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11. 09. 2015.

BUDVA - PODGORICA - JAPAN :D NEXT IS ALABNIA.....



BUDVA is the „jewel of Montenegrin tourism“, situated only 20min away from Kotor, along the Adriatic motorway that connects all important coastal cities. Buses to Budva are running so often from Kotor, Herceg Novi, Podgorica that is not necessary to write down schedule here, locals would not even get bothered to remember as every half an hour there is some bus or mini van stopping at/next to bus station going along riviera or towards capital Podgorica. At/next to bus station means significant difference in Montenegro. Tickets purchased from bus stations add 1EUR (or in Budva 1,5EUR) for service charge, which is big share if you are taking 3EUR worth bus ride from Kotor to Budva, or less then 10EUR anywhere on the riviera. Locals usually wait just few meters away from bus station and bus drivers (excl some intl liners) stop to pick them up. It is well organized, also a matter of pride to avoid paying 1 EUR extra so expect sometimes several „unofficial“ stops before leaving town. (sl tijeh stvarijeh)

 
When arriving in Budva, after taking some refreshment and other post-journey ablutions, one should decide which side of the city to go for the beeyach. There is long pebble beach in the town but it is usually avoided due to strange regulation that gives right to hotels and private proprietors to rent 80% of the beach making few free strips between over-overcrowded. (sl 1) Westwards 2km from the town there is sandy Jaz beach, few bars are open there all day with reasonable prices for beer and coffee and snacks. Cocktails are more expensive, starting from 7EUR for Mojito. On your way back, don t try to take standing taxis, rather call/text/viber them for pick up. 



As you make your way down to the old town strip, you're making your way into the Budva nightlife where your music options are limitless from Old Yugoslavian rock to RhiRhi and Avicci, where promoters are eager to tempt you into their club-go with them!!!-and where you'll find yourself dancing and slut dropping all night long. A few clubs/bars that attract most crowds are Trocadero and Sparta. Trocadero bar is located on the promenade street and is open till 1am, while Trocadero Club is located by the Slovenska plaza and runs till around 5am. Trocadero is known for its frequent performances from domestic singers and DJs with 3 floors of crowds and flames. Whichever club it is you choose to go to, I suggest a cold pint of Niksicko pivo (good beer).
If the above is too heavy for your taste, then a lighter, more peacful option would be the charming rooftop restaurant in the Hotel Astoria located in the Old Town. The restaurant features international and national cuisines of fresh seafood and fine dishes and is topped off with a magnificent view and not so pricey prices.


 On the other hand, Sveti Stefan experiences quite pricey prices. Sveti Stefan is a small island and fragment of the former Yugoslavia, approximately 6km southeast of Budva. Initially, the island consisted of 12 families, which developed into a resort highlighted with high profile elites of the world. Now blessed with tourists gazing at the rustic stone walls and churches. The beach is sandy and tinted pinkish framing the crystal clear sea. If you don't mind the prices and enjoy the domestic fish, then lunch at the local waterside restaurant Stari Mlini is at its most satisfying.





Podgorica is not so popular place to visit in Montenegro even though it's a capital of the country. It s modern city full of Soviet style building blocks, hardly any trace of something built before WWII. During the WWII it was completely destroyed, only literally 3 buildings survived and they are: City Hall, High school and Sahat kula (Otoman Clock Tower) .
We were told this by Ana, friend of Marina who helped us with sightseeing and city history. The city was under Turkish rule for almost 500 years, which left strong influence on its cuisine, language and physical features of their women.
Next to the Sahat kula once was the city center, what remained today is small square paved in Otoman style, couple of renovated houses, mosque and two restaurants where you can eat the best cevapi in the city. They also have some good home made rakija and wine bouteilles under 10EUR. You should also try baklava, tulumbe or urmasice. Probably you would because on the same square is the only hostel in town. It is just called The Hostel (why to be inventive when there is no competition), you should google it in the same way: the hostel podgorica, and if it shows clock tower photo, that s the one. Hosteling is pretty new thing in Podgorica so don t believe if you find other places advertised as hostels, they are usually just private rooms or shared apartments. The Hostel is conveniently only 5-10min walking from the bus station and has dorms starting from 15EUR. Hostel manager tends to speak good Croatian, though with high-pitched Montenegrin accent (sth like Swedish English). Other languages spoken: English-Yes, Russian-Da. 

