Split isn’t just the gateway to the Adriatic — it’s the perfect launchpad for exploring some of Croatia’s most treasured UNESCO World Heritage Sites. From ancient palaces and medieval cities to cascading natural wonders, this region is a living museum of culture, architecture, and nature.

If you’re staying in Split and wondering what to prioritize on your travel itinerary, here’s a guide to the UNESCO-listed sites you can explore in a day — or even an afternoon — all reachable from the city by tour, car, or ferry.

🏰 Diocletian’s Palace – A Living Roman Monument

Location: Split Old Town
Listed Since: 1979
Distance from Split: You’re standing in it.

Diocletian’s Palace isn’t just a tourist attraction — it’s the heart of Split itself. Built in the 4th century AD by Roman Emperor Diocletian as his retirement residence, the palace complex today houses homes, shops, cafés, museums, and hidden alleyways, where ancient columns and medieval buildings co-exist in stunning harmony.

What makes it special isn’t just its preservation, but its daily life. Few UNESCO sites are this alive — where locals still hang laundry between Roman walls and sip espresso next to 1,700-year-old temples.

Don’t miss:

• The Peristyle Court (perfect for photos)
• The Cathedral of Saint Domnius (originally Diocletian’s mausoleum)
• The underground cellars
• Game of Thrones filming locations

👉 Explore it in depth on our Game of Thrones Tour in Split — a cultural and cinematic journey through time.

🌊 Plitvice Lakes National Park – Nature’s Cathedral

Location: Lika-Senj County
Listed Since: 1979
Distance from Split: ~2.5–3 hours by road

Plitvice Lakes isn’t just a natural park — it’s a UNESCO-listed symphony of water and forest. With 16 cascading lakes connected by waterfalls, set in a dense and ancient forest, this national park is Croatia’s most iconic inland destination.

Walking the wooden trails, hearing the roar of water, and crossing the electric-blue lakes by boat is an experience that touches something primal. It’s nature at its most poetic.

Good to know:

• Swimming is not allowed (to preserve the fragile ecosystem)
• It can be visited year-round, with different beauty in each season
• The Upper and Lower Lakes can take 3–5 hours to explore comfortably
• Wear proper shoes – it’s a walking adventure

👉 Our Plitvice Lakes Day Tour from Split includes transport, a guided walk, and entry to both the Lower and Upper Lakes.

💧 Historical Complex of Trogir – The Stone Labyrinth

Location: Trogir
Listed Since: 1997
Distance from Split: ~30 minutes by road

Often overshadowed by Split and Dubrovnik, Trogir is one of Croatia’s best-kept secrets. This walled island town is a living example of Venetian, Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance architecture, all wrapped in stone.

Built by the Greeks, shaped by the Romans, and polished by the Venetians, Trogir’s historic core is so well preserved it almost feels like a set. But it’s real — and best explored by wandering its narrow alleys, peeking into courtyards, and climbing the bell tower for panoramic views.

Top sights:

• Cathedral of St. Lawrence
• Kamerlengo Fortress
• Waterfront promenade
• Hidden artisan shops

👉 We include Trogir in select custom private tours — ask us about pairing it with Krka or Šibenik for a full UNESCO combo.

🌉 Stari Most & the Old City of Mostar (Bosnia & Herzegovina)

Location: Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Listed Since: 2005
Distance from Split: ~2.5–3 hours by road

While technically across the border, Mostar is a day trip well within reach — and well worth it. Its iconic Stari Most (Old Bridge), originally built in 1566 by the Ottomans and reconstructed after the war, is both a symbol of unity and UNESCO heritage.

Mostar blends East and West in a way no other city in the region does. You’ll find mosques and churches, minarets and medieval towers, all set beside the emerald Neretva River. Add in traditional markets, coffee rituals, and street art, and you have a city that pulses with soul.

Traveler tip:
Bring your passport and expect to see young locals dive off the bridge — a tradition of bravery and fundraising.

👉 Explore it with us on our Mostar Day Trip from Split — includes guided tour, free time, and transport.

🎵 Cathedral of St. James in Šibenik – A Masterpiece in Stone

Location: Šibenik
Listed Since: 2000
Distance from Split: ~1 hour by road

The Cathedral of St. James is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for architecture nerds — and those who appreciate genius carved in stone. Built entirely from limestone and without a single brick or beam, this 15th-century masterpiece blends Gothic and Renaissance styles seamlessly.

Its sculpted frieze of 71 human heads is both haunting and fascinating, and its placement near the sea makes it a standout in any coastal panorama.

Šibenik itself is also worth exploring — quieter than Split, but full of history, staircases, and fortress views.

👉 Combine Šibenik with Krka for a beautiful nature + culture combo day trip (custom tours available).

Final Thoughts – One City, Many Civilizations

From Roman emperors to Ottoman bridges, from Venetian alleyways to fairytale forests, the UNESCO sites near Split reflect the layers of history and geography that make this region so unique.

Whether you want a city break with a historic twist, a full-day immersion in nature, or a mix of culture, food, and soul — Split is the ideal base to explore it all.

Explore with Ease

If you’re short on time and want to maximize your experience without the hassle of logistics, our curated tours to UNESCO sites make it easy to dive into the depth of the region — with comfort, guidance, and storytelling that brings history to life.

🚌 View all UNESCO-featured tours here

Let UNESCO sites be more than a stamp on your checklist. Let them be chapters in your story.