Discover Split by Hire Car
Split is Croatia’s second largest city, with a population of about 200,000, and is located on the Adriatic coast.
The city is known, among other things, for its mild climate between February and October and its historic old town centre, and the city is also home to the famous and magnificent Diocletian’s Palace.
Split is always rightly described as one of the most beautiful cities on the eastern Adriatic coast. With its beautiful Marjan peninsula, which is park-like in design and inaccessible to motor traffic, and its great coastal promenades, Split is an inviting place to stroll.
In the evening you can eat very well in one of the many delicious and inexpensive restaurants in the old town.
Many charming destinations in the vicinity of the city are easily accessible by hire car. For renting and driving we have put together a few tips.
Receiving the hire car
Many hire car companies can be found directly at Split airport. However, you should check before booking whether your rental company is also there. Some providers have their office only near the airport. Then you may have to wait a long time for a shuttle bus to get to your rental vehicle.
Renting the right car
Even in old towns and villages, the streets are often quite narrow. In order to get through everywhere without any problems, it is recommended to book a hire car that is as small as possible. On the other hand, the car should be large enough to hold the holiday luggage.
Insuring the car properly
In turbulent city traffic and on winding country roads, a small accident can happen quickly. With comprehensive insurance without excess, you are well insured. With liability, you should pay attention to the amount of coverage. It should be at least one million euros so that you are reasonably covered in the event of a major accident. If the coverage of your rental company does not seem sufficient, you should ask your insurance before the trip for a so-called Mallorca policy.
Hire car prices
In Split, you can usually book a hire car quite cheaply. However, very cheap offers often include hidden costs which ultimately make the rental expensive. We mark offers that we believe are very good value for money in our price comparison with the note “Excellent offer”.
hire car price comparison Split
age limit
As in many countries, most rental companies in Croatia have an age limit. Many rental companies charge renters under the age of 21. Others won’t rent to drivers older than 70. Check the conditions of your rental company before renting the car. This is the only way you can be sure you will actually be handed the vehicle on the spot.
Accessories
Reserve accessories such as a navigation system or child seat together with your vehicle. Only in this way can you be sure that the desired items are also available on the day of the rental.
Language barrier
To make sure you don’t have any language difficulties at your hire car station, you should write down the phone number of the Croatian head office of your rental company. There you can ask for translation help if need be.
Free kilometers
If you only want to explore the closer surroundings of Split, it may be advisable to take out a cheaper rental agreement with limited kilometres. However, if you want to explore destinations further afield, we recommend booking a car with all kilometres free.
Tank control
Only book with rental companies where you are allowed to pick up and drop off the car with a full tank. This way you avoid arguments about the level of the tank.
Hire car prices
Most customers are satisfied with the hire car service in Split. However, some complain of receiving old vehicles with defects. Be sure to confirm any visible defects, such as dents or scratches, when you pick up the hire car. And don’t be afraid to return the car and ask for a replacement car if you notice a hidden defect during the trip that endangers road safety.
Safety Hire Car
As mentioned, not all defects are immediately apparent. But before your first drive, be sure to test all of the vehicle’s lights. And still do a little brake test in the parking lot of the hire car company.
Bail
Some rental companies charge the deposit to your credit card and pay you back after returning the car with a delay. Other rental companies just block the amount. It is then immediately available again after returning the car.
Sights in Split
Diocletian’s Palace: home to numerous residents
Perhaps start your stroll at Diocletian’s Palace, a World Heritage Site for a reason. Built from 295 to 305, the massive palace is now integrated into Split’s city center. Many residents have built their houses within the palace walls. Besides the numerous sights of the palace, for which you should take at least half a day, especially the handicraft market in an underground vault attracts many visitors.
Marjan Park: the green lung of the city
Next stop on your city tour could be Marjan Park. There you can take a break from the heat of the city, sit under a pine tree and watch the locals enjoying their free time.
Archeological Museum: in the footsteps of the past
Dive deep into the region’s history when you visit the archaeological museum at the end of a first stroll. The finds in the collection date back to prehistoric times.
Suggestion of a round trip
Šibenik: Magnificent Cathedral
Šibenik is a good first destination for a trip by hire car. There, you can discover the Cathedral of St. James. In the church, which was built from 1431 to 1535, you can admire stylistic elements of the Gothic and Renaissance periods. Like Diocletian’s Palace in Split, Šibenik Cathedral is also on the UNESCO World Heritage List. You should allow about an hour’s drive for the trip by hire car.
Zadar: Picturesque Old Town
Continue your journey to Zadar. You’ll be there in an hour. So far, the tourist crowds have largely passed by this laid-back little town. In the old town, you can stroll mostly without crowds and enjoy sights like the 13th-century Cathedral Church of St. Anastasia or the 18th-century Clock Tower.
National Park Krka: Recreation in untouched nature
Before you drive the hire car back to Split you can still rest in the National Park Krka. For the journey you should calculate about one hour. In the national park you can hike in untouched nature or enjoy a bath in a lake with picturesque waterfalls.
conclusion
A holiday in Split can be wonderfully combined with a hire car round trip. Most destinations can be reached quickly. And with our price comparison you will always find a good deal.
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