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By Ana Marendić, licensed tourist guide and art historian, Split, Croatia · Last updated: June 2026 · ~14 minute read
Split, Croatia is the best base for day trips on the Dalmatian coast — within 90 minutes you can reach Roman ruins (Salona), a Game of Thrones filming location (Klis Fortress), a UNESCO medieval town (Trogir), national parks with waterfalls (Krka), three of the most famous Croatian islands (Hvar, Brač, Vis), and even cross into Bosnia (Mostar) or Montenegro (Kotor). The best day trip depends on your interests: history buffs choose Salona and Klis; beach lovers pick Brač and Hvar; Game of Thrones fans take the Klis–Šibenik–Trogir circuit; nature lovers head to Krka or Plitvice; travellers wanting a third country pick Mostar. This guide, written by a licensed Split tourist guide, ranks the 12 best day trips from Split with travel times, costs, and what to expect at each.
For first-time visitors with one day-trip slot, the best choice is Hvar Island (the most iconic Croatian island experience: lavender, Renaissance squares, hilltop fortress, beach clubs, all reachable by fast catamaran in 1 hour).
For Game of Thrones fans, choose Klis Fortress (Meereen) plus Trogir on the same day — a 5-hour half-day trip covering 2,000 years of layered history.
For history-focused visitors, choose Salona and Klis together — both can be done in 4–5 hours, giving you Diocletian's birthplace and the medieval Croatian royal fortress on a single trip.
For nature lovers, choose Krka National Park (waterfalls, swimming in summer, 90 minutes from Split).
For all of the above plus the world-class Dalmatian palace of Diocletian himself, start with our Time Walk VR walking tour inside the palace before heading out on day trips.
Before listing the 12 options, the practical filters that matter:
Travel time: 1 hour by fast catamaran from Split's central ferry port
Cost: Catamaran ~€10–15 each way; total day ~€60–100 including lunch
Best for: First-time visitors wanting the classic Croatian island experience
Hvar is the most famous Croatian island for good reason. Hvar Town has a perfectly preserved Renaissance main square (one of the largest in Dalmatia), a 16th-century Spanish Fortress on the hilltop with views over the Pakleni Islands, lavender fields blooming in June and July, and a beach club and restaurant scene that attracts an international crowd in summer.
Take the morning catamaran (around 8:30–9:00 AM departure from Split), spend the day exploring the town, climb to the fortress for sunset views over the Pakleni archipelago, and return on the evening catamaran. In summer, last sailings are typically 8:00–9:30 PM.
Don't miss: Hvar Town's Cathedral square, the climb to the Spanish Fortress, a swim at Pokonji Dol beach or the Pakleni Islands by water taxi.
Travel time: 25 minutes by car or local bus #22
Cost: Entry ~€7; bus €3 each way; total ~€15
Best for: Game of Thrones fans, history lovers, anyone wanting dramatic views
Klis Fortress sits on a rocky ridge 9 km inland from Split, guarding the pass between the coast and the Dalmatian interior. The site has been fortified continuously for over 2,000 years — first by the Illyrians, then the Romans, then medieval Croatian kings, then the Ottoman Empire, and finally the Habsburgs. It was the seat of the medieval Croatian state and the last Christian fortress to fall to the Ottoman advance in 1537.
For Game of Thrones fans, Klis served as the exterior of Meereen in seasons 4–6, where Daenerys Targaryen ruled and freed the slaves. The fortress has a small Game of Thrones exhibition with filming photos and props.
The views from the ramparts are extraordinary in both directions — Split, the islands, and the Adriatic to the south; the karst landscape of inland Dalmatia to the north. For the full Game of Thrones context, see our Game of Thrones filming locations in Split guide.
Travel time: 15 minutes by car or local bus
Cost: Entry ~€5; very low total cost
Best for: Roman history enthusiasts, visitors to Diocletian's Palace wanting context
Salona was the Roman provincial capital of Dalmatia and the city where Emperor Diocletian was born around 244 AD. At its peak in the 4th century, Salona had a population of approximately 60,000 and was one of the largest cities on the Adriatic. It was destroyed by Avar and Slavic invasions in the early 7th century — and its surviving population fled to Diocletian's nearby retirement palace, founding what became modern Split.
