Rent a scooter, step into the 80s. This is a small-group Split tour on renovated vintage Tomos mopeds with local guides like Nikolai and Baldo, plus a classic Dalmatian coffee stop and Guuc craft juice. I love the feeling of getting the city the old way, when Tomos engines meant you were close. One thing to plan for, though: the tour price does not include the scooter, fuel, or insurance, so you’ll need to budget extra 45 eur in cash.

The tour runs every day except Sundays, with departures at 7:30 am and 6:00 pm, and it’s designed for a full taste of Split in about two hours. You’ll ride through viewpoints and famous spots, but the pace stays friendly, with a short break built in for coffee and a local sip.

Just be aware you’re driving yourself. That means you need a driver’s license, you can’t ride if you’re under the influence of alcohol, and you’ll want closed, proper shoes since open-toed footwear and slippers are not allowed.

Key points before you go

• Forty fully renovated vintage Tomos mopeds (more than 30 years old) for a true 80s feel
• Max 8 people per group, with a more personal guiding style
• English live local guide who shares Split details you won’t find on a plain walking route
• Coffee and Guuc craft juice included, taken in the middle of the ride
• Split’s Tomos story is part of the tour, including why locals call them Koze (goats)
• Two departures daily at 7:30 am and 6:00 pm, all days except Sundays

Why Tomos mopeds feel like a time machine in Split

Split has a very specific relationship with the Tomos moped. In the 1980s, it was one of those everyday machines almost every family seemed to have, and in Dalmatia it wasn’t just for fun. You’d hear the engine from far away, and locals even linked it to the sound, calling them Koze, meaning goats.

What I like about this tour is that it leans into that story instead of treating it like a gimmick. You’re not just sightseeing in a parking-lot line. You’re riding a machine with real character, and the guide connects the places you pass to how people actually moved around Split back then.

You’ll also get the practical side. The team helps you feel confident before the ride starts. That matters because you’re maneuvering through city streets, not a closed track.

Price and value reality check (tour fee vs moped cost)

The base price is $23 per person, and that covers the guide plus the included refreshments. The ride component is extra: 45 eur per person for Tomos moped rental, fuel, and insurance, collected in cash right before the tour.

Here’s how I think about value:

• You’re paying for a working local experience: an experienced English-speaking guide, a tight route, and stops chosen to fit inside a 2-hour window.
• You’re not only getting photos of landmarks, you’re getting transportation that changes the way you see the city.
• If you’re traveling solo, the cost can feel sharper. If you’re budgeting as a pair or small group, it tends to feel more reasonable because you’re sharing the “how we explore” concept.

So I’d treat it as a two-part cost. Once you do that, the math makes sense: you’re essentially buying a guided city sprint with the scooter experience included.

Meeting spot and what to do when you arrive

You meet at the tour garage on Ulica Ante Starčevića, about a 10-minute walk from Diocletian’s Palace, in the direction of Park Mladeži stadium and Joker shopping center.

This matters because you’re not starting in the center of the waterfront crush. You’re starting close enough to everything, but not so close that you spend your first minutes stuck in traffic or wandering.

Quick tip: arrive a little early. With a scooter tour, timing is everything because you’ll need a short lead-in, kit check (no open-toed shoes, no slippers), and getting comfortable on the bike.

Split by 80s roads: the ride, the stops, and why each one works

This tour is built like a highlights sampler, but it’s not random. It’s designed so you get viewpoints, major landmarks, and a couple of quieter moments without feeling rushed.

Starting area on Ulica Ante Starčevića

From Ulica Ante Starčevića, the route quickly swings into scenic city driving. This is the moment to settle in: once you’re moving, you start to feel how the scooter changes the rhythm of the city.

Poljud Stadium, quick scenic drive

Poljud Stadium is your first big recognizable landmark. Expect a short scenic drive and an easy intro to the route’s style. It’s a good anchor because Poljud is already part of modern Split identity, so it sets up the contrast between today and what locals remember from the old Tomos era.

Ivan Meštrović Gallery, a focused photo stop and guided visit

Next comes Meštrović Gallery, with a photo stop and guided time on site. Even if you’re not a hardcore art museum person, this stop gives you a sense of Split’s cultural layer, not just sea views and stones.

The drawback to keep in mind: it’s a short visit. If you want a slow, deep museum day, this tour is not that.

Marjan Hill, viewpoints and short guided time

Marjan Hill is where Split starts feeling like a postcard, but in motion. You’ll get photo time and guided explanations, plus you’ll climb into that park-and-view energy that makes Marjan famous.

A key benefit here is that the guide’s local perspective helps you know what you’re looking at, even when you’re only stopped for brief windows.

A viewpoint stop for photos and small guided moments

After Marjan, there’s another viewpoint segment. This is one of those parts where you should take a breath, slow down, and actually look. The scooter lets you reposition easily, so you’re not trapped behind crowds in one spot.

If you hate quick stops, this part can feel like a lot of camera time. But it’s exactly what keeps the total tour to about two hours.

