Posted: 7/4/2022 | July 4th, 2022

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’s 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 Splis is cheaper than its overly popular neighbor, Dubrovnik, it’s still pretty dang expensive.

Luckily, there’s 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.

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-bed room. Sleeping quarters are quiet and painted in cheery colors, 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.

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 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.

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 even a computer to use.

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.

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 common 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.

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.

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 colors, 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.

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 11pm to 8am 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.
 

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By: NomadicMatt
Title: The 7 Best Hostels in Split, Croatia
Sourced From: www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/best-hostels-split/
Published Date: Mon, 04 Jul 2022 09:29:35 +0000