As one of the oldest countries in Europe, Croatia has been producing excellent red and white wines for centuries. Along with visits to nature spots and historic places, a wine tasting tour from Split is destined to be one of the highlights of your Croatian visit.

Whether you want to pair your wine tasting with a visit to the Krka National Park, a trip to Hrav island or even a painting class, there are plenty of options in Split to satisfy your palate.

Here's all you need to know about wine tours and tastings, one of the most aromatic gastronomic experiences in Split.

What are the best wine tours and tastings in Split?

Krka Waterfalls, food and wine tasting tour from Split

Enjoy a 10-hour tour of Croatia’s Krka National Park, a historic Croatian village and family winery on this fabulous food and wine tasting tour from Split. During your round-trip transportation excursion, you’ll have a boat ride and free time to hike or swim near the KrKa Falls. Following lunch at a KrKa restaurant, your day concludes with wine tastings at a local family wine estate.

Your meeting and pickup point is Marulićeva ul. 4, Split and you’ll start with a visit to the Krka National Park. Entry tickets to the National Park are not included and you’ll pay in cash on the day of entry. The beautiful park is situated in central Dalmatia, a few kilometers northeast of Šibenik, and is named after the Krka River.

Krka National Park is well-known for its large number of natural karst phenomenon waterfalls, which cascades most spectacularly during spring and summer. At the park, enjoy a boat ride and free time for a hike or swim near the falls, and have lunch (at your own cost) at a park restaurant.

Continue from the National Park to the beautiful little town of Skradin, located near the Krka River and at the park entrance. Skradin is another one of Croatia’s little gems with its narrow paved streets and rich history, beautiful scenery and quality cuisine.

Wander through the little town, climb the medieval Fortress of Turina and enjoy the great views. Sit down for lunch in one of the restaurants, or take a plunge at a nearby beach where the Krka River runs into the sea.

Your tour finishes on a high with a visit to the Sladic Winery — a local family winery in the small village of Plastovo. On arrival, you'll be warmly welcomed by a local winemaker, who will do a short presentation on their wines and other products.

After the presentation you can savor the different styles of wine, aperitif, their locally produced olive oil and tasty local cheese. At the end of your tour, your round-trip transport will return you to your meeting point in Split. If you're still hungry, considering booking a food tour to try more local delicacies.

Art Bottega Painting Party | Wine and Paint Studio

Have a fun night out in Split while painting and sipping Croatian wine on this wine and paint studio excursion in the city. Under the guidance of your friendly art studio instructor, you can create your own piece of art to take home your own frame-worthy piece.

Your meeting point is at 16 Biserova ul. in Split. The Art Bottega Split studio is located inside of the old city neighborhood called "Varoš." You will find it as you go from Croatian National Theatre HNK to Plinarska Street.

Your friendly studio host and art instructor will welcome you and set you up with all the necessary art supplies for your painting experience, including canvases, paint, brushes and the wine, of course.

Your hosts will guide you through the painting process, step by step, to create a masterpiece of your own. You can sip fine local wine and soft drinks as much as you want while you paint.

This special concept will give you and visitors to Split the opportunity to have fun and socialize while engaging creatively. You can bring along friends or come on your own and meet new friends. The best part of this delightful evening is that you take your canvas home with you as a memento of your painting experience and fun times in Split.

This tour has a maximum of 15 participants and requires a minimum number of travelers. Should it be canceled because the required minimum is not met, you can choose a different date or request a full refund. If that happens, maybe you would be interested in taking a cooking class instead.

Private day trip to Hvar with wine tasting

Discover the rich history and marvelous wines of the beautiful island of Hrav on this private one-day tour from Split. Jump on the island ferry and explore the historic towns and waterfronts, and enjoy the stunning scenery. Marvel at the cultural richness of the only island in the world boasting four UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

You will be picked up from your accommodation and transported in an air-conditioned vehicle to Hvar for your ferry ride to the island. Visit the old part of the city where you'll find palaces built in the 15th and 16th centuries until reaching Hvar’s Fortica, which forms an impressive stronghold along with the city walls.

Continue to Stari Grad, Faros, the oldest town on the island and situated on its north side. To the north, it’s protected by the hills of the Kabal Peninsula, and to the south by the high mountain ridge of Hvar.

Next, you’ll visit Vrboska, the smallest town on the island, whose sides are connected by a small stone bridge, hence the name “Mala Venecija” (Little Venice). It’s surrounded by pine forests, with small bridges and paved streets. On both sides of the bay, you’ll find Renaissance and Gothic style houses, with fishing boats anchored in the bay providing a further special charm.

Your tour finishes with a wine tasting at the Tomic Winery, where they continue the centuries-old tradition of Hvar winemaking. As early as the 4th century BC, the ancient Greeks introduced the grapevine to Hvar Island and started cultivating grapes on the fields of the ancient town of Pharos.

For centuries, the people of Hvar cultivated their vineyards with great skill and grew some of the finest varieties in this area. Today, Tomic Winery is still continuing the challenge of turning the island’s environmental richness into great wines. If you're thirsty for more, there are also plenty of beer tastings in Split.

How much does it cost?

The Krka Waterfalls, food and wine tasting tour costs €40 per person but excludes the entry tickets to the KrKa National Park to be paid in cash on the day at €30 per adult from June to September and €16 per adult April, May and October.

The Art Bottega wine and paint studio excursion costs about €40 per person, with all painting accessories and local wines included. The 10-hour private Hvar Island tour costs about €480 per person, with ferry tickets included.

What is included?

The wine tasting tours include transportation by air-conditioned bus, tour guides, wine tastings, olive oil and local cheese tasting. For the KrKa National Park tour, a boat cruise on the KrKa River is included, but not entry to the national park.

The tour to Hvar Island also includes the ferry ticket. The Art Bottega wine and paint studio excursion includes the use of canvases, brushes, paint and everything else you'll need.

Where does it start?

The wine tours and tastings usually start with pickup from your hotel, or if you don’t request pickup, agreed meeting points in Split such as Marulićeva ul. 4 or Art Bottega Split Studio.

How long does it last?

The typical duration of wine tours and tastings in Split is about 8 to 10 hours, but there are shorter tours of about 3 to 6 hours. The duration of the Krka Waterfalls, food and wine tasting tour is about 10 hours. The Art Bottega wine and paint studio excursion is about 3 hours and the private day trip to Hvar Island with wine tasting lasts 10 hours.

When is the best time for a wine tour and tasting in Split?

The weather in Split is mild throughout the year, but the best time to visit is from May to June and September to October, when days are sunny and pleasant. Also, if you're interested in seeing the vineyards during the harvest August and September are the best months.

Are children allowed on wine tours and tastings in Split?

Yes, children are allowed but must be accompanied by an adult. Infants must sit on laps, but some tours have infant seats available.

Travel tips

Learn about Croatian wine varieties. Croatia has a diverse range of indigenous grape varieties, such as Plavac Mali, Pošip and Grk. Familiarize yourself with these and other local varieties to better appreciate the wines you will be tasting.
Bring a wine journal. Keep track of the wines you taste and your impressions by maintaining a wine journal. This will help you remember your favorite wines and provide a valuable reference for future wine purchases or recommendations.
Explore local cuisine. Pair your wine tasting adventures with a culinary exploration of Croatian food. Traditional Dalmatian cuisine includes seafood, grilled meats, cheeses and olive oils, which often pair well with local wines.

Wine Tours and Tastings in Split