Split’s Best Beaches at a Glance
Split sits on a peninsula with beaches on almost every side — from busy city beaches to hidden rocky coves under the Marjan forest. Here’s our complete ranking for 2026, with honest assessments of who each beach is best for.
| Beach | Type | Best For | Distance from Old Town | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Žnjan | Pebble | Families, sports, nightlife | 4 km (15 min by bus) | 9/10 |
| Bačvice | Sand | Convenience, young children | 500 m (7 min walk) | 7/10 |
| Kasjuni | Pebble | Couples, tranquillity | 3 km (20 min walk) | 8/10 |
| Bene | Pebble/Concrete | Nature lovers, swimmers | 3.5 km (25 min walk) | 7/10 |
| Kaštelet | Rocky | Locals, sunbathing | 2 km (15 min walk) | 6/10 |
| Ovčice | Pebble | Families, calm water | 1 km (12 min walk) | 7/10 |
| Trstenik | Pebble | Locals, laid-back vibe | 2.5 km (12 min by bus) | 6/10 |
| Jezinac | Rocky | Snorkeling, adventure | 2.5 km (18 min walk) | 7/10 |
1. Žnjan Beach — The Best Overall
Type: Pebble | Length: 2+ km | Bus: Lines 8, 15
After the €45.77 million transformation (reopened 21 June 2025), Žnjan is now Split’s undisputed top beach. It has everything:
- 11 new pavilions housing restaurants, cafés and beach clubs — including Palma, Taboo, Casa Sol, Central Beach, MIMI and GAL Split
- Underground garage with 530 spaces + 451 outdoor spots (€1 per hour, paid since 16 July 2025)
- Kids’ zone with shallow water, a roughly 600 m² playground and a splash pad
- Sports zone with beach volleyball, basketball and cage-football courts, plus a roughly 1,200 m² skate park
- 1.7 km palm-lined promenade for cycling and running
- Open-air amphitheatre for concerts and events
- Accessible beach section (opened summer 2024) with a hydraulic lift for wheelchair users, an adapted WC and lifeguards
Best for: Families, sports enthusiasts, foodies, anyone wanting a full-day beach experience.
Drawback: It’s Split’s most popular beach — arrive early in peak season. The pebble surface requires water shoes.
Getting there & costs: Beach access is free. Bus lines 8 and 15 run from the centre straight to Žnjan. Full details in our getting there guide, parking guide and cost guide.
2. Bačvice Beach — The Sandy Classic
Type: Sand | Length: ~300 m | Walk: 7 min from Old Town
Split’s most famous beach, and the only sandy beach in the city. Bačvice is synonymous with picigin — the traditional Split ball game played in shallow water. Its location just south of the old town makes it the most convenient beach for tourists.
Facilities: Showers, toilets, lifeguards, several cafes and bars (including Žbirac), volleyball courts.
Best for: Tourists staying in the Old Town, very young children (soft sand, shallow water), picigin players.
Drawback: Extremely crowded in summer. The sand gets packed shoulder-to-shoulder by noon. Limited parking. Water can get murky when busy.
3. Kasjuni Beach — The Scenic Escape
Type: Fine pebble | Length: ~200 m | Walk: 20 min from Old Town
Tucked beneath Marjan Hill on Split’s western tip, Kasjuni is arguably the most beautiful beach in the city. The pine-forested hillside provides natural shade, and the water is crystal clear.
Facilities: One beach bar, sunbed rental, parking lot above (limited). No lifeguards.
Best for: Couples, snorkelers, anyone wanting a more relaxed and scenic setting.
Drawback: Limited facilities compared to Žnjan or Bačvice. Gets crowded on weekends. The walk down from the road is steep. Limited parking fills early.
4. Bene Beach — The Nature Lover’s Choice
Type: Pebble & concrete | Length: ~150 m | Walk: 25 min from Old Town
On the Marjan peninsula, Bene is set within a sports-recreation area surrounded by pine forest. The water is exceptionally clear, and there’s a swimming pool complex nearby.
Facilities: Café, showers, changing rooms, tennis courts, swimming pool. Small parking area.
Best for: Nature lovers, swimmers, those combining a Marjan hike with a beach visit.
Drawback: Mostly concrete and rocky entry. Not great for small children. Relatively far from the city centre.
5. Ovčice Beach — The Quiet Family Option
Type: Pebble | Length: ~200 m | Walk: 12 min from Old Town
Just east of Bačvice, Ovčice often gets overlooked by tourists heading to its famous neighbour. That’s a good thing — it’s quieter, has calm shallow water, and several family-friendly cafes.
Facilities: Showers, toilets, cafes, playground nearby.
Best for: Families with children who want less chaos than Bačvice, but similar convenience.
