When it comes to choosing a girlfriend getaway travel destination, we all have certain criteria we look for, but you can’t get much better than a city built around a Roman palace! Split is located on the Eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea and as well as boasting some stunning historical architecture, the food, nightlife, beaches and shopping also attract thousands of visitors every year.
This year was the second time I’ve visited Split; the last time was when I was solo backpacking around Croatia and this year was with my best friend. One of the things which I noticed in comparison to other cities I’ve visited was how safe Split was. Everywhere is in easy walking distance and the locals are very friendly. When I returned to Split this year it was nice to find that people recognized me from last year!
In terms of Split’s attractions, Diocletian’s Palace is the main reason people travel to Split. It’s great to see how such an amazing example of Roman architecture is still in use to this day. The inside of the palace is packed with hidden courtyards, winding streets, shops, restaurants and bars. It’s so easy just to get lost as you wander around – but that’s the best part! In the main courtyard there’s always live music playing in the evening and you’ll probably spot a few Roman guards walking around as well.
On the outside of the palace you have to check out ‘Gregory of Nin’, a giant statue (closely resembling a wizard) with one very special feature – a large golden toe! Rumour has it that rubbing the toe brings good luck which is why the toe is so shiny and gold.
If you enjoy eating out then you are spoilt for choice in Split. On the main promenade you’ll find plenty of waterside restaurants but these will usually command a premium price. It’s worth exploring within the palace to find a restaurant away from the main tourist tracks. However, if you like seafood and are travelling on a budget, I would definitely recommend Fife. Here you can get a giant plate of calamari for only 55 kuna and a litre of wine for 60 kuna! Be warned, the portions are massive.
When it comes to nightlife Split caters for all tastes. If you just fancy a couple of cocktails with the girls there are some really nice bars overlooking the seafront. For something a little livelier, Charlie’s Bar is the place to be for a fun evening out. There’s always the local bar crawl as well which runs every night and attracts travelers from all over the city.
If culture and sightseeing are more your thing then there’s lots to see and do aside from the Palace. There are plenty of excursions available to places like Krka National Park and Plitvice Lakes which are well worth a look. Split is also surrounded by lots of islands so you can always take a day trip by boat. Hvar is a very popular destination and is about an hour and a half away from Split by catamaran.
The great thing about Split is that it has a little something for everyone. Although it’s become more of a tourist hotspot in recent years it still retains its unique charm and there’s always hidden gems to discover.
Emma is a 23 year old travel blogger based in the UK. Her passions include writing, photography and, of course, travel! After graduating with a degree in English Lit she went on a backpacking trip around Europe and couldn’t wait to start planning her next trip. Nowadays she tries to get away as much as she can and has recently returned from a trip to Croatia. Through her writing she hopes to inspire people to get away and see the world and shares her own experiences and travel tips on her website Inspiring Travel. You can also follow her on Twitter @Emma_090391.