March 27, 2020 - So, what is Split like one week into the Croatian "lockdown"? A closer look.

Last Thursday, March 20, the Croatian Civil Protection Headquarters announced the strictest measures yet in the fight against the coronavirus. 

Restaurants, bars, and cafes were forced to close until at least April 19, parks are taped off, and you’ll notice police breaking up any gathering of more than a few people -  especially if you’re not two meters apart. 

The strict measures continued not even one week later, when the Civil Protection Headquarters announced restrictions on moving between cities, and citizens cannot leave their respective local government units, save for a few exceptions.

No, Croatia is not on total lockdown like Italy or Spain. We can still freely walk to the store and pharmacy (so long as we’re not in groups). Some of us are still setting out on solo walks in nature, while others are enjoying walks along the coast with their dogs. Depending on where you are, you may run into the police. We’re certainly urged to stay at home and to leave our homes only if necessary, which seems like Croatians are mostly adhering to.

Being the only one fit in my household to head out during these strange times, I documented my Split shopping experience one week after Croatia mostly shut down. 

As you can see, the streets are empty - and I live in the Firule neighborhood right next to the hospital, which is usually bustling with grocery stores, bakeries, and cafe-goers. 

Walking by the pharmacy, a line of 5 people waited outside, as only a few customers are allowed in at a time.

Onto Spar, where I did my shopping. The first thing I noticed: an ad offering help to neighbors in need, as we have seen circulating quite often in Croatia over the last week.

A Spar employee was parked at the entrance to the store, ushering shoppers in two at a time. I waited for about 8 minutes.

A sign on the door reads that only 35 shoppers can be inside the store at a time.

Spar itself was fully stocked, with enough toilet paper to carry us through the next few months. 

No shelf in the store was empty, with the meat panic buying of a few weeks before long gone.

Follow TCN's live updates on the coronavirus crisis in Croatia.

March 14, 2020 - Experts say that panic surrounding coronavirus can be more dangerous than the virus itself. Amid news of panic Croatian supermarket buying, TCN visits supermarkets in Split to see the realities on the ground.  

After Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic announced that schools would close for two weeks from Monday and that citizens should strictly follow the measures in place to stop the spread of the coronavirus, Croatians kicked into self-isolation gear all over the country.

With this comes the obvious hysteria, which resulted in stories of panic buying around the country. While Croatia didn’t exactly follow the route of Australia, where toilet paper became nearly impossible to find, it was interesting to see how Croatian shoppers chose to prepare for a few weeks in solitude.

After we had a look into how the citizens of Varazdin equipped themselves on Friday, I thought I’d set out for my big shop on Saturday to my neighborhood supermarkets in the Firule area of Split. 

I began at Tommy up the street, primarily to stock up on cat food for my furry friends at home. 

There had been speculation that the meat shelves would run dry this weekend, and based on this Tommy supermarket, it was true.

Toilet paper, however, was fully stocked. 

In the United States, pasta shelves emptied quickly. The selection of Barilla was only a bit thinner than usual at this Split Tommy.

Frozen goods also took a small hit, with fish products the most popular items missing.

Tommy had a sign at the register asking all customers to stand one meter apart.

Next up was DM, where toilet paper, paper towels, and tissues were mostly lacking.

And you'd be lucky to find soap and antibacterial sanitizer near the checkout.

Spar was my final stop, where clerks actively resupplied the aisles with food items.

Red apples and lemons were on the low side, however.

But toilet paper was on sale!

And there was still plenty available.

Some bottled water and milk brands could use a refill.

So, how was my self-isolation shopping Saturday in Split? Fortunately, I was able to acquire everything I needed, and shoppers out and about didn't seem panicked, nor did they buy in bulk. It was no busier than a typical Saturday morning shop in the Dalmatian capital.

What have you had trouble finding in Split? Send over your self-isolation shopping photos to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For the latest on the coronavirus crisis in Croatia, follow the dedicated TCN section. 

October 6, 2018 - Total Croatia News is delighted to announce that Break Time, Croatia’s favorite handcrafted jewelry for sea lovers, has opened their second location in Split. 

Check out what's on the Joker program from October 6 to 8, 2017.

What do you know about Marmontova street?

Here’s a scenario: You’re on holiday, you’re in Split, and you so desperately want to find a one of kind souvenir to bring to your family and friends back home. Rather than opt for the easy knock off Croatian football jersey or the vials of lavender oil that may very well spill in your luggage (don't get us wrong, we love the lavender oil), why don’t you have a look at some of the uber cool and ever so unique Croatian design stores we have in the city?

The occasional summer rainfall in Split seems to leave you with few options of things to do. But fear not! Split has plenty of indoor activities for you to spend the day covered, happy, and dry. There could be worse places to be on a summer holiday when the weather isn’t up to your liking, and we’re here to give you some activities for when the sun isn’t out, and the rain is falling.

First off, go to the cinema! The city of Split luckily has plenty for you to frequent, from massive cineplexes to smaller old style movie theatres. There is a Cineplexx at City Center One, a Cinestar at Joker, Karaman right in the center, and Kinoteka playing independent and foreign films. All cinemas are either accessible by bus, or walking distance in the center of the Old Town.

