Split travel guide
How to Hike Marjan Hill: Trails, Viewpoints & Chapels
Marjan is Split's green lung: a pine-covered forest park on the tip of the peninsula, minutes from the palace. This page covers the viewpoints, the ways up, the old chapels and the beaches below, so you can pick a short climb for the view or a half day in the pines.
While figuring out your Marjan walk is a critical piece of the puzzle, you will need to plan the rest of your itinerary, dining slots and sightseeing routes. Before you set out, make sure to read our definitive Split travel guide to map out your entire stay.
Marjan's highlights
| Stop | What it is | Getting there |
|---|---|---|
| Prva Vidilica | Café and the classic view over the city and harbour | 15 - 20 minutes from the Riva, up the steps from Varoš |
| Jewish cemetery | An old cemetery on the slope behind Vidilica | Next to Vidilica |
| Telegrin | The 178 m summit, with a 360-degree view | On through the pines from Vidilica |
| St Nicholas | A small chapel more than 800 years old | On the paths in the forest park |
| St Jerome | A chapel built into the rock, with hermits' caves from the 15th century | On the shore side of the hill |
| Kašjuni and Bene | The beaches at the foot of the hill | South side and north side |
Three ways to do Marjan
- The short climb: steps from Varoš to Vidilica, a coffee with the view, and back down. About an hour.
- The half day: from Vidilica carry on through the pines to Telegrin, then down to Kašjuni for a swim and back along the coast past the Meštrović Gallery.
- Without the steps: a paved road runs through the park to the top, so it works on a bike or with a pram if you skip the Varoš stairs. Bus 12 reaches the north side and Bene beach.
- For runners: the stairs from the waterfront to Telegrin count more than 800 steps, a favourite local workout.
The chapels of Marjan
Marjan was a place of hermits and small churches long before it was a park. St Nicholas, in the woods, is more than 800 years old and still holds services on St Nicholas Day. St Jerome (Sveti Jere) is built into the rock on the shore side, below hermits' caves dating from the 15th century. Look for other small chapels along the paths as you walk.
Beaches below Marjan
- Kašjuni: a pebble beach on the south side with clear water and pines behind it. See our Kašjuni beach guide.
- Bene: on the north side, with the most shade in Split and playgrounds. See our Bene beach guide.
- The rocks: along the shore path, small rocky platforms where locals swim.
Tips for Marjan
- Timing: in summer go early or late; the steps up from Varoš are in the sun.
- Water: bring some; there are cafés at Vidilica and the beaches, but not along every path.
- Shoes: trainers are fine on the paths; the Varoš steps are polished and slippery when wet.
- Sunset: Vidilica faces the city and the harbour, a good spot as the light drops.
What to plan next for your trip
Once you have sorted out your Marjan walk, it's time to explore the rest of Dalmatia - Split. If you'd like a swim after the walk, read our guide to Kašjuni beach. Starting in town? Walk up through Veli Varoš.