Back in July 2013, Total Split published popular blog about parking in Split, which is an activity close to a nightmare. It's been very popular, but things change, so here is the update with some new facilities, as well with new pricing. For tips, read original article below.

First, here is the map with all major parking lots included, and garages at Atrium Hotel, Koteks shopping centre and public garage Sukoišan. Comparing with the old article, novelties are:

- Parking lots in Split 3, or new part of Split (see Boškovićeva 1, Boškovićeva 2 and Prima 3 on our map).

- Nicely located parking lot Plinarska, ideal for those renting apartments in Varoš

- Free of charge parking lot Zvončac, just above city marina

- Garages and parking lots around shopping malls Joker and Koteks. The latter one is open for those who want to leave their cars attended for few days.

- Paid parking lot overlooking Bačvice Beach (4 kunas per hour, till 10 pm, afterwards free).

- Ljudevita Posavskog, newly arranged, 3 kunas per hour.

In previous article, we said that most of parking lots are operated by city transport company Promet, which changed its prices in the meantime:

- Riva (24/7) - first hour 10 kunas, every following hour 15 kunas;

- Vukovarska, Svačićeva, Zrinsko Frankopanska (24/7) - 7 kunas per hour;

- Plinarska (24/7) - 6 kunas per hour;

- Boškovićeva 1 and 2 (7am-9.30pm working days; 7am-4pm Saturdays) - 5 kunas per hour. Rest of the time free;

- Street parking: Zone 1 (6.30am-9.30pm working days, 6.30am-2pm on Saturdays) 5 kunas per hour, other parts of the day and Sundays free. Daily ticket 75 kunas; Zone 2 (7am-7pm working days, 7am-2pm on Saturdays) 4 kunas per hour, other parts of the day and Sundays free. Daily ticket 48 kunas; Zone 3 (same as Zone 2);

- Prima 3 and Court House (7am-9pm working days, 7am-3pm Saturdays) - 5 kunas per hour, rest of the time free;

- Railway station, ferry port - 8 kunas per hour.

AND HERE IS THE ORIGINAL BLOG

Arriving to Split by car? Confused with all those crooked, narrow streets? Wait until you try to park.

Really, parking in Split can be frustrating, especially if you are not willing to leave your car on street parking. Split has only a few indoor garages, most of them are adjacent to neighbouring buildings so tenants occupy most of the places. But, we'll come to that.

As in most tourist cities, visitors always like to park as close as they can to the main attractions or their lodging. In Split the entire city centre is almost exclusively a  pedestrian zone, but parking is allowed on its edges. The cheapest way, but not so easy to find a free place are street parking spots, marked with white stripes, and with a blue traffic sign with big letter P on it. Wherever you see it, just get into the first spot you can find, maybe there won't be a second chance. Prices may vary, from 4 to 7 kunas (1 euro aprox. 7.45 kunas), depending how close you will be to the historical centre. There are two ways how to pay, either by inserting coins in the meters and displaying the ticket on a dashboard, or by text message from your mobile phone. On every payment box you will find a number for sending SMS, every message will cover an hour of parking, and you can send as many messages as you want, except in a few locations where parking time is limited. A few minutes before your parking expires you will receive SMS with warning. If you don't have a sticker for disabled person, don't park on the yellow marked spots. Also, if a spot is reserved, it will be noted.

The good thing about parking on a street is that most of those spaces are operating from 7AM to 7PM, except in the first zone from 6:30AM to 9:30PM. It doesn't mean you can't park there at other times, but more that it's free during the night. There is some even better news; on Saturdays ticket machines operate from 6:30AM or 7Am to 2PM, and on Sundays and holidays they don't work at all. Of course, if you find a spot. In case visitors tend to believe it's because Split really loves tourists, we suggest them not to become too euphoric. The reason why parking is free almost all weekend are local people, Split just doesn't have enough parking space to accommodate them all when they stay at home. Still, it's good to know.

The other way to park is in parking lots. Most of them are operated by the city public transportation company Promet (their yellow signs are visible on entrances), but there are also a few of them owned by independent providers. Promet's parking lots, public garage Sukoišan and all of above mentioned street parking spots can be found on this map.

Other, non Promet lots are located in car ferry port; railway station; next to County court.

