Best Day Trips from Split

Reviewed by TheOneToGo Editorial · Updated June 14, 2026

Split is a good base, but the best days out are not all island days. Ferries are fun, buses are practical, and a rental car only really earns its keep on the awkward inland links.

The mistake people make in Split is trying to turn every famous Croatian place into a day trip. Dubrovnik is too far for a sensible day for most people. Plitvice can be done by a very long drive or bus day, but I would not spend my vacation that way. The better choices sit closer: Roman ruins, small stone towns, one proper waterfall day, and islands where the ferry schedule does not swallow the trip.

If I had one spare day, I would pick Trogir for ease, Krka for nature, or Brač if I wanted the boat ride to be part of the day. Hvar is worth it, but only if the return catamaran works before you build the whole day around it.

1. 1

   Trogir

   about 30-50 min by bus or car, longer in summer traffic

   Trogir is the easiest high-reward day trip from Split. The old town is small, dense, and almost unfairly pretty for somewhere so close to the airport road. It is also a better short historic wander than trying to wring one more palace walk out of Split.

   Getting there: Take Promet Split line 37 from the Sukoisan terminal toward Trogir, or use an intercity bus from Split if the timing is better. Seasonal passenger boats also run between Split, Slatine, and Trogir, but check the current Bura Line timetable because the schedule changes by season.

   Best for: A relaxed half-day, medieval lanes, a waterfront meal, and people who do not want transport stress.

   

2. 2

   Krka National Park and Skradin

   about 1h 10m to 1h 45m by bus to Skradin, plus the park transfer when operating

   Krka is the best waterfall day from Split because it is close enough to feel like a day out, not a stamina test. Skradinski Buk is the main draw, with boardwalks and water everywhere. The catch is crowds. Go early, or accept that July and August can feel like a slow shuffle in the prettiest parts.

   Getting there: Take a bus from Split to Skradin, then from Skradin use the Krka NP boat to Skradinski Buk (it runs April to October during park hours) or walk or bike the 3.4 km Skradin trail along the river. Tours from Split are simpler. Independent travel works, but check the last bus back before you enter the park.

   Best for: Waterfalls, easy walking, first-time visitors, and anyone who wants nature without renting a car.

   

3. 3

   Omiš and the Cetina River

   about 35-60 min by bus or car, slower when the coast road jams

   Omiš is the day trip I would send active travelers on before another beach town. The town sits where the Cetina River meets the coast, so the day can be lazy or sweaty. The fortress climb is hot, exposed, and worth it if you have decent shoes and enough water.

   Getting there: Take a bus from Split toward Omiš. Promet Split line 60 serves the route, and regional buses also run along the coast. Summer traffic can make the trip drag, especially late in the day.

   Best for: River scenery, fortress views, rafting or canyoning, and a break from island crowds.

   

4. 4

   Supetar, Brač

   about 50 min by Jadrolinija ferry

   Brač is the simplest island day from Split. Supetar is not the island's most dramatic town, and that is exactly why it works. The ferry crossing is short, the route runs year-round, and you can swim, eat, walk the waterfront, and return without treating the timetable like a puzzle. If you want Bol and Zlatni Rat, plan harder because that adds a cross-island bus or drive.

   Getting there: Take the Jadrolinija ferry from Split to Supetar. The regular car ferry crossing is listed at about 50 minutes, with more sailings in the warmer months. For Bol, connect onward by island bus or drive, but do not assume the timings will line up neatly.

   Best for: An easy island day, swimming, families, and travelers who want a ferry without gambling on a late return.

   

5. 5

   Šibenik

   about 1h 25m to 1h 45m by bus

   Šibenik is the better choice than Zadar for a one-day city trip from Split. It is closer, hillier, less polished, and more interesting for a slow wander. The cathedral area and old lanes reward drifting around without a checklist, but this is still a proper travel day, not a quick pop-out.

   Getting there: Take a direct bus from Split bus station to Šibenik. Trains exist, but they usually involve a connection at Perković and are often less convenient than the bus for a day trip.

   Best for: Architecture, old-town wandering, photography, and travelers who prefer a real city day to a beach stop.

   

6. 6

   Salona and Klis Fortress

   about 20-45 min to each area by local bus or car, depending on route and wait time

   This is the best short history trip from Split if the palace crowds have worn you down. Salona's Roman ruins are spread out and sun-baked, so it feels more like poking around a field site than visiting a tidy museum. Klis Fortress gives the big view back toward Split and the islands. Do both together if you have a car, or if you are patient with local buses and the gaps between them.

   Getting there: For Salona, take a local bus toward Solin. Promet Split line 37 and other Solin routes can work depending on your starting point and stop. For Klis, check current Promet Split routes such as 22, 33, or 35, since the best stop depends on the timetable. Linking Salona and Klis is much easier by car or taxi.

   Best for: Roman history, fortress views, short travel time, and people who want a rougher day out.

   

7. 7

   Hvar Town

   about 50-65 min by fast catamaran to Hvar Town, or about 2h by car ferry to Stari Grad

   Hvar is beautiful, but it is not the effortless day trip people imagine. The fast catamaran to Hvar Town makes it work when the schedule is kind, and the town is excellent for a long lunch, a swim, and the fortress view. The catch is the return. If the last boat is early, full, or not useful for your date, the day stops being fun.

   Getting there: Use a fast passenger catamaran from Split to Hvar Town when schedules allow. Operators and departure times vary by season, so check both outbound and return before committing. The Jadrolinija car ferry to Stari Grad takes about two hours and lands away from Hvar Town, so it is usually weaker for a simple day trip unless you add a bus, taxi, or car.

   Best for: A polished island day, harbor views, swimming, and travelers who are willing to plan around ferry times.

   

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