Budget — Split

Split offers one of the best value-for-money equations in Croatia — markedly cheaper than Dubrovnik (30-40%) and Hvar (40-50%), for equivalent service. The baseline budget of €95/day/person covers a comfortable stay: apartman inside the walls or 3* hotel at Bačvice, lunch in a konoba, dinner in a good restaurant, palace entries and local buses.

Accommodation covers every band. Hostel (Split Backpackers, Tchaikovsky Hostel): €25-40/night in a dorm. Apartman inside the walls (simple room with locals): €60-110/night for two. 3* hotel in Bačvice or Marjan (Hotel Luxe, Hotel Cornaro): €110-170/night. 4* hotel inside the walls (Villa Diana, Marmont Heritage Hotel): €180-280/night. 5* hotel with palace view (Hotel Park, Le Méridien Lav): €300-500/night. Prices +50-80% in July-August vs May-June.

Dining is one of Croatia's best. Marenda (working-day lunch served 10am-12pm in some konobas — a Splitčani institution): €10-15 per person for a full plate. Local konoba (Konoba Matejuška, Konoba Marjan): €25-35 per person for a meal with wine. Riva or tourist restaurant inside the walls: €40-60 per person (variable quality). Fine dining (Bokeria, Dvor, Zinfandel): €60-90 per person. Local specialities: pašticada (braised beef in a sweet-savoury sauce, traditional Sunday dish), peka (octopus or lamb under the bell, order 24h ahead), soparnik (Swiss chard pie typical of Poljica), homemade gnocchi.

Entry fees are moderate. Palace basement halls: €5. St Domnius Cathedral + crypt + treasury: €5. Bell tower: €5. Temple of Jupiter: €2. Archaeological Museum: €4. Split Card (24/48/72h, €15/25/35): transport + discounts on paid sites.

Transport is cheap. Promet city bus: €1.70 per ticket, €5 for a day. Airport to centre: Pleso bus €8 (45 minutes) or city bus n°37 €5 (1 hour). Airport taxi: €30-40 (25 km). Ferries: Split-Hvar Town €28-35 (catamaran), Split-Brač €7-10 (ferry), Split-Vis €15-30.