Secrets to Affordable Holiday Rentals in Split With Good Reviews

Affordable Split holiday rentals: our neighbourhood guide to Old Town, Meje, Bačvice, Veli Varoš & Znjan, with real Booking.com picks.

By Rose | Write on 25th September, 2026

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Affordable Split Holiday Rentals

We picked our first affordable Split holiday rental based on price alone, and paid for it every single day.

The listing looked perfect online.

What it didn’t mention was the ten minute uphill walk from the nearest bus stop, or that the closest grocery store was a genuine hike with a week’s worth of shopping bags.

By day three, Brendan and I had a running joke about “apartment regret,” and a hard rule for every trip since: location beats a pretty photo, every time.

Affordable Split holiday rentals: Inside the ancient Peristyle courtyard of Diocletian's Palace, rows of tall stone columns with decorative capitals line an open plaza beneath a towering bell tower. The worn stone pavement stretches toward a set of steps, with a lone pigeon resting on the ground and red cushioned seats visible to the right.

That one mistake taught us more about choosing accommodation than a dozen successful bookings ever could.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through Split’s five best neighborhood, what genuinely sets each one apart, real Booking.com properties across every budget, and exactly how to match a location to the way you actually like to travel, whether that’s settling in for a slow, home like stay or moving through the city at a quicker pace.

We have a badly kept secret that will help you save money, everytime you book accommodation online.

Get this right, and Split stops feeling like a place you’re visiting and starts feeling like somewhere you’re briefly living, which, if you ask us, is the whole point of travel.

With those basics covered, here’s everything you need to know.

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Affordable Split Holiday Rentals: A Neighbourhood by Neighbourhood Guide

Choosing where to stay in Split can make or break your trip, and we learned that the hard way on our first visit, when we picked a place purely on price and spent half our stay hiking uphill with grocery bags.

Split isn’t a big city, but its neighborhood each have a distinct personality, and picking the right one depends entirely on what kind of trip you’re after.

Staying within or near the palace walls puts you in the heart of the action, letting you experience the magic of early mornings and late evenings once the day-trippers have gone home.

Affordable Split holiday rentals: A narrow street within the old town shows weathered stone buildings with green shutters and small balconies, including one housing "Tavern Favola" with outdoor seating and a menu board. Shopfronts with awnings and security shutters line the ground floor beneath a partly cloudy sky.

Venture just a little further out, and you’ll find quieter streets, better value, and a genuine slice of local life.

Here’s our breakdown of five neighborhood worth considering, with real options across every budget.

Genius Level 1 gets you a solid 10% discount on stays, plus 10% off rental cars and flight price alerts so you never miss a drop.

Stick with the platform a little longer, and Level 2 unlocks 10-15% off stays and rental cars, along with free breakfasts on select properties, because waking up in a new city with breakfast sorted is a small joy that adds up.

The real prize, though, is Level 3.

At this tier, you’re looking at 10-20% off stays, free room upgrades automatically applied to select bookings, and priority support if anything needs changing. We’ve had

Location Is Everything

We love staying inside the Old Town walls, it’s atmospheric, walkable, and you genuinely feel like you’re living inside a medieval movie set.

That said, Split isn’t huge, so if you prefer a quieter stay with a little more breathing room, look just outside the walls in areas like Bačvice or Veli Varoš.

You’ll often get better value and still be a short stroll or bus ride from everything.

Affordable Split holiday rentals: Viewed through an open window, this photo shows a Gothic-style stone building with pointed arched windows and a triple-arched arcade at street level on People's Square, also known locally as Narodni trg or Pjaca. Below, people sit at outdoor café tables and walk across the square's smooth stone pavement.

Know What You Need to Find Affordable Split Holiday Rentals

A cosy studio or hotel room might suit a weekend, but if you’re staying five to seven days or longer, an apartment with a kitchen and washing machine is a genuine game changer.

Being able to cook with fresh produce from the local market saves money and gives you a real taste of everyday life, something we lean into heavily now that we tend to slow travel rather than rush through a city in two nights.

Bonus points if your place has air conditioning, Dalmatian summers can be sizzling.

If you’re new to renting apartments rather than booking hotels, we’ve put together a full breakdown of what to look for in a short term European rental that’s worth a read before you commit.

Affordable Split holiday rentals: A view of the Split waterfront seen from the sea, with a tall stone bell tower rising above a row of palm trees and pastel historic buildings with terracotta roofs. In the foreground, a wooden sailing boat with dark red sails and white fenders drifts across the calm blue water, with rugged gray mountains in the background.

Don’t Forget the Wi-Fi

Reliable internet is a must, whether you’re sharing sunset photos from the city walls or streaming something after a long day of sightseeing.

