A Beautiful Week… With a Few Lessons Learned
We spent a week in Split, Croatia with kids and while we loved the sunshine, the sea, and wandering through Diocletian’s Palace, we came away with a few lessons for next time.
Typically we stay in a location for 3-4 nights and then move on to the next city/town. This trip was part of a larger Italy, Austria, Croatia 3 week trip and this time my kids wanted to stay in each place for one week. Well that was a mistake in Split, Croatia.
We arrived in Split from the Nightjet overnight sleeper train from Graz, Austria.
Split is stunning, but we found that a full week was a little too long for us. If you’re planning your own family trip to Croatia, here’s what we’d do differently (and what we’d do exactly the same).
What We Loved About Split
There’s no denying Split is beautiful. The old town is full of history, the food is fresh and affordable, and walking along the Riva Promenade in the evening is honestly stunning. It’s busy and lively in the best way and feels full of energy.
We also loved our accommodation. It was a spacious, comfortable apartment I booked on Airbnb. Close enough to walk into the main area but just far enough from the hustle and bustle. It saved us money on transportation and gave our family the space we needed at the end of the day.
Split is also an easy jumping-off point for day trips. The ferries make it simple to visit the nearby islands. We took a day trip to Hvar Island via a ferry booked on Omio. It takes about an hour and cost us $366CAD. So I found that to be quite expensive for a day trip even though we loved Hvar.
Our day on Hvar was spent in the absolutely stunning water! When we got off the ferry we walked to the first beach Pokonji Dol which took about 25 min. We brought our Costco cooler backpack on this trip (see Kevin above!) and wow, it was so handy! We could pack snacks and drinks and keep them fresh and cool all day. It was really worth having throughout our Italy, Austria and Croatia trip!
We then walked to Strand Mekićevica, about 15min from the first beach. Another stunning beach. My kids liked Pokonji Dol better but I preferred this one as we could sit up in the trees with some shade. You can’t go wrong with either though!
We also loved our boat tour with Polaris Split Boat Tours. I picked it specifically because it stated on the website they were NOT a party boat. Split seems like a really fun place for young 20-something’s to come party but I didn’t really want to be on the same boat as them, ha. So our tour was all families which was great. We did the Two Island Swimming Tour. The 7 hour tour included visits to two islands, Brac and Solta. Free drinks all day and a delicious lunch. The crew was awesome, there was lots of snorkel gear, floaties, a couple of paddle boards, everything you needed. My family really enjoyed our day out on the boat. We paid $537CAD for 4 of us.
I also really enjoyed our stop in Trogir, Croatia. It’s a small town just 30min drive from Split or a 60min ferry ride (you can book your ferry here). It’s a beautifully preserved medieval town set on a tiny island, known for its Romanesque and Renaissance architecture. Its UNESCO-listed old town, narrow stone streets, and waterfront promenade felt a lot quieter than Split. It had the most charming restaurants and again, I wish we would have made time to stay here 1-2 nights to get away from the business of Split.
What We’d Do Differently Next Time
Stay Fewer Nights in Split
We stayed seven nights but found ourselves searching for things to do near the end. Next time, we’d spend about three nights in Split, enough to enjoy the city, do a tour of Diocletian’s Palace, and take one boat excursion, then move on to explore more of the coast.
Add Variety With Other Coastal Stops
If we could redo our itinerary, we’d ‘split’ the week between Split (3 nights), Hvar (2 nights), and Trogir, Primošten, or Dubrovnik (2 nights). It would break things up nicely and give us a mix of city, island, and smaller-town experiences.
Skip the “Filler” Activities
Because we had extra time, we ended up spending money on things that weren’t really worth it like the Illusions Museum, the Froggy Museum (big waste of money, it has a lot of good reviews but trust me on this one), and even a day at the mall. Nothing wrong with those, but they weren’t the highlights of our trip! Next time, we’d focus on experiences that really capture Split’s history and scenery instead.
We also did a day trip to Krka Waterfalls. It was beautiful, but if I am being honest, it was more of a “we have a free day, what should we do” type of activity. Not a must-do for us.
Take a Tour of Diocletian’s Palace
This was one thing I wish we’d done. The history in Split is fascinating, but it’s easy to miss when you’re just wandering on your own. A guided tour would’ve added so much context.
One Boat Tour Is Plenty
We did a couple of boat tours, and while both were fun, one would have been enough. I’d save the extra money and spend those two nights actually staying on Hvar instead. Slower mornings, beach time, and that island vibe you can’t quite get on a day trip.
Even with a few missteps, Split is such a special place. The water is crystal clear, the sunsets are gorgeous, and there’s a great mix of history and relaxation.
If you plan it right, it’s a perfect starting point for exploring Croatia’s coast. Just don’t be afraid to move around. You’ll see more, spend smarter, and come home even happier.
Final Thoughts on Split, Croatia with Kids
Every trip teaches you something. Split reminded me that sometimes less really is more. Fewer nights in one spot, fewer “filler” activities, and more intentional exploring.
For families planning a Split, Croatia trip with kids, I’d say go for it. Just balance your time between Split and nearby islands or towns, and you’ll have the best of both worlds!
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