Split is Croatia’s second-largest city, with countless hotel options spread throughout the city and the surrounding area.
If you’re planning your first visit to Split and are unfamiliar with the city’s layout, you may wonder where the best area to stay is.
During our longer (week-long) trips to Split, especially by car, the Podstrana area is our first choice. It’s a 15-minute drive east along the coast, with easy access to the beach, the City, and roads leading to other nearby destinations.
However, there are about 10 different areas that are great for tourists to stay in Split, from the best ones for beach time to family-friendly ones, budget-friendly ones, and those perfect for outdoor activities.
We’ll explore each area’s features and explain why it’s worth considering.
Wondering if it’s worth staying in the Old Town of Split?
The answer is yes, Split Old Town is perfect for first-time visitors and short stays.
Looking for quick hotel recommendations?
Our top choices in Split’s Old Town are Heritage Hotel right by Pjaca (People’s Square), and just across the street of Diocletian’s Palace, Hostel Split.
Outside the Old Town, we highly recommend one of Split’s best hotels, Radisson Blu Resort & Spa and further out in Podstrana area, Hotel Split. We stayed in both of these hotels and had a great experience.
For apartment stays, choose Meje Apartments in the peaceful Meje area, and Center Beach Apartment in Bačvice.
Best areas to stay in Split as a tourist
All the best neighborhoods in Split for tourists are very well connected to the Old Town. So even if you decide to stay outside, you’ll likely only be a 10-minute bus/taxi ride away.
| Area | Type of trip/experience |
|---|---|
| Old Town (Diocletian’s Palace) | Short Trip |
| Bačvice, Trstenik, and Žnjan | Beach, Luxury, and Family Stays |
| Veli Varoš | Local Place Close to Old Town |
| Lučac-Manuš | Youth-Friendly with Hostels |
| Meje | Upscale, Quiet, and close to Old Town |
| Stobreč and Podstrana | Longer Trips and Stays with a Car |
| Omiš | Adventure and Outdoor Activities |
Not sure what to do in Split?
Read: 11 Must-Do Things in Split
Old Town (Diocletian’s Palace)
For first-time visitors and short trips of a day or two, Diocletian’s Palace, also known as Split Old Town, is the best place to stay.
Staying in Diocletian’s Palace means you’ll be just steps away from all the attractions, restaurants, and bars.
Location: Luckily, Split is so well-connected that staying in the Old Town allows you to travel there and onwards with ease. The central bus and train station, as well as the ferry port, are only a 5-minute walk away. It’s also one of the easiest places to get to from the airport.
Types of hotels in Split Old Town: In the historical heart of Split, you can find all kinds of accommodation options, from luxury hotels in heritage buildings to affordable apartments.
Best hotels in Split’s Old Town
In the Old Town, we recommend this excellent Heritage Hotel right by Pjaca (People’s Square), and for a more budget-friendly stay, this Old Town Hostel is a good choice (it has dorms and budget rooms).
For absolute luxury, choose the Vestibul Palace, which is located steps away from the palace’s main square (Peristyle). It has excellent luxury suites, a delicious breakfast, and great staff.
Our favorite Split Old Town hotels
| Luxury | Vestibul Palace |
| Mid-range | Malena Palace Experience |
| Budget | Old Town Hostel |
Can you stay on a budget in Split Old Town?
Staying on a budget in Split’s Old Town is a bit easier than in Dubrovnik Old Town, but due to its size, there are, of course, not that many options. That’s why the lower-budget nightly price in summer is around 50 EUR for a hostel stay and 100 EUR for an apartment, which is higher than in other areas.
Outside the season, prices in Old Town are more affordable – hostels cost 25 to 30 EUR per night, and apartments about 70 EUR.
Local tip: A place that sells out fast, but is a great value-for-money deal in Old Town, is Apartment Duje.
Bačvice, Trstenik, and Žnjan
The areas of Bačvice, Trstenik, and nearby Žnjan are the best choice in Split for staying in a great hotel close to many beaches, as well as for families, and where some of Split’s best luxury hotels are.
This part of Split is located just east of the Old Town, along the coast. It is also home to one of the most famous hotels in Split, the Radisson Blu Resort & Spa. Arijana has stayed there before, and it’s a really good place to base yourself in comfort.
Bačvice is located right next to the Old Town, so it’s well-connected to the whole city, making it easy to depart and arrive to your hotel by bus, taxi, or even by walking 10 to 20 minutes.
Likewise, Trstenik is just south of one of the main roads leading to the Old Town (Poljička Street), so it’s also well connected.