The site today is a substantial archaeological complex with the remains of a Roman amphitheatre, basilicas, baths, the city walls, and an early Christian cemetery (Manastirine). It is significantly less visited than Diocletian's Palace itself, which means you often have the ruins largely to yourself.
For visitors who want to understand the full story of how Split came to be, Salona is essential context. Read our history of Diocletian's Palace for the connection.
Travel time: 30 minutes by car or bus from Split
Cost: Free to walk through; cathedral ~€5; total ~€20 including lunch
Best for: Architecture lovers, Game of Thrones fans, beach-tour combinations
Trogir is a small medieval town on an islet between the mainland and the island of Čiovo, 30 minutes west of Split. The entire old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with one of the best-preserved Romanesque cathedrals in Dalmatia (the Cathedral of Saint Lawrence), 13th-century fortifications, and tightly packed Venetian palaces.
Trogir served as Qarth in Game of Thrones season 2 — particularly the scenes in which Daenerys Targaryen visits the city seeking ships.
You can comfortably combine Trogir with Klis Fortress for a full day trip, or with Šibenik for a Game of Thrones themed circuit.
Travel time: 50 minutes by car ferry to Supetar; transfer to Bol
Cost: Ferry ~€10 each way (foot passenger); total day ~€40–60
Best for: Beach lovers, photography, those wanting a quieter alternative to Hvar
Brač is the closest large island to Split and the source of the white limestone used to build Diocletian's Palace (and, according to one disputed claim, the White House in Washington DC). The island's most famous attraction is Zlatni Rat ("Golden Horn") — a uniquely shaped V-pointed pebble beach near the town of Bol that shifts direction with the currents and is one of the most photographed beaches in Croatia.
Brač is less polished than Hvar but more authentic. The interior villages (Skrip, Pučišća, Dol) have a quiet, unchanged character. The town of Bol has good restaurants and easy access to Zlatni Rat by a 30-minute coastal path.
Travel time: 90 minutes by car or organised tour
Cost: Entry ~€20–40 (varies by season); organised tour from Split ~€50–80
Best for: Nature lovers, families, summer swimmers
Krka National Park is the most accessible Croatian national park from Split. Its central attraction is Skradinski Buk — a 400-metre cascade of waterfalls falling between travertine pools, accessible via wooden walkways and viewing platforms.
Swimming in the pools beneath the waterfalls was a famous Krka experience until 2021, when authorities banned it for environmental protection. Today, swimming is permitted only in designated areas of the park lower along the river. The park is still worth visiting for the cascades themselves, the wooded walkways, and the boat trip to the medieval island monastery of Visovac.
Krka is open year-round but at its best from April through October. In summer (July–August), expect significant crowds and queues — go early or in late afternoon.
Travel time: 1 hour by car or bus
Cost: Free to walk through; cathedral ~€5; St. Michael's Fortress ~€8; total ~€30
Best for: Architecture enthusiasts, Game of Thrones fans, slower-paced day trip
Šibenik is a coastal town 1 hour northwest of Split. Its Cathedral of Saint James is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest examples of Renaissance architecture on the Adriatic — entirely built of stone, with no internal wooden framework or mortar.
For Game of Thrones fans, Šibenik served as Braavos in season 5 — the scenes featuring Arya Stark and the House of Black and White were filmed in the city's medieval centre and at the St. Nicholas Fortress at the entrance to the channel.
Šibenik combines well with Trogir on the way back to Split or with Krka National Park (Šibenik is at the southern entrance to the park).
Travel time: 2.5 hours by car or organised tour (border crossing adds 30–45 minutes)
Cost: Organised tour ~€40–80 (transport included); independent day ~€80–120
Best for: Travellers wanting a third country, history of the former Yugoslavia, photographers
Mostar is a city in Bosnia and Herzegovina, famous for the iconic Stari Most ("Old Bridge") — a 16th-century Ottoman bridge over the Neretva River. The bridge was destroyed in 1993 during the Croatian-Bosniak conflict of the Yugoslav Wars and meticulously rebuilt to its original specifications in 2004, reopening as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Today Mostar is a striking cultural mosaic — Catholic Croatian, Orthodox Serbian, Bosniak Muslim communities all visible in the architecture, food, religious buildings, and languages. The old town's cobbled streets, the Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque (climb the minaret for the iconic bridge view), and the traditional Ottoman quarter are the highlights.
