The largest Croatian coastal town, Split isn’t just about history – it’s actually a fun seaside town with many beaches and great swimming spots along its shores. If you are visiting Split in summer, sooner or later, you’ll take a dip in the Adriatic, at many beaches in Split.
You might visit Split for the ancient Diocletian Palace, but when the heat hits the town, a visit to some Split beaches will pop into your mind. Beaches in Split offer refreshment to locals and tourists alike. They are fun places to be, to meet locals, and to just chill out on hot summer days.
A location in the vicinity of the old town makes Bacvice beach the most popular beach in Split. Kasjuni, the nicest Split beach and one of the most popular, also has a clothing-optional area. Kastelet, also called Obojena, is a small pebbly beach, beneath south slopes of Marjan Hill, within easy reach from the old town. Jezinac is a small swimming area just beneath the Mestrovic Gallery with some good cliff jumping spots. Bene beach is the most shaded beach in Split with wonderful pine forest in the back.
A small pebbly beach located next to Bacvice Beach, Ovcice has a beach bar, changing cabins and a jet ski rental in vicinity. The low-key beach, Firule is a great place to have a swim in Split and then chill at the terrace of the nearby restaurant Dvor. Trstenik beach is popular for its fine pebbles and natural protection from winds. Znjan Beach, due to many facilities, pebbly sea bed, and parking is a great beach for families with kids. Duilovo is the only official dog-friendly beach in Split.
Table of Contents
Best Split beaches
From sandy to pebbly, easily reachable to secluded, with or without facilities, shaded or sunny, kids- or pet-friendly, whatever your preferences, you’ll find a beach in Split to suit your needs.
Below we share the best beaches in Split!
Bacvice Beach
Bacvice beach is a sandy beach right in the center of the town, less than 10minute walk from Diocletian Palace. A location in the vicinity of the old town makes Bacvice beach the most popular beach in Split.
It is also popular for its sports offer, lots of cafes, bars and restaurants, and active nightlife.
Sandy seabed makes Bacvice beach a perfect place for a game of picigin, a local sport played in shallow water with a peeled off tennis ball. It is entertaining to watch locals play this game.
Deck chairs and umbrellas are available for rental. Zbirac, one of our favorite daytime cafe bars in Split, is right at Bacvice beach.
You can easily reach Bacvice beach on foot. Just walk from the old town pass central bus station and ferry port to the very end until you reach the sea. Bacvice beach will be on your left.
Kasjuni Beach
Kasjuni beach is a pebble beach located beneath Marjan hill, 3 km away from the old town.
Kasjuni is the nicest Split beach and one of the most popular. Think pure nature amidst the city: thick pine forest surrounds the bay, the sea is crystal clear, and the blue of the Adriatic stretches out as far as the eye can see. A large breakwater protects the bay from waves. The Marjan Hill provides a wonderful backdrop.
A part of Kasjuni beach is privately managed. The company in charge runs a beach bar (they serve some food too), rents sun umbrellas and deck chairs, and manages the parking. There is a dedicated dog-friendly area at one part of Kasjuni beach.
There are lots of parking spots but unfortunately not nearly enough in the peak season. However, you can also reach Kasjuni beach on foot, by bus no. 12, or by bicycle. Find the bus schedule here.
The beach can get crowded during the peak season but that’s case with all beaches in Split at that time of the year.
Food and drinks as well as other services are expensive, but you don’t need to use them. You can bring your own equipment, a cooler with a picnic, find a place on the beach for you and enjoy.
Westernmost part of Kasjuni beach is clothing-optional. At Kasjuni bay, you will also find some good cliff jumping spots.
Kastelet
Kastelet, also called Obojena, is a small pebbly beach, beneath south slopes of Marjan Hill, within easy reach from the old town.
At 20min walk from the old town, Kastelet Beach is a great alternative to Bacvice for those who don't fancy sandy beaches, but don’t feel to drive or walk further to other Split beaches.
Sun shades and deck chairs rental is available at the beach, and so are changing cabins and parking.
This used to be a popular party spot for Split youth. Even today, beach bars play loud music, and you'll normally find a younger crowd at this beach.
Jezinac
Jezinac is a small swimming area just beneath the Mestrovic Gallery with some good cliff jumping spots. It’s close to the old town, an easy 20 minute walk.
The beach is partly rocky and partly cemented. It’s not big and it doesn’t have any cafe for refreshments. However, there are bars in the vicinity. The beach has changing cabins and showers. There is a little shade in the back of the beach, also old canons and some ruins.
You’ll find more facilities at Kastelet beach, that is just next to Jezinac.
Bene
Bene beach is rocky beach located beneath the northwest slopes of Marjan Hill.
Parking is not immediately on the beach, but rather above it. Bene beach is one of the most naturally looking beaches in Split despite part of the coast being paved for sunbathing and an easy access to the sea.
Bene beach is the most shaded beach in Split with wonderful pine forest in the back. A limited car access makes this beach less crowded compared to other Split beaches. There is a small beach bar on the beach as well as changing cabins, and deck chair rental. Many kayak tours in Split start from Bene beach.
A sports center, consisting of tennis courts, children's playground, and open-air gym, also makes Bene beach a popular spot among locals.
This beach is especially popular among families, partly due to its sandy seabed.
You can reach Bene beach on foot or bicycle using Marjan Hill trails, or by bus no.12 (the last stop!).
Around Bene beach, you can also find less crowded spots, if you like a bit of privacy.
Ovcice
A small pebbly beach located next to Bacvice Beach, Ovcice has a beach bar, changing cabins and a jet ski rental in vicinity. And just like Bacvice beach, Ovcice beach is within a short walking distance from the old town.
