Split vs Dubrovnik: Ultimate Comparison Guide (2025)
Wondering whether to stay in Split or Dubrovnik? If so, you’ve come to the right article.
Split and Dubrovnik are two tourist hotspots tucked along the Dalmatian Coast, and where most people fly into when they visit Croatia. Split is centrally located, whereas Dubrovnik is one of the southermost cities near the border to Montenegro.
This article will cover exactly which city to visit, with differences in cost, activities, island-hopping and day trip opportunities, and more.
Here is everything you should know before booking a stay in Split or Dubrovnik.
Split vs Dubrovnik At A Glance
Split and Dubrovnik both have busy international airports, where millions of tourists fly in each year. Split is only a 3 hour drive (4 hour bus ride) from Dubrovnik, so it’s very possible to see both cities, even if you have limited vacation time.
Croatia’s cities are well connected by bus, but renting a car is by far the most convenient option. Many of the attractions in Croatia are spaced apart, and require a bus ride or Uber/taxi outside of the city center to get to. I flew into Split, and got everywhere by bus, before flying out of Dubrovnik.
Split is the most central city, and the ideal place to stay if you want to see nearby national parks, ancient cities, and go island-hopping.
It’s most known for being home to Diocletian’s palace, and has a lively seafront promenade, and charming old town with narrow, maze-like streets.
Dubrovnik is much smaller, but it’s one of the most spectacular places to see in the country.
The most popular activity in the city is to walk the City Walls, wander around Old Town, and enjoy views of the orange rooftops. The city is an attraction in and of itself, whereas Split is more of a base for day trips.
I recommend seeing both cities, but spending more time in Split, as it’s cheaper, and has more things to do.
From Plitvice Lakes to Hvar Island and nearby ancient cities like Trogir and Zadar, you really can’t go wrong staying in Split!
Here is more on how they compare in terms of cost, activities, nearby islands, and day trip opportunities.
Differences In Cost
Split is much cheaper than Dubrovnik, and without a doubt the best place to stay if you’re traveling on a budget. It’s a larger city than Dubrovnik, and has a wide variety of budget-friendly hotel options.
Check out our guide on where to stay in Split for a list of the top-rated hotel options.
The cafes and restaurants are cheaper in Split, and it’s free to see most of the attractions in Old Town. In Dubrovnik, there are limited budget hotel options in the city, and you may have to stay outside of the city if traveling on a budget.
Most of the hotels in Dubrovnik are outside of Old Town, in the nearby peninsula of Lapad. Lapad is just a 15-20 minute walk from the City Walls, and has a variety of cafes, restaurants, and laid back beach bars.
Many of the attractions in Dubrovnik’s Old Town also require an entrance fee (City Walls, Cable Car, Fort Lovjrenac). In Split, it’s free to see the ancient roman ruins of Diocletian’s Palace, and many historic sites.
However, there are free walking tours available in both cities, and the beaches are completely free to visit!
Things To Do In Each City
Whether you stay in Split or Dubrovnik ultimately comes down to your activity preferences. Split is the ideal place to stay if you want to go island-hopping, visit nearby national parks, and be closer to small historic cities like Zadar and Trogir.
I used Split as a base for day trips, and went to Hvar, Zadar, Krka National Park, and Plitvice Lakes National Park.
Dubrovnik is the ideal place to stay if you want to wander around a charming ancient city, enjoy views overlooking the orange rooftops, and spend more time relaxing.
It’s more compact than Split, and everywhere you go looks straight out of a postcard.
Dubrovnik is famous for being a Game of Thrones filming location, and it’s the place to go if you want to go on a walking tour! Split is also only 30 minutes away from the Klis fortress, another Game of Thrones filming location, but there aren’t as many tours available.
The cities have equally beautiful beaches, but Dubrovnik has more easily accessible beaches near the Old Town. In Split, it’s around a 20 minute walk from Old Town, or a short bus ride to get to the beaches.
Additionally, one of the most popular activities in Dubrovnik is to go kayaking. There are a variety of kayak rental companies, that offer 2-3 hour rentals, where you can explore around the city walls.
Here are some of the best things to do in Split:
- See Diocletian’s Palace
- Wander around Old Town and the lively Riva promenade
- Hop on a ferry to Hvar or Bol (Brac) island
- Go on a day trip to Krka or Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Visit the ancient cities of Trogir (30 min.) or Zadar (1.5hr)
- Visit the medieval Klis fortress
- Watch the sunset from Forest Park Marjan
Here are some of the best things to do in Dubrovnik:
- Walk the ancient city walls
- Overlook the orange rooftops from the cable car
- Go kayaking around the city walls
- Go on a Game of Thrones Walking Tour
- Hop on a short 10 minute ferry to Lokum island
- Enjoy views from Fort Lovjrenac
- Go on a day trip to Mostar, Bosnia
Island-Hopping
You can go island-hopping from both Split and Dubrovnik, but Split has the best opportunities. Split has a large marina, and regular ferries that depart to Hvar, Brac, and other islands.
It’s the main ferry port, and there are a variety of island-hopping tours available from the marina.