Practical note: Mostar requires a passport-controlled border crossing. EU citizens and most Western visitors pass freely; check entry requirements for your nationality before going. Organised tours handle paperwork and timing.
Travel time: 2.5 hours by fast catamaran
Cost: Catamaran ~€15–20 each way; total day ~€80–100
Best for: Independent travellers wanting the less-touristed island experience
Vis is the furthest island from Split's mainland and the least developed of the major Dalmatian islands. Until 1989 it was a closed Yugoslav military base, which preserved it from the mass tourism development of Hvar and Brač. Today it remains relatively quiet, with two small towns (Vis Town and Komiža), excellent local wine (especially Vugava and Plavac Mali), and some of the cleanest beaches in Croatia.
Vis was famously used as the filming location for Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018), giving it a recent boost in international recognition.
The catamaran journey is longer than Hvar (2.5 hours each way), so Vis is a more committed day trip. Many travellers prefer to stay overnight.
Travel time: 3.5–4 hours each way by car or organised tour
Cost: Entry ~€30–40 (varies by season); organised tour from Split ~€80–120
Best for: First-time Croatia visitors who must see Plitvice; nature photographers
Plitvice Lakes is Croatia's most famous national park — a series of 16 cascading lakes connected by waterfalls, surrounded by beech and pine forest, with wooden walkways crossing directly above the water.
However: Plitvice is genuinely a long day from Split. 7–8 hours of round-trip driving leaves only 3–4 hours in the park itself. The park rewards a longer visit, ideally with an overnight stay nearby. If your trip allows it, consider Plitvice as a stop between Split and Zagreb rather than a Split day trip.
If you must do it as a day trip from Split, take an organised tour (avoids driving fatigue) and prepare for an early start (typically 5:30–6:00 AM departure).
Travel time: 4 hours each way by car or organised tour
Cost: Organised tour ~€70–120; independent day ~€100–150
Best for: Travellers wanting a fourth country, dramatic landscapes, walled-town atmosphere
Kotor is a fortified medieval town in Montenegro, sitting at the head of the spectacular Bay of Kotor (often called Europe's southernmost fjord, though technically a ria). The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the city walls climb 1,200 metres up the mountain behind the town to the fortress of San Giovanni — the most dramatic city walls in the Mediterranean.
Like Mostar, Kotor requires a border crossing. The drive from Split is long (4 hours each way) but spectacular along the coastal road. Most travellers prefer Kotor as a 2–3 day destination, but if your only window is a Split day trip, organised tours are well-organised and handle the logistics.
Travel time: 1 hour by ferry to Rogač
Cost: Ferry ~€5 each way; very low total
Best for: Travellers wanting an undiscovered, peaceful day on a small island
Šolta is the small island directly opposite Split (visible from the Riva), home to ~1,500 year-round residents and several small bays and villages. It is the antidote to Hvar — quiet, unpolished, mostly Croatian summer-house culture, with simple konobas, olive groves, and clear water beaches.
Take the morning ferry to Rogač, rent a scooter, and explore the bays of Stomorska, Maslinica, and Nečujam. Return on the evening ferry.
This is not the day trip for first-time Croatia visitors who want the iconic Croatian experience — but it is genuinely the most authentic island day trip from Split.
If you are visiting Split specifically as a Game of Thrones fan, here is the comparison:
For the complete picture across Croatia, see our Game of Thrones in Croatia guide.
The most flexible option. Rent at Split Airport or in the city centre. Useful for Klis, Salona, Trogir, Šibenik, Krka, and Mostar.
All island day trips depart from Split's central ferry port (Gradska luka), a 5–10 minute walk from the old town. Buy tickets at the port or online via Jadrolinija.
For Mostar, Plitvice, Kotor, and Krka, organised tours are often the most practical option because they handle transport, timing, and border crossings. Most depart from Split between 6:30 and 8:30 AM. Book at least 24–48 hours in advance.
The best day trips from Split are: Hvar Island (the iconic Croatian island), Klis Fortress (Game of Thrones Meereen), Salona (Diocletian's birthplace), Trogir (UNESCO medieval town), Brač Island (Zlatni Rat beach), and Krka National Park (waterfalls). For travellers with more time, Mostar (Bosnia), Vis Island, Šibenik, and Kotor (Montenegro) are also excellent options.
