Old Town, Split: Explore Like A Local With These 6 Travel Tips

Explore Old Town, Split Like A Local With These 6 Travel Tips. Six things you figure out for yourself once you’ve visited and just wish someone had told you about when you were planning your trip.

Airport Transfers

We love supporting local businesses and taking a cab from the airport to reach Split Old Town (which will take 20 minutes by car) can be super expensive especially in peak season.

Now, if you’re thinking of catching the Catamaran from the airport into Split, heads-up, the Cat itself departs from the waterfront. Currently there is no shuttle to get you from the airport to the ferry terminal where the Cat leaves from. While the walk is only around 15 minutes from the airport carpark, you walk along the road. Remember if its peak season, the temperature is likely to be around 30+ degrees celsius or hotter. Not a great way to start your holiday, especially with kids.

GLP Recommends: Start your vacation without stress, book your transfer (especially if a larger group) prior to your arrival. In order to avoid any potential problems upon arrival, book your transport directly with us when you book your accommodation. The driver will be waiting for you as soon as you exit the gate holding a sign with your name. He/she can also assist you with your luggage and will take you directly to your accommodation with you having to say a word.

Pedestrians Only

Old Town is an amazing place to stay during your stay in Split and during peak season, the entire area will be crowded with people. Remember, the centre of Split is pedestrian only. This means however you get into the city, you will have to be dropped off on the outskirts of the city and walk.

Add to this the fact that most of the walkways are cobblestone and do not make for the easiest path to your accommodation. It will mean dragging your luggage more than you might want. With kids in tow after a long flight, and the heat in summer, I think we can leave that picture to your own imagination.

GLP Recommends: If you are renting an apartment within the old town and are planning to have a lot of luggage, please let us know in advance. For a small fee, we can offer you luggage services that will insure you won’t have to lug your suitcases to and from your rental. However, in order to provide this services, we need to know in advance so that we can secure this service for you beforehand. Summer is busy and this takes a little organising.

Old Town – Accommodation

Any normal year accommodation gets booked up very quickly in the Old Town and City Centre. As soon as you know your travel dates, book ASAP to avoid disappointment.

Definitely stay inside Old Town. You’ll be within walking distance to everything you need, restaurants, cafes, places of interest and landmarks. Staying outside of the Old Town may be less expensive and can make logistics more stressful and expensive.

REMEMBER most accommodation in Old Town (especially if you have a view) will be up stairs. Sometimes, a lot of stairs. This is “Old Town”! Built way before elevators were created. It’s always a question you can ask before booking your accommodation – do you have stairs? how many?

GLP Recommends: Get very good directions to your booked accommodation. Get contact details clearly. Often accommodation is hard to find in the old streets and alley ways and google is not always your best friend. Depending on where your accommodation is, ask to be met at a well known landmark close by.

Old Town – Places Of Interest

Old Town is filled with amazing places of interest on your doorstep. The first that springs to mind is Diocletian’s Palace. During peak season expect crowds. Second, climb the famous Bell Tower, for the most magnificent view of the city. Be aware this climb may not suit everyone. The stairs up to the tower are narrow and can be scary. Two people can’t go up and down in opposite directions at once.

GLP Recommends: If on your must do list, arriving early will be one of the best decisions you can make. Diocletian’s Palace opens around 8-9am. Be waiting when it opens. Any other time you will be fighting both the heat and the crowds.

Parking In Old Town

Be aware that if you have a car make sure that your choice of accommodation includes parking. Parking in Split Croatia can be a frustrating venture for visitors arriving, either in their own or in a rented car.

Split parking system is divided in four zones. Zones closer to the city centre are the first zone where the parking is more expensive like. The 4 zones are indicated by signs on parking boxes located at even intervals along the street: zone 1 (red – 70 8211), zone 2 (blue – 70 8212), zone 3 (green – 70 8213) and zone 4 (yellow – 70 8214).

You get a ticket at the box under the parking sign or use your mobile phone to pay by sending an SMS with your registration number (no gaps) to the number shown on the box (remember to include the international dialing code if you’re using a foreign mobile). A few minutes before your hour of paid parking runs out, you’ll get a message to remind you to refresh your lease of the space or move your car.

GLP Recommend: Follow the parking rules to a tee. You don’t want to return to where your car was parked and it has been towed – a very real event here in Split. For more information: Parking in Split

Catching A Car Ferry

If you’re heading from Split to the islands a great way to go is by Ferry. And this note is specifically for those looking to catch a car ferry.

Finding a ferry ticket out of peak season is usually not a problem. And in high season (July and August) make sure to book a car ferry at least one day in advance. Then on the day, allow enough time to show up hours before departure. Passengers can always find room on board, but vehicle space can quickly fill up.

GLP Recommends: Our trick is to head to the Ferry terminal at least 1.5 hours before departure time. If you can, buy your ticket the day before fantastic. If not, put your car in the queue, purchase your tickets, go for coffee and enjoy the Riva, then be in your car around about 20-30 minutes before departure. Arriving “on time” for the ferry just creates a whole lot more stress than necessary as the Split ferry port can be the most chaotic place in Split especially if you don’t know exactly where you’re going or what you’re doing. For more information: Jadrolinija Ferries

Follow these tips to make your holiday or vacation in the stunning centre of Split go much smoother and less stressful!

Do you have any other tips you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you.