Affordable Split holiday rentals: A lively seaside promenade lined with tall palm trees in front of a row of historic stone buildings with shuttered windows and wrought-iron balconies. Beneath striped awnings, people sit at outdoor café tables while others stroll along the walkway carrying bags and chatting in small groups.

Match Your Rental to Your Travel Style

If you’re settling in for a while, find somewhere that feels like home, maybe with a balcony overlooking terracotta rooftops or the Adriatic itself.

We’ve written before about what a longer, slower stay in Europe actually looks like in practice, and accommodation choice is right at the centre of it.

If you’re moving around more often, prioritise easy check-in, compact spaces, and a convenient location, somewhere inside the palace walls usually wins here.

Affordable Split holiday rentals. A narrow passageway of old stone buildings with a row of green plants on the left. At the end of the alley up high is enclosed walkway between the two buildings.

1. Old Town (Inside Diocletian’s Palace)

Staying inside the palace walls means Roman ruins are your daily backdrop, not a tourist stop.

You’ll wake up to church bells, step outside onto 1,700-year-old stone, and be within a five-minute walk of everything, the Riva promenade, the fish market, the best restaurants in the city.

We stayed right in Peoples Square, it was amazing. We watch a live rock concert on night, sitting on the window ledge.

And another day we were serenaded by an orchestra while we sat by the window sipping wine.

Affordable Split holiday rentals: A tall stone building on People's Square rises above a row of slender columns forming an open gallery with arched windows on the upper level. In the foreground, a carved statue of a robed figure stands on a stone pedestal beside the entrance, with purple and yellow flags fluttering overhead.

Pros

Unbeatable atmosphere, walkable to absolutely everything, front-row seat to the Riva at sunset

Cons

Can get noisy in peak summer, limited parking, generally the priciest neighbourhood in Split.

Affordable Split holiday rentalsy: A weathered stone apartment building on People's Square features an ornate stone balcony with carved supports and shuttered windows on the upper floors. At street level, shopfronts including a travel agency and a bistro sit beneath the historic facade, with colorful flags hanging nearby.

Where to stay:

  • Luxury Apartment Blue on Riva Promenade (Luxury) — This property was amazing. The location is unbeatable, right on the promenade, very central, in the absolute heart of the city.
  • Apartment Luxury Palace No1 (Mid-range) — A genuine piece of history, set inside Diocletian’s Palace itself. It even has a jacuzzi, which makes for a fun surprise.
  • Apartment Branko (Mid-range) — Beautifully appointed and authentic, right on the Riva. Walking distance to everything.

2. Meje

Tucked beside Marjan Hill’s pine forest, Meje is one of Split’s best-kept secrets, elegant, residential, and just a five-minute walk from both the Old Town and a proper swimming beach.

It’s the neighbourhood we’d point slow travellers toward first.

Affordable Split holiday rentals: A wide palm-lined boulevard curves along the coast in the Meje neighborhood, with a stone building on the left and the turquoise sea visible on the right. Construction trucks are parked along the road, and a few pedestrians walk beneath the palm trees toward the city skyline in the distance.

Pros

Genuinely quiet, close to nature and hiking trails, still walkable to the Old Town, excellent value for the location.

Cons

Fewer restaurants and shops right on your doorstep, some properties are a short uphill walk.

Affordable Split holiday rentals: A cluster of pale stone houses with green-shuttered windows and red tile roofs perches on a rocky cliff edge in the Meje district. A row of parked cars lines the road below, with a palm tree and glimpses of the city and a distant white tower visible under a bright blue sky with fluffy clouds.

Where to stay:

  • Luxury Apartment Meje (Luxury) — A spacious two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment with a private garden entrance, washing machine, and free parking. Rated 8.7 for location, just under Marjan Hill.
  • Meje Apartments (Mid-range) — Rated 9.3 by recent guests. A fully equipped kitchen, washing machine, and a lovely communal garden, guests consistently mention the host’s local recommendations as a highlight.
  • Promenade Room Split (Budget) — Simple, well-located, and praised for its value-for-money, a solid pick if you want Meje’s quiet charm without the higher price tag.

3. Bačvice

Home to Split’s famous sandy beach (a rarity on this pebbly coastline), Bačvice is lively, central, and a genuine local favourite.

Come summer evenings, you’ll find Split residents playing picigin in the shallows just steps from your front door.

Affordable Split holiday rentals: A grand white hotel building with rows of shuttered windows stretches along a garden filled with blooming pink and white flowering shrubs and a leafy pergola near the Bačvice area. The scene is bathed in bright sunshine under a clear blue sky.