From Sahat kula to Moraca river is situated neighborhood called Stara Varos with the old bridge (also Otoman sic). Just behind the bridge is the place where river Ribnica enters into river Moraca. We went down to the rivers to fresh up. On opposite side is Hotel Podgorica built just above Moraca canyon, 20m downstream is the most beautiful (non-Otoman) construction made in Podgorica. It is Blazo bridge, amazing for its location and simplicity, unassuming bridge standing between non-Otoman (socialist) and non-Otoman (modern) part of city. Locals would point to Millenium bridge as the most beautiful, but this one actually looks more like grand show off, serving more to impress (or intimidate) local people and it connects nothing, just few blocks on the both sides.




Traveller that comes for the first time would probably be confused cause there're no recognizable things that would make a city center of one country's capital. When we came it actually looked like: blocks, blocks, blocks, Sahat kula, blocks, blocks. And tons of bars everywhere. One should recognize the center only by increasing density of bars. The most vivid and charming is Bokeska Street, next to the National Theater. If you are lucky (and you probably won t be in the evening), to find a seat in some of the bars, you should probably still  have your sunglasses on the head and either meet some local people or listen their clamors about you. However it may seem to you, for at least 5 min you ll be main point of attraction so better make out this situation as best as possible.




On the other side of Moracha river there are also a lot of caffes and bars, clubs, in the place known as Montenegrin finacial center. Not far away is Palace of king Nikola, aka HI Palace with huge garden. Now it is turned into gallery and used as wedding venue for Podgorica s nouvelle riche. If you happen to be around when a wedding ceremony is taking place (usually on Sat and Sun afternoon) go to congratulate newly weds, it is considered a good luck if stranger do so be sure it will be appreciated.
If you are staying more than 2 days in Podgorica you shouldn't miss Montenegrin Niagarawaterfalls, 10m long falls that Cijevna river makes in kars stone, few kms east from the town. There's a restaurant that offers great Turkish coffee as well as fresh dishes. During the summer it's a perfect place to refresh, cause Podgorica is extremely hot and humid in July and August.
Around 20-30min driving from Podgorica, you'll find breathtaking Skadar lake, green and blue, with unique flora and fauna that adventurous travellers must experience. There are a lot of beaches around the lake accessible only by boat which can be rented from locals for as little as 10EUR. People from Podgorica usually go there for camping. Be prepared against little insects, especially mosquitos, and bring some warm clothes for the evening, food and a lot of alchohol (also good against mosquitoes).




 
Japan is an (almost) abandoned village on the junction of the old road from Andrijevica to Plav and mountainous road that goes through Prokletije to The Opposite End of the World.  From here to the southwest about 60km lies Podgorica, to the north about 20km is Bijelo Polje and on the old road between these two is Andrijevica, from where starts the road to Plav and about 10km from Japan.
The village once had around 500 people, including local post office, tobacco station and kafana with adjacent Village Hall which from Njegos period housed all village chieftains and village skupstinas. It was pre-socialist version of Diet with two groups of seniors based on clan affiliations. The legend has it in the year 1905, the big quarrel happened between Vasojevici clan whose members supported participation in Russo-Japanese war on tsar s side and smaller Vujadino clan members who firstly took neutral side, but when Grrrr killed Hrrrr reactivating thus the old blood feud between two clans, Vujadino seniors decided to go against Vasojevici, killing their two skupstina members
. In anticipation of Vasojevici retailiation they pillaged two surrounding hamlets and scourched the wrath of Montengrin king who decided to send them to fight for Russians as the only way to exculpate their blood debt. However, Vujadino disobeyed and decided to go directy against King s order. They took control over the village and forced remaining Vasojevici members to flee in nearby Andrijevica. New skupstina headed only by senior Vujadinos decided to send 20 of its best men to fight on Japanese side, thus completely rebelling against King s will but also acting to save the honor of the clan. 20 men have been sent to Japan, through Serbia and Romania, but their faith remained unknown thereafter. There were few stories about two young and brave villagers Drmal and Krcun who found the way to Russia and Japan, with varying degree of displayed bravery, some inconsistent place names and highly disputed authenticity. According to one that still circulates among the villagers (and few Japanese tourists who visited the villinge), they found the way to „white“ Vladivostok, switched the sides in Kuril front, killed miriyad of Russians, eventually marrying 

