Cruises to Split

382 Reviews
Split (Photo:xbrchx/Shutterstock)

About Cruising to Split

As one of the most popular cities to visit in the country, it is no surprise to see Split included in many Croatia cruise itineraries. The first thing that strikes you on arrival in Split, Croatia, is how very busy it is. The quayside is lined with local ferry boats -- some wood-trimmed and charmingly old fashioned, with room for no more than about 12 passengers -- and there are hordes of young backpackers embarking or disembarking as they make their way around one of Europe's most beautiful regions.

Bigger ferries and cruise ships come into the main terminal, and from there it's a short but uphill walk to the Old Town with its market and the world-famous jewel that lies at Split's heart, the magnificent Palace of Diocletian.

En route you'll encounter plenty of those gap-year kids, some toting backpacks or wheeling cases, others sitting -- rapt in young love -- on the many wooden, sea-facing benches that line the harbor front.

Split's youthful buzz arises partly from its status as a university town and partly from its position as a jumping-off point for exploring Dalmatia's lovely coast and islands. So it's hardly surprising that it has such a young population -- and the affordable bars and lively nightlife that go with it.

But older travelers arriving by cruise ship should not feel left out, for there is much to enjoy in this delightful port, from elegant pastel-colored tea shops and great restaurants to even better shops.

There's also a museum featuring the works of Ivan Mestrovic, one of Croatia's greatest sculptors. And, of course, there's that magnificent palace, built by a Roman emperor around 2,000 years ago.

  • More about Split

  • Why Cruise to Split?

  • Split Cruise Port Facilities?

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Riviera
Riviera
Riviera Cabins
Riviera
Riviera Dining
Riviera
Riviera Activity/Entertainment
Riviera
Riviera
Riviera

10 Nights

Mediterranean Cruise

Port: Trieste • Zadar • Split • Dubrovnik • Corfu • Katakolon • Malta • Taormina • Sorrento • Rome

782 reviews
Oct 25, 2024
Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises

7 Nights

Venice,the Adriatic & Greece

Port: Venice • Split • Dubrovnik • Kotor • Corfu • Katakolon • Athens

2,051 reviews
Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking Ocean Cruises
Celebrity Constellation
Celebrity Constellation
Celebrity Constellation Cabins
Celebrity Constellation
Celebrity Constellation Dining
Celebrity Constellation
Celebrity Constellation Activity/Entertainment
Celebrity Constellation
Celebrity Constellation
Celebrity Constellation

11 Nights

Best Of Italy & Croatia

Port: Rome • Florence • Portofino • Naples • Taormina • Brindisi • Dubrovnik • Kotor • Split • Ravenna

1,828 reviews
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises
Cruise Critic Favorite
Viking Sea
Viking Sea
Viking Sea Cabins
Viking Sea
Viking Sea Dining
Viking Sea
Viking Sea Activity/Entertainment
Viking Sea
Viking Sea
Viking Sea

7 Nights

Venice,the Adriatic & Greece

Port: Chioggia • Split • Dubrovnik • Kotor • Corfu • Katakolon • Athens

1,570 reviews
Sep 11, 2024
Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking Ocean Cruises

10 Nights

Best Of Italy & Croatia

Port: Ravenna • Trieste • Zadar • Dubrovnik • Split • Brindisi • Kotor • Amalfi Coast • Rome

1,828 reviews
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3,047 reviews
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line

10 Nights

Best Of Italy & Croatia

Port: Rome • Florence • Portofino • Naples • Taormina • Brindisi • Kotor • Split • Zadar • Ravenna

1,828 reviews
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises

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Italy, Greece, & France: Mediterranean Jewels

Port: Trieste • Split • Dubrovnik • Corfu • Taormina • Naples • Rome • Florence • Cannes • +2 more

3,047 reviews
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line

10 Nights

Best Of Italy & Croatia

Port: Ravenna • Trieste • Zadar • Brindisi • Kotor • Split • Dubrovnik • Amalfi Coast • Rome

1,828 reviews
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Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises

10 Nights

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Port: Rome • Naples • Taormina • Malta • Chania • Kotor • Dubrovnik • Split • Trieste