For most first-time visitors, the best single day trip from Split is Hvar Island — the catamaran ride is short (1 hour), the town is one of the most photogenic in Croatia, and you get the iconic Mediterranean island experience in a single day. For history-focused travellers, Klis Fortress combined with Salona is the better choice; for Game of Thrones fans, Klis is essential.
Fast catamarans run multiple times daily from Split's central ferry port (Gradska luka) directly to Hvar Town in approximately 1 hour. Operators include Jadrolinija, Krilo, and TP Line. Tickets cost approximately €10–15 each way. Booking ahead is recommended in peak season (June–September).
Yes — Mostar is approximately 2.5 hours from Split (including the Bosnia–Croatia border crossing) and is a viable full-day trip. Most visitors take an organised tour (~€40–80) which handles the border paperwork and timing. Allow 4–5 hours in Mostar itself for the old town, the bridge, and lunch.
Plitvice Lakes is genuinely far from Split — 3.5–4 hours each way by car — making it a long day with only 3–4 hours in the park itself. If your trip allows, Plitvice is better as a stop between Split and Zagreb, or as an overnight destination. For waterfalls closer to Split, choose Krka National Park (90 minutes each way).
Salona — the Roman provincial capital where Emperor Diocletian was born — is the closest day trip from Split at just 15 minutes by car or local bus. It is also one of the least visited major archaeological sites in Croatia, despite its enormous historical importance as the birthplace of the emperor who later built the palace at the heart of Split.
Yes — Klis and Salona are both within 25 minutes of Split and combine perfectly into a 4–5 hour half-day trip. Both relate directly to the founding of Split: Salona was Diocletian's birthplace and the Roman capital that supplied Split's first refugees in the 7th century; Klis was the medieval Croatian royal seat that controlled the mountain pass above Split.
The classic Game of Thrones day trip from Split is Klis Fortress (Meereen) — 25 minutes inland. For fans wanting more filming locations, combine Klis with Trogir (Qarth) for a half-day, or extend to Šibenik (Braavos) for a full day. For the complete Croatia picture, see our Game of Thrones in Croatia guide.
For most first-time visitors, Hvar Island is the best day trip — most iconic, easiest catamaran connection, fullest day-trip experience. Brač is the better choice for beach lovers (Zlatni Rat). Vis is for those wanting the least-touristed island. Šolta is for the most authentic, quiet day. All four are reachable from Split's central ferry port.
Not for most of them. Klis, Salona, Trogir, Šibenik, and the islands are easily reachable by local bus, ferry, or rental car. For longer or international day trips — Mostar, Plitvice, Kotor — organised tours are often the more practical option because they handle transport, border crossings, and timing. For shorter inland trips, independent travel is straightforward.
For a typical 5–7 day Split trip, plan 2–3 day trips. That leaves enough time to experience Split itself (Diocletian's Palace, the Riva, the Pazar market, evening atmosphere). The most common combination is one island day trip (Hvar or Brač), one history day trip (Klis + Salona, or Trogir), and possibly one nature trip (Krka). See our Split in one day itinerary for how to spend your Split-base days.
No — most day trips from Split are reasonable. Independent half-day trips (Klis, Salona, Trogir) cost €15–30 including transport and entry. Island day trips cost €40–80 including ferry and lunch. Organised full-day tours (Mostar, Plitvice, Kotor) cost €60–120 depending on inclusions. Split is significantly cheaper than Dubrovnik as a day-trip base. See our Split vs Dubrovnik comparison for more on this.
Ana Marendić is a licensed tourist guide (turistički vodič) and art historian registered with the Croatian Ministry of Tourism and Sport. She conducts walking tours of Diocletian's Palace and Split's historic centre as the resident guide for Time Walk, a VR-enhanced walking tour of the palace. She is based in Split, Croatia.
This guide reflects direct experience advising visitors on day trips from Split across multiple tourist seasons, supplemented by current 2026 prices and schedules from operators including Jadrolinija, Krilo, local bus operator Promet Split, Krka National Park, and Plitvice Lakes National Park. Travel times reflect typical conditions and may vary in peak season. Prices reflect verified May 2026 rates and are subject to seasonal variation.
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