Price on those lots vary, from 5 kunas per hour in more distant locations, up to 10 kunas per hour right in front of the Diocletian's Palace on the eastern part of Riva, or main waterfront. Comparing with other tourist cities in Europe, this is really cheap, anyone who ever tried to park in Florence knows that very well. Lots are in a way better than street spots because it's easier to find a free place there. However, they are operating 24 hour a day, no freebies here. And try not to wonder why a city with such a strong tourist orientation doesn't have more garages around the centre, even people in Split can't figure that out. There are some private operated garages on a walking range from centre, like the one in Atrium hotel called Acorus Garage where it's possible to leave a car for few days without fear it will be towed, stolen or damaged. Everywhere else almost of the same importance as price is a visible note that "parking lot operator is not responsible for any damages or stolen items". If it happens, call the police, at least for the insurance report.

Beside all this, of course, there is free parking. Someone coming from more organized communities will be amazed with cars parked on pavements, sometimes in a way that there is no way any pedestrian can pass unless going on a street, or walk over the car's roof. Be careful in adopting this local custom, people who are operating towing trucks for some reason just love to pick foreign cars. If you decide to park as a local, try to follow a few rules. First, don't do it wherever you see no parking sign, you know that one - blue, round with red frame and cross over it. Sometimes there will be cars around them, maybe even a police car, but that only confirms that knowing the right people is more important than following the rules. Secondly, if you park on a pavement, make sure that there is at least one meter of free space between your car and wall (or park, or whatever is on the other side). If the apartment you rented comes with the promise of your landlord/landlady that you will have a secured and guaranteed parking spot, check it twice when you arrive. Maybe some hard working neighbour believes that it is his spot, as it is the rest of the year. You don't want to risk broken antenna, or some yelling only because the person who rented you an apartment didn't ask anyone if it's all right for you to park your car there. In those cases, accept one important rule; Split is not a hotel where all the local people you see are there just to please you. It's a city where people are going to work every morning, and coming home every night, and might not like if tourists believe that what they paid covers really everything, from the apartment, to parking on someone else's spot, to yelling under the neighbour's bedroom window.

And let's save the best to the end. What happens when your car is towed away? Except on paid street parking spots, there are no tickets for violating rules. They just pick up your car and take it to their storage. Where is it? Don't ask people from Split, most of them will not know. Just take a taxi and tell them that "pauk" (spider) took your car, they will know where to go. In case you are adventurous, it's here.

If you have bigger car, like van, camper, stretch limo or something like that, don't feel like you're safe from being towed. They will block your wheels with clamps, and you will need to call +385 (0)21 376 848 to unclamp it.

And in conclusion: don't get frustrated with parking in Split, try to imagine what is it like to live and park here all year.

Nowhere in the world is running chores in public offices a joy; it usually means a heap of paperwork, lack of guidance, moody service staff, and running around like a headless chicken. 

In many countries, technology has taken over, processes have become paperless, and things can be done in just one location. Well, that phase still hasn't come to Croatia... and buying a used car here requires at least 10 pit stops, perhaps even 11 if you count therapy for PTSD afterwards, before you can drive away as the new owner.

Firstly, you have found the used vehicle that you want, and you have agreed on a price, and you will soon process the payment.

Step 1 - Notary Public

Find an authorized notary public where, together with the car owner, a purchase contract will be drafted and signed by both parties (Buyer and Seller), identifying the car and agreed selling price. The notary public will verify the identities of both Buyer and Seller and the document will be stamped and signed, ready for the next step. It is recommended you get at least two copies. If the owner doesn’t want to be dragged along through the next few steps, you can also draft a power of attorney giving you the right to do everything without him/her. 

Tip: To avoid to much driving around and searching for parking, we suggest you find a notary public close to where you will pop in for step 2. Therefore, park in the large public parking across from the Municipality building on Domovinskog Rata and find a notary public near the bus station adjacent.

Step 2 - Tax Office

On the third floor of the Municipality building on Domoviskog Rata, you can pop into room number 36 where you will get a bill of 5% of the cars value (open 7am to 3pm). You are unable to make the payment to the tax office and need to physically go to a nearby bank to pay the fee.

