Some of the best day trips from Split include Krka National Park, the Blue Cave and 5 Islands boat tour, the Blue Lagoon, Plitvice Lakes, and Dubrovnik. Split is situated in the middle of Dalmatia, so you can visit two UNESCO-listed national parks, explore several islands, and see three historic cities all in one day. Flarent, our family-run agency in Split, has been licensed since 2005. After more than ten years helping guests choose their trips, we’ve put together this comparison to help you pick the right one before you book.
Day Trips from Split at a Glance
| Krka National Park | Half–day (≈1 h drive) | €35 | Waterfalls, easy walking, families |
| Plitvice Lakes | Full day (≈3 h drive) | €75 | Bucket-list scenery, photographers |
| Blue Cave & 5 Islands | Full day (speedboat) | €140 | Island-hopping, Hvar, swimming |
| Blue Lagoon & Trogir | Half day (boat) | €75 | Swimming, snorkeling, relaxed pace |
| 3 Islands cruise (Šolta & Blue Lagoon) | Full day (boat) | €70 | Slow cruising, lunch on board |
| Dubrovnik | Long full day | €80 | Old Town, Game of Thrones fans |
| Mostar (Bosnia & Herzegovina) | Long full day | €80 | Ottoman old town, two countries in a day |
| Cetina rafting | Half day | €60 | Active travelers, groups |
| Omiš zip line | Half day | €100 | Adrenaline, canyon views |
| Cetina canyoning | Half day | €90 | Adventurous swimmers |
*Prices are the from-prices on Flarent's tours from Split for 2026. National park entry tickets are usually extra and seasonal.
Waterfall & National Park Day Trips
Krka National Park: the easiest big day out
Krka is about 85 km from Split, or around an hour’s drive. It's the easiest national park day trip on this list. The main highlight is Skradinski Buk, a 17-step waterfall surrounded by wooden boardwalks. You can also visit the island monastery of Visovac and the quieter Roški Slap falls further upstream. Swimming at Skradinski Buk has not been allowed since January 1, 2021, so visit for the scenery, not for a swim. A guided tour from Split costs €35 plus the park entry fee. For wine lovers, there is also the Krka Waterfalls Tour with Wine Tasting.
Visovac Island at Krka National Park
Plitvice Lakes: the bucket-list trip
Plitvice is Croatia’s most famous park, with 16 terraced lakes linked by waterfalls and UNESCO status since 1979. It’s about 250 km from Split, so the trip takes 2.5 to 3 hours each way. Allow yourself a full 12-hour day. Most guests tell us it’s worth every minute. The guided tour from Split costs €75 plus the park entry fee.
Boat Trips & Island Day Trips
Blue Cave & 5 Islands: the big speedboat day
Many people plan their entire Split visit around this trip. Starts as a speedboat ride to Biševo’s glowing Blue Cave, then stops at Vis, the Green Cave, Budikovac lagoon, and the Pakleni islands. After that, you have a few free hours in Hvar Town. That’s five islands in one day. The 5 Islands tour from Split costs €140. It includes skipper and equipment, but you need to pay for Blue Cave on the spot. Sea conditions can affect the trip.
Blue Lagoon & Trogir: swimming made simple
If you prefer relaxing in the water to sightseeing, the Blue Lagoon near Drvenik Veli island offers shallow, bright turquoise water about 45 minutes from Split by boat. This trip usually includes a stop in UNESCO-listed Trogir. The Blue Lagoon and Trogir tour costs €75.
3 Islands cruise & Hvar
If you want a slower pace, the 3 Islands cruise (€70) uses a comfortable boat with lunch included, stopping at the Blue Lagoon, Šolta, and Trogir’s old town.
City & Culture Day Trips
Dubrovnik & Mostar
Dubrovnik’s marble Old Town is about three hours south of Split. It’s a long day trip, but very manageable if you start early. The guided Dubrovnik tour costs €80 and includes the border crossing at Neum. Mostar, across the border in Bosnia & Herzegovina, is a different experience, with its rebuilt Ottoman bridge, bazaar streets, and Balkan coffee culture. The Mostar tour is also €80. Remember to bring your passport for both trips. Many guests forget, and unfortunately, the driver can’t help at the border.
Adventure trips: rafting, zip-line, canyoning
The Cetina River canyon is just 40 minutes from Omiš. It is our top recommendation for adrenaline junkies or anyone looking for a water adventure.
- Rafting on the Cetina (€60): class II–III rapids, swimming stops, and cliff scenery; fine for beginners and families with older children.
- Zip line over the canyon (€100): eight wires up to 700 m long strung high above the river.
- Canyoning (€90): scrambling, sliding, and jumping through the gorge below Gubavica waterfall. The most demanding of the three.
All three activities are half-day trips, so you’ll be back in Split by mid-afternoon.
Rafting on the Cetina
Krka vs Plitvice: Quick Comparison
This is the question we get most often. In short, Krka is closer, cheaper, and easier (about 1 hour away). Plitvice is larger, more impressive, and farther away (2.5–3 hours). If you have one free day, most travelers based in Split should choose Krka. If you have two days, do both.
How to Choose Your Day Trips
- If it’s your first time in Split and you’re staying 2–3 nights, plan for one boat day (either the Blue Lagoon or 5 Islands) and a trip to Krka.
- If you’re staying 4–5 nights, add Plitvice, Dubrovnik, or Mostar to your plans.
- If you’re traveling with young children, the Blue Lagoon, 3 Islands cruise, and Krka are the easiest and most family-friendly options. These are the trips we usually recommend for families.
- For adrenaline seekers, rafting or canyoning is a great choice and fits easily into a half-day schedule.
- Keep the season in mind: boat trips run regularly from May to October, while Krka and Plitvice are open (and more affordable) all year
Group tour, private tour or DIY?
| Group tour | €35–€140 | Cheapest guided option, zero planning, hotel pick-up | Fixed schedule |
| Private tour/transfer | e.g. Split–Krka €145 per vehicle (1–3 pax) | Your own timing, door-to-door | Costs more for couples |
| DIY (bus/car) | Varies + fuel, parking, tickets | Total freedom | Connections eat time; summer parking is painful |
For Plitvice, the Blue Cave, or if you’re short on time, a tour or private transfer can save you hours. We offer private van transfers from Split to Krka (€145, 1 hour 5 minutes), Plitvice (€378, 2 hours 40 minutes), Dubrovnik (€325, 3 hours 10 minutes), and Zagreb (€520) per vehicle for 1–3 passengers. This is especially useful if you want to visit a national park while moving on to your next destination.
You can browse all our tours and day trips from Split. If you are unsure which trip is right for you, feel free to contact us daily from 08:00 to 20:00. You can also email us at info@flarent.hr or visit us in person at one of our two tourist offices on the Split waterfront: Obala Lazareta 3 and Obala Kneza Domagoja 1. Tours depart from these locations as well.