10 Family Things to Do in Split

Bačvice is Split’s most popular beach because it’s one of the few sandy beaches along this coastline and it can be reached within minutes from the city centre. There’s plenty for kids to enjoy including the play park with slides and trampolines, and water sports like paddle boats, sailing, and kayaking.

Sun loungers and parasols are available for rent, and restaurants and shops nearby to keep all the family refreshed. The kids might want to try playing picigin, a game that involves keeping a small ball aloft in the air that locals love to play at the beach.

Diocletian’s Palace with its fairytale setting is a great place for kids to explore and spark their imagination. The awe-inspiring Gregorius of Nin statue is a good place to start – it’s said if you rub the statue’s big toe it will bring good luck. Children could imagine travelling back in time as they wander the narrow alleyways and cobbled steps, making their way to the ancient Egyptian sphinx and the Temple of Jupiter.

Fans of Game of Thrones will want to visit the palace's Substructures, as parts of the TV series were filmed in these mysterious underground vaults.

Klis Fortress sits on a hilltop about 5 km outside of Split, but for its breathtaking views and rich history, it’s well worth a visit by families. There’s a small fee to enter, and once inside visitors are free to wander the fortress grounds. Stop by the small museum to see centuries-old weaponry and soldiers’ uniforms.

The top of the fortress offers panoramic views over Split and the sea. It was also a film location for scenes in the popular TV series Game of Thrones, so it’s easy to imagine seeing a dragon sauntering by as you explore the fortress grounds.

Marjan Hill Park is set on a headland less than 1 km from Split’s centre is where the locals go to escape city life. Families will find plenty to enjoy here, with its nature paths, viewpoints, outdoor cafes and playgrounds. There’s also a small zoo with donkeys, ponies, and sheep to visit.

To reach Marjan park, climb the stairs to the Vidilica Café from the Varos neighbourhood, just west of the Riva promenade, or catch a taxi to the northern entrance if walking is a challenge. Bicycle rental is also available at the northern entrance.

Exploring the islands and seascapes of the Adriatic coast is a highlight of any visit to Split. Several islands including Brač, Hvar, Bisevo and Vis each offer their own unique charms and beauty, with some places only accessible by boat.

One popular boat trip travels to Blue Cave on Bisevo island, a magical place with its otherworldly light reflections. Take a trip to Brač Island and spend the afternoon sunbathing on Zlatni Rat (Golden Horn) Beach, or sail to the quieter Hvar Island to explore its picturesque village. Half-day and full-day island-hopping trips are available.

Poljud Stadium will appeal to sports fans as well as those with an eye for aesthetics, with its striking shell-like design and seaside location. The stadium is home to Split’s celebrated team Hajduk, one of the most successful football clubs in Croatian history since its founding more than a century ago. Football fans in the family could have a thrilling day out joining the locals in cheering on Hajduk as they play here.

To learn more about the stadium and Split sports history and culture, there are stadium tours available. Tours take about 40 minutes and are offered in Croatian, Italian and English. 

The Cetina River is a scenic escape from the city, found less than an hour’s drive inland from Split. It’s possible to take a drive there, but most families choose to join a river rafting trip. The rafting trip involves some tranquil gliding along the river’s meandering sections with some heart-racing action navigating the rapids.

All transport, equipment and trained river guides are included in the tour. Travelling through a forested gorge of steep cliffs, the raft ride offers families a chance to see a picturesque part of Dalmatia that’s inaccessible by car or foot.

Mestrovic Gallery is home to an extensive collection of works by Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović. Found in a lovely seaside villa on the Marjan headland, the gallery’s spacious garden and outdoor sculpture park is a good place to let the kids run around before entering the exhibits. Meštrović designed and built the villa himself in 1931, which is now brimming with hundreds of his eye-catching sculptures, furniture, architectural plans and paintings.  

Entry to the gallery also includes access to Kaštelet-Crikvine chapel next door, where its walls are lined with imposing wooden panels carved by Meštrović.