Split Gay Travel
Where is the Split gay beach? Are there gay bars in Split? These answers, plus the best areas to stay, in wolfyy’s Split gay travel guide.
The Gay Travel Experience: Split, Croatia
Of all the destinations in Croatia, Split is where you will find the most gay tourists! Split is one of the most gay-friendly Croatian cities along with Dubrovnik and Zagreb. While Croatia as a whole is not so comfortable with homosexuality compared to the rest of Europe, that doesn’t stop droves of gay tourists from visiting every year.
A high density of international tourists dissipates any anti-LGBT sentiment that you may find. I definitely enjoyed myself in this wonderful city. Many bars and sightseeing locations are predominantly tourists, so you certainly won’t feel out of place. Make sure to read the Croatia gay safety section below for some more advice.
Gay travel in Croatia usually starts or ends in Split, as it’s an anchor point for many travelers make their way along the country’s spectacular islands. Croatian cities are increasingly branding themselves as top gay holiday destinations, and Split has without a doubt become a staple world gay travel hotspot!
If you are debating whether to visit Split as opposed to Dubrovnik, then I would firstly decide if you’re more interested in nightlife or gay beaches.
While you can still find gay nightlife in Split, expect it to be a but more relaxed. On the other hand, Dubrovnik has rowdier nightlife, with spectacular clubbing. Here in Split, there is a popular gay beach that’s sure to entertain, but Dubrovnik beaches don’t really have a specifically gay area.
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Gay Split: Where to Stay
Staying directly in the Old City is a great opportunity if you have the budget to do so. The alleyways and historic streets are enchanting. There are so many adorable Airbnb options within the Old City walls. This specific neighborhood is called Grad.
As you may imagine, booking Split hotels or Airbnb rentals that are in these cute passageways are more expensive. In my opinion, they will be worth it.
For cheaper accommodations in Split, there are tons of Airbnb options just outside Old City. The area is perfectly walkable and safe. For a part of my trip, I stayed about a 10-minute walk north of the waterfront in pretty cheap Airbnb.
You can tell which exact areas are the true “Old City” by checking Google Maps for the regions that are shaded beige. Google Maps doesn’t even show most of the restaurants, bars and hotels connected to a street in this area! It just goes to show how maze-like the Split Old City feels.
If you’re also checking flights to Croatia while browsing accommodations, I suggest comparing airlines with Vayama: International Travel Solved
. They have an awesome interface and make it super easy to optimize your route.
Split Experiences for the Gay Traveler
Book a Croatia Gay Sailing Trip
Sailing the Croatian Islands with a group of gay friends was definitely one of the most memorable trips of my entire life! If you’re interested in joining my next trip or booking your own, I can help you organize your first adventure gay sailing in Croatia or Greece.
Book dates for for 2020/2021! Learn about gay sailing holidays in Croatia and Greece.
If you’re interested in seeing what the trip was like for me, head to my instagram @laffaloui and check out the highlights section. There are a bunch of shots and videos from the my last sailing trip!
Take a stroll through the wondrous narrow alleys in the Split Old City. Make your way around the labyrinth of streets, exploring every little nook. Paths that you may think are dead-ends often lead to beautiful little plazas with cute bars and restaurants.
Break away from the tourist crowds and head to the hidden desolate corners of the Old City. In some of these alleyways and hidden plaza, you’ll get some great opportunities to capture amazing photos.
Walking around the Split Old City, you’ll want a wide angle lens to capture the fantastic architecture. You can do this with only your phone, using my favorite Moment wide-angle lens attachment. It quickly locks into a sleek and inexpensive Moment phone case (iPhone or Android). I carry my lenses everywhere, always ready for astounding shots if I pass by something breathtaking.
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Split Gay Beach: The Best Gay Beach in Croatia
The gay beach in Split is near Kasjuni Beach, west of the Split Old City. It’s one of the best gay beaches in Croatia. It’s clean, tranquil and private. To get there, head to Kasjuni Beach and then start walking west. You will find increasing numbers of gay men as you progress, and then a completely nude beach even further west.
