Summer in Split [Part 2/2]: Sunny Day on the Promenade

We left off part one at the exit from the Old Town walls. Along the outer side of the palace walls, you can find a number of cosy cafes and restaurants. These are packed during the summer months, as is every place on the Split promenade. If you find yourself a free seat, be sure to grab it and not let go. There’s nothing more relaxing than unwinding at one of these cafes after a day of sightseeing. Watch the ferries float in and out of the harbor, the seagulls swoop in and fly off, and the crowds surge around you, while enjoying a cup of coffee and the blazing sunset.

This is part one of a two part photo series:
Part One: Exploring the Old Town
Part Two: Sunny Day on the Promenade

The Riva started to look the way it does today two centuries ago, when the French, in time of Napoleon ruled these parts. Today this promenade is the cities living room, the most popular and most important public place in Split. In the meantime it has been widened and reconstructed several times, but it was always blessed with the most spectacular set, the south facade of the Diocletian Palace, with the entrance into the Substructures, and later on with the buildings that were built west of the Palace, also the Franciscan monastery with the church of St. Francis, and the Bajamonti Deskovic Palace and last but not least the Port Authorities building on the east end.

Riva today is a pedestrian heaven, thrusting with cafes and restaurants, an ideal place for having your morning or afternoon coffee, or for an evening out with friends over drinks. Riva is the stage of the city life of Split, a venue for numerous cultural and entertainment events and the boisterous Split carnival. Riva is also a political forum, with decades of political opportunities being depicted through mass rallies.

A great way to cover the area is on foot while you can always stop by at one of the cafes or restaurants that dot the waterfront. The entire stretch is lit up during the night, which offers a different perspective of the waterfront when compared with daylight. You may be lucky enough to catch up on a free concert. The Riva Waterfront is dotted with souvenir stands selling plenty of knick knacks for the quintessential tourist.

At the end of the day I returned to my hotel and rested. I went to the balcony just as the sun was setting. The views of the bay were really incredible. Sunset light just makes everything look better! I only spent a weekend in Split, and there is certainly much more to show and do here. Hopefully I will have an opportunity to show more from Split another time. In the meantime you can check out my other posts from Split on this blog.

The End