The most popular island to visit from Split, Hvar, is one of Croatia’s most developed islands. It’s known as the party island, and has an old town, and lively seafront promenade lined with beach bars and restaurants.
It has many idyllic beaches with crystal clear water, and is one of the best islands to stay overnight at.
Check out our Split to Hvar day trip guide for details on how to buy ferry tickets.
From Dubrovnik, you can hop on a 10 minute ferry to Lokum island, or a 2-3 hour ferry to Korcula. Lokum island is a protected nature reserve with great hiking opportunities. It’s mostly undeveloped, and has wild peacocks that you can see roaming around!
Korcula is a charming island with an old town that’s thought to be the birthplace of Marco Polo.
If you want to visit multiple islands in a day there’s tours available from both cities. In Split, you can join an island-hopping tour to visit up to 5 islands, including Hvar, the Pakleni islands, and the Blue Caves.
In Dubrovnik, you can go on an island-hopping tour to the nearby Elaphiti islands, and Blue Cave for a day of swimming and snorkeling.
Best Day Trip Opportunities
Split and Dubrovnik have equally amazing day trips, but Split has more options. From Split, you can visit Plitvice Lakes, Krka National Park, the ancient cities of Zadar and Trogir, or see the medieval Klis fortress.
Split is well connected to all of these places by bus or group tours, so it’s very easy to get around without a car.
All of these places are less than a 1.5 hour drive from Split, with the exception of Plitvice Lakes.
Plitvice Lakes is Croatia’s largest and most stunning national park, and only a 2-3 hour drive (3 hour bus ride) from Split. It’s nestled in the center of the countryside, and one of the most beautiful places in the country.
From Dubrovnik, you can cross the border into Mostar, Bosnia, or the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro. The most popular day trip is visiting Old Town Mostar, which is only a 2 hour drive (3 hour bus ride) from Dubrovnik.
I went on this day trip from Split by bus, and it was one of the most charming cities I’ve ever visited.
Old Town Mostar has beautiful medieval architecture with stone buildings, mosques, bridges, and a lively bazaar in the heart of town.
It’s an amazing place to stop to buy souvenirs before leaving Croatia, and it’s easily accessible by bus and group tours from both cities.
Note: Keep in mind that if you want to cross the border into Bosnia or Montenegro by yourself, you’ll need to request a green card from your rental car company.
How Much Time To Spend In Each City
I recommend spending most of your time in Split, as a base for day trips, and then spending 1-2 nights in Dubrovnik.
You only really need an afternoon to see Diocletian’s Palace, and stroll around Old Town in Split. Then, you can spend the rest of your time visiting the islands, national parks, charming cities, and nearby attractions.
For Dubrovnik, you only need a full day to see the highlights in Old Town.
In a day, you can walk the city walls, stroll around Old Town, visit the fort, and go kayaking or overlook the orange rooftops from the cable car! Then, you can spend the rest of the time relaxing on the beaches, and going on day trips.
Summary
Split and Dubrovnik are two amazing cities to stay at, whether you want to go island-hopping, stroll an ancient city, or relax by the beach. If you’re traveling on a budget, I recommend staying in Split for the majority of your trip, and spending 1-2 days of Dubrovnik.
Split is centrally located, budget-friendly, and home to the main ferry port, where you can visit all of the popular island. Dubrovnik was one of the most picturesque cities I’ve ever visited, and a wonderful place to stay if you’re not as worried about budget!
Split vs Dubrovnik FAQs
Should you fly into Split or Dubrovnik?
I recommend flying into Split, and centering your itinerary around the nearby attractions. Dubrovnik is one of the most spectacular places to see in person, so it’s a good last place to visit before flying out of the country.
Is Split or Dubrovnik more crowded?
Split and Dubrovnik were both crowded, but Dubrovnik’s Old Town was the most crowded because it’s a more compact city. It can also be especially crowded as cruise ships come in, so it’s best to explore Dubrovnik’s Old Town early in the morning, or around sunset.
Should you rent a car in Croatia?
Yes, renting a car is one of the best ways to explore Croatia. Croatia is one of those countries where every place is beautiful, and most of the attractions are outside of the tourist hotspots. It will make going on day trips to the national parks and historic sites much easier, but it’s by no means necessary.
How do you get around Croatia without a car?
Nearly all of Croatia’s cities, as well as the national parks, are well connected by bus and group tours. Split and Dubrovnik have intercity buses that can get you closer to your hotel, and there are Uber/taxis readily available.
Is Split or Dubrovnik better for families?
Split is better overall for families, as it’s more affordable, closer to the national parks, and less crowded. However, Dubrovnik’s city walls are a must-see while in Croatia, and the entire city looks straight out of a fairytale. If you’re a family of Game of Thrones fans, there’s walking tours available in both cities.
Is Split or Dubrovnik better for couples?
Dubrovnik is known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic”, and one of the most romantic cities to stay in. If you want a spectacular view from your hotel, there’s no better place than Dubrovnik. Split has a better nightlife, better island-hopping opportunities, and is near the stunning Plitvice Lakes in the countryside.
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