Local gay Croatians are usually hanging out at Kasjuni Beach during the warmer months. They prefer this area because they can stay out of the public eye. You may notice local gay guys can be shy or even stand-offish. This is only because they may be nervous to interact with other gay men.
Nevertheless, if you’re looking for a gay cruising spot in Split, all you have to do is wander the rocky coves past the beach area. I definitely witnessed a few encounters from afar.
Remember, local gay Croatians are not always open or comfortable with their homosexuality because of the societal pressure. Say hello!
Also, the beaches in this area are made of round stones. If you don’t like walking on cobble shores, bring a pair of lace-up water shoes, or a pair of Birkenstock Sandals. The ocean temperature is refreshing too. It’s not too warm and not too cool.
Split Gay Travel: Best Restaurants
Pizzeria Bokamorra is a stunning and tasty high-end restaurant. Their cocktail menu is spectacular. You can also head here just for drinks. Pizzeria Bokamorra was actually one of few places in Split where I found custom cocktails.
After eating seafood for a few days, Terminal F might just satisfy a craving for delicious American food. The burgers at Terminal F were definitely the highlight. Whatever they are putting in there is magically satiating.
Bobis take-away cafés are all over Split. They are most convenient for food on the go and not too expensive. If you order pizza, make sure to get it properly warmed. They usually hand you lukewarm or cold slices. I am honestly still not sure why. Again, Bobis is really just for on-the-go snacks. I wouldn’t have a formal meal here.
What is Croatian Food Like?
Local food in Croatia is primarily fish and other seafood. The Croatian culture also borrows significantly from the Italians. Pizzerias are the second most common type of restaurant you will find in Croatia.
Most high-end restaurants will have a “catch of the day.” The menu should include a price per kilogram of a specific type of fish, or scallops for example.
Split Gay Bars
Academia Club Ghetto is the unofficial Split gay bar. Club Getto attracts a mixed crowd, but it is widely known to be the top gay hangout in the city. They often host intimate musical performances or have a live DJ.
Remember that Split has no official gay bars, however you can still easily find other gay travelers since Split is such an international gay travel destination. I’ll bet that you run into some new gay friends at Club Ghetto.. Check out the Club Ghetto Facebook Page for event information and other info.
As mentioned earlier in this guide, homosexual public displays of affection are not always tolerated well, unless of course it is clear that an establishment is a LGBT safe space. Many locals do support homosexuality, but then again many do not. Use your judgement, especially while drinking out at traditional bars.
In my opinion, Split is not a much of a late-night party destination. There are many tucked-away bars in the Old Town, but they won’t provide anything too rowdy. I didn’t find any large dance clubs like they have in Dubrovnik and Hvar. If clubbing isn’t on your agenda though, you definitely won’t have any issues enjoying yourself.
Lastly, one of my favorite places to grab drinks in Split is Fluid Cocktails. It’s a cozy bar with seating outside in a narrow alleyway. The vibe is precious and the staff is quite friendly.
My friends and I were briefly chatting with a man sitting next to us, who we minutes later found out was the server! The bar is informal, yet has a great ambiance. You can find Fluid Cocktails right in the Old City.
Is Split Safe for Gay Travelers?
Gay travelers in Split should exercise some caution for a few reasons. Although Croatia is part of the European Union and is a popular gay travel destination, there is still a formidable anti-LGBT sentiment among some locals.
One of the two homophobic scenarios I witnessed in Croatia was in Split. A gay couple that was part of my group of sailing friends was showing a small amount of affection in a restaurant called Roof 68.
A waitress came over to them and explained they are not permitted to kiss each other in the establishment. This surprised everyone, who left shortly after. It was disheartening to experience.
In my opinion, this incident should not deter you from visiting Split or anywhere else in Croatia. Isolated incidents like this can happen anywhere. Many locals do in fact support homosexuality and equal rights for the LGBT community.
I tell you this story only to illustrate why gay travelers in Croatia should still make sure they are in a safe environment before displaying any affection.
