The cruise port of Split, Croatia was the first port of call on my 7-Night Greece & Croatia Cruise on board Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas in May, 2023. The ship arrived into the port later in the morning, having had a delayed departure from Trieste, Italy, the day before. After a leisurely morning aboard the ship drinking coffee and relaxing, I ventured out with my friends Kimberley and Andrew to explore. Here’s how I spent the day in Split, Croatia.

About Split

Split, Croatia is a real gem, with its blend of ancient history and vibrant coastal charm. Its “must-do” sights include the Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its winding streets. There are breathtaking views from Marjan Hill. The famous Riva promenade is where visitors can sip on a coffee, people-watch, and soak up the relaxed atmosphere of the city. Fans of the HBO show, “Game of Thrones” will recognize Diocletian’s Palace as a filming location.

How to Get to the Cruise Port of Split from the Ship

If you’re arriving to Split by cruise ship, there is no need to take a shuttle bus or taxi into the town after disembarking. You can simply walk right off the ship and into the town. If you’re going on a cruise excursion outside of the city, then your transportation out of the port will be arranged with your cruise line.

How We Spent Our Day in the Port

My friends and I didn’t have any excursions or specific plans in mind for the day, other than finding some of the classic Croatian foods we’d seen on the hit Netflix show, Somebody Feed Phil. We went in search of burak and cevapi, two local dishes, and planned to wander a little bit after that to see where the day would take us.

We headed to Diocletian’s Palace first, and it was very crowded. We decided to get away from the crowded central area that was full of tourists early in the day, and enjoyed wandering down some of the less touristy lanes and alleyways, taking photos and sightseeing.

Kimberley, Andrew and I found ourselves heading up a long staircase and joked that the payoff at the top had better be worth it. I especially enjoyed seeing so many different gardens and potted plants growing along the way. At the top, we were met with a spectacular view of the entire cruise port of Split and the ships in the harbour below. This was a great place to take some more photos.

Back down at the bottom of the trail, we took a little break to enjoy a drink on one of the patios facing Republic Square.

Split turned out to be a lot more beautiful and fun than I ever anticipated, and I’d love to return again someday.

Have you visited Split? What did you think?

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