October 1, 2019 - Need something to do in Split when the sun isn't shining? A closer look at rainy-day activities in the Dalmatian capital. 

If you follow Croatian tourism, chances are, you’re aware that the Croatian National Tourist Board and Ministry of Tourism are moving their focus towards ‘year-round’ tourism, and primarily, tourism that doesn't need the ‘sun and the sea’. 

Split is one of Croatia’s top destinations, the bustling capital of Dalmatia, and is known for its waterfront promenade and accessibility to many of Dalmatia’s islands. Namely, it is the spotlight of a summer holiday. 

However, with autumn in full swing (though this extended summer weather might say otherwise), we thought we’d run through everything possible in Split without the sunshine. 

The Cinema

Let’s start with an easy one - going to the cinema. Known to be a favorite activity for the cozier months, this pastime has never lost its touch. Fortunately, those of you in Split have quite a few cinemas to choose from, like the Cineplexx at City Center One, where you can enjoy 3D and the new MX4D technology, the Cinestar at the Joker Shopping Center, or Mall of Split’s Cinestar 4DX, which was named the best new cinema in Europe in 2018. However, if you’re looking for something central and a bit more modest, you can always visit Kino Karaman, or see what’s playing at Kinoteka Zlatna Vrata. 

Ivanisevic Ivan - ivanisevicivan.com

Shopping Malls

Did you know that Split has three shopping malls, one of which is the largest shopping mall in Dalmatia? If you feel like splurging on some of the world’s leading fashion brands or diving into the food court comfort of McDonald's, Burger King, or Chinese, you won’t find it hard to kill some time outside of the sunshine here. You can choose between Joker, which is the closest shopping centre to the old town (10 mins on foot), the Mall of Split, which is accessible by public transport buses 1, 5, 6, 10, 16, 18, and 22, or City Center One, which can be reached by the 18, 3 or 6. If you’re not up for shopping or eating, you can enjoy the casino, go-karting, and the Museum of Senses. 

Croatian National Theatre

The new season at the Croatian National Theatre in Split begins this month and features two operas and four drama premieres, two ballets, and many reruns and concerts. The opera premieres will include Giuseppe Verdi's opera Rigoletto and Verdi's Lombardi, while the ballet premieres include Piazzolla/Stravinski and Barak Marshall's Monger. Drama fans will be able to enjoy Lepurica by Ana Prolić and Bambina by Ana Tonković Dolenčić which brings Neno Belan’s hits to the big stage. Little Floramye, Splitski Akvarel, Ero s onoga svijeta, Parallel Worlds, The Crucible, The Imaginary Invalid, The Taming of the Shrew, Coppelia, The Nutcracker, Death and the Dervish, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Requiem have all been announced this season. You can see the full HNK Split schedule here. 

HNK Split

Museums and Galleries 

If you can’t be at the beach, soaking up Split’s history and art should be a close second. Not only will you find that this rainy-day activity is quite affordable, but you’ll gain a bit of knowledge, too. Perhaps Split’s most favorite museum is the Ivan Mestrovic Gallery, which is housed in a villa steps away from the beach and includes works by the 20th-century Croatian sculptor. The Split City Museum, which is located inside the Gothic-Renaissance Papalic palace, boasts 2,000 years of the city’s history. The Gallery of Fine Arts holds over 5,200 works from the 14th century to present day, while the Ethnographic Museum, located right next to Peristyle, presents extremely valuable ethnographic collections that give us a look into the former life of the inhabitants of Split, the islands and deep into Dalmatia’s hinterland. And that’s just part of it. 

Explore Diocletian's Basement 

Whether you enter from the Riva or Peristyle, you’ll want to check out Diocletian’s basement (or cellar). While tacky souvenir shops take up part of the substructure, buy a ticket and take the ride through the palace's substructure. Known to Game of Thrones fans as the place where Daenerys Targaryen kept her dragons in the popular TV series, the basement is also the best-preserved remains of the Palace. While it’s empty now, this area was once used as storage during Diocletian’s time - and we’re certain you’ll find the acoustics pretty impressive, too. If you’re lucky, you can visit during one of the many events held there, from art exhibitions and live classical music shows to wine and flower fairs, and many other social and cultural happenings. 

