If you’re visiting Split, I’m going to say something that might surprise you… The best part of Split isn’t actually Split.

The Old Town is beautiful, don’t skip it. The stone streets, the history, the charm…it’s all worth seeing. But realistically, you can explore most of it in just a few hours.

And the beaches in Split? They’re okay…but they don’t even compare to what you’ll find just offshore.

Where Split really shines is its access to the islands. This is what makes this destination so special, and in my opinion, it’s how you should be spending most of your time here.

Best Islands Near Split

Brač

The largest island near Split and also one of the easiest to get to, about a 50-minute ferry ride. It’s most famous for Zlatni Rat, one of the most iconic beaches in Croatia, and the charming town of Bol. If you’re looking for something simple, beautiful, and easy to get to, Brač is a great option.

Hvar

Hvar is known as the “party island,” but it’s honestly so much more than that. Yes, there are awesome beach clubs and nightlife but there’s also stunningly clear water, a charming Old Town, lavender fields inland, and incredible views everywhere.

We took the ferry to Hvar (about 1 hour 20 minutes) and spent most of our day at a Hvar Beach Club, and it ended up being one of my favorite days of the trip. Great service, great food and drinks, super comfortable, and the water was insanely clear.

Right around the corner, there was also a water inflatable park (basically a giant ocean bounce house), and I highly recommend it. It was so fun and one of those unexpected highlights.

Before heading back, we wandered through the main square, grabbed ice cream, popped into shops, and just soaked it all in. Hvar is beautiful whether you’re there to party or not.

Šolta

The second closest island to Split, and it has a completely different vibe from Hvar and Brač. It’s smaller, quieter, and feels much more untouched.

If you want:

A peaceful, relaxing day
Fewer crowds
A slower pace

…Šolta is perfect.

We only stopped here briefly in the morning on our boat day, but it was actually the first island I saw, and I remember being shocked at how clear the water was. The marina alone felt so picturesque and calm.

Vis

Vis was a must for me because it’s known as the Mamma Mia island (Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again was filmed here). It’s about 1.5–2.5 hours from Split depending on how you get there, and it feels more remote and less developed than the other islands.

We hired a private boat and skipper for this day, and it was one of the best decisions we made. Instead of just getting from one place to another, we:

Boated around the island
Saw caves and rock formations
Swam in crystal-clear water
Even followed dolphins for a bit

We stopped on the island, explored some filming spots, and grabbed lunch before heading back out.

Vis has a slower, more untouched feel, which I loved. Some of the most popular beaches here are Stiniva (surrounded by cliffs), Stončica, and Srebrna.

A Hidden Gem: Budikovac

After Vis, we stopped at a tiny island called Budikovac, and it’s actually a private island according to our skipper. Our skipper dropped us off for about an hour (still not sure where he went), and we just swam, relaxed, and took it all in.

Crystal-clear water, barely anyone around…one of those moments you don’t forget.

Boat Day vs. Ferry: What Should You Do?

If you take one piece of advice from this blog, let it be this: Do at least one boat day.

Yes, ferries are the cheapest way to get to the islands, and they’re great if you want to explore towns like Hvar or Brač. But boating is a completely different experience.

When we booked our private boat, we got to:

Choose where we wanted to go
Stop at multiple islands
Swim in hidden spots
Explore caves and coastlines

You don’t get any of that on a ferry.

This is the Croatia experience.

What We Did (Our Exact Itinerary)

We split it up like this:

One boat day→ Šolta, Vis, and Budikovac
One ferry day → Hvar

And honestly, I think this was the perfect balance.

My Recommendation

If you’re planning your time in Split, here’s exactly what I’d do:

Spend a few hours exploring Old Town
Do one boat day(private or group)
Use ferries on other days to explore different islands

You could easily visit a new island every single day here.

Booking Tips

Book ferries 1–2 weeks in advance during peak season
Book boat tours early, especially private ones
Use Ferryhopper to check routes and schedules
Check GetYourGuide for boat tours (great options at different price points)

Final Thoughts

Island hopping in Split is totally worth it and it’s really the whole reason to go to Split in the first place. Trust me, you will not be disappointed.

Just be on the look out for sea urchins! They love clean water which is why there are so many here. Wear water shoes and be on the look out in rocky areas (this is where they hang out). You don’t want to get one of these bad boys stuck on the bottom of your foot!

Island Hopping in Split, Croatia: Best Islands, Boat Tours & Travel Tips