Split beaches may not be the dream beaches, but they do the job on hot summer days. They offer a refreshment to locals and tourists. And although many say that these two words (Split beach) should never go in the same sentence, I beg to differ. Beaches in Split actually show a great quality of water, year after year. They are also fun places to be, to meet locals, and to just chill out.
Split Beaches | Croatia Beaches Guide
We’ll give you an overview of beaches in Split, but also of the best beaches near Split. You’ll find majority of Split beaches southeast and northwest of the old town. Split beaches expend all the way to neighboring Podstrana to the south, and north they’re scattered at the foot of Marjan Hill.
Beaches in Split range from sandy Bacvice beach, pebbly Znanj beach, and Kasjuni beach, concrete platforms at Jezinac beach, and rocky beaches at Marjan Hill shores.
Best Split beaches
Many beaches in Split are easily reachable on foot, or by city bus. What Split beach you’ll choose during your stay in Split depends on your preferences: sand, pebbles, gravel, rocks, you name it, Split has them all. Then, it depends also on the proximity to your accommodation in Split. And who you travel with: some beaches in Split are more kids-friendly than others; and some are even pet-friendly.
Beaches in Split: Marjan Beaches
Kasjuni Beach
Kasjuni beach is a pebble beach located beneath Marjan hill, 3 km away from the town’s center. You can reach Kasjuni beach on foot, by car (parking can be a mess), by bus no. 12, or by bicycle.
This beach is perhaps the nicest Split beach. It offers great views from the sea up to the Marjan Hill, its pine forest, and rocks. A private company manages this beach since 2016. The company runs a beach bar, but also offers sun shades and deck chairs to rent.
Westernmost part of Kasjuni beach is clothing-optional.
Kastelet Beach
Split Beaches: Kastelet Beach | Split Travel Guide & Blog | Photo credit: fediestrips.com
You’ll find Kastelet beach at the south slopes of Marjan Hill, very close to Ivan Mestrovic Gallery. It is also called Obojena beach. This used to be a popular party spot for Split youth. Even today, beach bars play loud music, and you’ll normally find younger crowd at this beach. Sun shades and deck chairs rental is available at the beach.
Bene beach
Bene beach is perhaps the nicest beach in Split. It is located to the northwest of Marjan hill. The beach has lots of shadow and it is less crowded than Bacvice or Znjan beach. There is a small restaurant-cum-bar.
A sport center, consisting of tennis courts, children playground, and open-air gym, also makes Bene beach popular spot among locals. Other facilities include a bar, and a restaurant.
This beach is especially popular among families, partly due to its sandy seabed. Bene is easily reachable by walk, bus, or bicycle. Around Bene beach, you can also find less crowded spots, if you like a bit of privacy.
Split beaches: Southwest Beaches
Bacvice Beach
Split Beaches: Bacvice Beach | Split Travel Guide & Blog
Bacvice beach is a sandy beach right in the center of the town. You can easily reach it on foot. It is popular for its sport offer, lots of cafes and bars, and active nightlife.
Sandy seabed makes Bacvice beach a perfect place for a game of picigin. It is entertaining to watch locals play this game.
Deck chairs and umbrellas are available for rental. Zbirac, one of our favorite daytime caffe bars in Split, is right at Bacvice beach.
Ovcice Beach
Ovcice beach continues southeast of Bacvice beach. Like Bacvice beach, Ovcice beach is within a short walking distance from the old town.
There isn’t much shadow, but you can rent umbrellas and deck chairs. Beach is pebble, and pretty shallow, thus good for small kids. There are also some children activities like trampoline. Beach also have showers.
Firule Beach
Firule beach is located in the town’s neighborhood of the same name. It is not far from the center. The beach is sandy, protected from winds, with long and narrow seafront promenade. There are couple of bars at the beach, as well as showers.
Nearby you’ll find Split’s main tennis center. Parking can be a problem, especially in the afternoon. But, you can easily reach Firule beach by bus. This beach is partly shaded.
Znjan Beach
One of the most popular swimming spots in Split, Znjan beach has an easy access and big parking, so for people of Split it is very convenient beach to visit.
Znanj beach is not particularly well arranged or maintained and it doesn’t offer much shadow. However there are lots of children friendly activities in the area. The beach is also popular among wind surfers as it gets windy often.
Trstenik Beach
Trstenik beach is popular for its fine pebbles and natural wind protection. It is close to Zenta harbor and hotel Radisson Blue Split. There is a car-free promenade along the beach. Beach has no shadow.
Nearby Radisson Blu Hotel partly manages and maintains Trstenik beach. A part of the beach is exclusive for hotel guests, but the rest is free for all. Deck chairs, and parasols are available for rent.
Duilovo beach
Duilovo brach 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
Split Beaches: Pisak beaches near Split | Split Travel Guide & Blog
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
Split Beaches: Makarska Riviera Beaches near Split | Split Travel Guide & Blog
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.
Recommended tour: Blue Lagoon Day Trip From Split
Island Beaches: Brac, Hvar, Solta
Split Beaches: Brac Island Beaches near Split | Split Travel Guide & Blog
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.
Recommended tours:
- Sailing Day Trip To Brac, Solta, And Ciovo
- Full-day Mega Catamaran Tour To Hvar, Pakleni Islands, and Brac
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.