Japanese and living in Japan the rest of their lives. We also heard some of the ornamental digressions from kafana waiter/owner, stating lavish awards they ve received from Japanese emperor himself,  „sour“ remorse after killing fellow Montenegrin who fought on Russian side which came as gnorismata for renouncing the arms, Drmal s return to Montenegro, etc. However, from all the stories, only the one about village s namesake seemed more credible,  prior to 1905 it was known simply by clan or hamlet designation, after Vujadino rebellion name „Japan“ was given as derogatory term for all Vujadino lands, eventually after first great Vujadino skupstina held in the village and later Vujadinos expulsion from Montenegro the name Japan remained in usage only for the village.
WWI and later incorporation of Montenegro in Kingdom of Yugoslavia brought big changes in Japan. Many of Vujadino nobility died fighting either for Montenegrin or Serbian side, young villagers joined the wave of Vujadino mass-migrations to USA and Canada, by the end of the war Japan had only 23 inhabitants. During the first years in Yugoslavia, Vasojevici returned to Japan, and by support of some influential Vasojevici from Belgrade, managed to reclaim its possesions and take control of Vujadino historical lands that left abandoned. Due to frequent migrations and diminishing importance of clan affiliations over the time village blended into unassuming village in Montenegrin Vasojevici Plains, only its namesake left as a reminder of its glorious past. Period of socialist Yugoslavia brought the first (and maybe the last) traces of modernization, paved the road to Village Hall and opened tobacco station which at its peak employed 48 people. During the 70s Japan was place of vivid interaction of tobacco traders, lumberjacks and shepards from neighboring villages and local truck drivers and tobacco exporters, reviving the tradition of skupstina gatherings on St Pantelijas Day, the last week of October. However, the constant outflux of people from small northern villages into cities gain momentum in 80s, reducing the village population on just little over 100. This trend continued during 90s relieving Japan half of its population. Today there are no more than 50 people, all over 30 with big majority over 60. 



What to see here? Kafana. It changed names and owners in last 20years but remained one and only in the village. It is Japan s top mark, place where buses stop, main meeting point, the only place in mind when people referring „downtown“, which btw is not down as it sits on small hill and less of a town as it is a place with kafana, Village Hall, oak tree, bus stop pole and one other tree. You will arrive in Japan by bus that runs from Andrijevica every second day or private car, either way you should announce your arrival to kafana owner at least 30min in advance so he could come down to open. As being told, if arriving after 5pm or on weekends the prenotation is not neccesary, but arriving at 10am as we did, our driver had to check weather the owner is already up to prepare him 2x cevapi-to-go to avoid waiting on arrival. As much as it has beautiful terrace during the summer, with the oak tree and its shade, the interior with piercing selection of photos, flags, backacper patches, random notes etc, all hanging on the corner wall, deserves all the atttention. There are two portraits of Tito, one is imitation of famous Djajic s Marshall Tito with Pipe from WWII period, hangs just across the toilette almost in natural size. Try to take the picture with him and beat his evergreen mojo. You ll realize it s not an easy thing to do after couple of shots. Locals have a great reverence for Tito so they always display the gist of submissivness when standing in front of one of two Great leaders (Milo is the other one). If you have no authority issues or you re genuine anarchist try to imitate his sublime gaze from the abyss with Stalinesque frown, and if you get kick out of the kafana for being disrespectful, you ll know you suceeded. Next to Tito picture (3m away due to unwritten and still respected lese majeste rule concerning Tito) is the photo of kafana owner with his wife in front Njegos Mausoleum in Lovcen, would definitely be Madeleine cake reminiscence for our next destination if it wasn t owner s Mercedes which ve stolen half of the photo. (But anyway, it is still worth to go there!). There is also photo of Yukio Mishima with bunch of notes left around in Japanese. You are probably asking yourself what is he doing there, (most probably also who is he); after checking on Wikipedia (link) we found out that only link with him and Japan is him being Japanese. From all the notes (in Serbian, English, German, Russian and Japanese) there is one written in Japanese and framed together with two oak leaves. Apparently it was left from famous Japanese traveller Yokiko Kokiyo who first came down here in 1977, stayed over the month to research Vujadino migrations and again bame back in 1988 when locals organized big feast in his honor and from when this note dates. Owner said it wishes a good luck, hapiness, friendship between peoples of Japan and Japan etc, we couldn t help but to notice only five characters written, so I guess it still waits someone for proper deciphering.
What to do here? Let us jump straight to kafana related activities. 1. Besides ubiquitous cevapi, pljeskavica and burek, one can order Japanese style bean stew, called Pasulj tetovac made in japan. Despite long name it is very simple dish out of bean, meat, spices and water, it is very stuffy usually made for local shepards as breakfast to endure harsh mountainous conditions and yet be able to skip a lunch. Only with 4 people should you dare to order one portion! 2. Playing local cards (with local people), try Ljiljana game, Joker chasing type of game for 4 people, we didn t get the rules thoroughly cause the owner and Matija changed them quite arbitrarily during the game. It was still fun because it can be played as drinking game. 3. Getting Japanese stamp in passport. If you spend more then 30EUR in kafana it is free of charge, otherwise 5 EUR for whole page stamp and 3 EUR for small size. It looks very cool, „Welcome to Japan“ in Montenegrin/ English/ Japanese with the date and small coat of arms. 4. Hiking. The new trail between Japan and first winter house in Prokletije is in good condition and passable for trackers in good condition in summer and winter. The old trail heads east 20km across mountain to Lid and thence another 25km to Kokos. Recent reports suggest it is passable by foot as far as Lid, but questionable thereafter. In particular, trails are washed out, there are unavoidable large rocks laying down, some sections have washouts that may require hiring experienced alpinist to get past. Attention, this route is not kept clear of snow in winter and it s recommended only to most dedicated who don t mind spending couple of months stucked in the mountain. 5. Taking/ stealing cherries from local cherry fields. If you pick handful of cherries while passing by, it won t be considered as theft, but if you leave the place with bags full of cherries, of course it will. People won t get bother chasing you but there are dogs who might go 1km after you! Be prepared to have vehicled support and do this only while leaving Japan, otherwise your stay in Japan won t be welcoming any more. Yokiko Kokiyo has never done this activity.

