Split + Islands + Krka & Trogir 5-Day

Activities

1. 09:00 Arrive + check in near the old town 1h30

   From Split Airport (SPU, near Trogir, ~25 km), take bus #37 (€5, ~50 min), the Pleso airport shuttle (€8, 30-40 min), or a taxi/Bolt (€25-35, 25-30 min) to the center. Drop bags at accommodation in or beside the palace.

   Cost: Transfer €5-35 TIP: Don't bring a rental car into the old town — it's pedestrianized with no parking. Withdraw euros from a bank ATM (Erste, PBZ, OTP), not a yellow Euronet machine, and decline the machine's currency conversion. Veli Varoš and Bačvice are quieter, cheaper bases a few minutes from the palace.
2. 11:00 Diocletian's Palace — Peristyle & the old town 1h30

   Enter the 4th-century Roman palace (built around 305 AD as Emperor Diocletian's retirement home) — now a living old town. Walking the gates, alleys, and the central Peristyle square is free.

   Cost: Free to walk TIP: Start at the Peristyle, the colonnaded heart of the palace, then wander out through the Golden, Silver, Iron, and Bronze gates. It's a working neighborhood, not a museum behind glass. Mornings are far less crowded than midday, when cruise groups arrive.
3. 12:30 Lunch — Villa Spiza (old-town konoba) 1h

   A few lanes north of the Peristyle, Villa Spiza is a tiny counter cooking a daily chalkboard menu — grilled fish, black risotto, beef stew — that locals and chefs love. Plates around €10-15.

   Cost: €12-25 TIP: There's no fixed menu — order from the board. Just a few seats, so arrive around noon to avoid a wait; cash is handy. Closed Sundays — Konoba Fetivi in Veli Varoš (a Michelin Bib Gourmand) is the backup.
4. 14:00 Cathedral of St Domnius + bell tower + cellars 1h30

   The cathedral, built inside Diocletian's mausoleum, plus its climbable Romanesque bell tower for old-town views, and the atmospheric palace cellars (substructures) below. Each part has a small separate ticket (a few euros).

   Cost: Cathedral/tower/cellars a few € each TIP: The bell tower climb is steep and narrow but the views over the red roofs and harbor are the best in the old town. The cellars stood in for Daenerys's Meereen in Game of Thrones. Combo tickets cover the cathedral, tower, crypt, and treasury.
5. 16:00 The Riva waterfront promenade 1h

   Split's palm-lined seafront promenade along the south wall of the palace — cafés, the harbor, and the ferry port. The city's social heart and the place for a slow coffee.

   Cost: Coffee €2-3.50 TIP: Do as locals do: order a slow espresso and watch the harbor. The Riva is also where you'll check ferry departures for tomorrow's island trip — the port is right here. Prime waterfront tables carry a small premium.
6. 17:30 Marjan Hill sunset walk 2h

   Climb the stairs from Veli Varoš up the pine-forested Marjan Hill to the Telegrin viewpoint for a sweeping panorama over the palace, harbor, and islands. The best free thing to do in Split.

   Cost: Free TIP: The climb takes 20-30 minutes; bring water, especially in summer heat. Sunset light over the islands is the reward. The Vidilica café partway up is a good rest stop. Rocky swimming coves sit below the hill if you want a dip first.
7. 20:00 Dinner — Dalmatian konoba 2h

   A back-street konoba (Konoba Matejuška by the fishing harbor, or Konoba Varoš) for grilled fish, black risotto, or pašticada with a glass of Plavac Mali.

   Cost: €20-40 per person TIP: Reserve in peak season — the good konobas are small. If ordering whole fish (priced per kilo), confirm the weight and total before it's grilled. Black risotto and pašticada are fixed-price safe bets. Finish with a rakija, often offered on the house.

Meal Recommendations

Activities

1. 08:00 Morning catamaran from Split port 1h30

   Walk to the central ferry port on the Riva and board a catamaran to Hvar Town (~1 hour, from €25) or Brač/Bol (~1 hour, from €20). Operators include Jadrolinija, Kapetan Luka/Krilo, and TP Line.

