A dear friend of mine has been visiting Split for years, but it wasn’t until I experienced it for myself that I finally understood why. Split has a little something for everyone; mountains and sea, and ancient ruins alongside modern-day comforts. No wonder the producers of “The Game of Thrones” chose it at a site location for one of its recent episodes. There is something magical about all the wonders of Split, Croatia. Ancient buildings are surrounded by award winning restaurants serving up delicious Mediterranean food, and then there is the captivating turquois color of the Adriatic Sea just blocks away.
Diocletian’s Palace
Diocletian’s Palace
Diocletian’s Palace is the retirement palace of the Roman Emperor Diocletian and the crown jewel of the city. Diocletian ruled in early 4th century A.D and was unusual in that he voluntarily gave up his throne. It is gigantic and fascinating palace. I could have spent an entire day wandering around inside, where there is an open-air market filled with locally grown fruits and veggies. Artisan crafts are proudly displayed for purchase by curious tourists and savvy locals. I saw gorgeous handbags, lavender soaps, lot of coral jewelry, and many types of handicrafts made from the signature limestone of the nearby Island of Brac.
The Adriatic Sea
The waterfront of Split lit up at night
After roaming through Diocletian’s Palace we wondered down to the water front area. Tourist and residents alike sat under umbrellas beside large palm trees enjoying cocktails or a delicious cup of coffee. Children freely wandered around from table to table as dogs slept in the sun. Huge yachts and sailboats lined the colorful marina. The multilingual-conversation was lively and the fresh scent of salt air once again filled my lungs. It was a glorious day in the mid-60s and I was thrilled to see that my skin turned a little pink from the sun. Later, I found a nice place to practice some yoga near the shore where I could surround myself with nature’s early Springtime gift of sunshine.
Astounding Nature
Split is full of natural wonders and geological beauty, most of them located on or near the sea. Split is the central hub to many of Croatia’s 1249 islands, so if you want to experience the astounding beauty of the Mediterranean, I highly recommend visiting Croatia. Many islands are easily accessible with a simple ferry ride.
Bol, on the The Island of Brac
Blue Cave, also called Blue Grotto, is a world renowned phenomena located about an hour and a half from Split on the popular island of Biševo. Depending on the season, the perfect time to visit the cave is between 11 a.m. and noon when the sunlight reflects through the water coming from the deep white floor of the cave. The sunlight illuminates the inside of the cave in aquamarine light making objects in the water to appear silver.
Plitvice Lakes National Park
Another famous natural attraction near Split is Plitvice Lakes National Park. The park covers about 186 square miles and include 16 lakes and numerous waterfalls. It is also home to bear, fox, wild boar, and wolves. The best time to visit the park in is late Spring or early Summer.
From charming historic cities, to ancient ruins, fine restaurants, little Mediterranean islands, and the gorgeous Adriatic Sea, there is no shortage of fun activities near Split, Croatia. So pull out your calendar and grab some friends, because Croatia beckons you for an unforgettable trip of a lifetime.