Our next stop is Aljbania.

There is no regular train or bus connections from Montenegro to Albania!? Podgorica is aprox 20km away from Albanian border and 45km from Albanian 3rd biggest city Shkodra- yet no connections!


22. 08. 2015.

Split Backpacking



 1. Split: 3 days (Trogir, Omis incl),
2. Hvar: 2 days,
3. Pee-lee-teh-we-tseh National Park: 1 day,
4. Dubrovnik: 1 day (maybe one more day)...
 Where after?!

After repetitious inquiries from our guests, we finally decided to do some research and to check out some further destinations near abroad. After Dubrovnik two options come in mind: oriental Bosnia or rocky Montenegro. Well, our Montenegrin crew from Hostel 2 spared us from any brainer on this one. So Montenegro it is, and Kotor as our first stop.


 Going to Montenegro directly from Split is actually quite easier during the season (May-Sep), with 7 times a week (from 2015. every day in the afternoon) connections to all Montenegrin coastal cities. The rest of the year it goes two times a week, but there is also an option to take frequent bus connections to Dubrovnik and from there take buses to Kotor, Budva or Podgorica. (http://www.ak-split.hr/HR/vozni.red/VozniRedOdlazaka.aspx )



If you are taking this trip in peak season like we did, expect crowded bus and make sure to buy your ticket at least one day in advance, be prepared for  9 hrs long journey, 3 border checkpoint stops and some traffic jams after Montenegrin border. Our bus was supposed to arrive at 9PM in Kotor, but due to long queue on Cro-Mon border we arrived around 11.30PM! (Tip from our Montenegrin staff Marina: this bus regularly runs off the schedule so aprox 1hr late arrival is rule of thumb)

Finally Kotor! Good thing is that Bus station is walking distance from city center (read: the old part of town within the old city walls, as many touts around Bus station will try to sell you accommodation allegedly in the center, don t take it unless you don t mind taking a taxi or long walk back to center. Kotor is small but pretty outstreched city, so some of the neighbourhoods „next to the center“ can actually be few km away.)