Pros

Sandy beach on your doorstep, buzzing nightlife, still only a short walk to the Old Town.

Cons

Can be loud in high season, especially near the beach itself, book early for the best-rated places.

Affordable Split holiday rentalsy: A pale stone building in the Bačvice area features an arched stone doorway beneath a glassed-in walkway connecting two sections of the structure. Green-shuttered windows and a small wrought-iron balcony decorate the upper floors, with a young tree growing in front.

Where to stay:

  • Apartment Bacvice (Luxury) — Rated 9.3, with an excellent 9.7 location score. A full kitchen, washing machine, and a balcony with city views, guests rave about the host’s thoughtful extra touches.
  • Bačvice Beach Apartment (Mid-range) — Just 150 metres from the beach and 800 metres from Diocletian’s Palace, with a full kitchen and washing machine included.
  • Apartment Sun & Sea (Budget) — Spotless, well-maintained, and praised for its friendly host, a comfortable, no-fuss option close to the sand.

4. Veli Varoš

A maze of narrow stone streets on the western edge of the Old Town, Veli Varoš is where Split feels most like an authentic Dalmatian fishing village, all the charm of the palace walls, but with a slower, more residential pace.

Affordable Split holiday rentals: A shaded pedestrian square in the lively Veli Varoš district is filled with leafy green trees, stone benches, and people gathered outside cafés under a tan awning. A bicycle leans against one of the tree planters while a small child runs across the paved walkway.

Pros

Beautiful stone architecture, genuinely peaceful, still just a five-minute walk to the Riva.

Cons

Steep, narrow streets can be tricky with heavy luggage, fewer big supermarkets nearby.

Affordable Split holiday rentalsy: Two tall palm trees frame a view of a historic square featuring a slim clock tower flanked by a cream-colored building and a deep red building with white-trimmed windows. Pedestrians walk and sit on benches in the foreground, with pigeons scattered across the paved plaza.

Where to stay:

  • Villa Veli Varoš (Luxury) — A spacious three-bedroom apartment with a washing machine, dishwasher, and private entrance, run by a family who’ve lived in the house for generations.
  • Apartment Varoš (Mid-range) — Rated 9.3 for couples, with a well-equipped kitchen and that classic Dalmatian stone interior. Under half a mile from Bačvice Beach.
  • Awesome Stone House (Budget) — A simple ground-floor studio right in the heart of the neighbourhood, walking distance to the fish market and green market.

5. Žnjan

If you want beach life without sacrificing city convenience, Žnjan delivers.

It’s about 4km east of the Old Town, but the payoff is a long, family-friendly stretch of coast with restaurants and bars strung right along the promenade.

Affordable Split holiday rentals: A modern multi-story apartment building in the Znjan area features rows of angular white balconies and glass railings, with small trees and shrubs planted along the street in front. A black car is parked near a pedestrian crossing sign under a clear blue sky.

Pros

Genuine beach town feel, quieter than Bačvice, great restaurants nearby.

Cons

You’ll want a bus or a bit of a walk to reach the Old Town, further from the ferry port for island day trips.

Affordable Split holiday rentals: A contemporary white apartment complex with sharply angled rooflines and dark-framed windows sits above a retaining wall covered in greenery. The image has a layered look, with additional modern buildings visible to the right under a pale blue sky.

Where to stay:

  • Radisson Blu Resort Split (Luxury) — The only hotel with direct beachfront access at Žnjan, complete with a spa, indoor pool, and its own beach club.
  • Žnjan Beach Apartments (Mid-range) — Rated 8.6 for location, with a full kitchen, washing machine, and a lovely garden terrace, just a 12-minute walk to the beach.
  • Apartments Žnjan (Budget) — Recently refurbished, high-quality finishes, and excellent value at around €50 a night, a short walk to the sand.

Bringing It All Together

Wherever you land, Split rewards a little planning.

If you’re building out a longer Croatian itinerary, our full country guide covers how Split fits alongside destinations like Istria and its many day road trip route, or the frozen beauty of Plitvice’s waterfalls in the colder months.

And if Dubrovnik is also on your list, we’ve written up our favourite things to do there, along with how we’d spend five unhurried days in the city.

Affordable Split holiday rentals: A dark metal drinking fountain shaped like a funnel stands at a stone street corner, water arcing up from its spout. Behind it, a building corner is decorated with a colorful hand-painted mural of a coastal town, while a man in a blue shirt walks past on the paved square.

Back in Split itself, once you’ve settled into your neighbourhood of choice, you’ll want to know where to eat well, which beaches are worth the walk, and where the best evening drinks are hiding down side streets locals actually use.

