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Country guide
Croatia meets the Adriatic in two parts that barely resemble each other: an inland north around Zagreb, the capital and the main cultural and economic centre, and a coast whose archipelago carries over 1,000 islands and islets. The whole country is 56,594 square kilometres, divided into twenty counties across four administrative regions, with a population of nearly 3.9 million as of 2026. Split, Rijeka and Osijek are the other cities of any size — the first two on the water, the last inland in the east. Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro all border it by land, Italy only by sea.
Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.
Photograph · dronepicr · CC BY 2.0
Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.
100 places match
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Typical visit duration
Diocletian's Palace is a Roman palace complex in Split, Croatia, built for Emperor Diocletian in the late third and early fourth centuries CE. The local name is Dioklecijanova palača.
The Cathedral of Saint Domnius, known locally as Katedrala svetog Dujma, stands within Diocletian's Palace in Split's historic core.
Splitska Riva is the central waterfront promenade of Split, Croatia, running along the edge of the historic core adjacent to Diocletian's Palace.
Peristyle Square, known locally as Peristil, is the central open space of Diocletian's Palace in Split, Croatia. This rectangular courtyard formed the ceremonial heart of the Roman emperor's retirement complex, built in the early fourth century CE.
Marjan Forest Park is a protected nature area on the Marjan peninsula, rising west of Split's historic core. Known locally as Park-šuma Marjan, it functions as the city's primary green space and recreational zone.
The Saint Domnius Bell Tower stands beside the Cathedral of Saint Domnius within Diocletian's Palace in Split's historic core. This medieval campanile rises above the Peristyle, the palace's central square.
The Temple of Jupiter, locally known as Jupiterov hram, stands within Diocletian's Palace in Split's historic core. This ancient Roman temple ranks among the best-preserved structures of its kind from the imperial period.
The Basements of Diocletian's Palace, known locally as Podrumi Dioklecijanove palače, constitute the subterranean level of the ancient Roman palace built for Emperor Diocletian in the fourth century CE.
Bačvice Beach is a sandy beach located on the eastern edge of Split's city centre, within easy walking distance of the historic Diocletian's Palace.
The Mestrovic Gallery is an art museum in Split dedicated to the work of Ivan Mestrovic, Croatia's most celebrated modern sculptor.
The Golden Gate, known locally as Zlatna vrata, stands as a historic landmark within Split's ancient urban fabric. This monumental entrance formed part of the defensive enclosure of Diocletian's Palace, the UNESCO-listed Roman complex that defines Split's historic core.
The Gregory of Nin Statue is a monumental bronze sculpture located in Split, Croatia. It depicts Gregory of Nin, a medieval bishop who championed the use of the Croatian language in religious services.
Pjaca People's Square, locally Narodni trg - Pjaca, stands as the main public square in Split's historic core. It occupies the space where the Roman camp's command area once lay, later becoming the medieval heart of civic life.
Fruit Square, known locally as Voćni trg, is a historic public square in Split, Croatia. The square takes its name from the fruit market that historically operated in this space.
Split City Museum, locally Muzej grada Splita, is a municipal museum institution in Split, Croatia. It preserves and presents the urban history of Split from antiquity through the medieval period to modern times.
The Ethnographic Museum Split, locally named Etnografski muzej Split, is a museum in the historic core of Split, Croatia. It occupies a significant position within the ancient fabric of the city, which developed around the Palace of Roman Emperor Diocletian.
The Archaeological Museum in Split, known locally as Arheološki muzej u Splitu, stands as a significant cultural institution in Croatia's second-largest city. It preserves and presents archaeological finds from the Split region and broader Dalmatian area.
The Gallery of Fine Arts Split is an art museum in Split, Croatia. Its local name is Galerija umjetnina Split. The institution holds the Wikidata identifier Q5519009.
The Croatian Maritime Museum is a cultural institution in Split dedicated to the maritime heritage of the Adriatic coast.
The Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments is a museum in Split dedicated to preserving and presenting Croatia's medieval archaeological heritage.
