Just 11 km from Split at about 350 meters above sea level, the Medieval Klis Fortress majestically overlooks Split, Solin, and the Klis Plain. Let me show you how the Fortress looks today. As a bonus, I will also show you the nearby Olive Museum.
About Klis Fortress
The Klis fortress is strategically located in a mountain pass between Kozjak and Mosor. The Fortress has been the scene of many battles throughout history. The most famous one was the fight between the Ottoman Turks and the Croatian captain Petar Kružić which lasted for almost 20 years.
Here are some interesting facts about Klis Fortress:
- Founded by the Illyrians in the 2nd or 3rd century BC.
- Often referred to as the Key to Dalmatia.
- It has been a Royal castle and seat of Croatian kings.
- One of three preserved Ottoman mosques is located at Klis, It was turned into a church by the Venetians.
- If was the scene for Meereen the city-state from Game of Thrones.
- Medieval Klis was the seat of the Uskoks (Guerilla soldiers)
- The Romans had a camp below Klis when they controlled Salona.
- Occupied by the Italians and Germans during WW2.
- Breathtaking views of Klis Plain, Split, and the islands.
Game of Throne’s Impact on Klis Fortress
Klis Fortress had 26.000 visitors in 2016, and in 2019, the number was 102.000, a 400% increase in four years. After a visitor dip during COVID, the visitor numbers in 2024 again surpassed 100.000.
So what caused the initial increase? The official saying is the renovations of Klis and to some degree, Game of Thrones.
I would think that the initial increase was more or less solely due to Game of Thrones, as there was a huge hype about the filming location at the end of the show.
Prices and entrance tickets
As I mentioned in the video I paid 10 Kunaa (1.3 Euro) the first time I visited Klis Fortress in 2008. On the day I recorded the video, the price was 10 euros for an adult ticket. For 2025 the price will be 12 Euros (kids younger than 15 -> 4 Euros)
As I mentioned in the video, my entrance ticket also included a visit to Stela Croatica, the Olive Museum in Klis, but not sure if that will apply in 2025.
Tickets for Klis Fortress can be bought at the entrance, the official website does not offer online purchase.
Practical Stuff
There is a free parking below the fortress and at the entrance to Klis. From the parking, there is a relatively steep climb as you can see in my video.
In the old town of Klis, there is a supermarket, a restaurant and a coffee bar. Inside the fortress, there are no food and drink sales, so bring water on a hot summer day.
A visit to the fortress takes between 1 hour and 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Getting to Klis Fortress
Driving by car is the easiest way of getting to the fortress, take the old road which goes from Solin.
Promet Split buses No. 22 and 35 drive from the Sukoišan city bus terminal in Split and stop by the Fortress.
You can take a NextBike, as I showed in the video, there is a bike station at the fortress. If you take a bike, I would recommend an electric one due to the steep incline. To avoid traffic, you should take the route via the roads Ul. Ante Starčevića and Petra Kružića.