Split Croatia


We have spent the last two days in Split arriving from Dubrovnik by bus yesterday afternoon. Split is about 200 kms north of Dubrovnik, however the bus ride took almost 5 hours as the roads were winding and there were many local stops. Much of the ride was along the coast line with many small islands in view as well as inland to some very fertile valleys. We were hoping to take the ferry up the coast but the winter schedule is in effect and the ferry wasn’t in operation.

The Croatian coastline



This was a huge fertile valley with what looked like lemon or orange trees


We were also hoping to take one of the small ferries to the many larger islands off Split such as Brac and Hvar but time did not permit. Who knows there may be a next time and a visit to the islands will be on the list.

The ferry port in Split

Split is a much larger place than Dubrovnik, about 100,000 people. It is the largest center in the middle of the country. We really liked it here as we have had great accommodation, a very spacious apartment built in 1892, right in the center of town and the town itself is very pleasant. It is set around a harbour and there are great walkways and many cafes lining the shore.

One view of the Riva

Right behind the promenade is the crown jewel of Split which is the 1700 year old Palace of Diocletian. This palace is one of the most important monuments to Classical architecture in the world. It covers a large area in the center of the city in which people live and work. There are many ruins and a magnificent chapel and open courtyard in the middle of the complex.

The north wall of the Palace.The four walls and gates are still intact

Some of the interior columns

The interior of the church

We spent the day exploring the city on our own stopping for food and drink along the way. Our apartment is located in a little square filled with cafes and bars and we could hear the street noise from our balcony all evening long. Not wanting to miss out we went down to join the locals at street level to enjoy the people watching and marvelling about how much these people talk, drink and smoke!

A typical street scene,like everywhere someone is talking on the cellphone

Our balcony is the brown one in the yellow building

We enjoyed some street food while we here as the place is known for pizza and seafood. Since we were cooking at home we tried both. The pizza was good but the fast food called “little fish” was better. We are thinking they were small sardines but they in no way tasted like any we have eaten from a can. We came across a fish market just down the street and it seemed that sardines were the catch of the day. As fast as they were being sold the fishermen were bringing up carton loads from the wharf.

Don't these little guys look tasty?

And of course even though we are cooking in tonight there has to be a sweet ending to our time in Split. For Don it is the local wine and beer and for me the choice from the bakery.

I wonder what's inside this dessert?