For most visitors to Croatia’s stunning coast (especially Dalmatia), one of the most common questions is whether to visit Split or Dubrovnik and why one is worth visiting more than the other.
We understand that reasons for choosing one over the other can vary, from a lack of time to visit both, to not wanting to see more than one big city on your trip, and everything in between.
Judging by the popularity, Dubrovnik should be the obvious choice. But is it?
Personally, as locals (from Croatia and Slovenia) who have visited both cities multiple times as tourists, we can without a doubt recommend visiting both.
However, since you’re reading this article, you are obviously deciding between these two arguably best cities to visit in Croatia.
That’s why, in this article, we highlight the differences and similarities of visiting each city based on our personal experiences visiting both.
What is the best base, Split or Dubrovnik?
When traveling to any country, for us, deciding how much time to spend in big cities (like Split and Dubrovnik) is one of the main factors.
It usually comes down to whether one is a better base than the other for visiting nearby destinations, as we love seeing as much as possible (it’s hard to keep it simple for us).
That said, Split is a far better base from which to explore countless amazing spots in Croatia.
What to see and do near Split:
- Blue Cave
- Plitvice Lakes
- Krka Waterfalls
- Islands of Hvar, Brač, Vis, and more
- Ancient City of Trogir
- Šibenik, a hidden gem of Dalmatia
- Omiš and countless outdoor activities
What to see and do near Dubrovnik:
- Kotor in Montenegro
- Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Elaphite Islands of Šipan, Lopud, and Koločep
- Pelješac Peninsula and Korčula Island
- Mljet “Green Island”
We have published some helpful articles for both Split and Dubrovnik, which you can read to understand what you can see and do there, in addition to visiting the main sites.
- Split: Best Tours – Best Boat Trips – Most Fun Activities
- Dubrovnik: Best Tours and Activities – Best Day Trips
Is Dubrovnik more expensive to visit than Split?
In terms of prices, Split is definitely cheaper than Dubrovnik. However, the difference is not that big if you consider Dubrovnik’s popularity.
Hotels
Staying in Split is more affordable, and it’s easy to see why, as Split is the second-largest and second most populous city in Croatia. In contrast, Dubrovnik is a much smaller location with only around 42.000 people.
Split has a much larger selection of budget accommodations, which is rarer and harder to find in Dubrovnik, unless you book months in advance.
Take a look at our Dubrovnik Hotel Guide and Split Hotel Guide to find the best fit in terms of location, budget, and amenities.
Food
For a meal in a good restaurant in Split, you will spend less than in Dubrovnik, but realistically, not more than 20%.
There’s also a big difference between going to eat at one of the Dubrovnik Old Town restaurants or stepping outside the walls, much like in Split, where inside Diocletian’s Palace, you can expect higher prices.
Ice cream is similarly priced in Split and Dubrovnik, except in the most famous and busiest spots in Dubrovnik’s Stradun (the main Old Town street).
Budget meals in Split: A filling and still somewhat budget meal in Split for meat-lovers is Kantun Paulina. It’s a spot famous for appearing on Netflix’s Somebody Feed Phil, where you can try the traditional Ćevapi or Ćevapčići. Otherwise, a good deal is Pizzeria Gušt, which also has great vegetarian options.
Budget meals in Dubrovnik: Just outside of the Pile Gate, the main entrance to the Old Town in Dubrovnik, Sandwich Bar Pile offers fresh, cheap eats (good sandwiches, tasty burgers, hot dogs, Ćevapi in flatbread, or salad). They also offer vegetarian options, of which we tried the vegetarian sandwich, which was both filling and tasty.
Attractions
When comparing prices for attractions in Split and Dubrovnik, it’s essential to note that visiting the main attractions in Dubrovnik can be significantly more expensive.
But while most people like to talk about the steep 40 EUR price for walking the City Walls of Dubrovnik, they forget that for the same price, you can get the Dubrovnik Pass, which also includes most of the other worth-visiting sites in the city, like the Rector’s Palace.
We wrote a full guide detailing why the Dubrovnik Pass is worth your money.
In comparison, the 15 EUR all-sites combo ticket in Split grants access to the main spots in Diocletian’s Palace, including the Treasury, Bell Tower, Cathedral, Jupiter’s Temple (Baptistery), and the Crypt.
While cheaper, the sites in Split are smaller and arguably less interesting than those in Dubrovnik. This is our down-to-earth, honest opinion as both locals and tourists.
Transportation
Getting around both Split and Dubrovnik costs about the same, with bus and taxi/Uber prices being quite similar. But you can walk between most attractions anyway.
Which has the best food, Split or Dubrovnik?
Split and Dubrovnik’s food is, well, very much Dalmatian. It highlights fresh ingredients, a variety of seafood, vegetables, decadent desserts, and, of course, generous use of olive oil.
Both Dubrovnik and Split have some fabulous restaurants that will not disappoint. However, Split wins in terms of finding traditional food and offering a greater variety in general.
Two of the absolute best restaurants in Split are Fig (we loved their food in Hvar Island), located right in the heart of Diocletian’s Palace, steps away from the Peristil, and Portofino, number 1 on TripAdvisor and widely known for its fantastic food.
In Dubrovnik, a place to enjoy a refined style of Mediterranean cuisine is Nautika, and for traditional regional and Croatian food, Forty Four Restaurant. For a fantastic ambiance right at the Old Harbor, choose Gradska Kavana Arsenal.
