If you’re in the market for a destination that combines a city break with culture and some down time at the beach, then the Croatian city of Split may be just the place.
Despite its huge popularity with tourists thanks to its beaches, its assorted restaurants and its exciting nightlife, Split nevertheless retains an age-old character that has slowly developed over nearly 2,000 years.
Split is noticeable for its exceptional ability to immerse visitors in its rich culture and history no matter which part of the city they see, due to its numerous art galleries, Gothic buildings, courtyard fountains and Renaissance monuments scattered everywhere. They give the city the kind of charm that just makes people want to come back again and again.
If you’re interested in culture, then you will love Split for its narrow streets, each one choc-a-bloc with food stalls and shops, mingled with museums and art galleries where you can while away the daytime hours.
But Split is also a place where you can walk for hours and hours and never be bored, thanks to the multitude of historic monuments and sights which surround you no matter which direction you turn.
Split has a rich Roman past, as evidenced by its magnificent Roman Aqueduct, and the Mausoleum of Emperor Diocletian, which you can find at the ancient St. Duje Cathedral.
Another spectacular monument from a different era of Split’s past is the Gripe Fortress, constructed when the city was part of the Venetian Empire, to defend against attacks from the Ottomans during the 1600s.
However, the real highlight of any Split city break is that unlike most other European cities, it is within touching distance of some of the most beautiful coastline on the Adriatic Sea. The blue flag beaches at the resort of Bacvice are the best spot to take a dip in the water, basked in glorious sunshine during the long summers.
It’s the beaches that make Split a truly special weekend getaway. With its unique combination of culture, history, sunshine and sand, what more could you ask for?