Copyright Romulic & Stojcic

Enjoy Split’s Specialty Coffee 

Coffee culture is synonymous with Split, so much so that you’ll use the phrase ‘meeting for a coffee’ as a cover for just about any type of meeting. Whether its a casual chat with friends or you’re closing a big business deal, chances are, you’ll be at a cafe (but whether you’re actually drinking coffee is debatable). So, why not visit one of Split’s specialty coffee shops to call home during rainy weather? New to the Split coffee scene this year is Kava 2, the second location in the Kava family after Hvar. Not only do they roast their beans, but they’ll offer specialty drinks such as the piccolo, flat white, and cold brew tonic. Their homemade baked goods are the perfect addition to any drink. You can also try D16 or 4coffee soul food if you need a coffee-to-go! 

Kava

Drinking, Eating, Indulging 

This one is a no-brainer. Park yourself in a pub, restaurant, or cafe for hours and enjoy the change in weather. Gossip with friends, grab a book (which you can also rent from Split's City Library), or get out your laptop to get ahead at work (er... realistically, catch up). If you’re at a restaurant, use the time to dig into Dalmatia’s local cuisine and wine. If you’re at a pub, take a drinking tour of Croatia’s craft beer. And if you’re at a cafe, eat the cake. Rainy weather is the ultimate excuse. 

Adventure Time

Did you know that you can still go rafting down the Cetina river even if it rains? Less than an hour away by car from Split, head to Omis to get your adrenaline rush and sign up for a rafting tour! Hiking is another outdoor activity that is better in colder weather, and experienced cyclists might prefer this season, too. Exploring Split’s surroundings, like Trogir, Inland Dalmatia, Klis, Kastela, or Makarska can be reached by a short bus ride - but make sure you have your umbrella in tow! 

Copyright Romulic & Stojcic 

And if all else fails, stay in and order delivery 

Did you know that Split has three online food delivery services now? Whether you choose Croatian delivery pioneer Dobar Tek, Wolt, or Glovo, you’ll be safe inside and still satisfied by some of Split’s best restaurants. 

To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page. 

On Friday, June 28, the 6th Evo Ruke! summer festival begins at Đardin park in Split. Namely, this series of concerts and performances transform Đardin into a jazz, blues, and rock'n'roll paradise.

Visitors will be able to enjoy the live performances of local performers on 73 summer evenings this year, with acts ranging from songwriters to themed days, and even exciting cover bands. And the best part? Entrance is free every night. 

The opening evening will feature The Splitters and the Harpoon Blues Band, Trio Trabacool on Saturdaya, and Cabaret à la Carte on Sunday. The concerts begin at 9:15 pm and the event will last until September 8th, reports Dalmatinski Portal. 

“Citizens, Evo Ruke! invites you to the most beautiful Split park - Đardin where you will surely not stumble upon a bad music note, and where at any time of the day or evening you can always find refreshments and carefully selected Croatian musicians who are prepared to satisfy even the most finicky of guests. Also, let your friends know that something special and different is happening in Split’s Đardin this summer. To be involved in the story, follow the HR Radio Split program and read Dalmatinski Portal. Breath in a little city culture, citizens,”  said the organizers. 

For the opening, the organizers emphasized they have prepared 'something new' - The Splitters, whose excellent single ‘Oboji me’ has hit the radio before their new album is out on Croatia Records, and ‘something old’, or the Harpoon Blues Band who have taken the stage in Split for years. The audience will take care of ‘something borrowed and something blue’, the organizers concluded.

You can find the list of all bands you can catch at Evo Ruke! this summer below. 

