Split. Signs of the city’s Roman past are everywhere, including Diocletian’s Palace, which the Roman emperor had built as a ‘retirement home’ in 305AD. You can stroll it at leisure — its walls and gates still form the core of the old town.
12pm
Wander over to Peristil Square, whose twin sphinxes were imported from Egypt by Diocletian. The adjacent St Domnius was originally built as the emperor’s mausoleum and is arguably the world’s oldest cathedral.
1pm
Amble back to the Radisson for lunch at the Mistral Beach Club. As its name might suggest, this al fresco eatery is situated right on the shore. The menu offers salads, fish and meaty burgers — and if the weather demands it, you can take a dip from the swimming platform.
2.30pm
Soak up some more culture at Split’s Museum of Fine Arts, which focuses on Croatian painters like Vlaho Bukovac and Mato Celestin Medovic. The Ivan Meštrović Gallery pays tribute to the celebrated Croatian sculptor — the Rodin of the Balkans, if you will.
The newly revamped Spalato Spa is home to a steam room, relaxation spaces, warm and cold pools and treatment rooms.
4pm
The Ivan Meštrović Gallery is persuasively positioned on the south side of Marjan, the forested hill that rises up beyond the centre. After leaving the museum, stretch your legs on a breezy walk along the seafront path.
5pm
Stroll along the Riva, the promenade that stretches out in front of the old town, on the edge of the marina. Then head back to the resort for dinner and a relaxing spa treatment.
6.30pm
Back at the resort, head to Spalato Spa for its Power of the Sea signature treatment, which involves a deep-cleansing body scrub, detoxifying body wrap and full body massage.
Where to eat
Make your way to the hotel’s Caper Grill for Dalmatian food and spectacular views of the Adriatic. Highlights on the menu include the catch of the day, Croatian rib-eye steak and Kvarner Bay scampi risotto.
Where to relax
To unwind, don’t miss the resort’s Mistral Beach Club. At the Spalato Spa, try the Power of the Sea signature treatment, involving a deep-cleansing body scrub, a body wrap and a full body massage.
How to do it
Facilities at the Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Split include a new spa, 252 rooms (with sea/city views), Mistral Beach Club and five bars and restaurants. There are direct flights to Split from several UK cities. For more information, visit radissonblu.com
Find us on social media
