June 12, at 10 pm, pretty much the whole of Croatia will stop. The national football team will play the World Cup opener against Brazil, and this marks the starting point for complete hysteria. Those fortunate will attend this historic match live, at Arena de Sao Paulo. Those who won't will have choices to stay at home, or to join thousands in bars, beaches, squares. The same goes with anyone who prefered to come to Split, and Croatia, during the world cup.

We wrote earlier that Croatian Television will broadcast all the World Cup matches, schedule with local times is available here. Most bars, restaurant or cafes will install big screens for their guests to watch, but here are few suggestions where to watch World Cup in Split, and enjoy combination of football and beer. Juices are available, but who really cares?

Most of those places will strongly concentrate on the Croatian team's matches. Probably the biggest spectacle will be on Bačvice, the most famous Split beach. As we learned, huge screen will be set by Ozujsko Beer in the sea for Croatia-Brazil match, and you will be able to watch it either lying in the sea, from the sandy beach, or from nearby Zbirac Cafe terrace, one of the most popular in Split. This happened before, with big success, as part of the Mediterranean Film Festival (photo by infozona.hr).

Of course, all other bars on Bačvice will have similar offer, our favorite is, of course, Fjaka.

Elsewhere, some of the interesting places include bars where football fans usually gather. They are mostly in the area behind Croatian National Theatre, and the most popular are Nostradamus, with lot of football memorabilia inside, and Treće poluvrijeme (meaning The Third Halftime).

Another one is Krom, little bit outside of the old town, but it's traditional drinking place for members of Torcida, Hajduk Split fan group. Pretty close is caffe bar Periska, with big terrace, really big screen, and nice beer selection, including from Czech Republik and Belgium.

It's possible that in the old town some place for public viewing will be set, but don't rely on that, except when Croatia is playing. Still, on practically every square big screens will be available. For example, on the main city square, locally known as Piazza, all the bars will be included in pub viewing.

In some of them, like with our friends at No Stress, it's possible to dine, although we don't suggest to chew and cheer in the same time. Food there is just too good to be eaten without proper attention. Others around included are Central, Judita, Pjaca, Plac, etc.

Beers available anywhere, in great selection and amounts. Not very far is Semafor, one of the oldest bars in Split, with a good terrace, excellent screen, and interesting bunch of regular guests. Maybe it's important to someone that betting place is just meters away.

One very special place is Carrara Square in the heart of Diocletian Palace. There are several bars on it, all with terraces, probably all with screens. Our favorite is, of course, the one with the biggest beer selection in the city, the excellent pub Dva Tona.

A special case is, of course, Riva. A string of bars chesretst along the biggest city promenade, and experience tells us that screens will be everywhere, from popular F Caffe to Marmontova Street. Just like at No Stress, even the food temple like Brasserie on 7 will include game watching on their impressive menu.

The same is on Zapadna obala, recently renovated promenade toward ACI marina, where three venues from the F Caffe chain will probably welcome all those keen to watch football a few meters from the sea.

July 10, 2013 - Loud and clear states Rough Guides: Bacvice in top 10 beaches in Croatia. Fantastic recognition for Split and its most iconic beach.

Some nice recognition for Split's most popular beach, as Bacvice is named in Croatia's top ten beaches by travel guide site Rough Guides. Here's what they had to say:

BAČVICE, SPLIT

For many of its inhabitants Split is not so much a city as a religion, centred around a collection of semi-mystic locations. Among the holiest of holies is undoubtedly Bačvice beach, a shallow bay of sand and shingle that has played an important role in the early childhood and teenage years of virtually anyone who has ever called the city home. Immensely popular as a family beach, it’s also a buzzing social hub, with a café-packed pleasure pavilion rising immediately to the east. Bačvice is also famous for being the spiritual home of picigin, a uniquely Dalmatian sport that involves a lot of acrobatic leaping around as players try to prevent a small ball from hitting the water.

© dronepicr 

Learn more about beaches in Croatia on our TC page.

For more about beaches in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

This hip-hop culture and extreme sports festival will be running from June 14^th to 16^th 2013 in Split. Experience graffiti art in the making, DJ sessions, and competitions in street basketball, freestyle football, skating, BMX, breakdancing, and the best after-parties ever. 