Step 3 - Bank

With your bill for car tax payment (5% of the car’s official value, not necessarily the value you you bought it for), go to a nearby bank to make a payment, either by cash or card. Directly behind the municipality building is an OTP bank for instance but an bank is also located in the tall Lavčević building across the main road.

Step 4 - Tax Office

After receiving payment approval n receipt from the bank, bring the paperwork back to room 36 where a payment approval awaits you to bring to the Traffic Police department.

Step 5 - Traffic Police Department

The Police Station is located on Trg hrvatske bratske zajednice 9, right next to the Croatia Osiguranje building nearby the courthouse. Walk into the right (you don’t need a number yet) and go directly to Counter 1 with your sales contract, tax payment confirmation, and ID card. She will give you a blank form with 35kn scribbled in the corner (don’t panic, you don’t need to fill it out), and two bills to pay for new plates (if needed) and owner change.

Step 6 – Bank

After you got the bills from Counter 1, pop next door to Splitska Banka to pay the fees (Cash Only!) on the two checks. About four autographs later, and a payment confirmation slip, you no longer need to make any payments…at least not old skool style in a bank.

Step 7 – Tax Stamps in Photo Olga

Across the Police Station is Photo Studio Olga and you’ll need to pop in here to buy tax stamps worth 35kn (remember the 35kn scribbled onto the blank form mentioned in Step 5). Yep, you heard me right; good old tax stamps bought in a photo studio J

Step 8 - Traffic Police Department

Return to the station and print out a queue number (press number 3 which will eventually guide you to Counter 11 when your time comes). Now just hand over the blank form, payment receipts, tax stamps, the old registration AND the license plates of the car. The lady will process new registration documents and hand over a new set of license plates. Before you start this process, ask what numbers are available in case you want something in particular. If you want to order a number, it’s a whole different ball game which you should discuss at Counter 1 when you first come in.

Step 9 - Insurance Office

Before getting your care re-registered through technical testing, you’ll need to renew your compulsory insurance. Unfortunately, rate shopping for a compulsory insurance policy doesn’t really pay dividends as the price is regulated by the government and depends solely on how many kW your cars has, and not its value or age. You can buy a policy at the Technical Testing center directly, the road leading up to it, or elsewhere. If you are looking at buying a full insurance policy, you might as well get them both from the same insurance company where in that case, rate shopping really pays off. We suggest you ask the financial advisors at OVB (www.ovb.hr) who can source much cheaper offers without charging you.

Step 10 - Technical Testing

Yey, you have come to the final phase of this lengthily and painful process! With insurance and new car paperwork in hand, drive over to the EuroDaus Technical Testing Center on Hercegovačka ulica 59. Park in the queue marked ‘Osobna Vozila’ and go indoors to register at the first counter. Go back in the car and wait in line until the technical crew instructs you further. Two counter stops and about 900kn later, you can drive out as a new car owner.

Unirent is a local car rental agency with offices in all major cities in Croatia as well as other international airports in the country. 

They have a varied fleet from budget vehicles to luxury SUVs, manual and automatic transmission, Vans, and 4x4s. Cooler yet, your preferred pick-up and drop-off location is not in a city with a Unirent office, Unirent can organize you get your car anywhere in the country if need be. 

Unirent is one of the cheapest rental agencies in Split with cards available for less than 200KN per day, depending in the time of year. 

Additionally, Unirent run a chauffeur service where they will drive you in comfort in a luxury vehicle with all the frills to your Croatian destination of choice. 

Other than in the airport in Kaštela, the downtown office in Split is conveniently located near Riva by the Church of St. Francis up the Šperun street. 

Central Reservations

Tel: +385 (0)21 797 327

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W: www.uni-rent.net

A well-established transportation rental company from Hvar opened a branch office in Split under the name, Split Rent Agency. Split Rent Agency has a stall along near Riva in the season on Obala Lazareta 3. Here you will find every holiday transportation tool under the stars from boats, cars, scooters, bikes, and motorcycles. Additionally services include transfers, excursions, and accommodation.

Scooter Rental

When the sun is shining, Split’s citizens whip out their scooters from their garages and this becomes their favorite source of transportation in the months to come. Beat the traffic and blend in with the locals by opting for a scooter during your stay in Split.

