Did you see the display on Bačvice yesterday? A sand replica of a Roman monument Gaius Laber was created in honor of Croatia in the Euro 2016 football tournament.

Beach & Booze, the newest addition to the Bačvice club scene, is where sunshine, sand and cocktails meet. A seaside cafe and bar tucked away from the stream of clubs lined on the beach already, Beach & Booze is the new premier hot spot for day parties and nightlife.

Split Beach Festival held on Bačvice beach will lead into its third edition this year, with UK based drum & bass, soul, funk and pop group - Rudimental.

Probably right next to its history, and recently entrtainment, Split is famous for its beaches. There are not many cities of this size, maybe in the whole Mediterranean, with so many places where it's safe, fun and clean to enjoy the sea and beach. All around Marjan hill, and east of the city harbour, there is about 17 kilometres of sea line, and pretty much all of it suitable for swimming.

Still, there is one beach that comes to mind first when mentioning swimming in Split, Bačvice (pron. something like Bahtchweetse). In the last few years, tourists have re-discovered this place, and even though sometimes it can be too crowded, it's still popular. Bačvice is deeply anchored in Split mythology, and beside Diocletian's Palace this beach is one of the Split scenes that can be most frequently seen on TV or elsewhere. Once when you come there, there is no chance you will miss someone playing picigin (pron. pizzighin), beach fun played by five players with a small ball, usually made out of peeled tennis ball.

Of course, Bačvice is not only a beach. It's really a good place to stay. It is spread not only on area around namesake beach, but also through whole area from the city harbour to the main hospital, locally know as Firule, and in the north up to street called Kralja Zvonimira. There are lots of available apartments and rooms around, sometime in villas. This is one of the most urban parts of the old Split, meaning you can find anything, ranging from small and charming stone houses in the oldest part called Toć (pron. Totch), to apartments in larger, usually 1930s buildings, some of them are the most beautiful in Split.

Sadly, but this area is another proof that Split really lacks hotels. Even in this, strongly tourist neighbourhood there are only two, both 4-stars, tradition leaning Park and very modern Luxe. There are several hostels around the area, the rest are apartments and rooms.

One of the reasons why it is so popular to stay on Bačvice or Firule is its vicinity to the old town, as well as all means of transportation. Ferries to islands, bus and railway stations are in the walking range, the same goes for the old town and all attractions. On the other hand, this neighbourhood is not as rich with landmarks as other parts of Split. Beside beaches - Bačvice is not the only one, swimming is possible everywhere - the only attractions are Memorial lighthouse overlooking the city port, and browsing around nice, quiet streets.

There are several nice restaurants in the area, like traditional style Oštarija Viđakovi, few Italian or pizza places around the beach, popular and affordable Bistro Toć and several good upper-scale hits like Dvor, Kadena, Nevera, etc. Also, restaurant Bruna within hotel Park is usually well-reviewed.

One of the features of Bačvice locals like the most is that it's a great place to hang around year-round, due to Split's great climate. Every weekend you can see thousands of people enjoying being outdoors, and sipping coffee anywhere from Bačvice beach eastbound is a mandatory ritual if you want to feel what is it like to be from Split. The most popular places are Žbirac overlooking the beach, Dvor, Ovčice, Kalafatić, and several others along the seaside promenade stretching for few kilometres. Also, there are some nice places away from the sea, like students' meeting point Aktuell

Bačvice, and surrounding area is one of the centers of Split nightlife. On the beach itself there are several clubs, and bars are open late, but probably the most popular venue is O'Hara music club, with daily DJ programs, and frequent live performances. During the summer concerts take place on a plateau in front of the club. There are also some other popular events, like the excellent Festival of Mediterranean Film

Downsides of staying in Bačvice are rare, its vicinity and good infrastructure is a sufficient reason to stay there. However, although most of this neighbourhood is really quiet, there are zones that sometime can be too noisy for families with children. So, if coming this way, avoid areas closer to the beach and clubs, youngsters coming home are loud creatures. Also, since it's a neighbourhood of mostly small houses, parking can be somewhat difficult, there are only two paid parking lots, everything else is left to your imagination for finding a place and driving skills.

To be continued

PREVIOUSLY IN WHERE TO STAY IN SPLIT

Choose Neighbourhood By Your Needs

City Within The Imperial Palace

Quiet Labyrinth on Marjan

A Neighbourhood With The View

Land Of Hajduk FC

Dalmatia.

Split.

Late October.

If you are a little cold where you are, this is what awaits.

(with thanks to Ivica Profaca for the photo).

July 10, 2013 - Loud and clear states Rough Guides: Bacvice in top 10 beaches in Croatia. Fantastic recognition for Split and its most iconic beach.

Some nice recognition for Split's most popular beach, as Bacvice is named in Croatia's top ten beaches by travel guide site Rough Guides. Here's what they had to say:

BAČVICE, SPLIT

For many of its inhabitants Split is not so much a city as a religion, centred around a collection of semi-mystic locations. Among the holiest of holies is undoubtedly Bačvice beach, a shallow bay of sand and shingle that has played an important role in the early childhood and teenage years of virtually anyone who has ever called the city home. Immensely popular as a family beach, it’s also a buzzing social hub, with a café-packed pleasure pavilion rising immediately to the east. Bačvice is also famous for being the spiritual home of picigin, a uniquely Dalmatian sport that involves a lot of acrobatic leaping around as players try to prevent a small ball from hitting the water.

© dronepicr 

Learn more about beaches in Croatia on our TC page.

For more about beaches in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.