Day Trips by Car from Split – Best Places to Visit with Car Rental Split Airport No Credit Card or a city pickup gives you the freedom to explore much more than just the Old Town. Below is an overview of the most popular day trips and short drives from Split that are easy to reach with a rental car. Distances and times are approximate and can vary with summer traffic.
Quick Overview – Where Can You Drive from Split?
Top Drives from Split – Detailed Ideas
1. Trogir & Čiovo Island 🏛️🌊
Driving time: ~30-40 minutes one way
Best for: an easy first evening, old streets, marina views, relaxed dinner.
Trogir is a UNESCO-listed old town set on a small island, connected by bridges to the mainland and Čiovo Island.
It is one of the easiest and most rewarding short drives with a rental car from Split. Park outside the old core
in one of the public car parks and walk across to the historic centre.
With a car you can continue over the bridge to Čiovo, where there are pebble beaches and sea-view cafés – a good choice
if you want to combine sightseeing and swimming in one trip.
2. Omiš & Cetina Canyon 🏞️
Driving time: ~30-40 minutes south along the coast
Best for: active travellers, families with older kids, mix of sea and river scenery.
Omiš sits where the Cetina River meets the Adriatic Sea. Arriving by car, you can:
- walk through the old centre and climb to a fortress for a panoramic view,
- drive a short way up the Cetina Canyon for river viewpoints,
- join activities such as rafting, kayaking or zipline (pre-booking recommended in high season).
Parking is usually available near the river or on the edges of town – in summer, arrive earlier in the day for easier spots.
3. Makarska & the Makarska Riviera 🌴
Driving time: ~1-1.5 hours (south-east)
Best for: long beach days, scenic coastal road, classic Dalmatian holiday vibe.
The Makarska Riviera is famous for long pebble beaches backed by the Biokovo mountain range. With a car, you can:
- spend the day in Makarska town (promenade, beach, small harbour),
- stop at smaller resorts like Tučepi, Podgora, Baška Voda,
- choose quieter coves along the way instead of staying in just one resort.
This route is a good example of where a Car Rental Split Airport No Credit Card option gives you flexibility – you can start early, avoid the hottest midday traffic and stop where the sea looks best.
4. Primošten – Sunset & Stone Streets 🌅
Driving time: ~1 hour north from Split
Best for: sunset photos, an evening walk and dinner by the sea.
Primošten is a small town built on a rounded peninsula, with stone houses, a hilltop church and beaches around the headland.
Arrive in the late afternoon, walk the coastal path and stay for the evening light. There are several car parks just outside the old part of town.
5. Šibenik & Krka National Park 🏰💦
Driving time:
– Split – Šibenik: ~1-1.15 h
– Split – main Krka entrances: ~1-1.5 h
Best for: combining a historic town with an accessible nature stop.
Šibenik offers a compact stone centre, a UNESCO-listed cathedral and hilltop fortresses with superb views. It pairs well with
a visit to Krka National Park, where boardwalks pass by waterfalls and green pools. Many travellers:
- drive first to Krka in the morning (to avoid crowds and midday heat),
- spend 2-4 hours on the main routes in the park,
- stop in Šibenik for an afternoon walk and dinner on the way back to Split.
6. Krka National Park Only – Easy Nature Day 💧
If you prefer a slower pace, focus on Krka alone. Using your rental car you can:
- choose the main entrance that suits your route,
- bring swimwear if you plan to visit areas where swimming is allowed (rules can change – check current information),
- pack water and light snacks; services exist but are more limited than in cities.
7. Biokovo Skywalk ⛰️
Driving time: ~1.5 hours to the Biokovo Nature Park entrance above Makarska
Best for: travellers who like mountain roads and big views.
The Biokovo Skywalk is a glass horseshoe platform built into the mountainside, high above the Makarska Riviera.
To reach it you drive a narrow mountain road inside the nature park (entry fee applies).
Tips:
- check weather and opening hours in advance,
- choose a car category you feel confident driving on steeper roads (compact or SUV is usually best),
- drive slowly and follow staff instructions – this is not a road to rush.
8. Klis Fortress & Salona (Solin) – Short Historical Trip 🏯
Driving time: ~15-25 minutes from Split
Best for: a half-day outing close to the city, good if you have limited time or arrive late.
Above Split, Klis Fortress offers a view over the whole city, sea and islands. It is known from historical events and modern TV productions.
Nearby Salona (in Solin) contains the ruins of a large Roman settlement, with walls, amphitheatre and green walking areas.
This is an easy half-day loop with minimal driving – a nice option for the first or last day with your rental car.
Practical Tips for Day Trips from Split 🚙
- Start earlier in summer: leaving Split before 9:00 can help you avoid traffic and midday heat.
- Use official parking: look for marked car parks and garages instead of hunting for “creative” free spots – fines and towing are possible.
- Plan fuel stops: there are many gas stations along main routes, but on longer loops (for example Makarska + Biokovo) it is wise to start with a comfortable fuel level.
- Check ferry rules: if you plan to take the car to islands, confirm with your rental provider that ferries are allowed under your agreement.
- Keep documents in the car: driving licence, passport/ID and rental agreement should always be with you.
Using a Car Rental Split Airport No Credit Card deal from RentGo Split means you can create your own mix of historic towns, beaches, mountains and national parks – at your own pace, with clear local conditions and flexible payments.