RV Roadtrip Croatia – Exploring Around Split

Our route.

Our route.

As mentioned in our previous post, we were now finally full of LPG and were ready to head to Camping Stobrec, just south of Split. There were a few other camps open, one in Starigrad and a secure parking area in Zadar but we decided to just head to Split and stay put for a while. We had been to Split on our previous trip to Croatia and really liked it.

The camping at Stobrec.

The camping at Stobrec.

Getting to the camping was pretty straight forward and we were glad to have at least a few other camping cars there. Šimuni had been a little lonely and a bit creepy at times! The staff at Camping Stobrec couldn’t have been nicer to us, always friendly and helpful.

Laundry day by the seaside.

Laundry day by the seaside.

There is a small market at the entrance to the camping that was well stocked and the restaurant and bar were open and quite popular on the weekends with the locals.

Drinks at the campground restaurant.

Drinks at the campground restaurant.

The little village of Stobrec has a seaside promenade with bars and restaurants all with amazing views. It’s an ideal spot for having a drink and gazing out onto the water. For a relatively small town, there were 3 grocery stores of various size and a couple of butcher shops as well. 

Pretty good views from the campsite.

Pretty good views from the campsite.

It was easy to stay stocked up in Stobrec. Had we needed it, there was also a very large hypermarket a few kilometers towards Split but getting there in the camping car would have been quite the adventure!

Boats moored at Stobrec.

Boats moored at Stobrec.

Beyond the old town of Split there is a sprawling city, complete with malls and markets and anything else you could ever need. Split is the second largest city in Croatia and has all the amenities you would expect.

There is a modern city beyond the old town but no one comes here for that!

There is a modern city beyond the old town but no one comes here for that!

One of these amenities is an Ikea. Well not actually a full sized Ikea but what they have done is created a pick up point in the mall. Knowing this we had ordered some things that we decided we couldn’t continue to live without. Also Sebastian needed a winter comforter and new pillow to sleep on, the little prince needs his prince bed even in the camping car!

Sunset at Camping Stobrec.

Sunset at Camping Stobrec.

While not exactly a nice walk, it was only about 3 km from the camping to the mall. We hadn’t been to a proper mall in months and so the trip to retrieve our Ikea purchases found us buying a few more things we just couldn’t live without. Shani had to have a pair of black tennis shoes because everyone was wearing them in western Europe. I needed a scarf because who doesn’t need a scarf in Europe? And Sebastian needed a new bag of gourmet dog food!

Old town Stobrec, seaside.

Old town Stobrec, seaside.

At the City Center One mall in Split I also finally found some Mexican food! The holy grail at long last. I have to give a shout out to Mex, I enjoyed their take on a beef burrito and would certainly eat there again. If you go, keep in mind that this is Croatian style Mexican so the flavor profile is slightly different than what you might be expecting. (I experienced this in Zagreb on our previous trip to Croatia at a joint called California Burrito.)

While it is possible to walk to the historic center of Split (9 km away) we only made it 6.5 km the first and only time we tried. Taking the bikes would have been a better idea but the local roads aren’t ideal for city biking novices such as us.

Our destination, the bus is a better option.

Our destination, the bus is a better option.

The first few kilometers are through the village of Sobrec starting on the coast and then moving inland and finally connecting with a pedestrian walkway along the water. We stopped at a marina for lunch and were quite pleased with our food and view. The staff at Velo Misto were also very nice and helpful, we sat outside on the patio and Sebastian chilled in his bag.  

The walk towards Split.

The walk towards Split.

Our best option for getting to the old town was via bus or taxi. The bus stop was right outside of the camping, dropped us right in the historic center and we could take the dog along on our adventures.

Fruit and veggie market in Split just out of the old town.

Fruit and veggie market in Split just out of the old town.

We ended up taking the bus in several times to re-explore and for a hike up the Marjan hill. From Marjan hill there is a wonderful panoramic view of Split. And just wandering around old Split or strolling along the water is very enjoyable. It’s a tourist hot spot for a reason!

The view is pretty stunning.

The view is pretty stunning.

Ferries and cruise ships are in an out of Split all the time.

Ferries and cruise ships are in an out of Split all the time.

And then suddenly an ass appeared.

And then suddenly an ass appeared.

South of the camping was another marina and some resorts. One of our fellow campers told us that was where some Russian Oligarchs parked their fancy mega yachts and through the binoculars we could see that there were indeed some mega yachts over there. Curious one day we decided to take a walk in that direction. We did find the mega yachts but the Oligarchs eluded us.

Split marina.

Split marina.  These were NOT the Oligarch’s boats!

Also next to the camping was a series of trails following a small river heading inland from the sea and we did some nice hikes following Žrnovnica river all the way to an old mill where apparently you can buy freshly milled flour, though of course we did not.

Still milling flour the old school way.

Still milling flour the old school way.

Still hunting ducks the old school way.

Still hunting ducks the old school way.

Before we knew it our time in Split was up. Stay tuned as we take a day trip to Solona to visit the Roman ruins, head south of Dubrovnik to visit some modern ruins and then head into Montenegro.  

4 comments on “RV Roadtrip Croatia – Exploring Around Split”

  1. Scott says:

    Looks incredible. Love you your spot on the beach. Glad you found some Mexican as well!
    Now that my laundry question is answered…I’d love to see how you cook in a future post 🙂

    1. Todd says:

      We have this super cool thing called a Remoska that works like an oven which has given us a lot of flexibility in the dishes we cook. I’ll be sure to talk it up in a future post.

  2. Dad says:

    Just amazing!!I run out of words to describe your adventure. Your mom is doing OK, brought her home yesterday, now the rehab at home starts. Glad she had it done. Love you guys>

    1. Todd says:

      Yes it has been an amazing trip. Glad to hear all is well.

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