Diocletian’s Palace, the signature Split moment

Then you get the headline: Diocletian’s Palace. You’ll have photo time and guided touring here, and it’s the point where Split’s layered history becomes obvious, even on a short ride.

The advantage of reaching it by Tomos is simple: you arrive with momentum, not with the stress of trying to herd yourself through the most crowded walking streets right at the start.

One caution: expect a lot of visual stimuli. The palace area is dense, so wear footwear you can move in comfortably and keep your eyes up while parking the bike.

Quiet stops and photo moments between big landmarks

The route includes additional stops labeled as quieter spots, with photo time and guided moments. You’ll also pass and cover areas that include:

• Park Mladeži (Ultra Europe home)
• Marjan tunnel
• Zvončac
• Sustipan
• West Coast
• Ferry port
• Bačvice and other beaches
• Trstenik
• Veli Varoš

Not every stop is a named monument with a ticket line. That’s the point. You’re filling the gaps between the famous places with real city texture, like how people park, walk, and look out over the water.

Break at a local café: coffee and Guuc craft juice

Halfway through, you get a 10-minute break at a café. This is when the included refreshments really matter.

You’ll get coffee plus Guuc craft juice, a famous Dalmatian style drink. It’s not just a sugar hit. It’s a way to taste a local ritual during a ride that otherwise might feel like nonstop motion.

The final stretch: more views, then back to the garage

On the way back, you’ll have at least one more viewpoint and scenic driving segment before returning to Ulica Ante Starčevića.

This closing loop is useful because it lets you compare what you saw earlier. The city looks different when you’re headed back, and the scooter route helps you see the same areas from another angle without planning it yourself.

Who should book this, and who might want a different style

I think this tour is best for people who:

• Want to see major Split sights in a short window
• Like the idea of local transportation, not just walking
• Prefer small groups (it’s max 8)
• Enjoy guides who connect places to everyday life, not just dates

It also works well if you already know the palace basics and want a different angle. The Tomos ride is the main attraction, and the stops are chosen to make that ride feel like an actual story.

I’d skip it if:

• You don’t have a driver’s license (it’s not suitable for people without one)
• You’re over 220 lbs (100 kg)
• You have epilepsy or kidney problems
• You can’t meet the footwear and conduct rules (no open-toed shoes, no slippers, no alcohol or drugs)
• You’re not comfortable driving on city streets for the duration

And if you’re coming with someone who wants slow travel, this probably isn’t for them. This is a fast, focused experience.

The guide makes the difference

One of the most praised parts of this tour is the guiding team. Names you may hear include Nikolai, Baldo, Nikolina, and Nikola.

What stands out in the overall vibe is how they build confidence before you set off. People also credit the guides with answering questions about Croatia and Split in plain language, not speeches.

That’s why I’d choose this over a generic scooter rental. You get the machine, yes, but you also get local context stitched to the route.

Practical riding tips so you enjoy it more

A few things will help you feel comfortable:

• Wear closed-toe shoes since open-toed shoes and slippers are not allowed.
• Bring your driver’s license.
• Plan your expectations around short stops. You’re getting highlights, not long museum time.
• Don’t bring food into the vehicle, and skip alcohol entirely before the ride.
• If you’re prone to motion discomfort, take it easy with camera bursts and look where you’re going first.

Should you book Vintage Tomos Tour Split Back to the 80s?

Book it if you want an authentic-feeling Split experience with a small group, expert local guidance, and a transportation twist you simply don’t get on foot. The route hits real anchors like Diocletian’s Palace, plus Marjan Hill for views and Poljud for the big stadium photo, then ties it together with coffee and Guuc craft juice.

Don’t book it if you want a slow pace, deep time in one museum, or you can’t meet the driving and clothing requirements.

If you’re on the fence, your decision comes down to one question: do you want Split as a ride with story and stops, or Split as a walk with your own timing? This is the ride with story option.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Tomos moped tour in Split?

The tour lasts 2 hours.

What is the group size for this Vintage Tomos tour?

It’s a small group limited to a maximum of 8 participants.

Is the Tomos moped included in the tour price?

No. The tour price excludes the Tomos moped rental, fuel, and insurance.

How much is the Tomos moped rental and what is the payment method?

The additional cost is 45 eur per person for moped rental, fuel, and insurance, and it is collected in cash before the tour starts.

What does the tour price include?

The price includes the expert local guide, coffee, and natural juice (Guuc juice).

Where do I meet for the tour?

You meet at the Vintage Tomos tour garage on Ulica Ante Starčevića, about a 10-minute walk from Diocletian’s Palace toward Park Mladeži stadium and Joker shopping center.

What days does the tour run, and when are the start times?

It runs every day except Sundays, with a morning tour at 7:30 am and an evening tour at 6:00 pm.

What footwear and behavior rules should I follow?

Open-toed shoes and slippers are not allowed, and you cannot bring food into the vehicle. Alcohol and drugs are also not allowed, and driving under the influence is prohibited.