24 Hours in Split, Croatia: Old Town, Diocletian’s Palace + Marjan Hill
Split, Croatia was never really on my radar until a few years ago, and yeah, part of that was probably Game of Thrones. But once you get there, it makes sense immediately.
It feels dry, warm, historic, colorful, and coastal all at the same time. Kind of like Arizona or New Mexico got dropped on the Adriatic Sea and filled with marble, boats, old stone walls, and restaurants.
In this episode of Maxwell’s Kitchen, I spend 24 hours in Split, Croatia, walking through Old Town, Diocletian’s Palace, the waterfront, and Marjan Hill. This is the fast version: how to get into the city center, where to stay if you only have one night, what to see, where I ate, and why Split ended up being one of my favorite stops on the trip.
THE ONE-DAY ITINERARY
Arrive at Split Airport or get into Split by ferry, bus, or train
Get yourself close to Old Town or Diocletian’s Palace
Stay near the old town wall if you only have one night
Walk through Old Town Split
Explore Diocletian’s Palace
Spend time on the waterfront
Get lunch near the city center
Sit down for dinner in one of the courtyards
Walk Marjan Hill early the next morning
Grab coffee or breakfast on the promenade
Head back to the airport, ferry port, bus station, or your next Croatia stop
GETTING AROUND
Split Airport is outside the city, so plan on a shuttle, taxi, private transfer, rideshare, or rental car depending on your budget and timing.
Once you’re in central Split, the city is very walkable. Old Town, Diocletian’s Palace, the waterfront, restaurants, cafes, and the Marjan Hill walk are all close enough to make a short visit feel full without turning the whole thing into a transportation project.
If you only have one day, stay near Old Town or the old town wall. You want to drop your bag and start walking.
USEFUL LINKS
Split Airport
https://www.split-airport.hr/
Split Airport transportation
https://www.split-airport.hr/to-from-the-airport/
Diocletian’s Palace
https://visitsplit.com/en/448/diocletian-palace
Marjan Forest Park
https://www.visitmarjan.com/en/
Visit Split
https://visitsplit.com/en
STAY HERE
Luxury Rooms Nirvana
Luxury Rooms Nirvana is just outside the Old Town wall and close enough to walk into the city center fast.
For a short Split trip, location matters more than hotel drama. You do not need a resort experience if you only have 24 hours. You need a clean place to sleep that puts you near the thing you came to see.
FOOD + DRINKS
Sanctuary Cantina
Sanctuary Cantina was my lunch stop, and yes, I ate Mexican food in Croatia. I had a pork carnitas burrito with a Croatian beer, and it was honestly great.
Caverna Central
For dinner, I went to Caverna Central and sat in the courtyard with stroganoff and Zlatna Medvjed beer. It was one of those European meals where nobody rushes you, nobody keeps checking on you every four minutes, and you slowly realize how different dining feels when the whole point is not to get you out the door.
QUICK TIPS
Stay close to Old Town if you only have 24 hours.
Walk Marjan Hill early before the heat gets annoying.
Expect to hear a lot of English in Split, which makes it a good option if you’re nervous about communication on a first Croatia trip.
Bring comfortable shoes because Old Town is made for wandering.
Do not overplan every minute. The best part of Split is walking around, looking at the marble, hearing the cicadas, watching the waterfront, and letting the city slowly convince you that you should have stayed longer.
