One of the most charming towns on the Dalmatian coast, Trogir makes a great stop near Split. Toto Bergamo Rossi of Venetian Heritage explains: “Trogir, a powerful city in the Middle Ages with both Greek and Roman origins, is nicknamed the Adriatic’s Venice (while it has no waterways, it is connected to the coast by a bridge). Buildings and streets are made with a local white stone and there’s the amazing Cathedral of St. Lawrence (Trg Ivana Pavla II; 385-21-881-426) as well as a beautiful square. Seemingly every street is teeming with architectural treasures like Gothic houses, courtyards with stone stairs and charming palazzi. Other than the cathedral, visitors should also seek out: Cipiko Palace, the former home of a prominent local family (Trg Ivana Pavla II); Church of St. Nicholas, a Benedictine convent with a museum (Church of St. Dominic, Obala Bana Berislavica); the cathedral’s art gallery and its Chapel of St. John, which boasts a collection of Renaissance sculptures including Niccolò di Giovanni Fiorentino’s Lamentation.”

The imposing Diocletian’s Palace complex stands at the historic center of Split. It consists of a warren of buildings constructed in the 4th century by the eponymous Roman emperor as his retirement home and military lodgings. At one point, it was home to 9,000 citizens. Today, the complex’s narrow stone streets are occupied by bars, restaurants, shops and museums that highlight the palace’s heritage. It can be tricky to navigate but that is part of the experience.

Ivan Mestrovic, one of Croatia’s most famous artists, designed this museum to be his home, studio, and exhibition space. Mestrovic was a creative force – most famous as a sculptor, but also a painter, architect and writer – and this sweeping structure from the 1930s displays all forms of his work. Carvings in bronze, marble and wood are tucked into the extensive gardens outside, which also boasts seaside views.