Žnjan, on the other hand, is a bit worse in terms of being connected to the city center, as depending on where you stay, the bus station can be far away (10 to 15 minute walk). But taking an Uber/taxi solves this.
Best hotels in Bačvice
One of the most popular stays in the Bačvice area of Split is the Hotel Park, running since 1921 and frequently renovated to remain a fantastic luxury hotel.
Another great luxury stay that’s nearby is Villa Mala, just 200 meters from the beach.
Staying on a budget in Bačvice is possible, and one of the places for solo and young travelers we recommend is Hostel Split Backpackers 2 (equal distance from Split Old Town and Bačvice Beach).
For a budget stay, but rather in an apartment, we recommend Center Beach Apartment. It sells out fast due to its great location on the road leading to Bačvice Beach, and being just 10 or so minutes walk away from the Old Town, bus station, and ferry port.
Our favorite Bačvice hotels
| Luxury | Hotel Park |
| Mid-range | Center Beach Apartment |
| Budget | Hostel Split Backpackers 2 |
Best hotels in Trstenik
In Trestenik, which is just next door to Bačvice, we recommend staying in the wonderful Radisson Blu Resort & Spa for true luxury and comfort.
Since Trstenik is not the best area to stay on a budget in Split, the only choice is one of the apartments in apartment buildings, like the great Apartment Bonium (with a balcony).
A good alternative stay (and not too expensive) in Trstenik, right on Žnjan Beach is the small and comfortable Hotel More.
Best hotels in Žnjan
Žnjan is a relatively large area in Split, starting at Žnjan City Beach and ending east near Stobreč. But the best area to stay is nearby Žnjan Beach.
Currently, Žnjan City Beach is under heavy construction, so nearby hotels are receiving lots of bad reviews.
But, the works are supposed to be done by summer 2025 when it’s going to be an amazing place to enjoy in Split.
Liberty Living Apartments is our recommendation for a more luxurious and comfortable stay in Split’s Žnjan. For a mid-range stay, Luxury Rooms near Žnjan Beach and spacious apartments at Palace Lidija are the best choices.
Like Trstenik, Žnjan is also not the best place to stay in Split on a budget. So the only real option is one of the more budget apartments (under 100 EUR per night), like the wonderful Apartman Fox, which is about a 15-minute walk from the beach.
Our favorite Žnjan hotels
| Luxury | Liberty Living Apartments |
| Mid-range | Palace Lidija |
| Budget | Apartman Fox |
Veli Varoš
The area with the most local feel, architecture and ambiance to stay in Split, and one of the oldest suburbs is Veli Varoš, located just west of Split Old Town, beneath Marjan Hill.
With maze-like alleys and streets, Veli Varoš is to Split what Plaka is to Athens and Balat is to Istanbul.
Historically, Veli Varoš was where the working class of Split lived, mainly fishermen and their families, and many of the 17th century stone houses are still preserved to this day.
You can now stay in many of these houses and experience staying in Split like a local.
Best hotels in Veli Varoš
In Veli Varoš, hotels aren’t the most budget-friendly, but there are wonderful apartments, which are quite affordable according to Split prices. We recommend Apartments Sunce and Apartment Antica (with yard & BBQ).
For a hostel stay in Veli Varoš, the wonderful Hostel Dvor is the absolute best choice.
Our favorite Veli Varoš hotels
| Luxury | Residence Stine |
| Mid-range | Apartments Sunce |
| Budget | Hostel Dvor |
Lučac-Manuš
Another more local area to stay in Split is Lučac-Manuš, a combination of two of the oldest suburbs of Split, located just east of the historic center.
Lučac-Manuš is usually recommended as a place to stay near the Old Town on a budget, especially in a hostel.
Our recommended hostel in Lučac-Manuš is Hostel Split, and it is the best choice, as it’s located right across the street from the Pazar (Green Market) and the entrance to Diocletian’s Palace.
Apartment-wise, we recommend Summer Bay Apartments, ideally located for exploring Split (less than a 10-minute walk to Old Town).
While there aren’t many actual hotels in Lučac-Manuš, one that stands out is the fantastic Splendida Palace with comfy and stylish luxury rooms in a quiet historic street. It also has a swimming pool, which is rare this close to the Old Town.
Our favorite Lučac-Manuš hotels
| Luxury | Splendida Palace |
| Mid-range | Summer Bay Apartments |
| Budget | Hostel Split |
Meje
Meje is one of the most upscale areas in Split, with quiet places to stay in comfort, and very close to Old Town.
Staying in Meje brings you closer to Kašjuni Beach (one of Split’s best), as well as other beaches like Kaštelet.
