Where To Stay In Split: The Ultimate Neighborhood Guide
Located on the stunning Dalmatian Coast, Split is one of Croatia's most beautiful and most visited cities. Whether you like to sample great food, enjoy warm days on the beach, explore the surrounding mountains, or plunge into the rich and fascinating history of Croatia, you'll find everything you need for a spectacular holiday here. Of course, that includes convenient luggage storage in Split so that you can easily store your bags and see more of what has to offer.
Split is a city with several different neighborhoods, each offering its own unique atmosphere. To help you choose the best place to stay in Split, we've created this comprehensive guide to the city's top neighborhoods.
Split Old Town
Split Old Town is undoubtedly the most popular tourist destination in the city. The well-preserved Roman ruins of Diocletian's Palace are located here, as well as many of Split's best restaurants, bars, and shops. If you're looking to be in the heart of the action, this is the place for you. However, keep in mind that it can be quite noisy at night due to all of the bars and clubs located here.
Staying in the shadow of the palace walls certainly has its advantages. Old Town Split is one of the most atmospheric and photogenic parts of the city, and you'll find most of the city's major attractions well within walking distance if you choose to stay here. For example, Split City Museum, the fascinating boardwalk of Riva, and the Green Market - a great place to find the best brunch in Split - are all just a short walk away from each other. Plus, since central Split is the part of the city with all the top cultural attractions, the city center is also where you'll find the greatest concentration of both local and international restaurants catering to the tourist crowds.
Dominated by the remnants of Diocletian's Palace, Old Town Split definitely has a lot to offer. However, there are some downsides to staying here. In Split Old Town, modern hotels with spacious rooms can be difficult to find. What you'll find instead are boutique hotels, some of the more desirable high-end Split hotels, and even a few self-catering apartments.
If luxury hotels are where you like to stay, you're in luck. It's not a struggle to find a charming heritage hotel or boutique hotel in the historic city center, and even the occasional rooftop terrace. But you can expect to pay more for your Split accommodation if you want to be within walking distance of everything.
In fact, everything costs a little bit more in the city center. Staying within walking distance of everything comes at a price. Also, you'll find this the most crowded part of town, especially in the summer. Better hope your conveniently located accommodation has high-quality windows to keep out the noise and be prepared to deal with tourist crowds as you explore the charming streets of Old Town.
If you can handle the crowds and the additional expense, Split Old Town makes a wonderful place to stay. But if you'd prefer a little peace and quiet or you're looking for a budget hotel, you may find other parts of the city more to your liking.
Veli Varos
The second most popular tourist destination in Split is the neighborhood of Veli Varos, located just outside of Old Town. This quaint little fishing village is home to some of the best seafood restaurants in the city, as well as a few small beaches. It's also where you'll find the Klis Fortress, one of Croatia's most popular historical landmarks.
If you're looking for a more relaxed atmosphere than you'll find in central Split, Veli Varos is a great place to stay. The streets here are lined with charming cafes and restaurants, and it's only a short walk to the beach. Plus, since it's located just outside of Old Town, you can easily pop into the center of town whenever you want without having to deal with the noise and crowds that come with staying in the city center. Plus, this neighborhood is a great location for outdoor lovers, since it's close to Marjan Hill, which offers one of the best views possible over the city.
On the downside, Veli Varos is a bit of a trek from some of Split's other major attractions. And since it's located outside of Old Town, you'll likely have to take public transportation or a taxi if you want to visit any of the museums or galleries located there.
If you're looking for a more low-key place to stay in Split and don't mind being a bit removed from the action, Veli Varos makes an excellent choice. Just keep in mind that you may have to do a bit of research into transportation if you plan on visiting some of Split's most popular attractions.
Lovret
One of the more authentic and unpretentious areas of the city, Lovret is the place to stay in Split if you want to get a sense of how locals live. And because this area is home to several of the best parks in the city, this is also a fantastic place to stay with kids. Anytime the little ones need some exercise, you can take them to the nearest green space and let them run around and tire themselves out, so you're likely to get a more peaceful night. And the relative quiet of this neighborhood will help with that, too.
Although Lovret is one of the quieter and more residential areas of Split, there are still plenty of restaurants and cafes to keep you entertained. This is also a great place to stay if you're looking for budget-friendly accommodation since you'll find several hostels and guesthouses in this area.
Just beware that Lovret is located on the outskirts of town, so you may have to take public transportation or a taxi if you want to visit any of the major tourist attractions located in the center of Split. But if you don't mind being a bit removed from the action, this neighborhood makes an excellent choice for your stay in Split.
Poljud
Home to Split's top sporting arena, Stadion Poljud, this is the place to stay if you're in town for a game. It's also an excellent place to stay in Split if you want to attend any of the great events and cultural attractions such as music festivals that take place in the city throughout the year. And since it's located just outside of Old Town, you can easily walk into the center of town whenever you want without having to deal with the noise and crowds that come with staying in the city center.