Split Rent Agency has an expansive scooter fleet ranging from smaller 50cc engines, 125cc and larger 250cc engines. The prices for a day rental ranges from 250-400KN and a reduction in price should you opt for a one-week rental. Aprilla, Gilera, Piaggio are the preferred brands and inclusive in the price are all necessary insurances and taxes, and for a surcharge you can get a GPS device to make you Split navigation easier.

Boat Rental

The best way to explore the Adriatic is by boat so why don’t you grab a boat for the day and explore the coast along Split or hop onto the nearby islands of Brač, Šolta, Hvar, or even Vis to discover secluded coves and ancient villages.

Split Rent Agency has a varied fleet of boats from basic to deluxe inflatables with 70-280hp engines and an upscale 25ft Four Winns powerboat. For 200-400KN per day, you can enjoy the freedom of sea cruising on the Adriatic.

Additionally, you can rent cars such as Opel Astra of Fiat Punto, BMW motorcycles, and KONA.

Split Rent Agency

www.split-rent.com

Obala Lazereta 3

21000 Split

Tel: +385 (0) 1 742-946

Mob: +385(0) 91 591 7111


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For budget commuting, Split has an intra-city public bus network operated by Promet Split that reaches every nook and cranny of the town and its suburbs. If you have a ticket in hand, you can enter from any entrance into the bus but if you are purchasing a ticket, take the front door to pay your ticket to the bus driver. When you leave, exit from the back doors. The buses are not air-conditioned so in the summer months it can be quite sticky,

Here is a survival guide to using the bus within Split.

Zones

The public bus system is split into four (4) zones. Zone 1 covers the whole peninsula of Split reaching the border of Zone 2 before Solin and after Žnjan. Zone 2 covers the town of Solin, Stobreč, Podstrana, and Klis. The third sphere, Zone 3 covers Kaštela, Dugopolje, and reaches Dugi Rat on the southern coast. The last Zone 4 reaches the town of Trogir and Omiš.

Bus Stations

There are a few main stations scattered in the city where most busses stop. The main public bus station (Sukojišan) is on the main Domovinskog rata road, 1 km north of the palace. There is also a popular stop just before on the same road adjacent to the municipality building (Opčina). In town, main stops are in front of the Prima1 shopping mall adjacent to the National Theatre of Split (HNK), next to the vegetable market (Tržnica) on the eastern side of the palace, on the western end of Riva (Sv. Frane), and just after the main regional bus station on the port (Trajektna Luka).

Pricing & Validity

You can purchase your single tickets with the bus driver on board; cash only, preferably in exact change. The price for an adult ticket within one zone is 11KN, for two zones its 13KN, three zones 17KN, and four zones 21KN.

The price for children aged 6 to 10 years old is 5KN for any zone and all zones. If you are travelling with luggage, there may be a surcharge of 5KN.

You can purchase monthly cards and 10-trip cards in the kiosks at main stations such as Sukojišan, Opčina, and Tržnica.

Your ticket is valid for 45mins within one zone, 65mins for two zones, 85mins for three zones, and 105mins for four zones. Within that period you can traverse within the purchased zones in whichever direction.

You can find the full list of pricing here. 

Five Important Routes

Here are a few bus routes from town that will take you to popular city highlights.

Marjan Park

Bus 21, 1 Zone, from Sv. Frane

To get to Bene Beach in the Marjan Forest Park, hop onto bus 21 at the Sv. Frane stop west of Riva. It departs once every hour from 9:30 to 22:30 every day. You won’t miss either of the stops as both are end stations.

Žnjan Beach

Bus 8, 1 Zone, from Tržnica and Opčina

To get to the popular Žnjan beach from town, hop onto bus 8.  This is a circular route, meaning that it doesn’t matter in which direction you go, you will end up in Žnjan on the coast. The quickest, however, is to hop on the right side of the road when facing south. It departs 2-3 times per hour from 5:30 to 22:30 (starting from Žnjan).

Poljud Football Stadium

Bus 17, 1 Zone, from Tržnica

Watching Hajduk play? Hop onto bus 18 at the Tržnica stop heading towards Špinut and hop off when you see the imposing stadium.