Right at the entrance to Meje is the fantastic Mirari Boutique Hotel with sea view rooms, a rooftop swimming pool, sauna, and a bar.
In one of the most quiet streets of Meje, we recommend staying in the spacious and well-equipped Meje Apartments, with a beautiful and peaceful garden, with Old Town and beach both within walking distance.
While staying in Meje typically means higher prices, there are still ways to stay in somewhat budget-friendly accommodation. We recommend Apartment Zvoncac and Studio Lucy.
Our favorite Meje hotels
| Luxury | Mirari Boutique Hotel |
| Mid-range | Meje Apartments |
| Budget | Studio Lucy |
Stobreč and Podstrana
When we visit Split for longer stays and by car, we almost always stay in Podstrana or Stobreč, a coastal area just east of Split.
Stobreč and Podstrana are well connected to Split, have great hotel options (from budget to extremely nice luxury spots), and lovely beaches to chill and swim at.
In the peaceful town of Stobreč, our recommendation is Rooms Rajič for a budget stay, and loor luxury retreat for a comfortable and calm stay.
Stobreč is perfect for an active vacation. Right next to the beach, there are tennis, basketball, and padel courts, and you can rent kayaks and jet skis.
Right at the beach, we recommend Camping Stobreč for staying in a comfortable mobile home in a camp with many facilities (spa, wellness, swimming pool, fitness).
On the other hand, Podstrana is bigger and offers many more options than Stobreč. Our top pick for a very comfortable stay in a fantastic location is Hotel Eden and the beachfront Hotel Split, where we also stayed.
For a more budget stay, we recommend Apartments Peričić, where we last stayed for about a week.
Our favorite Stobreč and Podstrana hotels
| Luxury | Hotel Eden – loor luxury retreat |
| Mid-range | Camping Stobreč |
| Budget | Rooms Rajič – Apartments Peričić |
Omiš
The best place to stay if you want to do lots of outdoor and adventure activities while in Split is the town of Omiš.
It’s an area that’s not that common for staying while in Split, because it’s 25km or a 30-minute drive outside of Split. But if fun and adventure are what you’re after, it’s the best choice.
In Omiš, you are right next to the River Cetina, which is the main area for adventure activities such as ziplining, river rafting, kayaking, and canyoning. Most Split tours go there to participate in these fun experiences.
- Must-read: Most Fun Split Activities
Omiš is connected to Split by a 40-minute bus costing 7 EUR, but you can also travel by Uber for about 25 EUR. Check the bus timetable.
In Omiš, we only recommend centrally located hotels, so you can be close to the bus station and departure points for tours and activities.
Our recommended budget stays in Omiš are the Hostel Omiš and MiMa’s Rooms, located right in the town’s historic area.
For a bit more comfort and luxury, the stunning Hotel Villa Dvor and Rivus Apartments across the river from the old town are fantastic places to stay.
Our favorite Omiš hotels
| Luxury | Hotel Villa Dvor |
| Mid-range | Rivus Apartments |
| Budget | MiMa’s Rooms |
Frequently Asked Questions
The Old Town (Diocletian’s Palace) is the best area for first-time visitors to Split. It has old-world charm and is close to all the main attractions. We recommend this Heritage Hotel.
In Split, the best family-friendly accommodations are in Bačvice, Trstenik, and Žnjan, which offer a perfect blend of beaches and amenities for all ages. We recommend the Radisson Blu Resort & Spa.
It’s worth staying in Split Old Town for its historic charm, picturesque streets, and proximity to the main attractions.
The best areas to stay for nightlife in Split are the Old Town, Lučac-Manuš, and Bačvice, as you’ll be close to the vibrant scene with bars, clubs, and live music.
For an authentic local vibe in Split, stay in Veli Varoš. Historically, a working-class area with many still preserved stone houses, it is ideally located right next to the Old Town.
In Split, most budget-friendly areas are outside of the Old Town, like nearby Lučac-Manuš or further away, Stobreč and Podstrana.
Yes, some hotels in Split provide free parking, but it’s not that common. If you’re coming to Split by car or intend to rent one while there, we recommend staying further away from the Old Town, where parking is more available. Areas of Žnjan, Stobreč, and Podstrana are best for staying with a car in Split.
Final thoughts
To conclude, we highly recommend staying in the Old Town for trips lasting a day or two.
Otherwise, staying in Veli Varoš is a great choice, since it’s a lovely local area just steps away from all the main attractions.
Finally, if you’re coming for a longer stay and want to do more in Split than see the Old Town, the areas of Stobreč, Podstrana, and even Omiš (for lots of adventure) are the best choices.
Hopefully, our list of favorite Split hotels will make it easier to plan your trip!
