The Best Beaches in Split
Even though Split is the second largest city in Croatia and the biggest passenger port, it can be proud of the crystal-clear water around it and some of very unique beaches. Pebble or sand, crowded beaches or secluded bays, hidden under pine trees, Split has all that.
BAČVICE BEACH
Bačvice beach is surely one of the symbols of Split and its most famous beach. Located a few minutes from the city centre, right near the harbour, the bus and train station, it makes it very accessible for people who don’t like public transport and do not travel by car. Even though it’s not the only sandy beach in town, it’s certainly the biggest. Bačvice beach is the first beach in Split with the Blue Flag (for its high water quality standards). There are many restaurants, cafes and clubs there as well, so all that makes it really popular.
Thanks to the shallow water and sand, it’s perfect for “picigin” – a popular game played with a small ball. The only thing you have to do while playing it, is preventing the ball from falling into the sea. You can imagine how crazy it can get – jumping, diving, flipping in the air. Picigin has become so popular during the years, some people play it every single day of the year and it’s especially crazy seeing them in their speedos on Christmas and New Years when everybody else is freezing.
ŽNJAN BEACH
Žnjan beach is located at in the eastern part of Split. There is a huge parking lot behind it, so it’s perfectly accessible by car. There are several bars there, right next to the sea, just as a children’s park, which makes it perfect for families with kids. It’s a pebble beach, but the pebbles are fairly small and it’s not hard to walk on them and it’s quite easy to reach the sea as well.
If you’re not with a car, Žnjan beach is very well connected to the city centre by bus lines 8 and 15.
KAŠTELET BEACH (OBOJENA SVJETLOST)
Kaštelet or Obojena svjetlost as younger locals like to call it, is another famous pebble beach in Split, located at around 15 minutes walking from the city centre and it’s also very easily reached by car, the parking can be hard to find in peak season though.
It has always been quite popular among residents, but as the tourism developed, the tourists started noticing it and enjoying all it has to offer.
Even though the famous beach bar closed (it’s still unknown if anything new is going to open), the beach is still very popular in hot summer day – sometimes is literally hard to find the place to put the towel down. There are also some cliffs just next to the beach which are perfect for those who like to feel the adrenaline rush.
The only downside is that there isn’t a lot of shade and that children might find it a bit boring, since there are no extra activities there.
KAŠJUNI BEACH
Kašjuni beach has been completely renewed in 2016. It’s not that close to the centre, but easily accessed by public transport – bus number 12 that goes from the bus stop near the Saint Francis Church on the Riva.
It’s a pebble beach, with a nice beach bar and sunbeds. Ever since its renovation, it’s been much cleaner and the pebbles are much smaller which makes it perfect for families with children.
The furthest end of the beach had its own little nudist part and on the other side, there is a small dog beach as well.
BENE BEACH
Bene beach is situated on the western part of Marjan hill. It can be reached on foot, walking through a pine forest and it is also the last stop of the bus number 12. Cars are not allowed inside the park though.
The beach is different from most of the beaches in Split because it’s protected from the sun by a dense “roof” of pine trees. There is a nice bar there, a huge number of children’s activities, a tennis court, an outside gym, a water slide and much more – all that makes it perfect for children. Even though it can take up to 40 minutes walking from the city centre to reach the beach, the walk itself is amazing. Your kids will enjoy it as well as they can ride their bikes in the park safely without worrying about traffic.
Also, there are other beaches before and after Bene. There are mostly rocky beaches, some of the pebble ones – sometimes it can be difficult to reach the sea on those ones, so a comfortable footwear could be a good idea.