732 reviews
Princess Cruises

11 Nights

Best Of Italy & Croatia

Port: Ravenna • Zadar • Dubrovnik • Split • Kotor • Taormina • Amalfi Coast • La Spezia • Rome

1,828 reviews
Sep 6, 2024
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises

11 Nights

Best Of Italy & Croatia

Port: Ravenna • Zadar • Dubrovnik • Split • Kotor • Taormina • Naples • La Spezia • Rome

1,828 reviews
Jun 14, 2024
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises
Cruise Critic Favorite

7 Nights

Mediterranean - Eastern Cruise

Port: Venice • Brindisi • Mykonos • Athens • Split • Venice

706 reviews
MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises

8 Nights

Classic Italy & The Dalmatian Coast 8d Cvv-vce

Port: Rome • Sorrento • Taormina • Kotor • Dubrovnik • Split • Rovinj • Venice

259 reviews
Jun 7, 2024
Windstar Cruises

6 Nights

Greece, Croatia & Turkey Cruise

Port: Ravenna • Split • Mykonos • Kusadasi • Santorini • Athens

2,038 reviews
Oct 5, 2024
Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean International

More about Split

Why Cruise to Split?

Pros:

Diocletian's Palace, the main attraction in Split, is just a short walk from the cruise terminal

Cons:

The waterfront areas are usually filled with tourists, so be prepared for crowds

Bottom Line:

The busy, bustling port of Split expertly mixes Old-World charm with a youthful vibe

Split Cruise Port Facilities?

The area around the port caters well to young travelers, with plenty of cheap and cheerful cafes, exchange bureaus and Internet centers. Head a little up the hill opposite the terminal and you'll find a street market selling beach towels, hats, sunglasses, newspapers and other tourist paraphernalia. But the main action is to your left, in the Old Town and around the palace.

Good to Know?

Be aware that traffic is heavy and drivers have a rather cavalier approach to stopping at crossings. (Don't just step out!)

The waterfront and streets around the palace are often thronged by tourists, so be prepared for crowds.

Taxi fares can vary. Be sure to agree on the rate in advance and check any "extras."

Getting Around?

Diocletian's Palace and the Old Town are within easy walking distance of the dock. If you want to venture farther afield, you'll find a well-served taxi stand right outside the passenger terminal and a bus station to your left.

Look right, across the road, and you'll see a tourist information center; there's also a post office and a place to leave luggage. Stroll along the harbor front and you'll see ferries offering trips to Korcula, Hvar and Dubrovnik.

Currency & Best Way to Get Money?

Croatia's currency is the kuna (the name refers to small, weasel-like creatures whose pelts were traded for goods in the distant past). One kuna is made up of 100 lipa.

You'll find several ATMs along the Riva promenade, which runs parallel to the port. (You'll find it to your left when you leave the passenger terminal.)

Language?

The locals speak Croatian among themselves, but fortunately for tourists, most also speak English. Basic phrases worth knowing include "Dobro jutro/Dobra vecer" ("Good morning/Good evening"), "molim/hvala" ("please/thank you") and "Racun, molim" ("The bill, please").

In an emergency, dial 112 or call 192 for the police, 193 for the fire brigade or 194 for an ambulance.

Where You're Docked?

Split is a very easy port to navigate; simply turn left outside the shipping terminal and you can walk into town along the Riva (the harbor-front promenade), or head right (up the hill) and then left for Diocletian's Palace.


Split Cruise Reviews
In Split, we had a whitewater kayaking adventure! This was a ship's excursion and it was lots of fun. Beautiful scenery!Read More
OleMissSamfordMom
Loved split- it was Beautiful, atmospheric, elegant, interesting- use a free walking tour ( customary to tip for the tour but there’s no set prices) bookable online with some excellent local guides. It gets busy inRead More
Tigs2015
Beautiful port, best one of our trip. Fairly quick walking distance to nearby town, shopping resturants, boats, beautiful scenery. This port makes me want to come back to Split again. Read More
joefriend6
We booked a tour with a private company and went to Togir and Split. Only 4 of us on the tour. Very enjoyable towns, even if touristyRead More
IpswichChris

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