   Cost: Ferry €20-25 each way TIP: Book foot-passenger catamaran tickets online a day or two ahead in July-August — popular crossings sell out. Catamarans are faster than car ferries. Check the return schedule before you sail so you don't get stranded on a thinning afternoon timetable.
2. 10:00 Explore the island town 2h30

   On Hvar: the harbor, the main square, and the Spanish Fortress (Fortica) above town for panoramic views over the Pakleni Islands. On Brač: Bol village and the famous Zlatni Rat ('Golden Horn') shingle beach.

   Cost: Fortress ~€10 (Hvar) TIP: Hvar is the livelier, glitzier island (and pricier); Brač/Bol is more beach-focused and relaxed. The Hvar fortress climb is hot at midday — go earlier or take water. On Brač, Zlatni Rat is a 20-30 min walk or short shuttle from Bol's harbor.
3. 13:00 Lunch + swimming 2h30

   A seafood lunch at an island konoba, then swim — the Pakleni Islands off Hvar (water taxi) or Zlatni Rat on Brač. The Adriatic is warmest June-September.

   Cost: Lunch €15-30; water taxi €10-15 TIP: Bring reef shoes for pebble beaches and the rocks. From Hvar Town, a short water taxi reaches the clear, quiet Pakleni Islands for the best swimming. Confirm the per-kilo price on whole fish at lunch.
4. 16:00 Island time + return catamaran 2h

   More beach, a wander through the old streets, or a drink by the harbor before the afternoon/evening catamaran back to Split (~1 hour).

   Cost: Return fare (see morning) TIP: Don't miss the last fast catamaran (schedules thin out late afternoon, especially in shoulder season). If you fall for an island, you can also stay 1-2 nights and continue — but for a day trip, watch the clock.
5. 19:00 Back in Split — Riva sunset + dinner 2h30

   Arrive back at the Split port, walk the Riva at golden hour, and have dinner at an Adriatic seafood spot (Ma:Toni near Bačvice, or Konoba Fetivi).

   Cost: €20-50 per person TIP: Reserve dinner ahead in summer. Buzara (shellfish in wine and garlic) or black risotto pair well with a crisp Pošip white. Bačvice beach nearby is the spot for late-evening drinks and the local picigin ball game.

Meal Recommendations

Activities

1. 08:30 Travel to Krka National Park 2h

   Head ~85 km (1.5h) northwest to Krka — by guided day tour (from ~$60 with transport) or by intercity bus to Skradin or Lozovac, then the park's boat/shuttle into the falls area.

   Cost: Tour ~$60 / bus + park transport TIP: A tour removes the logistics of connecting buses and park boats. From Skradin, a scenic boat ride takes you up the river into the park. Bring water, sun protection, and good shoes for the boardwalks.
2. 10:30 Skradinski Buk cascades + boardwalks 3h

   Walk the wooden boardwalks weaving over and around the Skradinski Buk, Krka's signature multi-tiered cascade, through lush river scenery. Park entry is €30-40 depending on season.

   Cost: Entry €30-40 TIP: Swimming inside the park has been banned since 2021, so this is about walking and photography, not a dip. Go early to beat tour-bus crowds at the main cascade. The full boardwalk loop is a couple of relaxed hours.
3. 14:00 Lunch in Skradin 1h30

   A riverside lunch in the pretty town of Skradin at the park's edge — Dalmatian seafood, the local Skradinski rižot, and a glass of wine by the marina.

   Cost: €15-30 TIP: Skradin is calmer and more characterful than the busy park entrance. Skradinski rižot is a slow-cooked local risotto worth trying. A relaxed stop before the ride back.
4. 16:30 Return to Split + evening at leisure 2h

   Head back to Split (1.5h). Evening at leisure on the Riva or Bačvice — a swim, drinks, and a relaxed dinner.

   Cost: Transport (tour/bus) TIP: After a long day outdoors, an easy Riva dinner is ideal. Bačvice beach is the spot for an evening swim and the local picigin ball game. Save a sit-down konoba feast for tomorrow.
5. 20:00 Dinner — Dalmatian wine bar 2h

   Zinfandel or Uje Oil Bar in the old town for Dalmatian classics with a strong Croatian wine list — pašticada, black risotto, or sharing plates of pršut and Pag cheese.

