TOP 5 beaches in Split

Summer is around the corner and we set on taking a first swim in Adriatic sea on May 14th! Not making promises, just stating our goals.

Split is our hometown, so we already have our beach preferences based on: proximity to our home, parking area, best bar and, of course, friends. Is it pebbly or sandy, clean beach or not; it really doesn’t matter. There is something special about coming alone to the beach and find bunch of friends there, without even picking up the phone ❤

Now, if you are first time in Split, to make your search for a perfect beach as easy as possible we made little “guide”. Split doesn’t have “the best beaches in the world” kind of beach, but don’t dismiss idea of taking a swim on a hot sunny day! Our guide is based on cool places to chill, have coffee and do nothing, but relaxing all day.

1. Obojena Svjetlost, also called Kastelet beach 

This pebbled beach just below the Marjan Hill. Close by you have Ivan Meštrović Gallery, so you can visit it before (not after, when you are all wet and salty, still it is a gallery). You can reach it on foot, bus (no. 12) or with a car. In high summer season parking a car there looks like game of Tetris, so we advise you to walk there. It is approx. 20 minute walk from city center. On the beach there are two coffee bars and that is it! What else do you need? Beach and coffee, that is how locals do it.

2. Numerous Marjan hill beaches.

3. Trstenik beach

This pebble beach is right below Radisson Blu Split Hotel which partly maintains the beach. VIP deck platform is operated by the hotel and you can use it if you are guest there.

The rest of the beach is open for public. Beach is very clean and equipped with sunbeds and parasols (available for rent), still if you don’t want to pay sunbed rent fee, you can come there and put your towel wherever you want. Keep in mind, beach is in walking area (you can reach it from Znjan beach and buses 8 &15) and has no natural shadow.

4. Znjan beach

Approx. 1 km long pebbly beach, just around the corner from Trstenik beach. Beach is usually crowded and loud, right on dirt parking (convenient but dusty), not very well clean or maintained, doesn’t have natural shadow, has different styled bars and restaurants (so each 100 meters you have different kind of loud music style too), not very attractive, etc. So, you are wondering why is on this list?

The advantage of this beach is enough parking spaces, so if you are visiting Split by car you can be sure to find a spot there. You can also reach it by bus number 8 or 15. Znjan is the most popular beach for water spots (wind surfing, kite surfing, jet ski). One part of beach has accessibility for the disabled and newly adapted Duilovo beach is dog friendly.

There are also a lot of children friendly activities in the area (playgrounds, trampolines, go cart) which makes it suitable for families. Doesn’t sound bad now, right?

5. Bacvice

Last, but not least on our list is Bacvice beach. Most popular sandy beach in Split, mostly because of it’s proximity to the city center (10 minute walk) and local game called “picigin” (beach game protected as a cultural heritage). Local people play picigin all year long, even during winter time. It is played with small ball which you toss around with hand palm. This beach is very shallow, so it is easy for players to run trough the sea, trying to catch the ball – which actually makes game fun. Local spectators usually drink coffee in “Zbirac” coffee bar and enjoy the show.

Beach also offers sunbeds and parasols (for rent), restaurants and bars (which are open 24/7 during summer). Bacvice beach is a big part of Split nightlife, so if you are up for a party, you have to stop by. Now, this is a story for another blog, let us know if you want to hear about Split nightlife in comments below.

Don’t forget to hydrate, put on sun screen and buy beach accessories 🙂