Split – experience the city as a local!

Split! It is easy to get lost in the ocean of guides and suggestions available on the Internet regarding spending time in the largest Dalmatian city – Split.
In the early days of tourism, Split served as a transit port, where tourists spent several hours waiting for a ferry to take them to one of the islands where their destination was. A few years ago this was noticed and the potential of this Mediterranean city full of history was appreciated.

Demand increased, which simultaneously increased supply. Today, the city abounds in a variety of activities, restaurants and city bars.
There are two categories of tourists: those who don’t like to adapt too much and those who want to experience the local atmosphere of a place.
Today we present a guide on how to distinguish the places visited by tourists from those that local residents choose, so that they can enjoy the beauty of this charming Mediterranean city in the best way.

Coffee on Riva

If Dalmatia is known for anything, it is the ability to drink coffee, which can last up to several hours.
This is the first and main tip for exploring Split as a local. When you go for coffee in Split, it’s not just about satisfying your need for caffeine, but about a ritual that involves exchanging conversations, socializing with people and meeting new people.
„Coffee” is merely a placeholder for a Mediterranean socialization ritual that Dalmatians enjoy immensely, so keep this in mind when walking past Riva in Split and noticing packed cafes or going „for coffee” with locals, as it probably won’t be a short conversation , and „coffee” doesn’t necessarily have to be coffee.
“Let’s go for coffee” is code for socialization. Riva is also the main choice of bars for meetings and events in Split, and how otherwise could it be, looking out at the palm trees, sea and islands.

A walk through Marjan

The Marjan Forest Park covers the western part of Split, and locals like to call it the lungs of the city.
It covers an area comparable to Central Park in New York and is an indispensable place for recreation enthusiasts.
However, this is not the only attraction offered by the beloved Marjan.
To feel like a local, you can take a walk in the forest, stop at several viewpoints, swim on the beaches at the foot of the hill, or visit the chapels that have attracted visitors for hundreds of years.
We must highlight the visit to the chapel of St. George (Jure), built in 1500, and you will also notice something unusual, which is the fact that it was carved from stone.
Marjan is loved by the people of Split and it is certainly one place that any local would recommend.

Matejuška

For centuries, Matejuška has been a fishing port from which the inhabitants of Veli Varoš went to sea to feed their families.
Even today, dozens of boats are moored there, nets are dried, bait is prepared and sold, and there is a monument to fishermen nearby – a large hook.
In the evenings, young residents meet where they often spend time listening to the sounds of guitars and in a good atmosphere.

Museums

Due to its long and rich history, Split boasts significant museums and a cultural scene.
The city’s largest cultural institution is the Split City Museum, which manages sites such as the Diocletian Cellars, the Emanuel Vidovic Gallery, the South Tower, the Venetian Tower and the Ophod.
Since the beginning of the second half of the 20th century, the Museum itself is located in the area of \u200b\u200bthe Gothic-Renaissance palace of Papała, where you can visit a collection of sculptures, weapons, furniture, paintings and much more.
In addition to the city museum itself, we also suggest visiting the Archaeological Museum and the Meštrović Gallery.

Music

Dalmatia has a rich and long musical tradition. The music is typically Mediterranean and often clearly resembles Italian, Spanish or Portuguese coastal music in temperament and structure.
What distinguishes it from them are exclusively vocal songs (a cappella), performed by groups of five to eight male members – „klape”.
Muzyka w Dalmacji ma ogromne znaczenie, żadne wydarzenie nie jest kompletne bez niej, więc polecamy Ci się nią rozkoszować.
There is one place in Split with excellent acoustics and atmosphere for flappers, and that is Vestibul.
Formerly an atrium, today a fascinating place with a round opening at the top, it is the perfect place to feel the atmosphere and listen to Dalmatian flapa songs.

Fjaka

What siesta is to Spaniards, dolce far niente to Italians, is fijaka to Dalmatians.

In mainland Croatia, Dalmatians are often called lazy, but fjaka has nothing to do with laziness.
Fjaka is much more than this, and could best be explained by the definition „fjaka is a psychophysical state characterized by an unsatisfied desire for nothing.”
That’s exactly it. Although some people believe that it is related to the summer heat or the time to rest after lunch, it is not the only reason.
This is a special state of mind that you will only understand when you come to Croatia and spend a few days in Dalmatia.