Our accommodation in the old town. Kotor is bit more expensive regarding the accommodation comparing with the rest of Montenegro, 15-20 eur is dorm bed in couple of hostels in the old town, 30-40 eur private room around old town. The reason for this probably is the scarcity of accommodation during the season, most places in center are booked couple of days in advance, so what is left on the day of arrival is either too far or too expensive. If you know some locals it can help you to bargain better price (Thanks Marina!) but private room with 4 beds, kitchenette and toilette within the city walls couldnt go lower than 60EUR. 

 

No need to say it was one of the best locations in Old Town/ Kotor/ Montenegro/ World. Underviewing Fortress of St Ivan, listening Holy Mass in St Ana church from balcony (at least getting awaken by in the morning), overlooking people down the street and nearby restaurant. Morning coffee before going out, MUST be Turkish style with Montenegrin variety (more water with less coffee, with no sugar or milk). Tap water is bit different if you are used to clean and fresh Split styled water, still drinkable though.
Chill out in one bar squeezed in 3m wide street just in the middle of the city, hard to find if you don t know the streets here. (map) It s situated close to street that circles around the old town, before the church XXXX and after XXXX. Good thing about this bar is that the most of the day it is not exposed to the sun, has very good foamy capuccino, sweet red home made wine and excellent a la carte choice of Montenegrin, Macedonian, Croatian and Italian wines. The guy who runs it is very cool guy, apparently has been in Thailand recently, wore Thai „Chiang“ beer T-shirt 3 days in a row. Maybe too much of Bob Marley music in late afternoon, but it is tolerable because it is not so loud anyway.



After dinner? We changed our place for XXX place near XXX square. Definitely recommended if you are up for checking some domestic rakijas. Order viljamovka (pear rakija) or medica (honey rekija) won t regret it, it is also good to combine or drink together with Niksicko draft, 1 rakija shot per 0.3 beer is good ratio, but some of us managed 2-3 rakija shots per 0.3 beer. Depending where to go after, if clubbing than latter would be more appropriate. No need to go far as the only (worth) place to go after 2am (when all old town bars are closing down) is club Maximus on the west side of city walls. There is cover fee of around 2 eur for regular night, expect 10-20eur for some DJs, 30eur for Lepa Brena.
Spacious and not too crowded with oppotunity to meet fellow travelers, downside is that smoking is allowed everywhere and local people tend to smoke heavily.

This is one small beach we found just at the opposite side of Bay of Kotor,: It is 30min walk from the city, but it is woth it as the restaurant and bar are just meters away from the beach, so was possible to literally jump from bar chair into sea. There we ate kajmak, try it with bread and yoghurt in the morning, tastes like very greasy fresh cheese, good if you are still hangover or if you are planning to climb up to fortress hill above Kotor (highly reccommended cause the view is breathtaking).

Talk Russian as Kotor and its surroundings tend to receive more and more tourists from Russia. They are bit shy in English, but you will discover their real side once you start to brush up your basic Russian with them. (sl neki rusi)

Next stop Budva...seee you soon

15. 06. 2015.

MOST POPULAR BEACHES IN SPLIT!!


Split beaches

Another unusual good fact about Split is that it has several clean and popular beaches in resident part of the city which is quite an suprise regarding the fact that Split peninsula are surraunded by industrial facilities on the north and Main city Harbor on south. But still on southern and western shores you can find parks, residential area and tourist facilities with accommodation, beaches, night clubs, museums, ferry port etc. There is a true Mediterranean spirit of the town.
For the start we are going to describe the most popular beaches in split and by that the first in our line is Bačvice beach.



Bačvice is most famous and most popular beach in the Split. It is all from fine sand but artificial sand not natural sand. Bačvice is also name for district of the city. What is convenient about this beach is that is located in very center of the city. The distance from the Diocletian palace (old town) is about 10 to 15 minutes walk. Although the beach is in very center of city, still it has blue flag; award for most cleanest and organized beaches in Europe. The best time to be at the beach is at June and September since during season time (JUly and August) is overcrowded with local population and tourists also. The benefit of this beach is that the beach bay is very shallow. You need to walk 50m in sand before you can reach enough dept to swim. Because shallow sea you will see lot of people playing local game – picigin. On the beach you cna find several coffee bars; you can rent a beach chairs and sunshades for 3-4 euro per day. They are showers with drinkable water on the beach.

