Where to Stay in Split, Croatia, for a Local Experience

Enjoy the views while taking a rooftop swim at the Dioklecijan Hotel & Residence in Split, Croatia
Enjoy the views while taking a rooftop swim at the Dioklecijan Hotel & Residence in Split, Croatia | Courtesy of Dioklecijan Hotel and Residence / Expedia
Laura Hampson

Despite being the second-largest city in Croatia, Split – with its Unesco-listed site, Diocletian’s Palace – makes it easy to immerse yourself in the local culture. First-time visitors will likely spend their days marvelling at the ancient sites or sunning themselves on Bačvice Beach. However, those in the know will book a hotel that gives them access to traditional dining experiences, knowledgeable locals and incredible views – here’s our guide to the best places to stay in Split, bookable with Culture Trip.

Vestibul Palace

Luxury, Boutique Hotel

Outdoor tables and chairs under umbrellas outside the stone building of Hotel Vestibul Palace in Split at night
Courtesy of Hotel Vestibul Palace / Expedia

Smack bang in the middle of Diocletian’s Palace, Vestibul Palace offers a boutique hideaway. Part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World group, the hotel was created by merging three palaces of three different architecture styles: Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance. Its storied history is instantly apparent in its rooms, where the old (original stone walls) meets the new (deep soak tubs). The restaurant, Magnus, serves modern Croatian cuisine made from local and seasonal ingredients.

Hotel Peristil

Boutique Hotel

A bed in a simple hotel room at Hotel Peristil, with a stone arch over the sitting area
Courtesy of Hotel Peristil / Expedia

Behind one of Diocletian’s Palace’ ancient stone walls, Hotel Peristil makes for a classic escape. With unpretentious interiors and walls clad in oil paintings, you’ll find locals congregating at the groundfloor cafe-restaurant Tiffany. Come nightfall, dine on traditional dishes, including fresh Adriatic seafood, on one of the tables that spills onto the pavement, so you can nosy at the people passing by.

Heritage Hotel Antique Split

Bed and Breakfast

A bed in a hotel room at Heritage Hotel Antique Split; the windows have heavy curtains and are set in an exposed brick wall
Courtesy of Heritage Hotel Antique Split / Expedia

Tucked away inside Diocletian’s Palace, Heritage Hotel Antique Split is a family-run gem. Rooms are classically styled – think exposed stone walls, heavy curtains, plush bedding and mahogany fixtures. Some rooms even have direct views of St Domnius Cathedral and the Peristyle. A stay here means you’re within 10 minutes of Split’s ancient landmarks – just ask the friendly team to point you in the right direction.

Villa Matejuska Apartments

Apartment

A table and chairs on a balcony at Villa Matejuska Heritage, with its terracotta rooftop; wood doors lead to the interior
Courtesy of Villa Matejuska Heritage / Expedia

Wedged between the lively Riva boardwalk and the Marjan Hill Stairs – which will give you the best views in Split – Villa Matejuska Apartments offer quaint rooms in an old stone house. While each of the apartments has a small kitchenette for home cooking, dinners are best eaten at the in-house restaurant, where traditional Dalmatian cuisine is served alongside a heady selection of fine wines.

Marvie Hotel

Spa Hotel, Luxury

Sun loungers and closed umbrellas at the infinity pool at Marvie Hotel in Split, looking out to the sea in the distance
Courtesy of Marvie Hotel / Expedia

Making a strong case for some of the best views in Split, it’s hard to find a better place to take a dip than at Marvie Hotel’s rooftop infinity pool that is overlooking the glistening Adriatic Sea. Rooms are minimalist and light-filled, thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows. The real focus here is on wellness – evident in its onsite spa and in the menu of Da’Mar Restaurant, where most dishes are gluten-free and can be made vegan.

Briig Boutique Hotel

Boutique Hotel

A bed and chairs in a hotel room at Briig Boutique Hotel; the large floor-to-ceiling window gives a view of treetops and the sea
Courtesy of Briig Boutique Hotel / Expedia

If you’re looking for a modern oasis away from the main tourist traps (but right next to sandy Bačvice Beach), it has to be Briig Boutique Hotel. As the first design hotel of this coastal city, you’ll find Wegner chairs furnishing the on-site Median restaurant and vintage artwork from Croatian creatives adorning the walls. Each of the 62 rooms will appeal to even the most ardent minimalism lover, but do opt for one of the rooftop suites, if you can, for your own private whirlpool.

Divota Apartment Hotel

Apartment

A grey table and chairs, and potted palms and flowers, on the balcony at Divota Apartment Hotel in Split
Courtesy of Divota Apartment Hotel / Expedia

In the charming neighbourhood of Veli Varoš, a largely residential area, Divota Apartment Hotel will instantly make you feel like a local. The apartments are dotted among several old houses on winding cobblestone lanes. But don’t let the façades fool you. Inside, the abodes are clad in white, with hardwood floors and pops of colour in the form of artworks. Most rooms have private courtyards, and each has a fully equipped kitchen, too.

Dioklecijan Hotel & Residence

Spa Hotel

Sunbeds and the conservatory roof next to the rooftop pool at Dioklecijan Hotel & Residence, looking out to the city buildings and the sea
Courtesy of Dioklecijan Hotel and Residence / Expedia

Equidistant from Bačvice Beach and Split’s Old Town, Dioklecijan Hotel & Residence boasts minimalist rooms and impressive views over the city from greenery-covered balconies. After a visit to the rooftop spa, take a dip in the open-air pool. Sitting high above the city, it’s an ideal place to watch the sunset.

Tchaikovsky Hostel Split

Hostel, Boutique Hotel

In the heart of downtown Split, Tchaikovsky Hostel is a stylish boutique option, just moments from the city’s must-see landmarks. Here, art lines the walls, and free artisan teas are served throughout the day. Each bed comes equipped with its own night light, shelves and a curtain for that extra dose of privacy – which, when you’re staying in a hostel, feels like landing on a pot of gold.

landscape with balloons floating in the air

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