Nola - Pula,

Elena Stella & A.J. Jazz Trio - Zadar/Biograd,

El Gato - Šibenik,

Citizen Dick - Split,

Francesco & Southern Cooking - Čiovo,

Behave - Zagreb,

Go Lilly - Split,

Šetači - Split,

Cortez - Split,

La Grange - Široki Brijeg,

Harpoon Blues Band - Split,

Goodies - Šibenik,

Azil - Split,

Reah - Šibenik,

Swingin' 4 - Split,

Boa II - Zagreb,

Afterfire - Split,

Teška odluka - Split,

Gyass Band - Subotica,

D.I.L.F - Split,

Dreamers Band - Split,

Richman - Zadar,

Acoustic Bang - Split,

Atomsko sklonište - Pula,

Cabaret a la carte - Split,

The Fogsellers - Šibenik,

Barbara Munjas - Rijeka,

Waveform - Split,

Čuvari svirala - Split,

Voodoo Ramble - Duga Resa,

Jurasiko - Kaštela,

Boris Krivec Band - Split,

Mind Zoo - Split,

Ciotog - Split,

Spectrum - Vodice,

Combo Project - Split,

Little Sister - Split,

Trio Brodarići - Split,

Gretta - Zagreb,

Eksjurok - Split,

Pink Panther Band - Split,

Cima & Co - Trogir,

Trio Trabacool - Split,

Noa & The Funkblasters - Split,

Bas Rouge - Split,

Desafinados - Split,

Bravo Band - Split,

Pop Art - Split,

Imgellad - Split,

The Splitters - Split,

Bang Bang - Zagreb,

Electric Mombasa - Split,

Flores Acoustic - Split,

Peter Smith & Hosters - Split,

Osmi putnik feat. Giuliano - Split,

Šporkestar - Split,

Get Vintage - Imotski,

Jazzy Fever - Rijeka/Split/Ljubljana,

DJ Dupli - Lost Generation

Zlatni Grgur - the awards ceremony and the festive concert and the 10th-anniversary celebration of the St@rt Festival. 

To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

The season is getting closer, works on new hotels and catering facilities are nearing completion, and the search for seasonal workers in Split is in full swing, reports Slobodna Dalmacija on March 18, 2019. 

Inspired by previous experiences, some businesses posted advertisements for employment on portals specializing in mediation between employers and the workforce already a few months ago. Job interviews have been held, and most of the concerns have been solved.

However, in some Split hotels, there are still not enough cleaners and people to work in hotel laundries.

At the Split Regional Office of the Croatian Employment Service for Split-Dalmatia County, there are currently 27,705 unemployed persons, which is 508 persons or 1.8 percent less than in the previous month when they were 28,213 registered. And this is 4062 people, or 12.8 percent less than in February last year.

According to the level of education, the highest percentage of unemployed persons with secondary education up to three years is 35.4 percent, and persons who completed a four-year secondary education is 28.9 percent.

The most significant number of unemployed are occupations from the tertiary sector, from accommodation and food services, wholesale and retail trade, to other occupations such as salespeople, administrative officers, maintenance workers, cleaners, waiters, cooks, production workers, auxiliary chefs, and housekeepers.

“In addition to them, the records are dominated by a group of occupations such as economists and commercialists,” said Jela Gogić, the head of the Split Employment Service (HZZ).

In the last two months, a total of 2721 seasonal workers were sought, which is 3.4 percent more than in the first two months of 2018, when 1683 seasonal workers related directly to activities in accommodation and preparing and serving food.

“The most in-demand occupations are waiters, salespeople, chefs, maids, cleaners, assistant chefs, kitchen workers, auxiliary waiters, receptionists, tour guides and bartenders. This year's demand for seasonal workers in tourism is dominated by large hotel companies in Split-Dalmatia County,” continues Gogić.

Recently, the available labor force includes pensioners over 60 years of age, who according to the new law, are allowed to work part-time, i.e., four hours through contracted work.

The Institute revealed that only five employers had been informed that they could hire pensioners, which does not mean that this number will not increase as the season approaches.

“According to the data we have and keeping in mind the activities the HZZ undertakes independently, such as education of the unemployed, surveying the workforce, days of work in tourism and the like, but also cooperation with other partners, we believe there will be no significant shortage of labor,” adds Gogić.

It is important to point out that in comparison to the previous years, probably due to the ever-increasing difficulty of finding seasonal workers in Croatia, as more and more find work abroad, the conditions of employment have improved.

“According to the information available, there is a visible improvement in the working conditions compared to the previous year, which refers to a slight increase in salaries, and a slightly longer period of employment,” Gogić reveals. 

That the conditions offered by employers have improved is confirmed by Ante Grčić from Split, who claims he is already contracted for seasonal work.

“Two weeks ago, I had a job interview for the manager of a catering facility on Brač and this week I will finalize the contract with the owner. I'm starting to work in the first week of April. We agreed that I would work until the end of October.

I know some employers were recruiting workers in February, and the demand for labor is very high. Workers are so needed that there will be no problem in the summer to quit one job if the agreed conditions are not met and find a job with another, more honest employer, on the whole coast and islands.

There are jobs, and the situation is such that it is possible to choose what and under what conditions. Of course, provided you are a good worker,” Ante concluded.

To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

With the busiest summer months just about behind us, there is so much for us to enjoy in September!

And today,  it really feels like summer.