Split is an amazing city, there are some filming locations where Game of Thrones was filmed (more on that later). The best part is, the city is so old and the cobblestone streets are just amazing for filming that you MAY come across some filming going on….! (Read on for more)
This is the first destination of my backpacking trip: Split -> Plitvice (Sixteen Lakes) -> Korcula -> Dubrovnik (click to see my earlier posts!)
For the best views of Split, a walk up Marjan Hill is highly recommended. The walk is not difficult and it is very suitable for kids and simple walking shoes. It will take about an hour to find the path and walk up, but some can finish it in 45 minutes. Once you’re up on the hill, you will be rewarded views of Split. Try to visit on a sunny days so you get great views of the city.
Diocletian’s Palace (Old City)
There are always tourists around this area, resting and taking photos alike. It’s a great place to just sit and soak in the history of this place. I would recommend buying the inclusive ticket to the Palace, 45 kunas for the cathedral, bell tower, baptistery, crypt, and treasury.
We headed up the bell tower first: it’s a scary climb up because you only have bars next to you, not walls. But the view at the top is amazing.
The next few places lead us on a goose chase around the city. It was quite fun, trying to find these places looking at the map they gave us. Next we headed to the Cathedral. It was pretty nice, but very small. I’ve seen my share of astounding cathedrals in Europe and sorry to say but this one pales in comparison. The Temple of Jupiter, known as the Baptistry. There was just a room, not much to see. Just a statue like this:
After visiting those five places as part of the package, take some time and tour the city without a map. You will come across some really nice cobblestone streets. Some of these streets are filmed in Game of Thrones!
For dinner, we ate at Le Monde, a restaurant that the hotel owner recommended to us. It was really good. 4 stars. I got their black risotto, which was squid ink risotto. 80 kunas or 8€. It’s cheap considering it was 8 euros, but it’s quite expensive considering the standard of living in Croatia.
There are many beaches to visit in Split. We were recommended to go to the beaches in Marjan Park, so we took Bus 12 from the Promenade. One bus comes every half hour and tickets cost 11 Kunas which you can pay as you get on. For those that are wondering, I did bring a bikini to Croatia. I was probably the only one and the only girl on the beach, so yes, I was quite embarrassed. Note that it is a pebble beach, so your feet will hurt at the end of the day. If you aren’t up for a swim, there is a nice bar to the side where you an rest and enjoy the view.
At night, on the way back to our hostel, and we saw a lot of people holding cameras, chairs and rushing around. I knew immediately that there was some filming going on and I was thinking … It can’t be… Are they filming Game of Thrones???? I couldn’t believe my luck!
BUT It turns out they weren’t. They were filming American series “Dig” starring Jason Issacs. We were really lucky to get a photo with him. I just walked up to him and asked him if we could take a photo. He was really cool about it and said sure! It was later I googled him up I found out that he played Lucius Malfoy in Harry Potter! What a missed opportunity! I wanted to tell him how cool he was in that movie…
I was able to stand by the side and watch from afar. He filmed a scene where he had to run up the street and talk on his phone. Cut! Then the crew switched over to another location to film another scene.
We went around the old city and harbour at night to check it out. Split is beautiful at night as it is in the day. I recommend visiting all the same places in the day time and night time as everything looks so much different.
- RESTAURANTS TO EAT: Portofino
- CHEAP EATS: Toto’s Burger Bar & Kantun Paulina
- CAFES TO DISCOVER: 4coffee soul food (hidden away in an ally) & Choco Cafe (I enjoyed this cafe so much that I even went twice!)
- WHAT TO DO: If you have an extra (full day) to spare, I recommend a Blue Cave, Hvar, Boat Tour or a sea kayaking half day tour. Read my other blog for the trip itinerary.
Menu at Choco Cafe if you’re interested in visiting!