City Center One

Bus 18, 1 Zone, from Tržnica or National Theatre of Split (HNK)

For a day of shopping in a mall, take bus 18 from the Tržnica or HNK stop in the direction of

Brnik. The bus departs 3-4 times per hour.

Split International Airport and Trogir

Bus 37, 3 Zones, from Sukojišan

At the main bus station at Sukojišan, hop on bus 37 departing every 20 minutes. It stops on the main road in front of the airport and continues to the town of Trogir (4 zones).

You can find the full timetable here. 

For further information, contact Promet Split on +385(0)21 407 999 or visit www.promet-split.hr

Oryx rent-a-car has a fleet of over 1700 vehicles, ranging from small to medium class. Volkswagen, Seat, Škoda and Audi are ORYX’s preferred brands starting with the hip eco-friendly VW Up and luxe options such as the Audi Q7 available.

ORYX have offices throughout Croatia; in the hinterland and stretching the coastline from Istria to Dubrovnik. This makes Oryx and ideal choice for travellers as you can select a varying pick-up and drop-off locations in Croatia.

All vehicles are air-conditions and on request you can get extra frills that make your travelling more comfortable such as children car seats, roof carriers, GPS, DVD, TV, and Wi-Fi connectivity.

ORYX offer various packages that will meet your demands, such as affordable long-term rentals, leasing, cargo rentals, and chauffeur services.

ORYX Rent-a-Car

www.oryx-rent.hr

In Split there is a branch office in the airport arrivals hall and in Split town center:

Split City

Sv. Petra Staroga 1

21000 Split

Tel: +385 (0)21 318 800


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Open Monday—Friday: 08:00—15:00
and Saturday: 09:00—14:00. Sundays on Request.

Split Airport

Kaštela

Tel: +385 (0)21 895 164


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Open
Monday—Sunday 08:00—20:00

Central Reservation Office

Ljudevita Posavskog 7a, Sesvete

Tel: +385 (0)1 2900 333
Fax: +385 (0)1 2900 306
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Open Monday—Friday: 08:00—16:00

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On Sunday April 14^th, the sun was shining over Split; real t-shirt weather. In my time here, I have never taken a turn up the mountain of Kozjak above Kaštela but this would be the day. Being born behina a 4x4 steering wheel, I have missed driving off-road since moving here from the desert of Dubai so I got an old school Lada Niva 4x4 and off I went on a discovery on the back roads of Kozjak. 

Although any normal car can battle the pebbly paths, a little hand brake action in a Niva just had to be tried to infuse a little adrenaline into my day.

On the main coastal highway towards Trogir from Split, I look a turn right at Kaštel Novi across the main graveyard. Going up the road I saw signage to the “Biblical Garden Stomorija” and continued my way through the rugged terrain, passing residential homes until I arrived in what seemed to be heaven in disguise.

I landed in Eden’s paradise, a trimmed and tranquil garden with the 1189 little church of Marija od Špiljana in its center. The concept of the garden is biblical, meaning that plants in the area are those mentioned in the Bible. Actually, there are more than 125 plant species noted in scriptures and throughout the garden there are signage that tell you what the various plants are such as a rose garden, Jude’s tree, laurel, acacia, spices, aromatic herbs, apple trees, vines, olive trees, fig tree are more; all species that have been growing on the Kozjak mountain for centuries.

The garden was founded in 1998 in honor of the biblical flora but throughout the tranquil garden are a few other biblical references. At the entrance to the garden is a memorial stone by Marko Gugić with the inscription, "In memory of the second visit of the Holy Father John Paul II we founded this garden at Stomorija above the bay.” - People of Kaštela on 27 September 1998. On site, the Pope’s Olive was planted and under the even older olive trees in the area ‘Jidro,’ is a Column of Stone Megaliths honoring the great men of Croatia who were inspired by the Bible in their work; Juraj Dalmatinac who built various alters, St. Jeronim who translated the Bible into Latin and Bartol Kašić who translated it into Croatian, poet Marko Marulić, and Ivan Meštrović who made sculptured of biblical themes. 

