Best things to do in Split

In the heart of the city look for the ruins of Diocletian's Palace--a significant example of Roman architecture and a World Heritage Site. Between 295 and 305 CE, the Roman Emperor built the palace near his birthplace as his retirement home. Walk under the Silver Gate and enter the the Peristyle, the central open-air area. Opposite the gate is the medieval church of St. Dominic, formerly Diocletian's Mausoleum. Admire the excavated remains of the palace's basement. Look for the two granite sphinxes, which Diocletian brought from Egypt. One is still on the Peristyle, and the second sits headless in front of Jupiter's temple.

Hike, jog, and cycle at Marjan Park, a favorite weekend destination and the city's recreation center. From here you can take in views of the entire city, the surrounding islands, and the nearby mountains. Dense Mediterranean pine forest covers the 178 m (584 ft) tall hill. The area features jogging trails, tennis courts, a botanical garden, a zoo, lookout points, and a water pipeline with drinkable water. When you need a break from all the activity, enjoy a drink at the cafe with a view of the sea. Cars are not allowed in the park.

Packed with waterfalls, riverside trails, and vegetation, Krka National Park represents one of the Croatia's foremost protected areas. Explore the national park's network of trails that crisscrosses its rugged terrain, then go for a dip in the pools surrounding the many waterfalls--the tallest of which rises to 27 m (89 ft) and cascades down multiple levels to the pool below. The park covers nearly the entire length of the river, giving you a view of the water almost wherever you go and allowing you to spot some of the many fish, birds, and reptiles that call the area home. Be sure to stop by the series of Orthodox monasteries, some from the 15th century, that dot the riverbank and islets within the park.

Cathedral of Saint Domnius feature a third century mausoleum, 12th century bell tower, and 17th century chorus. Visit the Catholic cathedral that claims to be the oldest in the world with its original structure. Admire the rich ornaments and carvings of 14 scenes from the life of Christ on the cathedral's monumental wooden door. Examine the interiors, which show reliefs of Diocletian and his wife around the dome. Enter the cathedral treasury and look for the relics of Saint Duje, which were brought to cathedral after his death. The top of the Bell Tower offers a stunning view of Split.

Pre-book a guided tour of Putalj Winery to go from the fermentation room all the way to the cellar, where you can sit back and nibble at cheeses and meat platters. As the sun begins to set, decide on your preferred flavors to take home with you.

Walk through the historic core of Old Split to see one of the best-preserved Roman remains in the world: the Diocletian palace. The town joined the list of World Heritage Sites in 1979. Enter the open-air central area of the palace and climb the campanile of St. Domnius cathedral. Enjoy a panoramic view of Split, nearby islands, and Marjan hill. Don't miss the chance to rub the big toe of the giant statue of Gregory of Nin, outside the palace gate, and make a wish. Other sites to see include 12th- and 13th-century Romanesque churches, medieval forts, 15th-century Gothic palaces, and Renaissance and Baroque-style palaces.

Spanish Fortress features an impressive collection of amphorae and other objects from ancient times and the Middle Ages. From the town square, walk north, passing the main city gate. Climb the stairs of the medieval city walls to the fortress. Perched on a hill, it offers a panoramic view of Old Town and Pakleni Islands. Built at the beginning of the 16th century, the fortress was restored after the explosion of the powder chamber in 1579. The French added some reinforcements during their rule. Austrians built the barracks and observation post.

Galerija Mestrovic presents sculptures, drawings, and architectural plans of one of Croatia's most prominent artists of the 20th century. Meštrović's Art Nouveau sculptures have achieved worldwide fame and are featured in numerous cities from Zagreb and Bratislava to Ottawa, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. Take a guided tour or browse through the gallery to see marble statues, bronze portraits, and oil paintings, among numerous other art forms. You'll see religious works, as well as details from the artist's personal life. Arranged by theme across two floors, the exhibits present some 100 pieces from the full collection--which is around 1,000.