CityBuddy
Riva (Split Waterfront Promenade)
Best time to visit
Early morning for an almost-empty promenade and cooler temperatures, or late evening to catch golden light and live music while avoiding midday heat and crowds.
Budget tips
Free to stroll, no entry fee; avoid pricey waterfront terraces by buying coffee or gelato from inland cafés, and use the Split Card only if you plan to visit museums inside Diocletian's Palace.
Recommended for
Photography enthusiasts, Couples, Families, Food and drink lovers
Plan your visit
30-60 minutes
About
Quick facts: Sun-warmed marble underfoot makes café terraces shimmer, while palm trees and a steady parade of boats create a lively backdrop for people-watching. Listen for spontaneous klapa singing and the clink of glasses, a sea-salted soundtrack that turns an evening stroll into a nightly ritual.
Highlights: On summer nights, small klapa groups of 6 to 8 singers gather under the plane trees and trade old Dalmatian ballads, their close-harmony voices folding over the tide so even passersby pause mid-conversation. Sun-baked white limestone tiles glint at noon, cafes press their chairs inches from the water, and you can taste briny sea spray mixed with espresso and lemon gelato in the air.
Insider tips
- Wear comfortable shoes, the marble quay can be slick after rain.
- Best photo spots are the steps by the Old Port and the southern end facing the islands at sunset.
- Skip sea-facing terraces for cheaper inland cafés and sit on the marble benches to people-watch.
- Arrive before 9am in summer to avoid crowds, or stay after 9pm when locals and street musicians populate the Riva.
Book a FREE walking tour in Split, Croatia
The best way to experience a city with a local tour guide.
Tip: We strongly recommend a free walking tour on your first day to get to know the city with a local guide. They usually cover all main attractions and you can ask for personal recommendations based on your interests for the next days. Book early as spaces fill up fast!
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