Shopping in Split, Croatia
It is impossible to be totally indifferent and not to stop at least to look at the windows on the streets of Split, a trade that, although not large, offers a huge variety of products.
Souvenirs, clothes, shoes, accessories and more. In the mediations and inside the Diocletian’s Palace you will find a bit of everything, including stores of major brands such as Zara and Tommy Hilfiger. The prices charged by these famous establishments, however, are not usually more affordable than in large cities; on the other hand, in smaller stores it is possible to negotiate the price. Check abbreviationfinder.org for abbreviations and acronyms related to Split, Croatia.
Be sure to visit some of the establishments in Split that sell olive oils and the famous wines, sweets and other local delicacies. Good options are Enoteka Terra and Deliiicije. Split stores usually open from Monday to Saturday, starting at 8:30 am. On Sundays, however, shops usually close (except for some souvenir shops).
Below are some of the best shopping addresses in Split.
Narodni – People’s Square (Split)
Walking through the cobbled streets of Split you will come across a number of interesting places, such as the Narodni pjaca – the People’s Square – one of the most lively meeting places in the city.
On the famous square is the city hall building ( Gradska vijećnica) – a beautiful 15th century building that usually hosts some summer exhibitions -; moreover, it ends up attracting a lot of people by gathering a large number of restaurants, bars and cafes. It is the ideal place for lunch, dinner or just for a coffee in the late afternoon.
How to get there: The square is located next to the Iron Gate of the Diocletian’s Palace, west of the Peristyle.
Diocletian’s Palace (Split)
Diocletian (245-313) ordered the building, in Split, of a sumptuous palace made of white stones from the beautiful, and very close, island of Brac. According to historical data, the emperor would not have saved money during the construction of the imposing site, having even imported material, such as marbles from Greece and columns from Egypt.
The work on the site where the emperor would spend his retirement began in the 3rd century and lasted for a total of 10 years. Records, however, show that the building, located right in front of the city’s edge, would have undergone some changes during the Middle Ages.
The entire structure of the palace where Diocletian lived his last days occupies a total area of 31 thousand square meters. Access is via four important entrances: the Bronze Gate or Porta Aenea (to the south), the Golden Gate or Porta Aurea (to the north), the Silver Gate or Porta Argentea (to the east) and the Iron Gate or Porta Ferrea (to the west). These gates are excellent points of reference in an area that looks more like a mini-town, where only pedestrian traffic is allowed.
The tour of Diocletian’s palace, in addition to a real trip in history, is also a tour of the cultural, gastronomic and commercial life of Split. That’s because the area has a good number of streets, squares, excellent restaurants / bars, shops that sell a little of everything, and that make the palace an excellent program, both during the day and at night.
Ulica Julija Nepota, Split
Website: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/97/
The Basements of Diocletian’s Palace (Split)
Of all the attractions of the Diocletian’s Palace, Podrumi is certainly one of the attractions that most attract the visitor’s attention. This is because the cellars, which are very well maintained – and which have undergone few interventions over time – functioned as a kind of support for the palace’s residential sector. It is also believed that the space, divided into several environments, was used to store food such as grapes and olives.
The basement structure, which is similar to that of the upper floor of the palace, was inactive for many years, until cleaning and restoration work was done on the site, which currently also hosts art exhibitions, concerts and other events.
It is worth remembering that the large central corridor that takes the visitor to the basements makes a direct connection with Peristilo, the central square of the palace, and with Riva de Split. In addition, the passage is very busy due to the large number of small shops and local artisans who sell all kinds of souvenirs.
Entrance to Podrumi costs 40 kn. To get there , just look for the southern entrance to the palace, at the Bronze Gate.
Riva (Split)
Much of Split’s movement necessarily passes through Riva, the shoreline better known as “the soul” of the city. The pedestrian-only marble boardwalk, which is also a lively meeting point, connects Porto and the bus station to the rest of the city, in addition to being a gateway to some nearby beaches.
Officially known as Obala Hrvatskog Narodnog Preporoda, Riva faces the south side of Diocletian’s palace. There the visitor finds some of the best restaurants and bars in the city, all with tables strategically positioned facing the sea, working both during the day and at night.
How to get there: Riva is a short walk from the Port of Split.
Obala Hrvatskog Narodnog Preporoda, Split
Rua Marmontova (Split)
Famous brands like Zara, Bershka and Tommy Hilfiger, are all gathered in this busy shopping street in Split, named after French general Auguste Marmont.
On the site, where pedestrian traffic is only permitted, there are some good restaurants in Split, such as the seafood restaurant Nostromo, and snack bars such as the famous Bobis (click here), with delicious Croatian pies, breads and snacks. In addition, near Marmontova street you will find the city’s fish market and some more trendy bars / cafes, which tend to stay open until later.
How to get there: Marmontova Street is 300 meters from Diocletian’s Palace.