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Where to Stay in Split, Croatia

By Santorini Dave • Updated: October 28, 2026

My Favorite Hotels in Split

  • Best Overall Hotel: Hotel Park – The best 5-star hotel in Split, opposite Bačvice Beach, with a pool and a 15 to 20-minute walk to the Palace.
  • Best Historic Hotel: Hotel Vestibul Palace – A small luxury hotel built into the Roman Palace, excellent for couples and a short sightseeing stay.
  • Best Waterfront Hotel: Hotel Ambasador – Modern rooms, excellent harbor views, a pool, and a waterfront location just west of Riva.
  • Best Boutique Hotel: Fermai – Beautifully designed rooms in a restored building about 10 minutes north of the Palace, with easier taxi and luggage access than hotels inside the historic center.
  • Best for Families: Radisson Blu Resort & Spa – Pools, a beach club, spa, sea views, and family-friendly facilities in Trstenik, near Žnjan. A taxi or bus is needed for sightseeing.
  • Best Beach Hotel: Hotel Villa Harmony – Directly opposite sandy Bačvice Beach, with sea-view rooms and an easy walk to the ferry terminal and Palace.
  • Best Central Hotel: Cornaro Hotel – Immediately outside the Old Town, with easy luggage access, a spa, and one of Split’s best rooftop terraces.
  • Best Value in the Center: Captain’s Guest House – Simple, comfortable rooms beside the Old Town, with restaurants, shops, and the Palace a few minutes away.
People walking along stone streets in Split's Old Town.

A pedestrian street in Split’s Old Town.

Varoš is my favorite area to stay in Split, especially the lower streets near the Old Town. It’s a 5 to 10-minute walk from Diocletian’s Palace and the Riva waterfront, with good restaurants, historic stone lanes, and generally quieter nights than the busiest parts of the center.

The Best Areas to Stay in Split

  • Varoš: Best overall for first-time visitors. Stay near Šperun or the Old Town boundary for easy access to restaurants, sightseeing, and Marjan Hill without the steepest uphill walks.
  • Inside Diocletian’s Palace: Best for history, couples, and short sightseeing stays. Small heritage hotels occupy buildings within the Roman Palace. Expect pedestrian-only lanes, stairs, and possible nightlife noise.
  • Old Town: Best for restaurants, shopping, nightlife, and central hotels. It surrounds the Palace and is just as convenient for sightseeing. Hotels near the pedestrian area’s edge are easier for luggage and taxis.
  • Riva and the Western Waterfront: Best for harbor views, waterfront restaurants, and evening walks. Eastern Riva is closest to the ferry terminal; the western waterfront around Matejuška and Hotel Ambasador is generally calmer.
  • Bačvice: Best for combining a sandy beach with sightseeing. The shallow beach is popular with families, and the Palace and ferry terminal are within walking distance. It’s a busy urban beach, not a quiet resort.
  • Žnjan and Trstenik: Best for beach-focused stays, pools, and larger hotels. The beaches are mostly pebbly, and both areas require transport to the Old Town. Radisson Blu is in Trstenik, just west of Žnjan.
  • North of the Old Town: Best for value, parking, modern hotels, and easier road access. Depending on the hotel, it’s a 10 to 25-minute walk to the Palace.

My advice: Don’t rent a car for a stay in central Split. The Palace, Old Town, Riva, and lower Varoš are easy to explore on foot, and parking is expensive and inconvenient. A car is useful for exploring beyond Split, but not for sightseeing in the city.

The Best Places to Stay in Split

Our room at Hotel Vestibul Palace in Split.

Our room at Hotel Vestibul Palace, inside Diocletian’s Palace.

A woman walks beside a hotel pool while children sit on lounge chairs.

The pool at Hotel Park, my favorite 5-star hotel in Split.

A view of buildings with terracotta roofs and a church tower, next to a port and blue water.

Our view from the Cornaro Hotel, overlooking Split’s Old Town, harbor, and Saint Domnius Cathedral tower.

