Best Hostels in Split? Croatia’s second-largest city, Split, is one of its best. Visitors gravitate to it mostly for two things: (1) to hop on a ferry to one of the nearby islands (or take a multi-day sailing tour), and (2) to stroll around the incredible UNESCO World Heritage-listed Diocletian Palace, a late-third-century mansion for a retiring Roman emperor that, over time, fell into ruin, after which people just sort of moved in.
But there is more to Split than boats and crumbling buildings. This seaside burg of about 170,000 people has a stunning medieval cathedral, a warren of ancient streets to explore, an oceanside promenade on which to linger, and a hiking trail-carved hill to explore.
And while Split is cheaper than its overly popular neighbour, Dubrovnik, it’s still pretty dang expensive.
Luckily, there are a ton of hostels in the city that can help you lower costs. But, out of the dozens and dozens there, which one is the best to stay in?
After over a decade of traveling the world, I know a thing or two about what makes a good hostel. Here are some things to consider:
1. Location – Split is located on the Dalmatian coast. As in most coastal destinations, the further you are from the coastline, the cheaper your accommodation will be. This is particularly true around Diocletian’s Palace.
2. Price – Hostel prices here are lower than in bustling Dubrovnik, but in the high season — the beginning of June until the beginning of September — prices are at their highest.
3. Amenities – Most hostels offer free Wi-Fi, and some even include free breakfast, but if you want more than that, do your research to find one that best meets your needs.
4. Staff – All the hostels listed here have friendly staff. They are all knowledgeable and will offer recommendations for things to do and places to eat. Even if you don’t stay at one of the hostels listed below, look up reviews to ensure you end up somewhere where the staff are helpful and friendly. They can make or break a stay!
To help you plan your trip, below is my list of the best hostels in Split. They all offer a welcome respite and a cozy and friendly place to lay your weary head and hang out with fellow travelers — all while keeping your budget intact.
Book a place to stay with Plumguide.
Book a tour today with Freetour.
If you don’t want to read the whole list, the following are the best in each category:
Best Hostel for Budget Travelers: Backpackers Fairytale
Best Hostel for Location: Old Town Split Hostel
Best Hostel for Families: CroParadise Green Hostel
Best Hostel for Solo Female Travelers: Sweet Spot Hostel
Best Hostel for Partying: Split Hostel Fiesta Siesta
Best Overall Hostel: Split Guesthouse & Hostel
Want more specifics? Here’s my comprehensive list of the best hostels in Split:
Price (per night)
$ = Under 175 HRK
$$ = 175-315 HRK
$$$ = Over 315 HRK
1. Split Guesthouse & Hostel
When you arrive at Split Guesthouse & Hostel, you’re met with a hot cup of coffee. And that sets the tone at this friendly and welcoming hostel, located in the center of town, a short walk from everywhere you’d want to go in Split.
There are a lot of complimentary offerings here: free towels, free coffee, free lockers and padlocks, free city maps, and free use of Skype headsets. This is not a party property, but it does foster a friendly vibe that inspires travelers and guests to meet one another. So, if you’re alone and/or looking to meet other travelers, this is a good place to do it.
Sleeping options include a six-bed mixed dorm and a private, two-bedroom. Sleeping quarters are quiet and painted in cheery colours, and the beds are comfortable. Best of all, the place is clean (and that includes the bathrooms!).
Split Guesthouse & Hostel at a glance:
$$
Great location right in Old Town
Super helpful staff and owners
Free city maps, free lockers, free coffee all the time
Beds from 188 HRK, private rooms from 375 HRK.
Book Split Guesthouse & Hostel here!
2. Old Town Hostel
If location is your priority, then Old Town Split Hostel is where you’ll want to stay. It’s located within the walls of Diocletian’s Palace, so if you want to feel the city’s history, you’re in the right place here.
The hostel was renovated in 2021, so the interior has a fresh, clean feel. Rooms include a couple of two-bed private rooms (one with an en suite toilet, the other with a shared bathroom), as well as four-, six-, and eight-bed mixed dorm rooms. The beds are comfy, and the lockers are big enough to store all your stuff.
For diversions, there is a fun common room with board games, a book exchange, and a TV with international channels. The hostel organizes nights out too. If you came to party hard, this is not the place, though, as the owners prefer guests get a quiet night’s sleep rather than waking up with a raging hangover every morning. But if you dig cats, the in-house pet is a very adorable, outgoing kitty named Chili.
One thing to note: the hostel is cash only. So hit the ATM before you arrive.
Old Town Split Hostel at a glance:
$
Located within the walls of Diocletian’s Palace
Very friendly and helpful staff
Great shared kitchen
Beds from 170 HRK; private rooms from 535 HRK.
Book Old Town Split Hostel here!
Book a place to stay with Plumguide.
