Experience in Split, Croatia by marko

What is it like to live in Split? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Split is my hometown but I will try to be objective.

It is second largest city in Croatia with around 180 000 inhabitants. It's located in the middle of eastern coast of the Adriatic sea. Climate is Mediterranean, summers are very warm and winters are mild, snow is rare. I would definitely recommend it for everyone. It's not big nor small city, easy to adopt.

Center of city is 1700 years old Diocletian's Palace, heart of city full of nice bars, cafes, places to hang out. Everything here is easygoing, slow. We enjoy having a walk trough the Riva Promenade, central part of the town, or along the coast where numerous beaches are located.

No rush like in bigger European cities or capitals.

Student's campus where most of the faculties are located is in the eastern part of town, but only few bus stations from the center. My "foreign" friends said that they really like Split, they feel safe and welcomed here. They were also surprised with people because everyone would help with anything, especially if you are stranger. Also, most of the people speak English but it's not bad to learn some of Croatian, we will appreciate that.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Split?

Student lifestyle changed a lot during last years. Campus is newly build as well as new University's library where you can learn and be member of for really small price. There are some cafes around campus, but you shouldn't expect to much. Students usually spend time with a group of friends. Big student's parties and similar stuff are quite rare. Every year more and more students are coming to study here and I got the sense that Split is becoming a student town.

How much does it cost to live in Split?

It depends what are you used to. If you rent a flat by yourself it will be about 300 €, with roommates it will be much cheaper. Utilities like water, electricity would be around 50-70 € for one person. Food is not really expensive comparing to western European countries. You can get a student card for a student restaurants. They are really popular here because you can get really cheap meal, maybe 4-5 € for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Transport is about 20 € per month (we use buses here). Taxi is quite expensive, around 8 € within the town. Gym would be 25-30 € per month, clothes similar like in other countries.

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Is it difficult to find accommodation in Split? Is there any advice you can give?

It is difficult, especially if you are foreign citizen so they want to earn extra money on you. For a small apartment from 30 m2 everything above 300 € is too much. Never use first apartment, look little bit around first. Try to get apartment near campus (parts of town called Split3, Trstenik, Sućidar and Visoka). Also you can check popular searching website here in Croatia: njuskalo.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Food is really good. Many students just eat pizza and other fast food but if you want to experience domestic food it shouldn't be so hard to find. There is a big Green market in the center called Pazar where you can buy domestic fruits, vegetables, cheese etc. Near is also a Fish market (Peškarija or Ribarnica) with fresh fish from Adriatic. Definitely the number one is pršut - dry-cured ham. Other meals you should try are janjetina - roasted lamb garnished with Mediterranean herbs, shrimps and ćevapi (mixed meal from Bosnia).

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What places would you recommend visiting in Split?

Split has many great places to see:

1. Diocletian's palace with bell tower of St. Duje - patron of the town (you can climb up, all town and Split's archipelago can be seen).
2. Peristil: central square of the town where many manifestations are held during summer; statue of Grgur Ninski on the Golden gate of the palace.
3. Riva promenade with lot of cafes, bars, or just to sit and enjoy the sunshine.
4. Marjan hill, green zone of the town, for a walk or jogging.
5. Charm of Green market (Saturday) and Fish market. (Friday)
6. If you are here during summer, many beaches are really nice, some of them with blue flags.
7. Holiday of St. Duje in may is celebrated, like many other manifestations like Split boat show, Splitsko ljeto, festival of flowers, Ultras festival, Discotheque riva etc.
8. You should visit game of Hajduk Split, famous 100 years old football club; it is held on Poljud stadium, you'll see thousand of fans because Hajduk is very important for everyone that lives here.
9. Many famous islands (Brač, Hvar, Vis, Korčula) are easy to get because Split is the most important passenger port in this part of Mediterranean; it is also connected with Ancona in Italy.
10. You can have a trip to many interesting places and small towns (Trogir, Omiš, Makarska, Šibenik, Klis... ).

Is it good to eat out in Split? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Restaurants are expensive so I don't use them a lot. You can have a dinner maybe for 30 €, but you can maybe try to find a cheaper ones. I already said that student's restaurant are most popular (Menza) and other good restaurants are Velo misto and Dalmatino.

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Is the nightlife good in Split? Where is good to go?

Nightlife depends on the part of the year. During summer and touristic season you have plenty of places to go, depends on your taste. Best bars in the center are F-cafe, inBOX, St riva, Ghetto, Gaga, Galerija, Mosquito etc. (you cannot fail) and most popular clubs are Vanilla Bar (disco, foreign, domestic music), Tropic (same as Vanilla but smaller and in center), O'hara (rock, 80's etc), Gaga (in the center), Bačvice etc.

What advice would you give future students heading to Split?

Come to Split and you will have really great time here, you are all welcomed. You are free to contact me for any help or info you need.

Split was a major shooting location for Game of Thrones. Are you interested in where else Game of Thrones has been filmed? Check out this guide to the 10 different countries that the series has been filmed in.