The Best Areas in Split for Tourists

1. Inside Diocletian’s Palace: Best for History and Sightseeing

A couple walking through the ancient stone walls of Diocletian's Palace.

Silver Gate on the eastern side of Diocletian’s Palace, near the daily Green Market.

Diocletian’s Palace is not a conventional palace complex with an entrance ticket and closing time. It forms the historic heart of Split, with homes, hotels, churches, shops, restaurants, and public lanes built into and around the Roman structure.

Staying inside the Palace is ideal for travelers who want Split’s main sights immediately outside their hotel. Peristyle, the Cathedral of Saint Domnius, the Temple of Jupiter, the Roman cellars, Old Town, and Riva are all within a few minutes’ walk. Early mornings and evenings are especially enjoyable, before and after the busiest tour groups.

Most accommodation is in small heritage hotels, guesthouses, and apartments. Rooms can be compact, reception desks may operate limited hours, elevators are uncommon, and upper floors can involve steep stairs. The lanes are pedestrianized, so guests normally walk from one of the gates with their luggage.

Noise varies considerably. Rooms facing Peristyle, busy restaurant lanes, or nightlife can remain loud well into the evening. Ask for a quiet room and check whether windows have effective soundproofing.

My advice: Stay inside the Palace for its history and atmosphere, not for large rooms or resort facilities. Hotel Vestibul Palace and Heritage Hotel Cardo are two of my favorites. If you want an elevator, pool, or easy taxi access, choose a hotel immediately outside the pedestrian area.

Ancient stone walls and columns surrounding a courtyard inside Diocletian's Palace.

Inside Diocletian’s Palace, near Saint Domnius Cathedral and its bell tower.

The entrance to Heritage Hotel Cardo beside an ancient stone arch.

Heritage Hotel Cardo, inside Diocletian’s Palace.

2. Old Town: Best for Restaurants, Shopping, and Nightlife

Restaurants and bars along a pedestrian street in Split's Old Town.

Restaurants and bars in the Old Town.

Split’s Old Town surrounds the western and northern sides of Diocletian’s Palace. Its pedestrian lanes connect Narodni Trg, Marmontova Street, Republic Square, the Palace gates, and Riva.

This is the most convenient area for travelers who want restaurants, shops, bars, and historic sights immediately outside their hotel. Marmontova is the main central shopping street, with boutiques and galleries in the surrounding lanes. The Green Market is outside the Palace’s eastern wall, and the fish market is just off Marmontova. For large shopping malls and a wider selection of international chains, you’ll need to go outside the historic center.

The yellow facade of the Croatian National Theater in Split.

The Croatian National Theater, near the northern edge of the Old Town.

Accommodation ranges from luxury hotels to small guesthouses and apartments. Cornaro Hotel sits just outside the pedestrian core and is one of the easiest central choices for luggage, taxis, and full-service hotel facilities. Judita Palace is my favorite for a smaller historic hotel.

Old Town stays busy well into the evening, particularly around Narodni Trg and popular bars. The location is excellent for restaurants and nightlife, but choose your room carefully if you’re a light sleeper. Most of the central nightlife is bars, wine bars, and late restaurants rather than large nightclubs.

My advice: Old Town is just as convenient as the Palace for sightseeing and generally has a wider choice of hotels and restaurants. Stay near the edge of the pedestrian area if arriving with heavy luggage.

An ornate historic building with pink paint and gold detailing in Split's Old Town.

Historic architecture around Narodni Trg, home to Piazza Heritage Hotel and Central Square Heritage Hotel.

A rooftop pool and terrace overlooking Split's Old Town.

The rooftop pool and terrace at Cornaro Hotel.

3. Riva and the Western Waterfront: Best for Harbor Views

Outdoor restaurants and cafes along Split's Riva waterfront promenade.

Cafés and restaurants along the Riva promenade.

Riva is Split’s palm-lined waterfront promenade, running along the southern side of Diocletian’s Palace. The waterfront continues west past Matejuška toward Hotel Ambasador and the West Coast promenade.

The eastern end of Riva is closest to the ferry, bus, and train terminals, while the western waterfront is generally quieter and closer to Varoš and Marjan Hill. Both are excellent for sightseeing, evening walks, and harbor views.

