Makeover plans unveiled for Split’s famous waterfront  

Split Riva

A new redevelopment project for Split’s iconic Riva promenade has been unveiled on Thursday. The ambitious plan aims to revitalise the central area and expand the promenade to the east and west, creating a more pedestrian-friendly and vibrant space for locals and visitors alike.

Split Mayor Ivica Puljak, alongside his deputies Bojan Ivošević and Antonio Kuzmanić, presented the new project today on the Riva, aimed at redeveloping the city’s most famous promenade.

At the project’s unveiling, Puljak explained to reporters that the plan, developed with the authors of the original design, consists of three main parts.

The first phase involves the reconstruction of the central section, followed by the extension of the Riva to the west and east.

Split Riva

The idea is to remove features that have not been well-received, such as the masts and lighting.

“We want to expand the pedestrian areas to the east and west. The café terraces, greenery, and other infrastructure will be refurbished. The project for redeveloping the central part of the Riva is valued at around 3.5 million euros, with work set to begin after the 2025 tourist season,” the mayor announced, Slobodna Dalmacija reported.

He further noted that the western part of the Riva will be extended up to Sveti Frane, with traffic routed around a roundabout, while the rest of the Riva will be designed to match the style of the central section.

“We will keep the fountain as it is until we decide on its future design. We will also allocate space for Vasko Lipovac’s sculpture, ‘Šetači’. In addition, we will upgrade urban infrastructure and install underground waste containers.

This will expand the pedestrian zone, connecting it to the Varoš Triangle.

(Photo: Grad Split)

The eastern section will be extended up to Hrvojeva Street, with parking spaces relocated and motorcycle parking moved to the western side of the Harbour Master’s office.

Split Riva

Work on the western section is planned to start after the 2026 tourist season, with the eastern section following a year later.

The cost of extending the Riva to the west is estimated at around 8 million euros, while the eastern extension is projected to cost approximately 7 million euros.