It’s also easy to find vegetarian food in both. In Split, Pandora Greenbox and UpCafe stand out, while in Dubrovnik, Soul Kitchen and Vege Dub are the go-to spots, and Burger Tiger serves great vegetarian and vegan burgers.
Does Dubrovnik have better historical sites than Split?
History and attraction-wise, Dubrovnik is a better place to visit than Split.
Split’s historical area is easy to explore in just a few hours, while Dubrovnik requires a full day to see its sites and attractions properly.
While Diocletian’s Palace in Split is a fascinating piece of history, nothing can beat the stunning City Walls surrounding the preserved Old Town of Dubrovnik.
Beyond walking the city walls, there is a lot more to see in Dubrovnik. From Fort Lovrijenac, the Rector’s Palace and its Cultural History Museum, the Franciscan Church and Monastery, its harbors, narrow streets, countless Game of Thrones locations, fantastic photo spots, and much more.
Does Split have better beaches than Dubrovnik?
Comparing Split vs Dubrovnik beaches can lead to some heated discussions. While Split has more and bigger beaches, Dubrovnik has prettier and more scenic ones.
Like, come on, you can hardly find a cooler beach than Banje Beach. It’s right outside the Old Town!
Our favorite beach in Split is Kašjuni Beach. Otherwise, Ovčice, Firule, and Trstenik beaches are all within walking distance of the center and are lovely places.
In Dubrovnik, beyond the fantastic Banje Beach, we really enjoyed scenic Pasjača, a beach about a 30-minute drive south (you need a car/taxi).
For swimming, we enjoyed Danče Beach, a local favorite close to the Old Town. It’s essentially a rocky section of the shore with ladders, making it easy to take a proper swim in deeper water.
Read our Guide to Dubrovnik Beaches to find the list of the best ones, or browse our List of the Best Bars and Beach Clubs to see where to chill after exploring.
Is it better to visit the islands from Split or Dubrovnik?
As we have already mentioned, Split is a better base for visiting other cool destinations. However, that’s not all. Split is also a better starting point to see the fantastic islands in Croatia, compared to Dubrovnik.
From Split, you can easily access the stunning, popular islands of Hvar, Brač, and Vis, among others. In contrast, from Dubrovnik, the most accessible islands are Mljet and the Elafiti islands (Koločep, Lopud, Šipan), which are less busy and less developed.
Personally, we always prefer Split as a base for island-hopping, as it allows us to reach the islands more quickly and have more frequent ferry services available. Plus, Split is where you come to for island-hopping by car.
In addition to self-organized trips to the islands, it makes so much sense to spend extra days in Split (by booking a hotel there) and go on organized day tours. We loved the Blue Cave Tour, which we took to Hvar Island and the stunning Blue Cave.
Which place is more fun, Split or Dubrovnik?
Both Split and Dubrovnik are fun places to visit in Croatia, with options to spend your free time going out at night, enjoying boat trips/cruises, or participating in fun activities throughout the day.
However, proximity to Omiš, the adventure capital of Croatia, right on the Cetina River, makes Split an ideal destination for fun outdoor activities. The list is quite long, from ziplining to river rafting and river tubing, paddleboard excursions, canyoning, and more.
Nightlife is also better in Split, as the selection of places to spend the evening is far larger than in Dubrovnik.
Is Dubrovnik busier than Split?
Crowds are absolutely bigger in Dubrovnik than in Split, especially when walking the City Walls or inside the Old Town.
In comparison, Split’s Diocletian’s Palace is also packed in the season, but when you venture away from the central part, it becomes easier to handle – harder to do in Dubrovnik.
Which place is easier and more fun for families?
It’s easier for families to visit Split, but Dubrovnik is more fun for the kids. You can visit Lokrum Island, where peacocks and rabbits roam freely, take the cable car up Mount Srđ for fantastic views (one of the best photo spots), or relax at a beach.
Are there more Game of Thrones spots in Split or Dubrovnik?
For fans of Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik wins over Split in terms of having countless filming spots where you can try to reimagine the scenes.
We really enjoyed walking the Western Outer Wall and on top of Fort Bokar, which is part of the City Walls ticket, but has a separate entrance.
There, we had fantastic views of the City Walls, and also stood where Lord Varys and Tyrion looked out towards the sea and strategized the defense of King’s Landing from Stannis Baratheon.
Make sure to read our complete guide to Dubrovnik Game of Thrones Filming Locations, where we detail everything you need to know (plus, we added a detailed map for easier navigation).
Final thoughts and what we recommend
So, what’s our final verdict on visiting Split vs. Dubrovnik, you might wonder.
For us, Dubrovnik is a clear winner when comparing Split and Dubrovnik, thanks to its fascinating history, preserved fortifications, and ancient buildings, as well as its numerous fantastic views and photo opportunities, which make it a truly unique spot in Croatia (and the world).
But if you’re planning a visit to this part of Croatia, we highly recommend adjusting your itinerary to visit both!
You can stay in one city and visit the other on a day trip. If you don’t want to, for example, stay in a hotel in Dubrovnik, you can simply visit for the day. Read our Getting from Split to Dubrovnik article to learn all about that. You can also, of course, do it the other way around and visit Split from Dubrovnik.
We recommend reading our Split Itinerary (3 to 5 days) and 24 Hours in Dubrovnik articles to optimize your exploring in both cities and have the best time.
We hope we helped you with your decision. And hopefully, you do decide to visit both, as they are indeed both absolutely worth visiting!
Have a great time!