Drawback: Smaller than other beaches. Can still get busy on peak weekends.
6. Jezinac Beach — The Snorkeler’s Spot
Type: Rocky/Pebble | Length: ~100 m | Walk: 18 min from Old Town
A small rocky cove on the south side of Marjan, Jezinac offers some of the best snorkeling accessible from Split. The rocks create a natural harbour with clear water and visible marine life.
Facilities: Minimal — one beach bar. Bring your own supplies.
Best for: Snorkelers, adventure seekers, people who prefer rocky natural beaches.
Drawback: Very rocky entry (water shoes essential). No sandy areas. Limited shade.
7. Trstenik Beach — The Local’s Secret
Type: Pebble | Length: ~250 m | Bus: Line 8
East of the city centre, between Bačvice and Žnjan, Trstenik is a neighbourhood beach used mainly by locals. It has a relaxed, residential feel with a few cafes and a small park.
Facilities: Showers, cafes, playground.
Best for: Locals, visitors staying in the eastern part of Split, anyone wanting an authentic neighbourhood beach.
Drawback: No major attractions or facilities. The beach itself is unremarkable compared to Žnjan or Kasjuni.
8. Kaštelet Beach — The Sunbather’s Perch
Type: Rocky/Concrete | Length: ~200 m | Walk: 15 min from Old Town
A series of rocky platforms and small pebbly coves between Bačvice and Marjan. Popular with locals for flat-rock sunbathing.
Facilities: A couple of beach bars.
Best for: Sunbathers, locals who know the flat-rock spots, cliff-jumping enthusiasts.
Drawback: Rocky and uneven. Not for families with small children. Limited facilities.
Beach Comparison: What Matters Most?
For detailed head-to-head comparisons, see Žnjan vs Bačvice, Žnjan vs Kasjuni, and our beach club comparison.
Best for Families with Young Kids
- Žnjan — Kids’ zone, shallow water, playgrounds, lifeguards, restaurants
- Bačvice — Sandy, very shallow, close to centre
- Ovčice — Calm, quiet, family cafes nearby
Best for Couples
- Kasjuni — Scenic, pine forests, romantic setting
- Jezinac — Secluded rocky cove, snorkeling
- Žnjan — Beach club vibes, sunset cocktails on promenade
Best for Sports & Activities
- Žnjan — Volleyball, SUP, kayaking, cycling, running
- Bačvice — Picigin, volleyball
- Bene — Swimming, tennis, hiking nearby
Best for Nightlife
- Žnjan — Taboo, Palma, and other beach clubs with DJ sets
- Bačvice — Several bars with late-night atmosphere
- Kasjuni — One bar, very mellow
Best for Snorkeling
- Jezinac — Rocky coves, clear water, marine life
- Kasjuni — Good visibility along the rocks
- Žnjan (eastern end) — Rocky section good for beginners
Most Accessible (Wheelchair/Stroller)
- Žnjan — Ramps, elevator, accessible toilets, flat promenade
- Bačvice — Relatively flat, some accessible facilities
- Others — Limited or no accessibility features
Water Temperature by Month
All Split beaches share the same Adriatic waters:
| Month | Water Temp | Air Temp | Swimmable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | 18–20°C | 22°C | Cool but possible |
| June | 21–23°C | 26°C | Yes |
| July | 24–26°C | 30°C | Yes — peak |
| August | 25–27°C | 31°C | Yes — warmest |
| September | 23–25°C | 27°C | Yes — great |
| October | 20–22°C | 22°C | Mild, still possible |
Combining a Beach Day with Sightseeing
Split’s most famous sight — Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979 — sits right in the Old Town and pairs easily with a beach day:
- Old Town + Bačvice: The sandy beach is only a 7-minute walk from the Old Town — ideal for a quick swim after sightseeing.
- Old Town + Žnjan: Bus lines 8 or 15 get you from the centre to the beach in about 15 minutes. Plan half a day or a full day — see our guide to things to do at Žnjan Beach.
- Marjan Hill + Kasjuni or Bene: Forested Marjan is Split’s recreation area; both beaches sit on its slopes and combine well with a hike.
How to Choose Your Beach
If you have one day in Split: Go to Žnjan for the full experience — it has everything in one place.
If you’re staying near the Old Town: Start with Bačvice for convenience, then bus to Žnjan for a full day.
If you want peace and quiet: Head to Kasjuni early morning.
If you love snorkeling: Take the walk to Jezinac.
If you have kids under 5: Bačvice (sand) or Žnjan Kids’ Area (pebble but excellent facilities).
Split’s coastline has a beach for everyone. But if we had to pick just one, the €45.77M transformation makes Žnjan the clear winner for 2026 — get the full picture in our complete guide to Žnjan Beach.