How to Spend 2 Days Solo Traveling in Split, Croatia
Split is one of those perfect cities to solo travel. It’s walkable, relaxed, and historic without feeling overwhelming. It’s filled with enough things to do that you can stay busy, but without exhausting yourself. For solo travelers over 40, Split hits that perfect balance between activity and ease.
You can spend your mornings wandering the ancient alleyways, your afternoons swimming in the Adriatic Sea or exploring nearby islands, and your evenings dining along the waterfront without ever feeling rushed.
If you only have 2 days in Split, this itinerary will help you experience the city in a way that feels meaningful, manageable, and enjoyable as a solo traveler.
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Before diving into the itinerary, one thing that helped me the most was organizing each day ahead of time. If you like having everything in one place (accommodation, activities, transport, and notes), I created a simple digital travel planner that walks you through this step-by-step. You can see it here.
Day 1 in Split: Old Town, History, and the Waterfront
Morning: Explore Diocletian’s Palace and Old Town
Start your first morning at Diocletian’s Palace, the center of Split and one of the most fascinating historic areas in Croatia.
Built over 1,700 years ago for the Roman Emperor Diocletian, the palace is much more than a historic site. Today, it functions as the center of the city itself. Inside the ancient walls, you’ll find cafés, restaurants, shops, and narrow alleyways built directly into the Roman architecture.
Visit the Cathedral of Saint Domnius
While exploring Old Town, stop at the Cathedral of Saint Domnius, one of the oldest Catholic cathedrals still in use in the world. What makes it even more interesting is that it was originally built as Diocletian’s burial space before later becoming a cathedral. Inside, you’ll find intricate carvings and Roman architecture.
Although it’s a little bit of a climb, the bell tower has great views over Split’s rooftops, harbor, and coastline. The stairs are narrow in sections, but the view from the top is worth it.
Stop at the Peristyle Square
Just outside the cathedral is the Peristyle, the palace’s central square and one of the most lively places in Split.
This is the perfect place to stop and take a break. You can see musicians and performances here. While I was there, I saw what seemed like a mix between a parade, procession, and show all in one. It was entertaining to say the least!
The architecture and large Roman columns with old stone and open sky gives the area an unforgettable atmosphere.
Explore the Underground Cellars
Before leaving the palace area, make sure you check out the underground cellars. You can take a tour of the cellars as well if you want some interesting stories. It seemed like my tour guide was filled with tall tales, but that was the fun of walking through the cellars beneath the palace.
The stone halls are cool, dimly lit, and incredibly well-preserved. They give you a much better sense of the scale of the original palace.
Fans of Game of Thrones may also recognize parts of the cellars from filming locations used in the series.
Midday: Lunch and the Riva Promenade
After exploring Old Town, walk toward the Riva Promenade, it’s lined with palm trees, cafés, and plenty of great harbor views. This is one of the best places in the city to slow down and soak in the views.
Find an outdoor table for lunch and take your time. The Riva is perfect for solo travelers because nobody feels rushed here. Locals linger over coffee for hours, ferries come and go from the harbor, and the entire promenade has a relaxed Mediterranean energy.
If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable dining alone, Split is one of those places where that feeling disappears quickly.
Afternoon: Walk Through Marjan Hill
After your nice relaxing lunch, head toward Marjan Hill, which is just outside the center of Split.
The walk here gives you a completely different perspective of the city. Instead of little alleyways and stone streets, you’ll find walking paths, pine trees, and hidden beaches along the coastline.
You don’t need to hike extensively to enjoy it. Even a shorter walk offers incredible views over Split and the Adriatic Sea.
If you want a more active afternoon, continue farther along the peninsula to discover some of the quieter beaches around Marjan.
Evening: Dinner in Old Town
As the sun sets, head back toward Old Town for dinner.
At night, Split becomes even more lively. The streets start filling with people and the restaurants set up for the late dinner rush, and music plays throughout the alleyways.
