Is Split Croatia on your next family trip? Visiting Split, Croatia, with kids can be an incredible trip! Here is a great one-day itinerary to experience some of Split’s most beautiful attractions!
Located on the Adriatic Sea, Split is the second-largest city in Croatia and the largest city in Dalmatia. It is a city filled with rich ancient history, stunning beaches, and beautiful parks. There are so many child-friendly attractions in Split, making it a great place for the entire family to enjoy!
Is One Day in Split Enough?
I recommend spending at least two days in Split. However, if you only have one day, this fantastic itinerary will help you make the most of your family trip to Croatia! This one-day itinerary will allow you to see some ancient ruins and a gorgeous park, visit the beaches, enjoy the old town, and eat delicious local food!
If you are lucky enough to spend more than one day, keep reading and see my suggestions for day two!
Be sure to check out my Ultimate Toddler and Baby Packing List while you are preparing for your trip. Included in that list is some of my top recommended travel items for little kids.
Note: Some links may be affiliated links. That means I may make a commission if you use my links to purchase, at no extra added cost to you! I only recommend products and services that I personally love and believe in. Full disclaimer here.
A Complete One-Day Itinerary for Things to do in Split, Croatia, with Kids
Start with Marjan Park
The locals refer to Marjan Hill as the lungs of the city. It is home to the most beautiful park, with a stunning view! The hill is a bit of a climb, but the great view makes it worth every step. The road for vehicle traffic stops just short of a little cafe. The cafe is a perfect place to fuel up for the hike!
The steps up the hill are well-maintained. Marjan Park has several different hiking trails. The direction markers can be a little confusing, but several are in the park. Here, you can find beautiful medieval chapels that are well-preserved. There is a really nice playground and a petting zoo at the top of the hill, which can be great for little kids. There is also a beautiful old Jewish Cemetery with an entrance behind the cafe.
Hiking to the top of Marjan Park presents the city’s most beautiful view against the Adriatic Sea.
We started the day here because it can get quite warm in the afternoons, especially during the Summer months.
Tip: Look into booking a little tour! We booked a little two-hour tuk-tuk tour, which was great! This was the first thing we did as soon as we got off the cruise ship. Our guide drove us to Marjan Park and finished at the Old Town. He was wonderful and gave us plenty of time to enjoy the park. This was a great way of getting around! I would suggest starting this tour first thing in the morning.
Check out the tuk-tuk tour here!
Walk the Riva / Seafront Promenade
After visiting the Beautiful Marjan Park, head to the Riva Promenade. If you take the tuk-tuk tour, request to end here. It is located in the Old Town of Split. The waterfront area is stunning! It is lined with massive palm trees and a variety of restaurants. You will also see many merchant tents lined up here as well.
Grab a little snack or a coffee at one of the shops. From here, you can get to the entrance to the Diocletian’s Palace via the Brass Gate.
Visit the Diocletian’s Palace
Visiting Diocletian’s Palace is one of the most iconic things to do in Split Old Town. It is truly a walk through time! The palace, which looks more like a fortress, was built in the third century for the Roman Emperor, Diocletian. The Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage site and makes up a good part of the Old Town.
Diocletian’s Palace should not be skipped! Because the palace is essentially in the neighborhood of Split, Croatia’s old town, there are many intertwined homes throughout the palace walls. Of all our travels throughout Europe, I find this quite unique! It is also a pedestrian-only zone, which makes it so much safer for little kids to run around the main streets.
And another great thing to note is that walking the beautiful streets of Diocletian’s Palace is free!
Don’t miss the opportunity to walk through the Bronze Gate. It is a really neat entrance through the Waterfront Riva. You can see the underground rooms and even some neat excavated artifacts there.
If you are a Game of Thrones fan, check out the Game of Thrones Tour with the Diocletian’s Palace Cellar. The cellar was one of the filming locations!
If you book a walking tour of the old town, be sure to have snacks and water for the kids! Check out my Ultimate Essentials Checklist for Babies and Toddlers, which is great for traveling!
Climb the Bell Tower of the Cathedral of St. Domnius
I would absolutely recommend climbing the bell tower. The view of the city is incredible! The staircase can be quite narrow, with some deep steps. The bell tower stands 60 M above the city, making it quite the climb! If you’re not afraid of heights, then you should prioritize this!
Note: You can purchase tickets there. Climbing the Bell Tower is a separate ticket from the Cathedral of St. Domnius.
Walk through the Cathedral of St. Domnius
If you are visiting Split, Croatia, with kids, you must visit the Cathedral of St. Domnius. This is the largest active Catholic Cathedral in the world that has not had any major renovations. It is pretty small but so beautiful. There are even a couple of
sections where you can see the original mosaic floor displayed under glass.
