This itinerary assumes high summer (roughly late June to early September), when the sea is warm, the nightlife is in full swing and ferries run at their most frequent. Split's airport is in Kaštela, about 25 km from the centre; a taxi is around €30 and takes 30–40 minutes, or the airport shuttle bus runs shortly after most arrivals. For a group, splitting two taxis is usually the least painful option with luggage. Book flights →

Base yourselves within walking distance of Diocletian's Palace so nobody needs a taxi to get home after a night out. Apartments around Varoš or the Riva keep a group together and close to the action. Search hotels →

Split's old town is built inside a Roman emperor's 4th-century palace, so you wander a living maze of alleys, cafés and stone courtyards rather than a museum. Climb the bell tower of the Cathedral of St Domnius for a first view over the terracotta rooftops, and let a guide join the dots on the Roman cellars and Peristyle square. Search old town walking tour in Split on GetYourGuide →

The palm-lined Riva promenade is where Split comes out to stroll before dinner. Grab a table, order the first round and watch the harbour empty of day-trip ferries. It is a gentle first evening to shake off the travel.

The lanes inside the Palace hide dozens of small bars tucked between stone walls, from craft-cocktail rooms to loud, cheap-and-cheerful spots. Wander until you find one the group likes rather than committing early. One heads-up for summer 2026: Split is bringing in restrictions on late-night alcohol sales in shops (a proposed retail ban roughly 21:00 to 06:00 over the peak months), so if you want drinks back at the apartment, buy them earlier in the day — bars and restaurants are not affected.