This is the fourth xSTatic Festival organized by NGO Festive. This grand event aims to promote urban art, music and sports with a strong message against youth violence and racism. This awesome event brings together contestants from across Europe and the US 

The three-day event will take place in the Gripe Sport Complex. Usually the organizers like to host this event in funky rundown venues around town. Originally, it was planned to take place in the cult Dalmacijavino factory at the Port of Split however, port authorities declined. Nonetheless, the event continues and will once again this year make Gripe the place to be.

Here is the schedule:

Friday, June 14

17:00 - Competition in Baskelball

21:30 – Opening Party on Bačvice Beach

Saturday, June 15

10:00 - Graffiti Jam

10:00 - Street Art

12:00 - Skateboarding warm-up

15:00 - Skateboarding competition

17:00 - Basketball competition

18:00 - Break-dance competition (2vs2)

18:00 - Hip-hop competition (2vs2)

All-day music: DJ Venom, DJ Shakal, Dj Krafna, DJ Sika

22:00 – Concerts on Bačvice Beach by Cha Jah Ton, Kiša Metaka, and Bad Copy

Sunday, June 16

10:00 - Graffiti Jam

10:00 - Street Art

16:00 - DJ workshop

17:00 - Basketball competition

17:30 - Freestyle session

All-day music: DJ Venom, DJ Shakal, DJ Krafna

21:00 – Closing Party on Bačvice Beach

For more information about xSTatic, visit www.festive.hr

Split is becoming quite the wanted destination some star concerts and festivals this summer with Fatboy Slim, Underground, a Reggae Festival and Ultra Europe passing through town.

The legendary Roger Waters of former Pink Floyd will be making history in Split on his European The Wall Live tour, thought to be the last in his career. He will be rocking up the Poljud stadium on July 23^rd at 20:45 and tickets are running out fast, so click here to get your ticket online.

Pink Floyd’s ‘The Wall’ album is considered one of the most significant albums of the century as it bears political, social and personal importance whilst being a grand theatrical importance in its own right. The story of the album involves around the main character, Pink (Roger Waters), who’s life experiences include the loss of his father at war, mobbing in school, and divorce where ‘the wall’ symbolizes a self-imposed isolation from society.

Get a feel and see the tour trailer:

Due to the message behind the album, Waters has placed an emphasis of The Wall Live Tour around Water’s anti-war message, and he has requested that fans send in pictures of fallen loved ones who have died as a result of war. These images will be screened during the concerts. Read more about the Fallen Loved Ones initiative here.

In a nutshell: Roger Waters, The Wall Live concert in Split on July 23^rd, 2013 at 20:45 at the Poljud Stadium.

 In cooperation with Smirnoff, the swanky Egoist bar and boutique club Hedonist will be pouring Smirnoff Kamikazes for just 10KN a pop from 9pm to 1am on Friday May 24.

After a lengthily renovation, the upper-class Hedonist re-opened its doors with a bash last week, welcoming the city’s elite and setting the mood for the upcoming summer season where they promise a repertoire to remember.

On Friday, the two neighboring bars will merge into one Smirnoff Kamikaze party where you and your stylish friends can enjoy affordable shots served by Smirnoff hostesses.

Find Egoist and Hedonist on Put Firula in the Zenta neighborhood. For more information, friend them on Facebook. 

The rumor mill is gaining momentum as the summer approaches and the popular Discotheque Riva turns Split’s popular waterfront into a massive concert venue.

The organizers behind Discotheque Riva claim that their annual event on the waterfront is considered the biggest open-air disco in the world and for the past three years, their line-up has included Carl Cox, Faithless Sound System, and David Morales.

On the night of Discoteque Riva, Split’s waterfront promenade is fenced off and transformed into one massive party nestled against the Adriatic.

Discotheque Riva will be announcing the 2013 line-up next week but a mouse has whispered and it is believed that legend Fatboy Slim and Underworld will gather crowds on Riva for two days on August 8^th and 9^th.

Underground is a British electronic music group consisting of Karl Hyde and Rick Smith who have been performing on the most state-of-the-art electronic gadgets since the 1980s. They are particularly known for their song “Born Slippy,” made for the cult film, “Trainspotting.”