Hotels directly facing the waterfront can have fantastic views, but rooms overlooking busy restaurant terraces may hear music and passing crowds. Rooms a street or two inland are often quieter and less expensive.

Riva is convenient for boat excursions, though departure points vary. Scheduled ferries generally leave from the passenger port southeast of the Palace, while private excursions and smaller tour boats may depart from other waterfront piers. Check the exact departure point when booking.

My advice: Stay on the waterfront for the views, not for restaurant value. The most prominent Riva restaurants often charge a premium for their location. Hotel Ambasador is my favorite full-service waterfront hotel, while Mirari is an excellent smaller option.

A hotel room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Split's harbor.

The view from our room at Hotel Ambasador.

An outdoor terrace overlooking the sea at Mirari Boutique Hotel.

The waterfront terrace at Mirari, one of my favorite boutique hotels in Split.

4. Varoš: Best Overall for First-Time Visitors

People sitting in a small square in Split's Varoš neighborhood.

Trg Šperun square in lower Varoš.

Varoš begins immediately west of the Old Town and rises toward Marjan Hill. Lower Varoš is only 5 to 10 minutes from Riva and the Palace, while upper properties can be 15 minutes away and involve a noticeable uphill walk.

This is my favorite neighborhood for most visitors. It has historic stone lanes, small restaurants, and easy access to the center without the constant concentration of tour groups found inside the Palace. Restaurants and cafés cluster around Šperun and the streets closest to Riva, while quieter residential lanes extend uphill. Lower Varoš can still be lively at night, so the exact street matters.

A rocky walking trail winding through trees on Marjan Hill.

A walking trail through Marjan Park, with viewpoints overlooking Split and the coast.

Varoš is particularly good for couples, repeat visitors, and travelers planning walks on Marjan. Accommodation consists mainly of boutique hotels, guesthouses, and apartments rather than large full-service properties.

Taxi access is the main concern. Many lanes are pedestrian-only or too narrow for vehicles. Confirm the closest drop-off point and whether steps are involved.

My advice: Stay near Šperun, Bana Jelačića, or the lower streets close to the Old Town if you want easy walking access. Upper Varoš is better for travelers who don’t mind hills and want to be closer to Marjan’s trails.

Stone walls, green doors, and shutters at Korta apartments.

Korta apartments, about 700 meters from the Palace.

Green railings and steps leading to an apartment entrance in Varoš.

The entrance to Apartments & Room Kartolina, with rooms featuring exposed stone walls.

5. North of the Old Town: Best for Value, Parking, and Larger Hotels

The interior of a pub with a television showing sports.

The Flag Pub in Bol, north of the Old Town.

The neighborhoods north and northeast of the Old Town, including Manuš, Dobri, and Bol, have modern hotels, supermarkets, bakeries, cafés, and busy roads rather than historic scenery. Domovinskog Street is one of the main routes through this part of Split.

Hotels near the southern end, including Fermai, are roughly 5 to 10 minutes from the Palace. Properties farther north can be 15 to 25 minutes away on foot. The walk is manageable, but less appealing in summer heat.

This is a good area for travelers arriving by car or looking for modern hotel facilities. Parking, elevators, larger rooms, and direct taxi access are easier to find than in the historic center, though parking is not always included in the room rate.

My advice: Stay here for value, parking, and hotel facilities, not for the surroundings. Fermai is an excellent choice close to the center. AC Hotel is better for travelers who want a modern high-rise hotel with views, a pool, and parking, and don’t mind being farther from the Old Town.

The restored stone facade of Fermai Hotel with green shutters.

My favorite boutique hotel in Split, Fermai.

The lounge and bar at Art Hotel in Split.

The lounge and bar at Art Hotel.

6. Bačvice: Best for a Beach Near the Palace and Ferry Port

People relaxing on the sandy shore of Bačvice Beach.

The sandy, shallow water at Bačvice Beach.

