When I arrived in Split after backpacking for weeks across the Balkans, I noticed an interesting shift. Whereas in other places I would meet mostly travellers with backpacks (especially inland), here in Split I saw an equal number staying in the hostels carrying rolling luggage.
The audience for Split seems basically (*cough*) split into two camps: long-term through-travellers, plus those on a budget holiday on the Croatian coast. It makes sense, because Split is the hub for island hopping in Croatia, being a popular departure point for multi-day backpacker cruises. But the city itself is also beautiful and deeply historical, so it’s a destination in its own right.
Choosing your hostel in Split is all about the experience you want — from party hostel, to homely hub on the edge of the Old Town, to a spot far outside the city that feels like living on a private beach.
Here are my suggestions based on different criteria. Note: in the July/August high season the Old Town, with its Roman ruins, gets very busy with crowds and tours. I like Tchaikovsky Hostel, which is in a quieter spot just a few streets from the action.
P.S. Heading to Dubrovbik? Don’t miss my hostels picks for the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’.
- Tchaikovsky Hostel – the low-key one, in the middle of Old Town
- Hostel Split Backpackers 2 – the only central pick giving you both beach and Old Town access
- Booze & Snooze Social Hostel – built for partying and meeting people
- Adria – the secluded seaside hostel with direct Adriatic access
- Hostel Oktarin – a garden-and-beach stay away from Split’s Old Town bustle
Best hostels in Split
These 3 hostels are all inside or right on the edge of Old Town, so the difference between them is mainly their vibe and pace. Pick based on how loud you want your stay to be.
1. Tchaikovsky Hostel – quieter/boutique style stay
Tchaikovsky is a good fit if you want Old Town Split on your doorstep but have less interest in the hyper-social hostel scene. It’s a small, intimate place with a relaxed, almost homely atmosphere, and you’re just a few minutes’ walk from Diocletian’s Palace, the Riva and the city’s main sights.
The rooms are simple but thoughtfully set up, with privacy curtains, reading lights, power outlets and shelves at every bed, plus large lockers for your stuff. There’s also small common area and terrace where you can have artisan tea, chat with other travellers or plan your day.
The staff can help you get more out of your time in Split, whether that’s arranging an airport transfer, booking a day trip or sharing their own recommendations for beaches and places to eat. It’s the sort of central base that lets you spend your days exploring Split rather than planning your stay around the hostel.
Tchaikovsky Hostel at a glance:
- 📍 Old Town, 250m from Diocletian’s Palace
- Old Town’s quiet boutique pick (with artisan tea all day)
- Best for solo travellers who want their own cocoon
- Dorm beds from €25
2. Hostel Split Backpackers 2 – Social but chill, near beach
Hostel Split Backpackers 2 sits in a useful spot if you don’t want to choose between the beach and the Old Town. Bačvice is practically on your doorstep, while the historic centre is only a short walk away.
The atmosphere is more social than Tchaikovsky, with organised pub crawls and plenty of opportunities to meet other backpackers. There’s no curfew or lockout either, which is handy if you’re planning on making the most of Split’s nightlife.
It has air-conditioned accommodations with free WiFi access. Guests are housed in mixed dormitory rooms with shared bathrooms that include a shower, a hairdryer, and other complimentary amenities.
Common seating space and a flat-screen cable TV are available in the shared lounge. A fully equipped common kitchenette has a refrigerator, microwave, and other cooking appliances. Luggage storage and a safety deposit box are also available to guests.
Hostel Split Backpackers 2 at a glance:
- 📍 5-min walk from Old Town, right by Bačvice beach
- Best for splitting time between the beach by day and the city by night
- Best for people who want a social base without committing to a full-blown party hostel
- Dorm beds from €23
3. Booze & Snooze Social Hostel – best party hostel
If you’re coming to Split to meet people and go out, Booze & Snooze puts you right in the middle of it.
The hostel is inside Diocletian’s Palace, just off the main Pjaca, so you’re surrounded by bars, cafés and restaurants and only a few minutes from the Riva and ferry port.
It’s also especially convenient base if island-hopping is on your itinerary.
The hostel has a very social setup, with free organised events every day and night, plus a terrace where travellers tend to gather before heading out. The promo team also organises group activities and nights out. There’s no kitchen, though, so you’ll be relying on Split’s nearby markets and restaurants for your meals.
Dorms come in 6-, 7- and 11-bed options, with air conditioning, lockers and private bathrooms, while some rooms are split over two levels. You also get free WiFi, luggage storage, and 24-hour security.
Just keep in mind that this is a hostel where the location and social scene are the big draw, rather than polished facilities.
If Booze & Snooze is booked out, try its sister hostel, Fiesta Siesta, run by the same team. They share the same social programme and attract much the same crowd.
Booze & Snooze Social Hostel at a glance:
- 📍 Literally inside Diocletian’s Palace walls
- Loud and social with daily bar crawls and free organized social events
- Best if you’re solo and looking for a community; skip it if you’re a light sleeper or protective of your stuff
- Beds from €23
Best hostels outside Split
If you’d rather trade the palace walls for a stretch of coast, both of these stays are close enough to still count as a Split base, just quieter, and built more around the property itself than the city outside it.
4. Adria – right on the water, run by a local family
Adria sits between Split and Omiš, in a small stretch of coast where the hostel’s terrace runs straight into the Adriatic. There’s a diving board off the patio, so you can go straight from your lounger to jumping into the sea.
The waterfront area has plenty of sunbeds and outdoor seating, and the common room gives you somewhere to retreat when you’ve had enough sun. You can also make the most out of your beach break with the free snorkeling gear and paddleboards.
Inside, you’ll find a fully equipped kitchen with an oven, gas stoves, microwave, espresso machine and multiple fridges, plus free Wi-Fi throughout the hostel. There’s also a lounge and newer workspaces with tables and monitors if you need to get some work done.
The location is serene but around a 40-minute bus ride from the city. The upside is a quieter stretch of coast, with the sea right on the hostel’s doorstep.
Adria at a glance:
- 📍 Jesenice/Bajnice, ~40 min bus from Split
- Direct sea access via diving board, family-run, genuinely rural
- Dorm bed from €30; private room from €80
5. Hostel Oktarin – a leafy garden retreat by the sea
This is a small, homely hostel just a minute or two from the beach, with lush outdoor hangout spaces and a relaxed atmosphere.
The highlight is the lovely garden filled with palms, olive trees, lavender and rosemary. You can cook in the garden kitchen, fire up the BBQ or hang out on the terrace, and there’s a grocery store and bus stop about 5 minutes away.
The place has a boutique setup with dorms opening onto the garden or coming with a sea-view balcony and each has a lockable drawer, reading light and bedside shelf.
Location-wise, you’re around 10km from central Split and a 7-minute Uber ride from the airport – making it a convenient choice for a quick layover. It also works well if you’re coming off a multi-day trek or road trip and want a few quiet nights to recharge away from the bustle of Split’s Old Town.
Hostel Oktarin at a glance:
- 📍 ~30 min drive from Split centre, beachfront near Trogir
- This is a straight-up beach stay. You’re right on the water, with Trogir’s old town a short walk away instead of Split’s.
- Dorm bed from €47; private room from €100
Thanks for reading! If you’re mapping out more of the country, our backpacker guide to Croatia covers the full itinerary, from island-hopping routes to where to go beyond Split.
