Best Scenic Drives Near Split, Croatia: Coastal Routes Worth the Detour
Why Split Is the Perfect Base for a Croatian Road Trip
Split is more than just Diocletian’s Palace and the Riva promenade. Pick up a car hire in Split and the entire Dalmatian coast opens up. Within an hour’s drive in any direction, you can find ancient Roman ruins, mountain passes, island-hopping ferry ports, and some of the most photogenic roads in Europe. The Adriatic Highway (D8) hugs the coastline from here to Dubrovnik, offering views that make pulling over every ten minutes almost unavoidable.
Having a car in Split means you are not locked into bus schedules or crowded tour groups. You can leave early, beat the heat, and reach places most visitors never see. The routes below are all doable as day trips or can be strung together into a longer coastal adventure.
The Classic: Split to Omiš via the Cetina River Gorge
Distance: 25 km | Driving time: 30 minutes | Best for: First-time visitors, families
This is the easiest scenic drive from Split and one of the most rewarding. Head southeast on the D8 coastal road toward Omiš. The road climbs above the shoreline before dropping down to the Cetina River estuary, where the water shifts from turquoise to deep green. Omiš itself sits in a dramatic canyon, with limestone cliffs rising straight up from the river. Stop at the town’s pirate tower for a photo — the view back toward Split is worth the climb.
If you want more than a drive, park in Omiš and walk the gorge trail along the Cetina. In summer, locals swim at the river mouth where fresh water meets the sea. There is a reason this route gets the most repeat visits from people who have already seen the main sights.
The Island Hop: Split to Trogir and Čiovo Island
Distance: 30 km | Driving time: 35 minutes | Best for: Photography, short excursions
Cross the new bridge from Split toward the airport and you are already on Trogir territory. The old town is a UNESCO site packed into a tiny island, but the real driving highlight is looping around Čiovo Island. The coastal road (D126) runs past hidden coves, stone villages, and pine-shaded pullouts where you can stop for a swim. Okrug Gornji and Slatine are local beaches that do not appear in most guidebooks but are favourites among Split residents looking to escape the city heat.
Trogir makes a natural lunch stop. The waterfront promenade has konobas serving fresh seafood at prices lower than Split’s tourist core. Drive back via the airport road for a different angle on the Kaštela Bay — the seven small towns between Split and Trogir are worth a slow cruise through, especially at sunset.
The Mountain Run: Split to Makarska via the A1 Motorway and D8
Distance: 65 km | Driving time: 1 hour | Best for: Dramatic scenery, coastal panoramas
Take the A1 motorway south from Split and exit at Šestanovac to rejoin the D8 coastal road. From here, the drive into Makarska is arguably the most beautiful hour of road in Dalmatia. The highway threads between the Biokovo mountain range and the sea, with sheer drops on one side and 1,700-metre peaks on the other. The Makarska Riviera — a string of white-pebble beaches backed by dramatic cliffs — stretches out ahead of you.
There are several marked viewpoints along the D8 where you can pull over safely. The best is just north of Brela, where the road curves around a bay and the water colour changes from emerald to deep sapphire depending on the time of day. Driving in Croatia on these roads is straightforward, but the bends demand attention. Avoid this route in heavy rain or mist — the views disappear and the road becomes slippery.
The Historic Detour: Split to Salona and Klis Fortress
Distance: 15 km | Driving time: 25 minutes | Best for: History buffs, short half-day trips
Heading north from Split on the D8, turn inland toward Solin to visit the ancient Roman ruins of Salona. It was the capital of Dalmatia before the empire fell, and the amphitheatre and basilica remains are surprisingly intact. The site is rarely crowded, which makes wandering the old streets feel like a private tour.
From Salona, drive 10 minutes uphill to Klis Fortress. The fortress sits on a cliff overlooking Split and the islands — it is the real-life filming location for Meereen in Game of Thrones, but the actual history is more interesting than the fiction. The drive up is steep and narrow in places, so take it slow. The view from the top covers the entire Split basin, from the mountains to the sea.
The Long One: Split to Dubrovnik via the Coastal Highway
Distance: 230 km | Driving time: 3.5–4 hours | Best for: Road trip enthusiasts, multi-day travellers
If you have a full day, the Split to Dubrovnik coastal drive is the ultimate Croatian road trip. The D8 highway runs almost the entire length, crossing briefly into Bosnia and Herzegovina at Neum — bring your passport, as there is a border checkpoint. The section through the Pelješac peninsula is spectacular: vineyards, oyster farms, and views across to Korčula island.
Stop in Ston for its defensive walls and fresh seafood, then continue south to Orebić for the ferry to Korčula if you want to extend the trip. The final approach to Dubrovnik, with the old city walls visible across the water, is one of the great driving moments in Europe. Plan for a full day including stops, or overnight in Dubrovnik and return the next day.
Practical Tips for Driving Around Split
Fuel: Petrol stations are frequent on the D8 but can be sparse on island roads. Fill up before crossing to islands or heading into the mountains.
Tolls: The A1 motorway uses an electronic toll system. Keep some kuna or a card ready at the exit plazas. The coastal D8 is toll-free but slower.
Parking: Split’s old town is pedestrian-only. Park at the ferry port or in the eastern garage near the bus station. Trogir and Omiš have paid lots near the waterfront. On the islands, parking is usually free but limited in July and August.
Ferries: If your route includes islands, check Croatia ferry schedules in advance. Jadrolinija runs most car ferries, and summer queues at Split port can stretch for hours.
Best time to drive: April to June and September to October. July and August bring heavy traffic and heat. The roads are well maintained year-round, but winter rain can cause rockfalls on the mountain sections.
Related Destinations
Looking for more Croatian road trip ideas? Also explore our guides to car hire in Zadar, Rijeka Airport car hire, and renting a car in Zagreb. For cross-border advice, read our cross-border travel guide before you leave Dalmatia.
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