Introduction

Split, Croatia is the perfect Digital Nomad Escape.

Split’s ancient city, luscious nature and thriving expat community make this seaside town a haven for digital nomads like you and I.

After living in Split for 3 months, I feel fully qualified to tell you just how wonderful this city is.

8 Reasons Why Split, Croatia Is The Perfect Digital Nomad Destination:

1. You can get a Digital Nomad Visa

Croatia’s digital nomad visa allows digital nomads, remote workers, and freelancers to stay in Croatia for up to 12 months.

You’re eligible to get a digital nomad residence permit in Croatia if you:

Check out this link for more Croatian visa information.

2. Digital Nomad / Expat Community

The digital nomad community in Split has been growing steadily in recent years and is very active. There are nomads of all ages connecting via social media and organising meet-ups in the city. You don’t have to worry about being lonely in Split, there is always someone to grab a coffee or a beer with! The Riva (promenade) is the most popular place to sit for a drink. Coffee drinking is like a religion in Split!

Meet-ups aren’t limited to drinks however, groups often walk up Marjan Hill, take trips to nearby attractions and enjoy dinners together at popular local restaurants.

3. Digital Nomad Events

Demand for digital nomad events is high in Split, and companies are listening.

Fantastic companies like Cromads and Saltwater Nomads are leading the way in the digital nomad events scene. Organising everything from truffle hunting expeditions, inland exclusives and oyster festivals; to wine tastings, happy hours and group dinners.

If you want to meet new people, do amazing things and see beautiful places, these are the companies for you!

Events of all sorts take place each week and there is something to suit everyone! The extremely active Facebook groups are the perfect place to start if you want to connect with other nomads. I met so many awesome people through these groups, just by reaching out with a message.

4. The Ancient City

Split has had a rich and complex past and history lovers will be in paradise here. Stroll throw the narrow cobbled streets of the Old Town and marvel at the beautiful architecture. I highly recommend taking a walking tour of the city with a knowledgeable guide to tell you all of its secrets.

I took this tour and spent 2 hours wandering around the city, learning about the secrets it holds. The Old Town (also known as Diocletian’s Palace) is very small, so the city is perfect for walking everywhere. If you want to go further afield, there are plenty of local buses that run regular schedules to take you where you need to go.

5. Nature Lovers

Although Split is famous for its history and architecture, the natural beauty of the city has so much to offer. Get away from the hustle and bustle of the Old Town by hiking up Marjan Hill and see the best view of the city from here. Marjan hill is blanketed in luscious green trees that provide much-needed shade in the summer months.

You can relax at one of the beaches near the Old Town. The water is lovely and clear, although a bit chilly until around May-June. You can always find locals there playing ball games and playing chess. Croatian people are very family orientated and there are always lots of families enjoying the beaches.

6. Eating Out

There is plenty of choice of where to eat in Split, with both upmarket and affordable options. You can expect to find local delicacies like Peka (slow-cooked meat and potatoes with veg), Black Risotto and Pasticada (stewed beef) on offer at the restaurants.

I highly recommend you try Peka, it’s absolutely delicious and the meat is so tender. However, you must book in advance for Peka, otherwise, you’ll be waiting a couple of hours for dinner.

There is a lot of Italian influence on the cuisine in Split — think pizza, pasta and risotto. Lots of mid-range restaurants tend to offer similar dishes. However, there are speciality restaurants serving different cuisines like Mexican, Asian-fusion and American.

7. Day Trip Central

Split is the perfect home base for day trips! There are loads of day trip opportunities from Split, including nearby islands like Hvar, Brač and Korčula. Ferries to the islands run multiple times a day in the summer season and fewer in the low season.

I highly recommend going to Krka Waterfalls or Plitvice Lakes for the day. These national parks are absolutely stunning! Krka is around a 1.5-hour drive from Split, whereas Plitvice is approximately a 3-hour drive away.

Learn more about the majestic Krka Waterfalls here.

You can also go by bus to nearby towns such as Trogir or Omiš. Local buses are very cheap and run regular services to both of these towns.

Go on an inland adventure with Cromads to the town of Imotski and experience local wine tasting, a culinary class at a local estate and stop at the beautiful Red and Blue Lakes on the way! This tour was one of the best days I spent in Croatia, I can’t recommend Cromads enough!

8. Cost and Ease of Living

The cost of living in Split is not the cheapest, but it’s definitely more affordable than in the UK. There are dining options to suit every budget. A weekly shop for 2 people cost me on average £70, which is no more than I would spend at home in England. At first, I found the Croatian supermarkets difficult to navigate as I had no idea what any of the labels said and sometimes it was hard to guess. Because of this, I began shopping in Lidl where the majority of products are labelled in English — much easier!

I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived in Croatia to find that the locals have superb English! This made communication in shops and restaurants so much easier. Although, I still made the effort to learn basic Croatian phrases like ‘Dober dan’ (good day), ‘Hvala’ (thank you) and most importantly ‘živjeli’ (cheers!). Locals were usually happily surprised when we tried out our best Croatian!

What do you think?

So, there you have it! I hope this has given you some insight into the digital nomad lifestyle in Split. Your free hours after work could be spent having a coffee on the Riva, hiking up Marjan hill or dining at one of the many restaurants Split has to offer. I couldn’t recommend Split enough as a digital nomad destination!