We’ve also mapped out our favourite day trips from Split, perfect for when you want a change of scenery without changing accommodation.

And if saving money on accommodation itself is part of your planning, our deep dive into how we consistently cut costs on stays across Europe pairs nicely with everything above, especially if slow travel through the Adriatic is part of a longer 90-day European adventure.

With those basics covered, you’re ready to pick the Split neighbourhood that actually fits how you want to travel, not just the first listing that pops up in a search.

Who Are We?

A man and woman smiling for a selfie at an outdoor table during golden hour, with a glass of red wine, olive oil bottle, and small potted plant in the foreground, and a whitewashed building with a wooden shutter and terracotta rooftops behind them overlooking a hazy valley.

We’re an Australian couple in our 50s who’ve spent the last chapter of life waiting for exactly this: more time, more money, and a lot fewer reasons to say no to a trip.

We’re empty nesters now, and travel has become our thing.

Not the pack-in-ten-countries-in-two-weeks kind, and not full-time nomad life either, we love our home and our family too much to give either up for good.

Instead, we’ve found our own rhythm: pick one country, settle in for up to three months, and really get to know it.

We usually spend about a week in each place, long enough to stop feeling like tourists and start feeling like we actually live there for a while.

We’re not the type to sit still. Wherever we land, we’re out exploring, often without much of a plan, and it’s usually when we get a little lost that we stumble onto the best spots.

We’ve spent four years living in Europe, and between that and travel, we’ve now visited over 30 countries.

We also believe every trip needs at least one thing we’ve never done before, a long zip line through the Alps, truffle hunting in Istria, whitewater rafting down a river we couldn’t pronounce.

Those are the stories we still tell years later.

Bonjour!

Best Vacation Accomodation in Split FAQ

Q. What is the best area to stay in Split?

A: We think the Old Town, right inside Diocletian’s Palace, is hard to beat. You’re steps from the Peristyle, the Riva promenade, and every restaurant worth trying.

However, if you want more space and a quieter pace, Meje is a wonderful alternative. It sits just west of the palace walls, with leafy streets and easy beach access.

For travelers who prefer a modern apartment with a pool, Znjan is worth considering too. It’s a short bus ride from downtown, but far more relaxed.

Q: Is it better to stay in Split or Dubrovnik?

A: Honestly, it depends on what you’re after. We find Split feels more like a real, lived in city, while Dubrovnik leans more polished and tourist focused.

Split also makes a better base for island-hopping, since ferries to Hvar, Brač, and Vis leave right from the harbor. Dubrovnik is stunning, but it’s also more crowded and pricier.

If this is your first trip to Croatia, we’d recommend splitting your time between both. Each offers a completely different side of the coast.

Q: What is the best month to go to Split?

A: We always point people toward May, June, or September. The weather is warm without the peak summer heat, and the crowds thin out considerably.

July and August bring the highest temperatures and the biggest crowds, especially around the Riva and Bačvice Beach. Prices climb during these months too.

For a slower, more affordable visit, late September is our personal favorite. The sea is still warm, and the city feels far more relaxed.

Q: Is it safe for Americans to travel to Croatia right now?

A: Yes, Croatia remains one of the safer destinations in Europe for American travelers. Violent crime is rare, and petty theft is the main concern in busy tourist areas.

As with any city, we recommend the usual precautions. Keep an eye on your belongings around the Riva, the ferry terminal, and crowded markets.

Beyond that, Split is a welcoming, walkable city. We’ve always felt comfortable exploring, even late in the evening.

Q:What is more expensive, Split or Dubrovnik?

A: Dubrovnik tends to run noticeably higher across the board. Accommodation, restaurants, and even coffee cost more near the Old City walls.

Split, by comparison, offers better value without sacrificing much charm. A comparable apartment in Meje or near People’s Square typically costs less than a similar spot in Dubrovnik.

If your budget matters, Split stretches further. You’ll still get that same postcard-worthy Dalmatian coastline, just at a friendlier price.

Make sure you pin this post for future planning and Inspiration!

Split Best Places to Stay: A Pinterest graphic features an upward view inside the ancient domed Vestibule of Diocletian's Palace, its stone and brick walls curving toward a circular opening filled with sky. Bold blue text reading "Split Croatia Vacation Rental" is overlaid on the image, with the website theextendedvacation.com noted at the bottom.
Split Best Places to Stay: A three-photo Pinterest graphic combines a shaded, tree-filled plaza with people gathered at outdoor tables, a view of ancient Roman columns inside Diocletian's Palace, and a Gothic stone building with arched windows. A blue banner in the center reads "Split Croatia: Where to Stay," with the website theextendedvacation.com at the bottom.

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