Ivan Meštrović's Kaštelet is a historic property in Split associated with the renowned Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović. The site forms part of the broader Meštrović legacy in the city, which includes multiple cultural institutions.
Sustipan is a coastal park and promontory on the Marjan peninsula, west of Split's historic core. The site occupies elevated ground above the Adriatic, offering views toward the harbour and islands.
The West Coast Promenade, known locally as Zapadna obala, is a waterfront walkway in Split, Croatia. It runs along the western edge of the city centre, offering views of the Adriatic Sea and the port area.
Marmont Street, known locally as Marmontova ulica, is a prominent pedestrian thoroughfare in Split, Croatia.
Prokurative Square, known locally as Prokurative, is a prominent public square in Split, Croatia. The square features distinctive neo-Renaissance architecture with red-orange facades reminiscent of Venetian design influences.
Green Market, known locally as Pazar, is Split's principal open-air market situated near the eastern edge of Diocletian's Palace. The market occupies a long rectangular space where vendors sell fresh produce, regional specialties, and everyday goods.
Peškarija is Split's historic fish market, a covered marketplace located near the waterfront of Croatia's second-largest city. The structure features distinctive Secessionist architecture with decorative ironwork and large windows that allow natural light to illuminate the trading floor.
Matejuška is a small historic fishing harbour in Split, Croatia, situated on the western edge of the Riva waterfront. This compact working port represents one of the last remnants of traditional maritime life in Croatia's second-largest city.
Varoš Quarter, locally known as Varoš, is one of the oldest residential neighbourhoods in Split, Croatia.
Radunica is a historic residential quarter in Split, Croatia, situated east of Diocletian's Palace. This working-class neighbourhood preserves traditional Dalmatian urban fabric with narrow stone streets and compact houses.
Split Synagogue, known locally as Splitska sinagoga, stands as a Jewish house of worship in the coastal Croatian city of Split.
The Church of Saint Martin, known locally as Crkva svetog Martina, stands within the Diocletian's Palace complex in Split, Croatia. This small early Christian church occupies a space that was originally part of the Roman emperor's military quarters.
Telegrin Peak, known locally as Vrh Telegrin, is a ranked visitor destination in the Split area of Croatia. The peak forms part of the elevated terrain overlooking the city and surrounding Adriatic coastline.
Kasjuni Beach is a pebble beach on the southern side of Marjan Hill, a forested peninsula west of Split's historic core. Locally known as Plaža Kašjuni, it sits within the protected Marjan Forest Park area.
Jezinac Beach, known locally as Plaža Ježinac, is a coastal bathing area in Split, Croatia. It lies along the Adriatic shoreline within the broader Split urban area.
Firule Beach, known locally as Plaža Firule, is a coastal beach area located in Split, Croatia. It sits along the eastern shoreline of the Split peninsula, positioned between the city center and the suburban district of Bacvice.
Poljud Stadium, known locally as Stadion Poljud, is a multi-purpose sports venue located in Split, Croatia. It serves as the home ground of HNK Hajduk Split, one of the country's most storied football clubs.
Spaladium Arena is a large indoor sports and entertainment venue located in Split, Croatia. The arena opened as a multi-purpose facility designed to host basketball, handball, concerts, and other major events.
The Split Science Museum and Zoo, known locally as Prirodoslovni muzej i zoološki vrt Split, is a ranked visitor place retained from the available fact pack.
Froggyland is a visitor attraction in Split, Croatia. It is a museum dedicated to taxidermied frogs arranged in human scenarios, a distinctive and unusual cultural exhibit.
The Game of Thrones Museum Split is a visitor attraction in Split, Croatia, dedicated to the HBO television series Game of Thrones. The museum commemorates the show's extensive filming in Croatia, particularly in the Dalmatian region.
Old City Hall stands as a significant historical building in Split, Croatia, representing the civic heritage of this coastal city. The structure reflects architectural traditions that have shaped Dalmatian urban landscapes over centuries.
Palača Cindro is a historic palace in Split, Croatia, situated within the UNESCO-listed Diocletian's Palace complex.