   Cost: €20-50 per person TIP: Reserve in summer. Ask for Plavac Mali (red) or Pošip (white) to pair. Uje is the more veg-friendly, sharing-plate option; Zinfandel is the wine-led dinner.

Meal Recommendations

Activities

1. 08:00 Catamaran to Brač (Bol) or Vis 1h30

   From the Split port, take a catamaran to Bol on Brač (~1h, from €20) for the famous Zlatni Rat beach, or to Vis (~2h) for the quietest, most remote island and the Blue Cave excursion.

   Cost: Ferry €20-25 each way TIP: Bol/Brač is the easy choice for the iconic beach; Vis suits travelers wanting somewhere wilder and less developed. Book ahead in peak season and check the return catamaran times before you sail.
2. 10:00 Zlatni Rat beach (Brač) / island exploring (Vis) 3h

   On Brač: the Zlatni Rat 'Golden Horn', a shifting shingle spit that's Croatia's most photographed beach, with clear water and windsurfing. On Vis: the harbor town, Stiniva cove, and Blue Cave boat trips.

   Cost: Beach free; water sports extra TIP: Zlatni Rat is a 20-30 min walk or short shuttle from Bol's harbor — reef shoes help on the shingle. Brač is a windsurfing hotspot (the maestral wind). On Vis, the Blue Cave is a separate boat excursion best booked ahead.
3. 13:30 Island lunch + more beach time 2h30

   A seafood lunch at a Bol or Vis konoba, then more swimming and sun before the return crossing.

   Cost: €15-30 TIP: Confirm per-kilo fish prices. Vis is known for excellent, less touristy konobas and its own wine (Vugava white, Plavac red). Watch the clock for the last fast catamaran back.
4. 17:00 Return to Split 2h

   Afternoon/evening catamaran back to Split (~1h from Brač, ~2h from Vis). Freshen up before dinner.

   Cost: Return fare (see morning) TIP: From Vis, leave more buffer — it's the longer crossing and the schedule is thinner. Back on the Riva, a sunset stroll is the perfect wind-down.
5. 20:00 Dinner — back-street konoba 2h

   Konoba Korta or Konoba Marjan for a peka feast (order ahead earlier in the day) or pašticada, with Plavac Mali wine.

   Cost: €20-45 per person TIP: Peka must be ordered hours in advance and is usually for two — call ahead in the morning if you want it tonight. Otherwise pašticada or grilled fish. A rakija nightcap is the traditional finish.

Meal Recommendations

Activities

1. 09:00 Day trip to Trogir 1h

   Head ~30 km west to Trogir (bus #37, €5, 25-30 min, or a seasonal Bura Line ferry ~55 min) — a UNESCO-listed medieval old town on a small island, threaded with marble streets.

   Cost: Bus #37 €5 TIP: Trogir is on the airport road, so it pairs perfectly with a later flight — see the town, then continue to SPU. Bus #37 is the same line that serves the airport. The old town is compact and walkable.
2. 10:30 Trogir old town + cathedral 2h

   The Cathedral of St Lawrence with its renowned Radovan portal, the Kamerlengo fortress on the waterfront, and the Cipiko palace — a tightly packed medieval ensemble. Climb the cathedral tower for views.

   Cost: Cathedral/tower small fees TIP: Trogir's old town can be seen in 1-2 hours. The Radovan portal (13th century) is a highlight of Croatian medieval art. Finish with a coffee on Trogir's own seafront promenade.
3. 13:00 Last Dalmatian lunch 1h30

   Lunch in Trogir or back in Split — a final konoba meal (Konoba Fetivi, Buffet Fife, or a Trogir seafood spot) before heading on.

   Cost: €12-30 TIP: If flying out, eat in Trogir and go straight to the nearby airport. If continuing to Dubrovnik or Zadar by bus, return to Split's main bus station by the Riva.
4. 15:00 Departure (or onward to Dubrovnik) 1h30

   Head to Split Airport (SPU, near Trogir), or continue your Croatia trip — Dubrovnik ~3h south, Zadar ~1.5h north, Plitvice ~3h.

   Cost: Bus #37 €5 / bus onward TIP: An open-jaw plan (into Split, out of Dubrovnik) avoids backtracking. Arrive at SPU ~2 hours before an international flight in summer. Book intercity buses ahead in peak season.

Meal Recommendations