The Best Hostels in Split, Croatia

Moments from the harbour and the lively Riva promenade, Design Hostel Goli and Bosi sits in a converted 19th-century warehouse. All accommodation options – dorms, suites and ship cabin-style spaces – have air conditioning, a welcome break from the summertime heat, and pod-like beds. Opt for one of the rooms on the top floors, if you can, for terraces overlooking the terracotta rooftops.

With its soft lemon-hued façade, Hostel Dvor is instantly welcoming. Set in the picturesque Varoš neighbourhood of Split, it’s within walking distance of both the city centre and the pristine Marjan Forest Park. Each of the 13 dorm and private rooms are clad in white, with stylish beds, air conditioning and large lockable closets for your bags. A simple breakfast is included each morning, too.

As it’s a four-time winner of the “most popular hostel in Split” award from Hostelworld, you know you’re in for a good time at CroParadise Green Hostel. With organised pub crawls in the summer, dorms or studio apartments, balconies, sun terraces and its location just moments from Diocletian’s Palace, it’s not hard to see why it’s a favourite.

A 15-minute drive from the old town, Design Hostel 101 Dalmatinac is far enough away from the tourist-pounded pavements to get a bit of peace and quiet. The design-led hostel has a distinctive style, with its mostly white-hued rooms offset by bright pops of colour. With 101 beds (hence the name), there’s something here to suit every party size.

In beautiful Varoš, near Split’s marina and within walking distance of the city’s most beautiful beaches, Boutique Hostel Posteya is a sleek spot to rest your head. The light-filled rooms feature stylish bunk beds in the dorms. Each bed comes with easy stair access to the top bunk, which helps avoid waking your slumbering neighbour below.

An art hostel in the centre of downtown Split, Tchaikovsky Hostel is a stylish boutique option, just moments from the city’s must-see landmarks, and offers free luggage storage and complimentary artisan teas daily. Each bed comes with a night light, shelves, an electric socket and a curtain for that extra dose of privacy that’s so often hard to find in hostels.

Sitting inside two stone buildings in the heart of the old town, Fiesta Siesta offers mixed and private dorms to suit your needs. Run by Aussies who will show you their top handpicked, secret locations on the Croatian coast, including their favourite bars and party spots, the hostel is rife with community spirit. It’s even set above Charlie’s, one of the only dedicated backpacker’s bars in town, so you know you’re in for a good time. Its sister hostel – Booze and Snooze – also features on our list.

On the fringe of the old town, with Diocletian’s Palace less than a four-minute walk away, Hurricane Hostel is one of the newest hostels in Split. Here, three dorm rooms house 30 beds, and there’s a packed social calendar, which makes it perfect for the solo traveller, too. The large common room features a TV, board and card games, and there’s a kitchen for cooking meals on the go as well.

One of the local big guns, Hostel Split opened in 2005, albeit under a different moniker, Pletkovic Hostel. It’s a popular option due to its clean and friendly atmosphere and budget-friendly accommodation options, including six-person mixed dorms, doubles and twins, and private ensuites. The hostel has a well-equipped kitchen but lacks a common area – solo travellers could find it lonely.

This high-octane hostel lives up to its name, with the emphasis being very much on boozing over snoozing. This Split Hostel outpost knows its market well, having no curfew and organising nightly bar crawls. In the heart of the city, it’s within walking distance of Split’s top attractions and Bacvice Beach. Booze and Snooze is perfect for shoe-string budgeters and full-on hedonists and undoubtedly the most fun hostel in town – although perhaps ill-advised for teetotallers and early-morning risers.

British-run Al’s Place is set over two floors in a delightful building in the old town, with two six-doom rooms and a couple of private suites. The hostel has an intimate, relaxed vibe, and the common area is sociable without being overbearing. The owner is a fountain of local knowledge and a keen conversationalist – don’t hesitate to ask for advice. As it can be a little tricky to find, use the website’s directions to help you arrive easily.

The cushy Adriatic Hostel is an attractive place to escape the summer chaos of Split. With comfy furniture throughout, its expansive, contemporary lounge area is a great place to kick back after a day of exploring. Sitting on the pricier end of the hostel spectrum, Adriatic Hostel is well worth the extra pennies. With a brilliantly handy location – near the old town – and stylish decor, it perfectly matches the splendour of this ancient city.