A waterway flows through the garden and on an islet is a wooden sculpture of Noah’s Ark by renowned artist Vasko Lipovac. Across the little stone bridge is a large lawn, perfect for a Sunday family picnic with breathtaking views over the Bay of Kaštela. At the far corner of the lawn you will pass a large apple sculpture, a very important symbol in the bible, leading you on to a miniature vineyard with vines of Carlifornian Zinfandel, Italian Primitivo and Croatian Kaštelanski Crljenak, all the same sort with a different name which call came from this very mountain (click to read about the Croatian Zinquest).

The Biblical Garden in Kaštela is really a pleasant surprise and provides a perfect day-trip escape for the family from Split. Bring along a blanket and some sandwiches and just take in the island vistas in the surroundings of greenery. The garden is open on all days during the day.

Travellers visiting Split often miss a trip to the ruins of the Roman city of Salona only five kilometers from the city as it has been overshadowed by the popular Diocletian’s Palace, built later.

The first traces of life in Salona began in the first millennium BC when the Greeks set up a marketplace here. After the Romans conquered the region, a city was formed and became the capital city of the Roman province of Dalmatia. Other than vandalism by the Venetians, Salona was mostly destroyed in the 6^th century during the invasions of the Avars and Slavs where after, the citizens of Salona took refuge in Diocletian’s Palace. Actually, Salona was Diocletian’s hometown before he retired to his new palace in Split.

Amongst the impressive remains, you will find the tops of the arches of a 1^st century aqueduct where water came in from the nearby River Jadro, as well as the relics of thermal baths used by Romans.

In Salona you will find the magnificent remains of a 2^nd century amphitheater, which was believed to have a capacity of up to 20,000 spectators. Unfortunately, Venetians destroyed the amphitheater in the 17^th century, stripping it of marble to use for their palace. An interesting feature, unseen in other Roman amphitheaters, is that it has underground channels.

Another fascinating site is the Manastirine, one of the largest open graveyards where early Christian martyrs were buried. Although archeological digs here are not complete, one thousand sarcophagi, burial chapels, and graves have been discovered, one believed to be that of Saint Domnius (Sv. Duje), patrol saint of Split and 3^rd century bishop of Salona. By the entrance to the Manastirine is a sarcophagus with the remains of the 19^th century Croatian archeologist Don Frane Bulić who devoted his career to the study of Early Christian artifacts, particularly those in Salona. Adjacent it’s the Tusclulum, once the base of Don Frane Bulić’s archeological work and today a museum.

In the episcopal complex, you will also come across the ruins of Early Christian graveyards with basilicas from the 4^th century. Next to the city walls is the oldest, ‘basilica of the five martyrs’ built over the graves of five martyrs; priest Asterius and four soldiers of the imperial guard. On the site, there is also a 5^th century three-nave cathedral and an impressive octagonal baptistery. Other than the two basilicas to be seen in Salona, an additional eight have been discovered however, their movable monuments are now displayed in the Archaeological Museum of Split.

To get to Salona (Solin), take bus 37 towards to Trogir from the main bus station (Sukoišan) on Domoviskog rata.

Located directly west of the Riva sea front at the fountain roundabout is the narrow Church of St. Francis (Sv. Frane) with its monastery.

When the Franciscans arrived in the region in the early 13^th century, they erected their own monastery at the (then) city border. They built the complex above a 5^th century Early Christian church dedicated to a Salona martyr, St. Felix.

In the 14^th century, a small cloister was added to the structure bearing Romanesque characteristics however; the entire complex has undergone various reconstructions and restorations throughout the centuries and thus has changed its original appearance considerably.

Within the church you will find an impressive crucifix painted by Blaž Jurjev of Trogir in the 15th century. There are also numerous ancient tombs of prominent citizens of Split such as humanist Marko Marulić (1450 - 1524), composer Ivan Lukačić (1587 - 1648), and poet Jeronim Kavanjin (1643- 1714). The church also has a rich library containing the 15^th century “Lectionary,” the first book that was printed in the Croatian language using the Latin alphabet.

South of the monastery is a charming fisherman’s port called Matejuška. A pleasant walk along Matejuška provides the best vantage point of Split’s seafaring culture as locals from the Veli Varoš neighborhood prepare their catch along the long pier in the morning and catch up for a chat on the benches. At the end of the pier is a wind compass sculpture showing the winds of the region. In the last century, this port was a shipyard.