Private Tour
Secret Split: Socialist Architecture & brutalism - Urban Utopia
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Most tours in Split stop in the Roman era.
This one starts in the 20th century.
Secret Split is a walk through a part of the city most visitors never reach—neighbourhoods built after World War II, when a new vision for life, space, and society was being tested in concrete.
You’ll hear the story of Split 3, a socialist urban plan that was once a utopian experiment—and ended up featured at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
We’ll walk through a city within a city—a fully pedestrian zone, built for community, for children, for daily life.
You’ll hear about the architects who shaped it, what they believed in, and how that belief still shapes how people live here today.
This is not a nostalgic walk. It’s a real one.
You’ll see raw buildings, clean geometry, open spaces. You’ll learn why brutalism wasn’t just about concrete—it was about care.
And you might even start liking it.
This tour is for those who want to understand modern life in Split.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Architecture of Split 3 Featured in MoMA's "Toward a Concrete Utopia" Exhibition. New York 2018. “Built in the 1970s, Split 3—an expansion of the Croatian city of Split—was one of the last large-scale urban planning schemes in Yugoslavia and one of its most ambitious and successful. It combined megastructure housing blocks with careful attention to pedestrian streets, which were conceived as a forum for urban life, and a mixture of spaces for living, work, and leisure. Providing housing for approximately fifty thousand new residents, the massive undertaking was praised internationally for its communal and public space and its integration into the existing terrain,” said MoMA
Split-Dalmatia County
The project Split 3 was the answer to rapid demographic growth and although it was never fully realized, it enters the annals of urbanism and architecture of the 20th century, not only in Croatia but also in the wider world.
What‘s Included
Tour with a licenced tourist guide and certified heritage interpreter
Visiting the residential area of Split
Meeting local artists/activist
Tips
Options
Discovering the mystery of the urban utopia in Split
Reviews
19 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Concrete stories
ZF1980,Feb 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I recently joined a tour around my very own neighbourhood. Our guide Mirjana shared captivating stories of the socialist architecture, its residents and creators, and the whole historical context and social fabric behind this incredible urban project of 1970's Yugoslavia. What really stood out was her natural, flowy storytelling! She effortlessly took us through a hundred years of history, weaving together streets, buildings, and the lives of the people who shaped them. Being in a small group made the experience feel even more intimate, and I left with a completely new perspective on the area I thought I knew. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to truly connect with this city and get a little further under the skin of local life.
Second time on the tour - enjoyed it just as much as the first time!
495darkok,Feb 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was my second time joining this tour and it was just as fantastic as the first! Mirjana is genuinely engaging, and you can clearly feel how much she loves Split’s history and architecture. It’s a perfect way to spend an afternoon and see a side of Split most people completely miss. Huge credit to Mirjana for creating and running this experience - every local, and anyone who loves Split, architecture, history, or all three, should take this tour. So yes... This walking tour is an absolute must when visiting Split!
Most informative walk around the block I ever had...
495darkok,Aug 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Two things intersected perfectly here - firstly the recent history of Split, which is not talked about much, and secondly our guide Mirjana, who is very knowledgeable, and friendly and clearly enjoys what she does. For anyone coming to Split for the first time, I highly recommend this tour. For locals (especially if they live in Split 3), this tour should be a must!!!
Different tour of Split
ivnaj2020,Aug 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was not only educational but also an eye opening experience. The urban planning of this part of the town is quite impressive. At first glance not so attractive with Mirjanas tour completely made sense. Her tour is unique as is the urban project of Split 3. I would recommend this tour not only to people with urban and architectural interests but also to anyone who wants to have a great time with a local expert.
Great perspective
Daydream50901024239,Aug 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great throwback to recent history through architectural, human and political context. The guide was engaged, factual and gave us a perspective to overthink some of the common narration of the past and to link it with today's life. Mirjana, thank you for a special experience!
Hidden gem of Split
59minja ,Aug 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was amazing. We had Mirjana as our tour guide. She is not only a fabulous professional but a passionate connoisseur of her home town. The tour was deeply informative and interesting with humorous details and inside information. We would love to recommend this tour to anyone who wants to find out more about this beautiful town and it's marvelous architecture. The tour is easy to walk. Top tour. Thank you Mirjana.
Outstanding
Lou W,Aug 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Personalised, very interesting. Loved our time with Mirjana who is clearly very passionate, knowledgeable about her city. Would highly recommend. Perfect if you like brutalist architecture, history, planning, community, local knowledge.
Amazing tour in Split with Mirjana
naurisl2024,Jan 18, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Tour with Mirjana was really nice ! It was new expierence in Split. It was interesting to see this part of Split and get to know more about history how this area was planned and builded. I would highly reccomend this tour to everyone !
Impactful view of the Split beyond Split
Y6757VQkevina,Jan 3, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00As we've wandered the outskirts of Split, my wife and I didn't find a lot of 'humanity' in the socialist concrete blocks. This changed given our time with Mirjana. We now see the beauty, not only in the architecture and design elements, but also in the human stories in the web of life that has been created. We've loved Split since the day we arrived. That love has been taken to another level with the understanding of its people and their stories on this tour. A highlight came at the end of the tour as we sat and immersed ourselves in a coffee, this wonderful Croatian practice of nursing a coffee or hot chocolate in good company. No cell phones, no distractions, just wonderful conversation. Love our tour!
Engaging with a warm personality
stujameswhite,Jan 2, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I would highly recommend the tour, the guild kept you engaged with interesting stories of the area. Was very relaxing with a warm personality! You don’t want to miss this opportunity while in split. Stuart
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Operated by Walking tours with The Storyteller Croatia