Recreation
Recreation
Split offers a wide choice of sport activities to its visitors due to the Marjan Forest Park, various beaches and sport terrains:
Hiking
Forest Park Marjan is an ideal place for this kind of activity. Hiking is possible along the north side of Marjan reserved only for pedestrians, along the jogging paths under the pine trees, or along the south slope with a beautiful promenade stretching from one belvedere to another passing by old churches known as "Churches of Marjan" carved in stones.
Running
Forest Park Marjan is also ideal for running. Jogging trails were especially made with an exercise plan, and besides Marjan, the routes from Bačvice beach to Zenta, Žnjan beach and football stadium Poljud are also an excellent choice for this kind of recreation.
Tennis & Badminton
Tennis and badminton terrains can be found on numerous beautiful locations in Split, such as beach Bene or above the beach Firule, where you can even take a swim after a good game.
Cycling
Forest Park Marjan is once again the first choice for the citizens of Split as well as their visitors, as the part of Split intended for recreation. A cycling trail stretches along the entire Marjan hill and lately even lovers of mountain biking enjoy its slopes.
Picigin
Picigin is an amateur sport (game) played with a ball on a sandy beach in shallow water. It is a sport originally invented in Split and played by people of all age groups.
Today, Bačvice is a beach where you can see true lovers of this sport playing it all year round, even at night. New year's Picigin is a special tradition, played on the first day of the New Year, and since 2005 a so called "World Championship in Picigin" has been organized annually.
Ground rules are simple: five players in shallow water (10-20cm depth), spread out in a pentagon, distanced between each other around 6-7m, they hand the ball to each other by hitting it with their palms, making sure the ball doesn't fall into the water, special attraction of this sport is in jumps and falls into the sea as the ball is being hit.
Swimming
The Adriatic sea is ideal for swimming. There are no strong currents or dangerous animals, making it easy to enjoy this sport here. Public pools on Poljud are also an alternative option, but they are only open from September till June.
Free climbing
The south slopes of Marjan are the main target for this sport's lovers, as those rocks are ideal for either climbing school, recreation or an exercise for higher climbs. Although if you prefer the indoor version of this sport, the new centre for climbing of the Marulianus club is open at Poljud.
Bowling
Even before the 2nd World War Split has had its bowling league. Among the most prominent clubs was Poštar (Postman) by winning their first title of the European Champion in Split in 1969. There are several bowling halls you can find enlisted in the sports facilities list.
Football and cage ball – the locals also call it "mini-football" for it is played on a smaller field with only 4 players. The field can be made of artificial grass or concrete. There are numerous fields with artificial grass for rent today in Split. Besides football, cage ball is also popular.
Wind surfing
Split lately became popular for windsurfing enthusiasts. Beach Žnjan proved to be right choice when South wind is blowing while the beach Kaštelet is more appropiate during the "Maestral" (north-west) wind.