Hotels in this area tend more towards the modern end of the scale. If you want to stay in charming small boutique hotels, Poljud may not be your best bet. On the other hand, if you want free Wi-Fi, spacious rooms, air conditioning, and an on-site wellness center, this is an area well worth looking at.
If you're looking for a more low-key place to stay in Split and don't mind being a bit removed from the action, Poljud makes an excellent choice. Just keep in mind that you may have to do a bit of extra planning if you want to visit some of the city's major tourist attractions.
Žnjan
Split makes an excellent destination for a beach vacation, and if you can't get enough sun, sand, and surf, this is an excellent neighborhood to consider. Home to the biggest beach in Split, you'll find virtually endless options for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing during your stay in Split here. And because there are so many great beaches, there are plenty of good hotels here too, including some of the best hotels in Split.
On the downside, this neighborhood isn't the easiest when it comes to accessing Split Old Town. With over an hour's walk to Diocletian's Palace, you'll need to familiarize yourself with how to get around Split if you plan to stay in this area and soak up the beachy vibes. Of course, with some of the best hotels and some of the best beach bars in the city, you may well be happy to spend your entire stay in Split in this scenic area. But if you're not, be prepared to spend some time on public transit, or a lot of money in taxis.
Speaking of money, this popular area located west of Old Town doesn't come cheap. It's no secret that some of the best Split accommodation available is here, so don't expect to have the place yourself. And while the beaches may not get as crowded as Bacvice beach in the heart of town, you may find it difficult to avoid crowds in this location.
If you don't mind choosing between ancient monuments or gorgeous beaches, this is a good location to consider. But part of the appeal of Split is that it offers both. So if you want to enjoy the historic side of the city, you'll be better off picking somewhere else.
Stobreč
Looking for the real Split, the one most tourists never find? You'll find it in Stobreč. This laid-back neighborhood remains relatively untouched by the crowds of tourists that descend on the city, making it a fantastic place to stay in a unique boutique hotel or find some self-catering apartments where you can live like a local during your stay in Split.
There are some great beaches here too, though they're not as well known as the ones in Žnjan. But if you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy some peace and quiet on your vacation, these are perfect. Just be aware that most of them are located a bit of a walk from public transportation, so you may want to consider renting a car or taking taxis if you plan to spend a lot of time in this area.
Hotels in Stobreč tend to be more affordable than those in other parts of Split, making it an excellent choice for budget-minded travelers. On the downside, Stobreč can be quite difficult to get to from the Split Airport or the ferry port. And because it's not as well known as other neighborhoods in Split, you may have a hard time finding English-speaking locals who can help you out if you get lost. But if you're up for an adventure and don't mind getting a little off the beaten path, this is an excellent choice for your next vacation.
Brač
Žnjan is a city neighborhood that's hard to beat for lovers of the outdoors. But if you're looking for a real nature escape, consider staying in the small town of Brač. This is the largest island off the coast of Croatia, and it's an excellent place to stay if you want to get away from it all.
There are few hotels on Brač, so your best bet is to find self-catering apartments or vacation rentals. And because this isn't a major tourist destination, you may have a hard time finding English speakers here. So it's important to brush up on your Croatian before you go.
But if you can make your way around, you'll be rewarded with some of the most stunning scenery in Croatia. From the famous Zlatni Rat Beach to the secluded coves and hidden lagoons, Brač is an outdoor lover's paradise. Just be aware that it can be quite windy here, so pack your windbreaker and prepare for some gusty conditions.
Vranjic
This small town just outside Split has been a tourist destination since Roman times. However, it's a little off the beaten path of most travelers, lying as it does a good six miles from Split Old Town.
Because of its location, Vranjic is an excellent place to stay if you want to combine a beach vacation with some time spent exploring Split. It's also a good choice if you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, as hotels and vacation rentals here are generally less expensive than those in the city center.
Just be aware that public transportation to and from Vranjic can be infrequent, so you may want to consider renting a car or taking taxis if you plan to spend a lot of time in this area. And because it's not as well known as other neighborhoods in Split, you may have a hard time finding English-speaking locals who can help you with directions. But if you're up for an adventure and don't mind getting a little off the beaten path, this is an excellent choice for your next vacation.
Conclusion
The beach and the Old Town are often the things that are top of mind for visitors to Split. And it's true that these are a large part of what makes the city so special. But allow yourself to get off the usual tourist track of Old Town Split and Bacvice Beach, and you'll find some charming and welcoming neighborhoods in the city that offer great places to stay in Split.
Whether you've come to the city to experience ancient history, lounge on the beach, or enjoy some of the unmissable things to do at night in Split, the city has a neighborhood to suit your needs. So drop off your bags at a Bounce luggage storage location and get ready to see a different side of this famous city.