Check out the Temple of Jupiter
The Temple of Jupiter, also called the Baptistry of St John the Baptist, is right outside St. Domnius’s Cathedral. We were told it is one of Europe’s most beautiful and oldest monuments. Sadly, the entrance was closed while we were there, but we could still admire the beauty on the outside.
Right outside is a headless sphinx. It was one of twelve sphinxes brought over from Egypt around the year 297.
Walk to the Open Dome of the Vestibule
I found this quite stunning, especially with how preserved the dome is. While we were there, a men’s choral quartet performed. It was so beautiful listening to them sing, and the acoustics were incredible.
Take a Stroll through the Ancient Medieval Streets
These narrow medieval streets are made from marble and blend in seamlessly with the buildings of the Old Town. That being said, they can be very slick.
On these streets, you will see restaurants, cafes, and many different stores.
Check out the Statue of Gregory Nin and Visit the Park
Towards the back of the Diocletian Palace is an enormous statue of Gregory Nin. They say it’s good luck to rub his big toe!
There is also a nice little park and playground nearby. The playground was quite small, but my son loved it. It was a nice break from walking around the city.
Visit the Pjaca Square
The Pjaca Square is also referred to as the Narodni Trg Square and is located in the Diocletian’s Palace. This beautiful square is magnificent! The square has some of the most unique and beautiful buildings, including the town hall.
My favorite building was the Karepic Palace, a Gothic-Renaissance art with two coats of arms on the front. There are also little cafes and restaurants. It is a perfect spot to enjoy some ice cream and let the kids run around.
Eat a late lunch at Konoba Varos.
There are so many restaurants in the Old Town. Some are beautifully placed within the ancient buildings. However, I just had to recommend Konoba Varos. We had an incredible experience, and that can be hard to do with a baby and toddler. It is tucked away, and the aesthetics are not as beautiful as those intertwined in the Palace walls, but it is totally worth the visit. The food was incredible, and the service was very pleasant.
Check out the menu, and make a reservation!
Consider checking out Froggyland.
If you’re visiting Split with kids and they love frogs, you may want to consider checking it out. Hundreds of taxidermy frogs are on display, participating in different human activities.
Visit Bacvice Beach
This can be the perfect place to end your day during the summer months! Bacvice Beach is one of the more popular beaches in Split. Sadly, it was under construction when we were there in the Spring.
The beach is very popular among the locals because of the shallow waters and the game of Picigin. Our tour guide described Picigin as a ball game in which the players have to prevent the ball from falling into the water.
Attractions for Day Two While Visiting Split with Kids
Take a Day Trip to Krka National Park.
Krka National Park is about 50 miles away from Split. It is known for its beautiful landscapes and waterfalls. My husband visited a few years back and really enjoyed it! He recommended that if you visit Krka National Park plan for a full day.
Check out this boat ride and tour of Krka National Park, it looks incredible!
Visit Klis Fortress
Klis Fortress is in the Village of Klis. It is very well preserved and can be recognized by many Game of Thrones fans! If you don’t want to visit Bacvice Beach, consider visiting the Klis Fortress. It’s roughly 25 minutes from the city and can be accessed by taxi, public transportation, and even tuk-tuk tours.
See a Football Fame
For those who love soccer, take the family to see Croatia play!
Can You See Split in One Day
If you plan accordingly, you can see a good bit of Split in one day. For those who are embarking on a cruise, I recommend you use my One-Day Split Itinerary as a guideline. This itinerary allows you to see the main sites in the old part of the city, a beautiful park, and an opportunity to relax at one of the more popular beaches.
For those who have more than one day, take a day trip to the Krka National Park.
Related Post: The Best Essentials Packing List for Traveling with Babies and Toddlers
Is Split Stroller Friendly
I saw many people with strollers. If you are wanting to bring a stroller, I would recommend a light study compact stroller because of the stairs and the narrow streets. Be aware that it can be difficult to visit some of the main attractions with strollers.
My husband and I prefer to carry our baby and toddler in the carriers. It is so much easier for us to get around with them!
Check out my preferred baby and toddler carriers here!
Is Split Croatia Worth Visiting with Little Kids
Absolutely! Split is a charming city filled with so much to see and do with kids. The Croatian people were very friendly and accommodating to us and our little kids.
Related Post: 10 Surprising Benefits of Traveling with Young Kids
Final Thoughts on Visiting Split, Croatia, with Kids
Split is a beautiful coastal city with a rich history that the entire family will enjoy. Traveling with a baby and toddler, we felt completely safe and welcomed by the people of Croatia. There are so many things to do in Split in one day, and we packed it in with this complete one day itinerary. If I have the opportunity to visit again, I plan on visiting Krka National Park and the Klis Fortress.
I would love to hear from you! Are you considering a trip to Split? Have you been, and also enjoyed any of the nearby islands? Do you have any top things or best spots you would recommend? I would love to hear about your experience!
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