Secondly, go to one of the three largest shopping malls we have in Split! Joker is conveniently located about a 15-20 walk from the center, or a short bus or taxi right from the center. City Center One, the second largest shopping mall in Dalmatia, is easily accessible by the 18 bus. Here you have activities from cageball to go-karting, as well as a casino and playroom for children. Lastly, the Mall of Split is the largest shopping mall in Dalmatia. The Mall Of Split has over 200 shops and plenty of children’s activities from legos to the twister fun park. The Mall of Split is also accessible by the 18 bus.

Last but not least: museums! Split has so many museums that are centrally located and easy to walk to (even in the rain). Everything from the Split City Museum, the Archeological Museum, Museum of Croatian Archeological Monuments, Ethnographic Museum, Treasury of Split Cathedral, Maritime Museum, and the Gallery of Fine Arts are centrally located and will keep your rainy day filled with history.

When the islands and your tan have to wait, luckily you’ll be fully occupied with a day indoors.

As of recently, shopping malls are no stranger to the city of Split. I can remember visiting Split less than a decade ago and there were only one or two Super Konzum’s representing shopping malls! Today, Split claims 3 shopping malls, and with that, three of the largest malls in Dalmatia. With the first opening of Joker and the most recent opening of Mall of Split, Spličani have almost too many shopping options (good thing we are Spličani though, shopping is our forte). Here is a quick rundown on the shopping malls in Split, and you can pick which one suits you best for your next shopping adventure.

Joker was the first fully fledged shopping mall in Split, opening in 2007. Located just a 15-20 minute walk outside of the city center, there are more than 50 shops spread amongst 4 floors. There are plenty of restaurants, cafes, sandwich bars and of course, the closest Mcdonald’s to the center. Joker also has a large multi-screen cinema, fitness center, and car wash which is located on the ground floor. Joker is definitely convenient for those of you that don’t want to venture out of the center to do some shopping. Joker is located on Put Brodarice 6.
City Center One opened next in November of 2010, and was until recently, the largest shopping center in Dalmatia. City Center One is located in the east part of Split, right off of Vukovarska, easily accessible by bus line 18. The bus ride from the center of the city should take around 20-30 minutes. With over 140 stores, restaurants, and cafes situated over three floors, City Center One has plenty to offer. Boasting large supermarkets inside, variety stores, and another massive cinema, there is also a 500 square meter jungle playroom for children. And a perk for grown ups? The largest karting arena Dalmatia!

Lastly we have our most recent giant, the Mall of Split. Having just opened in March of 2016, Mall of Split is officially the largest shopping mall in Dalmatia. What makes the Mall of Split interesting is the concept and architecture they chose to convey, using the spirit of 17th century history to make for a properly unique experience. Mall of Split is separated into four vertical units: the Adriatic, the Vestibule, Piazza and Marjan, all resembling pertinent parts of Split. This helps patrons of the mall easily navigate themselves through the giant shopping center it is. With over 200 shops, Mall of Split is much more than a world-class architectural scenery and shopping paradise. They utilize rainwater as process water and have selective sorting and separating of waste according to EU standards. This really is the mall of the new generation.
Feeling the shopping urge yet?

Many would agree that the shopping in Split is some of the best in Croatia. Zara, Bershka, and Guess line the street of Marmontova, boutiques and shoe shops fill the alleyways inside Diocletian's Palace, and we claim three of the largest shopping malls in Dalmatia. There are no lack of options, and definitely plenty to buy. But there is an alternative to all of this, and we mean shopping sustainably through second hand shops. Split is actually lucky enough to boast a few second hand shops, and what I’ve concluded from frequenting the Second Hand Shop on Ulica Slobode 3 often is this: there is so much gold!

Shopping second hand is usually best for your budget, the environment and for simply recycling and reusing. Second hand shops offer the opportunity to utilize manufactured items which may not serve their initial buyer, but still have long life use and can benefit another buyer. Shopping second hand can also be incredibly rewarding as you’ll more often than not find one of a kind pieces at a bargain!

Which brings us back to the Second Hand Shop in Split. I typically go on Saturday’s as a kilo is only 20 kuna, which is the biggest bang for your buck you can get. New shipments of clothes are brought in every Monday, so a kilo then is 120 kuna. Tuesday drops down to 100 kuna, Wednesday 80 kuna, Thursday 60 kuna and Friday 40. Sure you have to dig a bit, and you have to enjoy the art of digging through clothes and sifting through hangers in hopes to find that perfect outfit. But that’s where the thrill of it comes in.

Having shopped at this particular Second Hand Shop in Split many, many times, I’ve regularly come across name brands such as Zara, Armani, and H&M. The clothes this second hand shop carries are sourced from all over Europe. Most everything is in top condition, and you’ll find everything from jackets to coats, furs, dresses, suits, shoes, summer attire, bags, linens and children’s clothes. You’ll see everyone shop here from young fashionistas, families, and grandparents.

Because shopping is such an essential part of our consumer-driven economy, and because everyone in Split does their best to dress their best, indulging in second-hand stores and opportunities is a way to beneficially promote the economy, save the environment, and still satisfy your craving for unique clothes and items. Visit the large Second Hand Shop on Ulica Slobode 3 today! Quick reminder: they are closed Sundays.