Palača Milesi is a historic palace in Split, Croatia, situated within the UNESCO-listed Diocletian's Palace complex. The building represents the layered architectural heritage of the city, combining elements from different historical periods.
Srebrna vrata, or the Eastern Gate, stands among the four principal Roman gates of Diocletian's Palace in Split, Croatia.
Iron Gate, locally Željezna vrata, stands among Split's retained visitor places within the historic core. This ancient passage forms part of the palace structure attributed to Roman emperor Diocletian, whose retirement complex fundamentally shaped the city's development.
The Vestibule, or Vestibul, is a grand domed hall that once served as the formal entrance to the imperial residential quarters of Diocletian's Palace in Split, Croatia.
Let Me Pass Street, locally named Pusti me proć, is a narrow passageway in Split's historic core. The street's distinctive name reflects its extremely slim width, requiring pedestrians to squeeze through single-file.
Split 3 is a large modernist residential district in the eastern part of Split, Croatia. Built primarily during the Yugoslav era, it represents one of the most significant examples of post-war urban planning in the region.
The Diocletianus Aqueduct is a Roman aqueduct built during the reign of Emperor Diocletian in the late 3rd or early 4th century CE to supply water to his palace at Split.
Solin and Salona Archaeological Park preserves the extensive remains of Salona, an ancient Roman city that served as the capital of Dalmatia. Located near modern Split, this site represents one of the most significant archaeological complexes in Croatia.
Klis Fortress is a medieval stronghold perched on a rocky pass northeast of Split, Croatia. The local name is Tvrđava Klis.
Trogir Cathedral, locally Katedrala svetog Lovre, stands in the historic core of Trogir, a UNESCO-listed island town near Split. The cathedral represents a significant monument of Croatian sacred architecture, constructed across multiple centuries with Romanesque foundations and later Gothic additions.
Kamerlengo Castle, known locally as Kula Kamerlengo, stands as a medieval fortress within the historic core of Split, Croatia.
Mosor Mountain rises behind Split as a limestone massif within the Dinaric Alps. The range separates the coastal city from the Zagora hinterland, creating a dramatic backdrop visible from the Riva waterfront.
The Emanuel Vidović Gallery is a dedicated art gallery in Split, Croatia, bearing the local name Galerija Emanuela Vidovića. It honours the Croatian painter Emanuel Vidović, a significant figure in Croatian modern art.
Kastela Bay is a coastal inlet on the Adriatic Sea, situated between the city of Split and Trogir in central Dalmatia, Croatia.
Kaštilac, known locally as Kastel Gomilica Castle, stands as a historic fortified settlement within the Kastela region near Split, Croatia. It represents one of seven defensive castles built along the Kastela Riviera during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
Šolta is an island in the Adriatic Sea near Split, Croatia. It lies south of the city in the central Dalmatian archipelago. The island has a long history of agriculture, fishing, and olive cultivation.
Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·
Seven to ten days can pair Zagreb with one Adriatic region or focus on Split, nearby islands and one inland park. Dubrovnik, Istria and central Dalmatia are separate bases; ferry waits make a rapid checklist of coastal towns less efficient than it looks.
Croatia belongs to the Schengen Area, while document and visa requirements still depend on nationality. Consult the Croatian foreign ministry before travel and check the passport used for every border leg, particularly when the route crosses non-Schengen neighbours.
Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik are common gateways. Coaches and cars are central to coastal travel, trains are more useful inland, and ferries follow seasonal schedules; confirm whether the selected sailing carries vehicles and reserve constrained summer departures.
May, June and September combine warm coastal conditions with less pressure than peak summer for many routes. Island ferries and accommodation are more seasonal outside that window, while inland weather differs, so verify the exact transport dates before building an island sequence.
Croatia uses the euro. Cards are common in cities and resorts, but cash can still help at markets, small island businesses and local services; check whether a ferry, parking machine or accommodation deposit accepts the chosen payment method.
Call 112 for emergencies; Croatia uses Type C and F electricity at 230 V. Treated public tap water is recorded as safe, though local notices remain authoritative, and coastal itineraries should keep current ferry, heat and wildfire information available.
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