One of the best parts about solo travel in Split is that evenings feel alive without feeling overwhelming. You can enjoy the atmosphere at your own pace, whether that means slow dinner, having a glass of wine along the waterfront, or simply wandering through the illuminated streets.
✈️ Plan Your Croatia Trip Without the Stress
If you want to organize your itinerary, budget, and daily plans all in one place, this is the exact digital planner I use for every trip:
- Day-by-day itinerary pages
- Packing list
- Budget pages
- Printable + digital (use on your phone or iPad)
Day 2 in Split: Choose Your Style of Adventure
Your second day can go in a few different directions depending on your travel style and energy level.
Option 1: Take a Day Trip to Hvar
If you want to experience more of Croatia’s coastline, take a ferry to Hvar.
The ferry ride itself is part of the experience, offering beautiful views of the Adriatic Sea and nearby islands.
Once you arrive in Hvar, spend the day:
- Wandering through the old town
- Relaxing by the harbor
- Visiting cafés and small shops
- Climbing to the fortress for panoramic views
Hvar has a totally different feel to it than Split. Hvar has a more chic, busy, touristy vibe, while Split is much more relaxed. I would definitely do both, even if you only do one day each. For me they are both a must see.
Option 2: Visit Trogir and Klis Fortress
If you’d rather stay closer to Split while still seeing more of the region, combine a visit to Trogir with Klis Fortress.
Morning in Trogir
Trogir is about 30 minutes from Split and feels like a smaller, quieter version of Split’s Old Town.
Spend the morning:
- Wandering the narrow streets
- Exploring the waterfront
- Visiting cafés and small squares
- Enjoying a more relaxed atmosphere away from larger crowds
It’s compact and easy to explore solo. For me it was small and easy to do in a half day. It’s a cute little city, but underwhelming. A little lunch and shopping. I wouldn’t plan a lot of time here unless you are looking to really hang out and chill for the afternoon.
Afternoon at Klis Fortress
After Trogir, head to Klis Fortress overlooking the coastline above Split.
The fortress offers some of the best panoramic views in the area and feels far more rugged and dramatic than Split’s Old Town.
Fans of Game of Thrones may recognize it as another filming location from the series. This is a great option if you want something a little more adventurous during your 2 days in Split.
Option 3: Stay in Split and Fill the Day with Activities
If you prefer not to leave the city, there’s still plenty to do.
You could:
- Relax at Bacvice Beach
- Take a sunset boat cruise
- Join a food or wine tour
- Take a Croatian cooking class
- Do a guided walking tour of Old Town
- Explore hidden beaches around Marjan Hill
This option works especially well if you want a mix of sightseeing and downtime without needing to organize transportation.
Is Split Good for Solo Travel?
Split is one of the easiest destinations in Europe for solo travel over 40 because it combines:
- Walkability
- Safety
- History
- Relaxed energy
- Easy day trips
- A strong café culture
You can stay busy without feeling pressured to constantly move, and you can slow down without feeling bored. That balance is what makes Split such a rewarding destination to experience alone.
Final Thoughts
Two days in Split gives you just enough time to experience the city’s history, coastline, and atmosphere while still leaving room for flexibility.
Whether you spend your second day island hopping, exploring nearby towns, or simply enjoying long walks along the waterfront, Split makes solo travel easy. It’s a great jumping off point for other islands as well. For me, it’s well worth at least a one day stop, a day and a half is perfect if you don’t want to rush and can stay the night.
There is so much to do in Croatia, it’s one of my favorite countries. So many islands and each one of them seem to have their own unique vibe, that’s why it’s hard to choose, but definitely don’t miss Split. If you have time for a longer trip in Croatia check out my post of top things to do in Croatia and if you only have time for another stop check out my post about Dubrovnik.
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Hi, I’m Amy!
I’m a solo traveler who has visited 30+ countries and love helping others feel confident traveling on their own. On this blog I share itineraries, practical travel tips, and lessons I’ve learned from traveling solo around the world.
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