Beach Trstenik

This beach is located in the same named district of the Split where are located few popular hotels, lot of apartments and other accommodation types are. Beach it self
is pebble or gravel with shallow entrance and it is suitable for families with small children. Sea is crystal blue because small gravel stones. The beach has also
showers, changing rooms, watch towers, and beach chairs for rent. Only downthing about this beach is that there is no natural shade but there are few beach bars where
you can stay in shade and refresh yourself with cold drink. Location of this beach is around 4 km southeast from the center of Split or around 30 min walk from the
hostel.


Žnjan

One of the most popular beaches on southeast side of Split is Žnjan pebble beach. It is newest built beach in Split and so far largest location for enjoy in sea and
sun. The beach consists of several separated bays thus they are in fact several beaches stretching almost 1 km wide. Žnjan location is consisting mostly of pebble and
rock beaches. But since this pebbles are not natural it is also artificial which makes not nice surface to lay on. Žnjan is very popular location for locals because it
has lot of beach space, enough parking space and brilliant sea. This Beaches also have showers with drinkable water, changing rooms, watch towers and lot of beach bars
where you can enjoy in day and night.


Ježinac

Ježinac is first of few beaches located in west part of Split city, more precisely under the Park Forest Marjan. Those beaches are located in district Meje – elite party of city that is quite isolated from city noise. Ježinac beach is pebble beach and on some section concrete beach as well. This type of the beach is mostly visited by locals since it is not easily accessible by foot. Good side of this beach is that providing a good cliff jumping height from 5m to 12 meters.

23. 05. 2015.

WALKTHROUGH THE BEST BARS IN SPLIT

GAGA   FACEBOOK PAGE
Gaga is the local place run by locals it is just behind Narodni trg, Gaga is a busy cocktail bar filling a tiny old square (check out the authentically retro barber’s signs) with a young, party atmosphere. It is open whole year but the best times are from mid May until late september. What makes this bar special is for cocktails, the only drink served from the counter set up outside, are dangerously cheap. Inside a standard interior, loud mainstream music keeps people from too much conversation and it last until 01:00 am which makes perfect warm up place before you go out to clubs.


GHETTO BAR
Ghetto bar is definently unique is his interior / exterior and the vibe that comes through the season time. It is the most bohemian of the bars in the Diocletian palace, front courtyard, a small bar leading to a muralled main room with a vaguely erotic theme (‘Welcome to the House of Love’), and an upstairs gallery, open according to event. All the art paitings and the interior is made some by locals and some by inspirational tourists that are happy to hear reliably good music.

CHARLIES BAR  FACEBOOK PAGE
Charlies bar is typical tourist place which is founded by Aussies, built by backpackers and loved by locals, charlie's bar is the place to let loose, meet like minded people and most of all, party. It is the drinking place in the main center of the town with early start and late finishes around 01:00 am. It is perfect place if you want to hang out with others travellers and with mainstream music it keeps best option for pre drinking spot. On the season time it is not strange to run up to theme party and it is definitely not unusual to have drink of the day improvise by some of the tourists or staff members.

ZANAT BAR
Zanat bar or if you want to translate it on English it means Craft bar. It is one of the best "Underground" bars in the center of Split which is located in the heart of Diocletian palace. This bar offers the cheapest drinks in the Split with standard and only menu option: Beer, vine, schnapps and whiskey. This is quite unique bar, where you can not find an sign how to find it or where it is, the only way how you can find this place is to ask young locals they will point it on the map where it is. This is the only bar in Split where is no music on, it is the place where people go to hang out and play cards. In the off season (from October to May) it is the far the best place to be for pre drinking. Only down thing about this place is to many smoke and without ventilation system it is to much smoke inside after few hours.


IMPERIUM BAR  FACEBOOK PAGE
Imperium Restaurant & Lounge bar is located in the heart of the Split harbour. It combines several activities in one place – an exclusive restaurant, lounge bar, patisserie and a very popular nightclub.
This club in its early beginigs was an techno/house place with on eof the best DJ, but it soon become an popular local place that plays folk music. This place offers mostly local music or folk music with live music every Friday and on the Saturday an DJ. During the season time it is the one of the stop overs in many Pub Crawls where on some of them you get 90 minutes open bar. Most visitors are amazed how this place is furnished and designed with large fish tank that separates restaurant and club and the best view on the city and on the city harbor where you have first look at beautiful yachts and ships while dancing and having a great time!











