Split holidays

While most of Croatia’s coastline is fronted by rocks and pebbles, some of the seaside spots in Split get you a slice of sand. There are a few options within easy reach of the centre – the city’s main beach is an easy walk from the Old Town.

Bacvice Beach is the closest streak of sand to Split’s centre. It comes with shallow waters, so it’s a top pick for families, plus it’s only a 15-minute stroll from the Old Town.

Jezinac Beach is a good pick for peaceful sun-seeking days. You’re unlikely to steal the sand all for yourself, but it tends to stay a lot quieter than the spots closer to the centre of the city.

Diocletian’s Palace has an underground shopping scene – it’s cellars come with stalls that are packed with souvenirs and artwork crafted by local artisans.

Split’s home to one of the biggest shopping scenes along the Dalmatian Coast. The Mall of Split has loads of big names from the international shopping scene, like Pull & Bear, Zara and Mango.

Marmont Street’s the spot for luxury buys – shops stretch from the Riva promenade to the National Theatre in the Gajo Bulat Square.

Split’s Old Town supplies plenty of tucked-away spots for low-key evenings. Thanks to its coastal location, seafood’s on the menu in most restaurants, and there are usually plenty of wine pairings to match.

The bars and restaurants along Riva’s seafront promenade tend to step up the pace after dark, with live music on the cards most nights of the week. Most of them spill outside on the streets, so it’s a perfect spot to enjoy a drink while the sun sets.

This dish is made with a layer of thinly sliced potatoes and onions, which are topped with saltwater fish. They’re cooked in a water-and-wine mix, with parsley, celery and garlic thrown in to give the flavour a boost.

This Croatian classic is made with a variety of seafood – scorpionfish, monkfish and sea bass are usually in the mix. The fish is cooked in white wine and tomato sauce before its topped with parsley to garnish.

This cake has a simple-yet-tasty recipe – it’s made by mixing honey, sugar and egg whites, which are heated together and poured over wafers and left to set overnight.

This black risotto gets its colour from fresh squid or cuttlefish ink. It’s added to a mix of seafood, usually featuring the likes of mussels, clams and other shellfish.

These light bites are great for when you’re on the move. Minced meat is seasoned with salt and pepper before being grilled and dished up in a soft bun.