Beaches in Split, Croatia: The Best Way to Enjoy the City

If you can't decide between a city break and a beach holiday, head straight to Split. Just a short walk from the buzzing city centre you'll find gorgeous stretches of golden sands, lapped by the turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea. Croatia's second largest city is a cultural hub that dates back to the ancient Greek era, with a UNESCO World Heritage Site at its historic core. Famous for the iconic Roman ruins of Diocletian's Palace, a rich mix of museums and a vibrant music scene, it's nevertheless the location that truly sets this European city apart. Sitting just at the edge of the Adriatic Sea, Split's magnificent coastal forest gives way to stunning sands and balmy waters.

Bačvice beach is one of the most central in Split, located just a 15 minute stroll from Diocletian's Palace. Despite its central location, the beach is very clean and has a blue flag status. In summer, the waters fill up with locals playing picigin, a traditional game that originated on this very beach. Players stand in shallow water and pass a small ball back and forth, without ever letting it touch the surface of the water. This impressive legacy and the convenient location combined, make Bačvice Split's most famous beach, which also inevitably makes it very busy during the summer. So make sure to plan your stay and head to the beach early to grab a sunny spot.

The gravel beach of Ovčice is tucked into a cove just a five minute walk from Bačvice. While children splash around at the edge of the shallow waters, elderly gentlemen contemplate complex chess games under shady parasols. At the Beach Bar, events and parties run throughout the summer with DJs and cocktails. This popular beach is small, so you'll need to arrive early if you want to steal one of the best places on the sand.

Trstenik is a peaceful beach five minutes to the east of Split's city centre, with shallow, crystal clear waters that are perfect for paddling. The beach side Mistral Beach Bar & Restaurant, renowned for its grilled seafood, has stunning views over the Adriatic Sea from the large deck, and is an ideal place to take a break from the sun, with a fresh cocktail or summer refreshments, of course. The west side of Trstenik, under concession by our Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Split, offers a first class butler service, with sunshades and loungers available for hire throughout the beach.

On the west side of Split you'll find the peaceful beach of Ježinac, located close to the upmarket suburb of Meje. The pine trees of Marjan Park Forest line the hills above the sea and provide much-needed shade. Facilities here include changing rooms and covered tables, where groups of sunbathers sit playing board games or filling up on picnic lunches. Ježinac is particularly popular with locals, making it an ideal place to escape the crowds and brush up on your Croatian.

The largest beach on Split's western coast, Kašuni has something for everyone. The shore has a good mix of pebble, sand and rock, while beachfront coffee bars and encroaching pine trees provide shade. Locals and tourists both flock to this beach, but it's so spacious that you'll find somewhere to relax even during peak season. It's a little further outside the city than other beaches at roughly ten minutes' drive from Ježinac, but there are plenty of parking spots around.

After a day in the sun and sand, head over to Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Split for relaxing cocktails by Mistral beach. Although we can't promise that you won't want to head back into the water! You can also spend your evening enjoying soothing massages at our spa which houses up to ten treatment rooms.