Book a tour today with Freetour.
3. CroParadise Green Hostel
The “green” in the name of this hostel is literal: the walls are splashed with bright-green hues. Many of the rooms are small and private rooms or apartments with varying numbers of beds (two to four, for example), so if you have an aversion to large mixed dorm rooms, CroParadise might be your best bet. There are also four-bed mixed dorms that are more budget-friendly. All rooms have strong AC units, flat-screen TVs, and a computer.
The hostel has a very fun vibe. There’s a large, sometimes bustling common room, but even better is the sunny terrace. CroParadise also organizes pub crawls every evening. And the location, just a few minutes walk from Diocletian’s Palace, is hard to beat.
CroParadise Green Hostel at a glance:
$
Nice terrace to admire the Old Town
Pub crawls in the evening
Superb location in Old Town
Beds from 145 HRK, private rooms for 360 HRK.
Book CroParadise Green Hostel here!
4. Sweet Spot Hostel
Located about a 20-minute walk from Diocletian’s Palace, Sweet Spot is an ideal hostel if you’re a female traveler (either solo or with another female traveling companion). It’s one of the few hostels in town that offers women-only dorm rooms.
The property is modern and clean, with the usual hostel amenities: a nice standard room with a TV, a book exchange, and plus-sized lockers for storage during the day and evening. The dorm rooms have air conditioning, and each one has its own bathroom. There is also a private room that sleeps two.
There isn’t a kitchen on the property, but there are plenty of affordable restaurants within seconds of the hostel, so you can eat cheap during your stay.
Sweet Spot Hostel at a glance:
$$
Female-only dorm rooms
A 20-minute walk to the center of town
Nice common room
Beds from 180 HRK, private rooms for 450 HRK.
Book a place to stay with Plumguide.
Book a tour today with Freetour.
5. Backpackers Fairytale
One of the most budget-friendly places in town, this hostel is, as you would expect, lacking the frills of the more sophisticated boutique offerings in town. The four-, eight-, and ten-bed mixed dorm rooms are pretty basic but comfortable.
That said, it’s clean, the staff goes out of their way to be helpful and friendly, and there are a few fun perks (a record player in the common room, for example). There’s a cute, friendly dog named Tia roaming the premises, and the hostel has a small terrace with a lovely view of Old Town. They also hold occasional group activities, such as trekking and stand-up paddleboarding.
In short, it’s a fun and cheap place to stay.
Backpackers Fairytale at a glance:
$
Organized free events
Bunk beds have reading lights and USB ports
Complimentary towels and lockers/padlocks
Beds from 123 HRK.
Book Backpackers Fairytale here!
6. Split Hostel Fiesta Siesta
As the name suggests, this hostel is meant to be for relaxing and for partying, not necessarily in that order. In fact, the partying side is a lot more prevalent here. The Australian-owned property is oozing with fun and organizes a ton of free activities, such as pub crawls, beach days, and various nights out.
And if that’s not enough, it’s centrally located, above Charlie’s Bar, a renowned backpacker drinking den, one of many bars on the block.
The dorm rooms, which are of varying sizes, are pretty no-frills but comfortable and clean nonetheless. The walls are painted in bright, cheery colours, and every room has air conditioning.
Split Hostel Fiesta Siesta at a glance:
$
Free, organized party-centric nightly events
Located on a bar-strewn block
Fun, active common room
Beds from 160 HRK.
Book Split Hostel Fiesta Siesta here!
Book a place to stay with Plumguide.
Book a tour today with Freetour.
7. En Route Hostel
Just 5 minutes from the beach and 10 minutes from downtown, this social hostel has a few large and spacious dorms. The roomy beds have privacy curtains and reading lights, and the kitchen has everything you need to cook your own meals on a budget. The place also has quiet hours in effect from 11 pm to 8 am so you can get a decent night’s sleep.
The hostel is also located near a supermarket, a café, restaurants, and a bakery, so it’s easy to stock up on anything you need. There’s also a large common room that makes hanging out and meeting people a breeze.
En Route Hostel at a glance:
$$
Large common room makes it easy to meet people
Convenient location
Fully equipped kitchen
Beds from 200 HRK.
***
Split offers a wide variety when it comes to hostels — from cheap, no-frills spots to party-centric properties where sleep is only a suggestion to quieter, modern, and sophisticated options.
For the budget traveler, the best hostels in Split offer a choose-your-own-adventure based on your budget, interests, and travel style. In short, there’s something here for everyone — so don’t skip this fun, historic, and gorgeous coastal getaway.
Book a place to stay with Plumguide.
Book a tour today with Freetour.
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Book Your Trip to Croatia: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned!
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
SafetyWing (best for nomads)
World Nomads (most comprehensive)
Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
Want More Information on Croatia?
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