Walking Routes Through Split Old Town
Walking routes through Split Old Town
Split is a compact town, and its best routes can be walked without a guide. The palace streets are free and open 24 hours, and the walks below link them with the neighbourhoods around.
Self-guided palace circuit, 1.5 to 2 hours
Start on the Riva, the waterfront promenade, and enter through the Bronze Gate. The central hall of the Substructures beyond the gate is a free thoroughfare that leads up to the Peristyle, so you can pass through without buying a ticket. Spend time on the Peristyle and in the Vestibule, where klapa singers are commonly heard. Follow the Cardo north to the Golden Gate and the statue of Grgur Ninski, then loop back through the Iron Gate to Pjaca. Mornings and evenings are quieter, since the old town is crowded from about 10:00 to 15:00 in summer.
Varoš quarter
Varoš is the stone-alley quarter just west of the palace. Its church of St Nicholas and narrow lanes give a calmer walk than the palace core. The polished stone steps can be slippery, so wear shoes with grip.
Up the Marjan stairs
From Varoš, the stairs reach the Prva Vidilica viewpoint in about 10 to 15 minutes. Paths continue towards Telegrin, the summit, which is 178 m high. Carry water, and avoid the hottest hours in summer. Outdoor fires are illegal from 1 June to 31 October, and the pine forest is a wildfire risk. The 314-step figure applies to the climb from the play-area junction, not from the Riva.
Markets walk
Walk the Peškarija fish market and the Pazar green market outside the Silver Gate in the morning, when stalls are busiest. Opening hours at Pazar vary, so check on the day.
Guided walks
Local guides run group walks of the palace and the old town. Prices differ by operator, so compare options before you book. A guide is useful for the Roman layers and the stories behind the gates. Compare listings: Split walking tours on GetYourGuide .
Jewish heritage walk
A short, quiet walk follows Židovski prolaz to the outside of the Split Synagogue, in the palace’s north-west corner. The synagogue dates from the early 1500s and is one of the oldest Sephardic synagogues still in use. It remains an active house of worship, so respect services and do not treat it as a sightseeing stop. In June 1942, Italian fascists sacked it and burned books and scrolls in the main square.
The Jewish cemetery on Marjan dates from 1573 and is a protected monument. The Vidilica cafe sits in the former mortuary house next to it. Visit from outside, and contact the Jewish Community of Split at zost.hr about any visit.
Tips
- Split fines people on the spot for walking through town shirtless or in swimwear, drinking or sleeping in public, and climbing monuments.
- Wear shoes with grip, since the old paving and steps are polished.
- Check opening hours in late October, which is outside the main season.
Read more: Sightseeing in Split and Split 4 day itinerary .