Split Gay Travel Tips
If you’re renting a car in Split, Auto Europe has some of the Best Car Rental Rates In Europe. You can also pick up your car in Split and leave it in Dubrovnik if you’re traveling between cities.
Looking for cheap snacks? Head to Stari Pazar just outside the Old City. Stari Pazar is an outdoor market that sells mostly fruit and dried goods. I grabbed some apples and berries for fuel to explore the city!
Traveling to Croatia with all the ever-changing COVID-19 circumstances might be easier and less stressful if you insure your trip. Let Travelex Insurance protect your trip investment starting at $20!
I needed to wash some clothes in Split, and I found the perfect spot. A small little place called Self-service Laundry Primus Verum is open every day. It’s quite convenient if you need to do laundry at early or late hours, or on a Sunday! However, keep in mind there are only three washers and three dryers.
Split Bus Station Tips
The Split bus station is usually very busy and can be a bit confusing at first. The easiest thing to do upon arrival is to show your ticket to the information window attendant. They will know exactly what platform the bus is going to arrive on. Trust them because they do this every day so they know your route.
It’s probably best to listen to the announcements in case of a bus platform change. It happens from time to time, so it’s better to be cautious.
Is Split Expensive?
Croatia in general is no longer cheap! Split, Dubrovnik and the Croatian islands are all so popular with international tourists, that prices are have inflated tremendously. Prices at most restaurants rival those of New York City or Paris. Inexpensive food is hard to come by. For the cheapest eats, street-side pizza shops are best.
Save Money on Mobile Data Costs
A year ago I switched to Google Fi for my cell phone service, and I now can use as much data as I want in 200 countries. Actually, even when I’m not traveling, my phone bill is still less than it was before. If you use the link above, you’ll get a credit on your first month’s bill. Definitely check out Google Fi’s plan details. They’re kind of unbeatable.
I used to pay those massive fees for international mobile data. Many of us have dealt with annoying tasks like switching to local SIM cards or constantly trying to find a nearby wifi network to avoid the data charges. Some of my friends even travel without data entirely!
Bus from Split to Dubrovnik: Do You Need Your Passport?
Busses that travel between Split and Dubrovnik must cross through Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnia and Herzegovina occupies a small stretch of coastline, and so there will be two border checkpoints during the journey. Hopefully they’re quick. My journey wasn’t too bad.
At the border, you likely will not need to exit the bus. An officer will board the bus and visually check your passport. They probably will not stamp it since they know the bus is bound for another Croatian city. My passport wasn’t stamped.
Gay Life in Croatia
Croatia for locals is not exactly easy. Most local Croatians keep their sexuality hidden from the public eye out of fear of discrimination. They do not usually express their identity openly. Hate speech has been on the rise against LGBT individuals and Serbs prior to 2017, according to reports compiled that year on the issue.
Croatia by law defends all citizens against discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. The country allows gays, lesbians and bisexual individuals to serve in the military. Changing legal gender is also legal.
A major downfall is that the Croatian constitution bans same-sex marriage. The country revised the constitution to define marriage as union solely between a man and woman. A 2017 Pew Research Study found that more than 60% of Croatians oppose same-sex marriage.
Gay rights gained more of a foothold in 2014, when Croatia passed the Life Partnership Act. The Life Partnership Act allows gay couples to receive the same legal benefits as heterosexual couples for just about everything except adoption rights.
On a positive note, a 2016 ILGA poll found that 75% of Croatians would have no issue with a LGBT neighbor. 10% of people responded they would be very uncomfortable with a LGBT neighbor.
Next, check out stunning blue caves in wolfyy’s Vis Gay Travel Guide, Hvar’s wild nightlife in the Hvar Gay Travel Guide, or the stunning swimming lakes of Mljet national park in the Pomena Gay Travel Guide. Also, support wolfyy by sharing this Split gay travel guide with a friend.
Need more ideas for gay vacations? Explore wolfyy’s full list of gay travel destinations.
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