Join me on a bicycle trip around Marjan Forest Park, the place where locals walk, run, swim, and enjoy the stunning nature. Take in the breathtaking view from the Telegrin Viewpoint. If you visit Split, Marjan is a place you will definitely enjoy!
Here are some additional details of what I mentioned in the video
About Marjan
Marjan is a forest park located at the peak of the Split Peninsula. Locals often refer to Marjan as the “green lungs of Split.”
Marjan Park covers an area of more than 2 km². The highest peak in Marjan is the Telegrin viewpoint, at an altitude of 178 meters. The best view can be enjoyed from the newly built 19 meter high observatory tower, located on a 148 meter high peak.
Marjan is a car-free zone.
Why you will love Marjan
Marjan is the top location in Split for outdoor exercise and relaxation in nature. Here is a list of what you can find at Marjan or how you can enjoy it.
What you find at Marjan
- Walking / Exercise trails – These are a mix of marked dirt tracks and prepared tracks.
- A smaller number of mountain bike tracks
- Many beautiful beaches (Find out more in our post about the beaches in Split.)
- Asphalt road is divided into a walking area and an area for bicycles and, for example, people on roller skates
- Lots of pine trees provide nice shade on hot summer days
- Observatory Tower (Opened in 2024)
- Telegrin View Platform (The Peak of Marjan)
- Jewish Cemetery from the 16th century
- Hermitages built into natural caves
- 14 churches, mostly very small ones
- 4 Nextbike stations
- Exercise area with equipment (Located next to Bene)
- Institute of Oceanography & Fisheries
- A coffee bar at Bene and one at Vidilica
- A very small zoo
- A large playground for kids (Near the zoo)
- Outdoor theatre
- A lot of viewpoints and benches where you can sit and enjoy the view
- Tennis courts and a football pitch (Located next to Bene).
I’m sure I may have forgotten something, but this at least gives you an idea of why Marjan is an important outdoor area for the people of Split.
Before you visit Marjan you might want to take a look at this map I made. This map of the Beaches in Split might also be helpful.
How to Enjoy Marjan
There are so many ways you can benefit from Marjan Park. Here are some of the most common ways people enjoy it:
- Walk to Bene for a coffee or climb to Vidilica to enjoy one.
- Rent a Nextbike and cycle to the top of Marjan Hill (like I did in the video).
- Relax on one of the beaches and swim in the Adriatic Sea.
- Go for a run.
- Take a nice walk with your dog.
- Climb the 300+ stairs to reach the Telegrin Viewpoint.
If none of the above interests you, I’m sure you’ll find other ways to enjoy Marjan!
Observatory Tower Marjan
As mentioned above, the observatory tower is the best viewing point on Marjan Hill.
A visit to the observatory is free of charge, but the viewing platform can only accommodate a limited number of people, so you might have to wait in line to go up.
From the round observatory tower, you have an uninterrupted view in every direction:
To the west, you can see Trogir.
To the north, you can see Kaštela, Kaštela Bay, and Mount Kozjak in the background.
To the northeast, you can see Salona, Solin, and the Klis Fortress.
To the east, you can see parts of Split and the Telegrin Peak on Marjan.
To the south, you can see the island of Brač.
To the southwest, you can see the island of Čiovo.
How to get to Marjan
As I mentioned in the video, there are several ways to get to Marjan.
- If you’re on a bicycle, you can enter through either the northern or southern entrance. The closest one to the city center is the northern entrance.
From Franje Tuđman Square, you have the following options:
- Bus line No. 12, go all the way to Bene at the end of Marjan.
- Mini tourist train
- One line goes to Bene.
- Another line takes you to the Observatory Tower and the Telegrin Viewpoint.
- Walking to Vidilica Viewpoint, with options to continue from there:
- Walk up Sperun Street (to the right of Saint Frane Church) and continue straight up Senjska Street.
- Take the Marjan Hill Stairs, which start on the opposite side of the street from Hotel Ambassador.
Taxi, Uber, Bolt, or Tuk Tuk can take you to the northern or southern entrance, as well as close to Vidilica Viewpoint.
Learn More about Marjan
If you want to learn more about Marjan, e.g. some fun facts I can recommend you check out this website.
FAQ
What is Marjan and where is it located?
Marjan is a forested hill and nature park located on the western side of Split. It is a popular recreation area known for scenic viewpoints, hiking trails, beaches, and outdoor activities.
What is Marjan Park?
Marjan Park (Park šuma Marjan) is a protected green zone covering the entire Marjan hill, offering walking paths, cycling routes, beaches, chapels, and panoramic viewpoints overlooking Split.
How do I get to Marjan?
You can reach Marjan in several ways: by bus line 12 from the city center (which goes to Bene), by the mini tourist train (to Bene or to the Observatory and Telegrin viewpoints), by walking from Riva up the Marjan Hill Stairs or via Sperun Street, by bicycle from the northern or southern entrance, or by taxi, Uber, Bolt, or Tuk Tuk, which can drop you near the park entrances or Vidilica viewpoint.
Are there beaches on Marjan?
Yes — popular beaches include Bene, Kašjuni, Kaštelet, and several smaller coves along the southern side.
Is parking available near Marjan?
Yes — there are parking areas at Kašjuni, Bene, and near various entrances, but they fill up quickly in summer.
How long does it take to explore Marjan?
A full walk from the base to the top viewpoint and back typically takes 1.5–2 hours, depending on your route and pace.
Is Marjan family-friendly?
Yes — the park is ideal for families, offering easy trails, shaded areas, playgrounds (near Bene), and safe swimming spots.