RAKIJARNICA BAR     FACEBOOK PAGE
Rakijarnica or translated to English SCHNAPPS BAR is unique bar where you can try all the types of schnapps made in Croatia. Location of this bar is in the narrow city center and on the main bar area in old town. It is located on the steps that leads to the wall of Diocletian palace which makes it perfect drinking place. During off season it is closed but in the season time from June until September it is open and if you wanna enjoy in the surrounding area in is good place to start the night.






12. 05. 2015.

WALK THROUGH THE SPLIT TOP RESTAURANTS!!!


We took some free time to see which places will be best to recommend and most of them around 90% of all the restaurants in Split have the same menu. Since it is big competition in the city they all are trying harder and harder to be better than others and to stay true to themselves and their heritage, using local produce, serving traditional and regional dishes either in a fine dining manner or in a casual settingThey all try to What makes them differences is in serving. We give you our choice of the restaurants that you need to try, they are among the best ones in Split, regarding the food quality, service, location, price and hospitality.
 


Bistro Toć ( Šegvića 1 ) FACEBOOK PAGE

Only a few minutes away from the palace and the most popular beach Bacvice settled small family bistro Toć. It is The "Mexican restaurant" in Split.They offer a range of Mexican dishes with a changing menu including fresh fish, meat and vegetables. Faithful traditional specialties are a part of their offer facing international cuisine and vegetarian. With homemade cakes in bistro you can always have a glass of fine Croatian wine or a cocktail in the interior part of the bistro or outside of the covered garden.

Mazgoon ( Bajamontijeva 1 ) FACEBOOK PAGE

Probably the most interesting of all the newly opened restaurants in Split is Mazzgoon. It offers various traditional and international dishes, from their black shrimp burger to weekends of Brazillian cusisine, Mazzgoon is a very popular and very hip place. Perfect for a group of friends or couples. The chef and staff of Mazgoon are always creating new classic dish . Located in the very heart of historic quarters, and open all year round, Mazzgoon is definitely a place to visit over and over.  


Tavern Buffet Fife ( Trumbiceva obala 11 ) FACEOOK PAGE
Tavern Buffet Fife Split is located in an old neighborhood of Matejuska, not far from the Palace walls. Just walk by the sea, pass Riva (a seaside promenade), and you’ll arrive right at Fife. It is located in a small, traditional stone house, with an outdoor terrace.
Buffet Fife offers traditional Dalmatian dishes, cooked old fashion style. Expect big, tasty and inexpensive portions of food.


Wine & Cheese Bar Paradox ( Poljana Tina Ujevića 2 ) FACEBOOK PAGE
  It is the the most popular Split restaurant on Tripadvisor. This is not a full-service restaurant. It is a wine & cheese bar, offering over 100 wine labels (many of them served by glass) and choice of small bites (cheese, prosciutto, olives, etc.). It is well located, just few minutes walk from the Palace. Staff is very knowledgeable and eager to help you to choose food and pairing wines. This is very helpful, especially if you are not familiar with Croatian wines. It can be crowded on summer evenings, especially over the weekend.



Uje Oil Bar ( Dominisova 3 ) FACEBOOK PAGE
 Is a tapas style restaurant, located at the heart of Split old town. It opened recently, in May 2013. The place has a very good vibe, friendly staff, tasty food, excellent choice of olive oils and wines. The food is served on wooden boards, and in a tinware. The warm dishes’ menu is updated daily, while cold cuts, marinated fish, and a choice of olive oils are available daily. Prices are reasonable.



Tavern Matejuska ( Tomića Stine 3 ) FACEBOOK PAGE
 is located close to the harbor. It’s a small, family-run restaurant with great atmosphere and excellent food. The restaurant can accommodate approximately 30 people, half inside, and half at their outdoor terrace. Reservations are needed, especially during the summer. Tavern offers traditional regional dishes mostly based on a seafood, but they have meat dishes as well. Offer changes with the season. Food is prepared in a simple way. Everything served here is very fresh and tasty. Service is friendly and prices are affordable. House wine is cheap and of a good quality. It is one of the highly recommended Split restaurants.