Croatia has been one of my favorite countries in Europe ever since I first visited during Semester at Sea in 2015. I didn’t know much about the country, but its beautiful coastlines, historic cities, crystal-clear water, and friendly locals quickly won me over.
I later returned to Croatia during my honeymoon in 2018 with a visit to Split. And this spring I found myself back again while sailing aboard Norwegian Pearl with my friend Rosina during our Mediterranean cruise.
While Croatia is growing in popularity, I’ve cruised to the country four separate times, and it’s one of my favorite destinations in the world. Since it had been several years since my last visit, we decided to divide our day between an independent island-hopping excursion and exploring Split on our own. It ended up being the perfect way to explore!
We spent the morning cruising through the Adriatic to the Blue Lagoon, Šolta Island, and the UNESCO-listed town of Trogir before returning to Split to wander through the Old Town, browse local shops, and enjoy a few Croatian treats.
Whether you’re planning to explore independently or venture beyond the city on an excursion, Split is one of my favorite cruise ports in the Mediterranean. This Split cruise port guide covers everything you need to know about one of the most walkable and rewarding ports in the Mediterranean.
With the historic Old Town just steps from the ship, stunning Adriatic islands nearby, and plenty of local culture, food, and history packed into a compact area, Split makes it easy to maximize your time ashore.
Can you explore Split, Croatia on your own?
Absolutely! One of the most common questions cruisers ask is where the cruise port is located in Split and whether it’s possible to visit the city without booking an excursion. The answer is yes!
The Split cruise port sits directly beside the city’s historic center, making it one of the easiest cruise ports in Europe to explore independently. Depending on exactly where your ship docks, you’ll typically be within a 10 minute walk of the Old Town.
The port area itself was very busy, not because of cruise ships but because Split serves as a major transportation hub for Croatia’s islands. Throughout the day, ferries, private boats, sailing charters, and catamarans constantly moved in and out of the harbor.
Even though the waterfront was bustling, there were only two cruise ships in port during our visit, making the city feel far less crowded than Dubrovnik.
How we spent our day in Split
Rather than spending the entire day in the city, we decided to experience both Split and the surrounding islands. We booked an excursion through Viator, as it was much cheaper than anything offered through Norwegian Cruise Line. In the afternoon, we enjoyed walking around and shopping before heading back to the ship.
Morning: Island hopping through the Adriatic
For the first half of the day, we booked a small-group speedboat excursion through Viator that visited several destinations along Croatia’s stunning coastline. The tour was called Blue Lagoon & 3 Islands Small-Group Speedboat Tour, and I highly recommend it!
The tour included stops at the famous Blue Lagoon, the island of Šolta, and the UNESCO-listed town of Trogir.
Although the water was still a little chilly during our late-April visit, the scenery was absolutely spectacular. The Adriatic was every shade of blue imaginable, from deep sapphire to brilliant turquoise, and the islands looked like something straight out of a movie.
In fact, the entire experience felt like a real-life version of Mamma Mia (which was filmed nearby!). Between the stone villages, sailboats bobbing in the harbors, crystal-clear water, and dramatic coastline, it was exactly the Croatia I remembered from my previous visits.
One of my favorite stops of our tour was Trogir, a charming UNESCO-listed town located on a small island connected to the mainland by bridges. We spent time wandering through the narrow stone streets, browsing local shops, and enjoying a leisurely Italian lunch along the waterfront.
Being in a small-group made the experience even better. Our guides were fantastic, the boat ride was a lot of fun, and the group size felt much more personal than many traditional cruise ship excursions.
If you’ve visited Split before or simply want to experience more of Croatia’s coastline, I highly recommend considering an island-hopping tour.
Afternoon: Exploring Split’s historic city centre
After returning from our excursion, we still had several hours to explore Split itself before all aboard.
Split is full of history, and you don’t need to venture far to experience it. Unlike many historic European cities where the old quarter feels separate from modern life, Split’s ancient landmarks are integrated directly into the city.
Restaurants, shops, apartments, and cafés all operate within buildings that date back centuries. As we wandered through the city, we stopped into local stores, picked up a few souvenirs, sampled some Croatian treats, and enjoyed getting lost among the narrow streets.
The best things to do near Split Cruise Port
One of the reasons Split is such a popular cruise destination is that many of the city’s top attractions are located within walking distance of the port. Whether you prefer history, shopping, beaches, food, or wandering through beautiful streets, there’s plenty to see without traveling far.
