Split, Croatia Travel Diary

Have you heard of Split, Croatia? As an up and coming travel destination, when it comes to Croatia, people typically just think about Dubrovnik but there is SO much more to see. I only had 4 days in Croatia this time around which I divided between Dubrovnik and Split. Next time I’m in Croatia (which will be soon) I’ll rent a car in order to have the flexibility to travel to other destinations like Hvar (you can get there by ferry from Split), Zagreb and Rovinj.

After 2 days in Dubrovnik we headed to Split, Croatia, which is the second largest city in Croatia and the largest city of the region of Dalmatia.

Day 1

We arrived pretty hungry, and after dropping our bags off at our Airbnb we walked over to Bokeria located in the Old Town for pasta and spritz. Yes, I realize I didn’t travel to Italy but pasta and spritz is always a good idea. The restaurant is adorably decorated and has an Aperol wall. A WALL! It was clear I was meant to eat here. Being a lover of truffle, I had the homemade truffle pasta and Aperol spritz which was divine. @bokeriacroatia

After filling up on carbs we walked the short journey to Marjan, Split which boasts incredible views of Split. At the viewpoint you can see the Mediterranean pine forest, the city and Adriatic Sea. There is a restaurant at the top of the hill where you can dine amidst this stunning view and indulge in a spritz (or two).

When I get to a new city, I love to walk around for a bit to observe culture, people and just the general vibe of the city. The Old Town was comprised of a good handful of tourists and locals (obviously). The city’s historic elements are well-kept which adds to Split’s charm.

A visit to the Riva Promenade is essential for a trip to Split. The promenade is lined with beautiful palm trees, restaurants, and the sea. We walked the promenade, taking in the beautiful views before heading to dinner at Storija Restaurant.

Day 2

With only two days in Split, we had a lot of ground to cover. The day started off with a boat trip to Trogir and the Blue Lagoon. The 45-minute boat trip took us to the cute, small town of Trogir. The entire town can be seen in 30 minutes by foot, making it a perfect ½ day trip. We grabbed a gelato and strolled the city. From the Trogir Cathedral, you can see the entire city and it’s such a beautiful view – reminds me of Venice, Italy.

From Trogir, we were a short boat ride to the blue lagoon, located between Drvenik and Krknjasi islands. The lagoon is a nice break from all of the tourist crowds, and (fun fact) is the only place paparazzi aren’t allowed. So, in the summertime, it’s common to spot celebrities who have docked their boats in the lagoon. After some time at the Blue Lagoon, we headed back to the Old Town for dinner.

When researching “best restaurants in Split” on Google, I came across Konoba Korta. And after a quick search on Instagram to only drool over the dishes on their feed, we made a reservation for the cute restaurant hidden in the center of Diocletian’s Palace. Konoba Korta serves authentic Dalmatian food, which is exactly what we were looking for.

We started off with baked scallops which, even if I tried, I wouldn’t be able to explain how delicious these were. Just writing about them now, I’m reminded of the perfection these little shells contained. I asked for the ingredients which I was told by the server “it’s secret,” which means you just have to go try it for yourself.

As a main course, I had prawn stuffed gnocchi with mussels and shrimp and my friends had a truffle pasta which they described as “the best pasta I’ve ever had.”

This is a little embarrassing to admit: I’ve never eaten prawns before, but I was pleasantly surprised. The gnocchi was well-made and the freshness of the fish was undeniable. For authentic Dalmatian food, I loved Konoba Korta and will make a visit back when I return to Split. @konobakorta

• 

• 

From Spilt, a visit to Krka and Plitvice National Park and Hvar is easy and quick. National parks aren’t really my thing, but I’ve heard amazing things about them so if you’re planning a trip to Croatia, be sure to check these places out. Having a car in Croatia makes getting around so much easier. If you’re comfortable with foreign roads (they are well-maintained and safe) go for the car rental.

Having fewer tourists than Dubrovnik, Split gave me a little more insight into the daily life of Croatians and showed me more of the city life. My trip to Croatia was memorable and I know I will be back, soon.

3