This small swimming area consists of a cemented deck and a pebbly beach. The crowd is mostly local. A beach bar, with a terrace at the very edge of the sea, has friendly staff and really affordable prices (local brandies are jus lt 2€ a shot, cocktails are less than 8€, a draft beer is 3€, and simple food like toast costs only 2€).
There is some shade in the back of the beach, along the small wall, but these spots get occupied quickly. You can rent umbrellas and deck chairs. A jet ski rental is just next to the beach. Beach also has showers and changing cabins. A small parking is close by but it’s almost always full.
Firule
If you continue walking east from Ovcice Beach, you will reach Firule Beach. This small beach is located in the neighborhood of the same name. The beach is sandy with cemented areas for sunbathing. There are also outdoor showers at the beach.
The low-key beach, Firule is a great place to have a swim in Split and then chill at the terrace of the nearby restaurant Dvor. Dvor’s terrace is just above the beach, and it is super cozy, shaded and provides nice views down to the beach and the sea. You will also find Split's main tennis center nearby.
Trstenik
Further out of the old town, always going east, you’ll find Trstenik beach.
Trstenik beach is popular for its fine pebbles and natural protection from winds. It is also quieter and less crowded than other beaches in Split. The beach lacks shaded areas, but you can rent sun umbrellas and deck chairs for the better comfort.
Trstenik beach is close to Zenta harbor and hotel Radisson Blu Split. A part of the beach is managed and maintained by the hotel, and they keep it for the exclusive use of guests staying at the hotel. Besides this small part, the rest of yhe beach is available and free for all.
It is close to Zenta harbor and hotel Radisson Blu Split. There is a car-free promenade along the beach.
Deck chairs, and parasols are available for rent.
Znjan
One of the most popular swimming spots in Split, Znjan beach has easy access and big parking, so for people of Split it is a very convenient beach to visit.
This is the longest swimming area in Split, it stretches from Trstenik beach all the way to Hotel Amfora.
The beach is mainly pebbly, with crystal clear water and lots of facilities. There are many beach bars, inflatable waterpark for kids, changing cabins, sun umbrellas and deck chairs rentals, and lots of parking. But the beach lacks natural shade.
Znjan Beach, due to many facilities, pebbly sea bed, and parking is a great beach for families with kids. The beach is also popular among wind surfers as it gets good winds in the afternoon.
Duilovo beach
Duilovo beach is the furthest away from the center. You can reach Duilovo beach by bus no 15. This beach has certainly seen better days. It's a bit in a state of despair with an abandoned nightclub, and worn-out concrete platform for sunbathing.
However, Duilovo is the only official dog-friendly beach in Split. Duilovo beach served also as one of shooting location for Game of Thrones series. Parts of Duilovo are also clothing-optional, and gay-friendly.
Beaches near Split
After we've given you an overview of best Split beaches, we wanted to extend our list further out, in case you don't mind going an extra mile in order to find a perfect beach.
Pisak beaches
A small coastal village, Pisak is only 40 km south of Split. And for us, Pisak has some of the best beaches in all Croatia. Beaches here are pebbly. Besides few beaches in the center of the village, you can walk a bit further north, where you can also find small coves with pebble beaches that offer more privacy.
Lots of locals rent apartments to tourists, but also many locals, mostly from Omis, come to Pisak for a day at the beach. Thus, beaches here are also crowded in summer.
Makarska Riviera beaches
Makarska Riviera is famed for the best beaches in all Croatia. The Riviera stretches from Brela to the north, to Gradac to the south. However, if you stay in Split, you'll perhaps rather choose northern Makarska Riviera beaches, like Vrulja, Brela beach, Baska Voda, Promajna or Krvavica beaches.
Vrulja is a good choice if you look for less crowded beaches. Brela beaches are nicest here, and thus, the most popular. All beaches along Riviera are within villages, and offer lots of facilities, like bars, restaurants, shops, water sports, etc.
Drvenik Veli
A small island off the coast of Trogir, Drvenik Veli was locals-only place, as very few tourists came here. However, in the last years, local tour agencies made Drvenik Veli, and particularly Krknjasi Bay easily accessible to tourists. A color of sea here is so beautiful that the bay became known as Blue Lagoon.
The best way to visit Blue lagoon is on a group tour.
Island Beaches: Brac, Hvar, Solta
While in Split, why not take a day out and visit few nearby islands where you can swim at some of the nicest beaches in all Croatia?! Split is a perfect base to explore central Dalmatian islands. The best way to visit numerous islands on a day trip, is to hop on one of group tours.
Split beaches map
Further reading
- Learn all Split essentials with our Split Travel Guide.
- Plan your activities in Split with our detailed guide to things to do in Split.
- If you plan to stay in Split, check a list of recommended accommodation in Split Croatia.
- Find out where to eat in Split with our post on best restaurants in Split.
- Detailed info on Split beaches you’ll find here.
- A list of Split bars and clubs.
hi frank i am going to split with my boyfriend this august. As first timers in split, which beach do u mostly recommend? Also do u think its worth it if we go to hvar too? the thing is we are only staying 3 nights in split and already book a tour in krka but i wanna go to hvar also but worried that we might not have time to explore split. any suggestion or advice? thank you!
I am doing island hopper with Busabout & we’re starting at Split going to Hvar, Mljet, Dubrovnik, Korcula, Makarska & back to Split! I am so excited for it :)
Ooh this will be handy for the summer. I’ve got a free day or so in Split & since I’ve been before, I just want to relax before I head out for Croatia Sail.
Great plans, Sammi! Where will Croatia Sail take you?