Explore Diocletian’s Palace
The heart of Split is Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates back more than 1,700 years.
Unlike many ancient ruins that sit empty, Diocletian’s Palace is still very much alive. Today, restaurants, apartments, shops, and cafés operate within the walls of what was once a Roman emperor’s retirement residence.
Walking through the palace feels like you’re stepping into a living piece of history. Ancient stone passageways open into lively squares, hidden courtyards, and bustling pedestrian streets filled with locals and visitors alike.
Even if you’re not particularly interested in Roman history, it’s impossible not to be impressed by how seamlessly the ancient and modern worlds coexist here.
Wander through Split Old Town
One of my favorite things to do in Split was just wander around.
The Old Town is filled with narrow stone alleyways, local boutiques, outdoor cafés, and hidden squares around every corner. Some of our favorite moments came without any specific destination in mind.
We spent time browsing local shops, picking up souvenirs, and stopping into bakeries and specialty stores throughout the afternoon. Compared to some Mediterranean ports that feel super crowded, Split maintained a relaxed atmosphere that made exploring enjoyable.
Walk along the Riva Waterfront
Directly across from the Old Town is Split’s famous waterfront promenade, known as the Riva.
Lined with palm trees, cafés, restaurants, and benches overlooking the harbor, it’s one of the most popular gathering places in the city. During our visit, we enjoyed watching ferries, sailboats, and cruise ships come and go while taking in views of the Adriatic.
The Riva is also one of the best places to soak up the local atmosphere and enjoy a leisurely stroll before returning to your ship.
Relax at Bačvice Beach
If you’re looking for a beach day, Bačvice Beach is one of the closest beaches to the cruise port.
Located about a 15-20 minute walk from the terminal, this popular sandy beach is known for its calm water and lively atmosphere. During the summer months, it’s a favorite spot for both locals and visitors looking to cool off in the Adriatic.
Best Split Cruise Excursions
While Split is very easy to explore independently, there are also several excellent excursions available for cruisers who want to see more of Croatia’s famous coastline.
Island Hopping and the Blue Lagoon
The highlight of our day was undoubtedly our small-group speedboat excursion that we booked through Viator.
We visited the Blue Lagoon, explored the island of Šolta, and spent time wandering through the UNESCO-listed town of Trogir. Although the water was still a little chilly during our late-April visit, the scenery was stunning. The turquoise water, stone villages, sailboats, and dramatic coastline felt like something straight out of a travel magazine.
If you’ve never experienced Croatia’s islands, I think this type of excursion offers the perfect introduction.
Visit Trogir
Many excursions include a stop in Trogir, which is a picturesque nearby island.
This UNESCO-listed town is often compared to a smaller, less crowded version of Dubrovnik. We loved wandering through its narrow streets, shopping in local boutiques, and enjoying lunch along the waterfront before returning to Split.
Explore Croatia’s Islands
Split serves as a gateway to many of Croatia’s most beautiful islands. Depending on your interests, excursions may include visits to Hvar, Brač, Šolta, or other nearby destinations known for their beaches, historic villages, and crystal-clear water.
Must-know facts about Split, Croatia
Before heading ashore, here are a few helpful things to know about visiting Split on a cruise:
Country: Croatia
Currency: Euro (€)
Language: Croatian
Time Zone: Central European Time (CET) and Central European Summer Time (CEST) during cruise season
Cruise Port Type: Dock port
Distance from Cruise Port to Old Town: Approximately 5-10 minutes on foot
Credit Cards: Widely accepted throughout Split
Best Time to Visit: May through October
Average Summer Temperatures: 75°F-90°F (24°C-32°C)
Why you’ll love visiting Split during your cruise
After visiting Split multiple times over the years, it’s easy to understand why it has become one of the most popular cruise destinations in the Mediterranean.
The city offers an incredible combination of history, culture, food, beaches, and easy walkability. Add in the stunning Adriatic coastline and nearby islands, and it’s a destination that appeals to almost every type of traveler.
Whether you spend your day exploring Diocletian’s Palace, relaxing along the waterfront, island hopping through the Adriatic, or simply getting lost in the Old Town’s stone streets, Split is the kind of cruise port that leaves you wanting to come back for more.