Legend Fatboy Slim has been around Croatia before, performing in Umag, Zrće and Dubrovnik and we are hoping the biggest name in electronic dance music will be making magic in Split this summer. Famous for songs like “Right About Now, Funk Soul Brother” and “Praise You,” it is no wonder the performer broke records when 250,000 rocked up to one of his concerts a decade ago.

Total Split will keep you up to date as long as the crew at Discotheque Riva confirms the line-up for 2013. Fingers crossed!

To follow Discotheque Riva on Facebook, click here.

Tomorrow, on May 7^th 2013, the streets of Split will be highlighted with tradition as the city celebrates its patron saint, St. Domnius (Sv. Duje in Croatian) with a grand Dalmatian feast.

St. Domnius was the archbishop of nearby Salona (now Solin) in the 3^rd century, but was martyred along with seven other Christians under the persecutions of the Emperor Diocletian. The St. Domnius Cathedral is a landmark in Split (which oddly was Diocletian’s mausoleum) and remains from the archbishop rests here.

On the Feast of St. Domnius, various events take place within the old town, starting with a mass and procession on Riva at 10am where a parade of army officials, public figures, cultural and religious representatives will walk the stretch of Riva towards the the main fish market (peškarija) at 12:30pm where a free feast of food and drinks awaits.

On Riva, a myriad of stands will be selling traditional produce and homemade artifacts, particularly wooden cooking spoons. Evening concerts by Mladen Grdović, Lidija Bačić and klapa Cambi from Kaštela will liven up the city.

This important celebration on Split’s event calendar ends with a colorful fireworks display over the harbor. 

The internationally acclaimed German band, Gregorian, hits the scenes of the Gripe Sports Complex in Split tomorrow, April 4th at 20:00.

The music is unlike others as the band, headed by Frank Peterson, perform modern pop and rock songs in a soothing chant-like manner. They have become particularly known for their live performances which are said to be quite the spectacle. 

Gregorian have used famous vocalists in the past, such as Sarah Brightman and on the Epic Chant tour you will hear the songs of Eva Mali. The songs performed are chant interpretations of the hits in the blockbuster movies, Titanic, James Bond, Notting Hill, Batman Forever and more.

Here is a little clip for you to get a taster of what to expect at tomorrow's performance.

There are still cheap seats available for 140KN which you can buy at the Dancing Bear music store in Dioklecijanova Ulica in the palace, or purchase online here.

Are you in for a blood pumping physical challenge? The 1st Marjanska Skalinada takes place on April 1, 2013 starting at 11 am. This running event is a vertical marathon on the Marjan peninsula where you will start at 1m altitude and ascend 819 steps, spanning 1320m, reaching the summit of Telegrin at 178m about sea level.

The race starts at the bottom of the Tomica Stine stairs near Matejuska west of Riva. Runners will start at 30 second intervals in order to avoid crowding. Arrows will guide you on your route, first past Prva Vidilica, the belvedere by the Vidilica Cafe and Jewish Cemetary. You will continue up the steep path and climb ancient staircases wedged into the side of Marjan hill leading you to the flagged summit of Marjan at the finish line.

If this sounds like a challenge you are up for, you need to fill out your application latest by March 22, 2013 on www.maraton.hr and get to Prva Vidilica four days prior to the race, on Thursday March 28 to pick up your number and chips at 19:30. If you are unable to come on this day, you can collect them on race day between 9:00-10:30.

In a nutshell:

What: Marjanska Skalinada, a vertical marathon on the Marjan Peninsula of Split, Croatia

When: April 1, 2013 at 11:00

Where: Tomica Stina Steps to Telegrin Summit

register latest 22 March 2013 on www.maraton.hr

For more information, what this video with English subtitles

FIGA is a great place to come for a light snack and a neon cocktail and why not enjoy all the great flavours in the company of penis art hanging on its walls?

The penis caricatures each have a funny name that definitely draws associations to people we have met throughout our lifetime such as Liar, Mommy's Boy, Poisonous, House Type, and the list goes on.

Its unsure how long the exhibition will be on display but pop in for a look around, even if you don't plan to order off the menu.

FIGA Food Bar is located on Buvinina 1 at the end of the popular Dosud street in the palace.