Split your money backpacking in Croatia's second biggest city

Holiday on Croatia's breathtaking Dalmatian Coast this summer

Bustling with seafront views, Split is the second largest city in Croatia and boasts a beautiful promenade blessed by a Roman Emperor. The coastal city was adopted by the Roman emperor Diocletian as a holiday home in AD295, and has been attracting travellers ever since. Split's remarkable history goes back 1700 years, and despite layers of additions, Diocletian's epic retirement palace, remains the core attraction for visitors.

As equally beautiful as the medieval city of Dubrovnik, but with considerably less tourists, Split offers backpackers an authentic Mediterranean experience on vacation. Split's rich history and cultural hotspots is more accessible than ever before thanks to its budget accommodation deals. Prices here are lower than elsewhere in Croatia and you can experience its maritime trails and Roman ruins without spending too much.

Diocletian's palace (a UNESCO World Heritage site) remains the focal point of Split's old town; a gorgeous mix of architecture in a warren of cobbled streets. Unlike other European landmarks, locals still live with the palace's walls, with washing lines and rustic windows purring with stray cats and everyday life. Split is very much a people's city and mingling with locals is an integral part of the Split experience.

Come visit the sparking Riva - a tree aisled seafront promenade home to buzzy nightclubs and Croatian fish restaurants. Here you'll find a dazzling modern contrast to the Roman city centre. It runs from the length of the old town and is one of the Mediterranean's finest promenades. Take a leisurely stroll from the balcony of the ST Riva café, and marvel over Split's harbour to the islands twinkling in the distance. It's like strolling along the La Ramblas on the Dalmatian Coast, set against a sparkling backdrop of mountains and a pine-tree coastline.

Split's picturesque location makes it easy to explore the neighbouring resorts, with Makarska Riviera beaches, ancient ruins of Solin and Hvar Island right on your doorstep. With the Dalmatian archipelago in eyesight, you may be tempted to go island hopping too. Split is the perfect city to explore the shimmering islands of the Adriatic Coast. Take a ferry and within three hours you'll arrive at Vis, including a brief stop at Hvar Island.

Photo credit: Yacht-Rent.com

Vis is an ancient Croatian island dating back to ancient Greece. Offering travellers a throwback to more innocent times, locals here still make a living from fishing and agriculture. Tourism is still in its infancy in Vis and it makes for a fascinating daytrip from Split.

Offering beautiful sea views and Roman ruins, you'll have a fascinating time when visiting Split. Considerably cheaper and much quieter than Dubrovnik, this Roman holiday resort has all the idyllic magic you'd expect from a Mediterranean port but without the heaving crowds. Just remember if it's good enough for a Roman emperor then it should be good enough for you.