Bačvice is Split’s most convenient beach neighborhood. Its shallow sandy beach is around 5 to 10 minutes from the ferry, bus, and train terminals and approximately 15 to 20 minutes from Diocletian’s Palace.

The surrounding streets are residential and greener than the historic center, with cafés, apartments, and several excellent hotels. Hotel Park, Briig, and Hotel Villa Harmony combine beach access with an easy walk into town.

Bačvice works especially well for families with younger children, travelers catching ferries, and visitors who want to swim every day without staying far from the Old Town.

The beach is popular with locals and visitors and becomes crowded during summer afternoons. It’s an urban beach with bars and activity rather than a quiet coastal retreat. Nearby Firule and Ovčice provide alternatives, though both are relatively small and can also get busy.

My advice: Choose Bačvice if you want a sandy beach and plan to spend plenty of time sightseeing. It’s a better base than Žnjan for visitors who want to walk into the Old Town for dinner every evening.

A hotel balcony overlooking Bačvice Beach and the Adriatic Sea.

The view from our room’s balcony at Hotel Villa Harmony, my favorite beach hotel in Split.

The modern white exterior of Briig Boutique Hotel near Bačvice Beach.

Briig Boutique Hotel, a short walk from Bačvice Beach.

7. Žnjan and Trstenik: Best for Families, Pools, and Beach Hotels

Visitors relaxing on Žnjan Beach in Split.

Žnjan Beach, east of central Split.

Žnjan is Split’s main modern beach district, about 4 km east of Diocletian’s Palace. Its redeveloped waterfront has upgraded beaches, landscaped promenades, playgrounds, sports areas, an amphitheater, cycling routes, and additional parking.

The area is best for families and travelers who plan to spend more time at the beach or hotel pool than sightseeing. Amphora and Hotel Olivier are good choices near Žnjan, while Radisson Blu Resort & Spa is farther west in neighboring Trstenik, with its own beach club and extensive resort facilities.

Sun loungers and a wooden walkway at the Radisson Blu beach club.

The beach club at Radisson Blu Resort & Spa in Trstenik.

Most beaches are pebbly or rocky rather than sandy, so water shoes are useful, especially for children. Some hotels and apartments are several blocks inland or uphill, so check the walking route to the beach before booking.

The main drawback is distance from the Old Town. Buses and taxis are the easiest ways to reach the Palace, with journeys generally taking around 15 to 25 minutes, depending on the hotel and traffic. Walking into the center regularly is not practical for most visitors.

Restaurants and beach facilities are concentrated along the waterfront and main roads. Some inland apartment streets have few places to eat immediately outside.

My advice: Choose Žnjan or Trstenik if you want pools, beach facilities, and a hotel where you can spend much of the day. Choose Bačvice instead if sightseeing, restaurants, and walking into town are just as important as swimming.

A balcony view overlooking the western end of Žnjan Beach.

The view from Elu Iris, overlooking the western end of the beach.

A hotel balcony with chairs overlooking the Adriatic Sea.

The sea view from our room at Hotel Olivier.

The outdoor pool and sun loungers at Radisson Blu Resort & Spa.

The pool at Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, my favorite Split hotel for families wanting resort facilities.

My Advice for Booking a Split Hotel

  • Check luggage access and stairs. Much of Diocletian’s Palace, Old Town, and Varoš is pedestrian-only, and many historic buildings have no elevator. Check where taxis can stop, how far you’ll need to carry your bags, and whether your room requires climbing stairs.
  • Check what services are included. Many of Split’s smaller hotels, guesthouses, and luxury apartments don’t have 24-hour reception, daily housekeeping, breakfast, or luggage storage. Don’t assume these are included.
  • Confirm parking before booking. Central hotels rarely have convenient on-site parking. Some use public garages or charge extra for reserved spaces. If you’re driving, confirm the parking location, cost, and availability.

About Santorini Dave

Santorini Dave in Athens, Greece Santorini Dave was started in 2011 when I posted a short guide to visiting Santorini with kids. Now, my site publishes regularly updated guides to Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Mykonos, Crete, Athens, and all of Greece.

Questions? Email me at dave@santorinidave.com.