The sights take care of themselves; it’s the small practical stuff that trips up first-timers. Here’s the quick local briefing — money, phones, water, manners and a few words — so you arrive in Split already knowing how things work.
Money: it’s euros now
The biggest thing to update: Croatia uses the euro. The old kuna is gone (since 2023), so ignore any guide that still quotes it. Cards are accepted almost everywhere — restaurants, shops, taxis, Bolt — but carry a little cash for the market, small konobas, parking machines and the odd cash-only bakery. ATMs are everywhere; skip the “DCC” option that offers to charge you in your home currency, and choose euros to avoid a poor exchange rate.
Tipping
Tipping is appreciated but relaxed. In a restaurant, rounding up or leaving around 10% for good service is normal; for a coffee or a drink, people just round up the change. It’s not the heavy tipping culture of the US — no one chases you for it, and a genuine “hvala” goes with it. Leave it in cash even if you pay the bill by card.
Phones, SIM and wifi
If you’re visiting from elsewhere in the EU, your plan roams here at home rates — nothing to do. From further afield, a local prepaid SIM or eSIM (A1, Hrvatski Telekom, Telemach) is cheap and easy; you’ll find shops at the airport and in town, passport in hand. Wifi is widespread in cafés and accommodation, so many visitors get by on that alone. Our places have it sorted.
Drink the tap water
Split’s tap water is clean, safe and good — drink it, refill your bottle, and don’t waste money on plastic. There are public fountains around the old town in summer too. The water from the Jadro river has supplied the city since Roman times; it’s one of the quiet pleasures of being here.
Hours, heat and the rhythm of the day
Split runs on a Mediterranean clock. Mornings are busy, midday in summer is for shade and a slow lunch (marenda), and the city comes alive again in the cooler evening — dinner is late, 8pm and after. Some smaller shops still take an afternoon break. Lean into it rather than fight it; plan sights for the cool hours and treat the hot middle as beach-or-rest time.
Getting around and arriving
You won’t need a car — the old town is car-free and everything’s walkable or a cheap Bolt away, as we cover in getting around Split. For reaching the city in the first place, our arrival guide runs through flights, ferries and driving, and our honest packing list covers what to actually bring (good shoes for the stone, a refillable bottle).
A few words that go a long way
English is widely spoken, but a little Croatian is warmly received. The useful handful: dobar dan (hello/good day), hvala (thank you), molim (please / you’re welcome), bok (casual hi/bye), živjeli (cheers), oprostite (excuse me), and račun, molim (the bill, please). Say hvala with a smile and you’ll get one back. Then drop the bags at our place in the old town and start enjoying the part that needs no instructions.