With the summer season in full swing, it’s easy for many of us to get lost in the midst of peak-season pricing and hoards of tourists, especially if you’re a local.
With that said, how does a local survive their city in the summer without the crowded chaos and without breaking the bank? Slobodna Dalmacija gives the people of Split some tips on July 2, 2017.
First, we begin with coffee, because well all know how much the people of Split thrive off of the coffee culture in the city. Which brings us to our next point: coffee prices in Split remain relatively cheap, and the people of Split aren’t critically affected by a one or two Kuna increase in coffee prices during the summer (usually). More often than not, you won’t see the astonishing Dubrovnik and Hvar 20 HRK + espressos, and because coffee is everything in this city, we’ll suck it up and do what we need to for a cup of joe - whether that means paying the extra bit to enjoy one on the Riva, or sticking to our trusted and cheap cafes in Split’s “ghetto”.
Moving along now, where does one enjoy a meal in the city center without breaking the bank? Slobodna Dalmacija suggests the quirky Corto Maltese, taverns such as Bistro Toć, everyone’s favorite locale Tri Volta, and the chicken sandwich at Kaleta.
If you’re looking to go out at night, clubs might not be the way to go as hefty entrance fees will thin your wallet. While many clubs have entry fees for both domestic people and foreigners, it’s best to oil your drinking machine before you choose to spend all of your money on drinks at the club. A good option? Buy some cheap beers and liquor from the market and head to Matejuška to get toasty and ready for the club.
Cocktails are another tricky one in Split, with prices ranging anywhere from 30-100 HRK. While many of the “cheaper” cafes will offer spirits for around 13 HRK and domestic spirits around 10-15 HRK, there are some great go-to’s for quality and quantity. Sanctuary Bar, for example, has a large list of craft cocktails for 35 HRK, which is nearly impossible to find anywhere else in the city center.
Beers, however, can be as little as 10 HRK in places like Split 3, but in the city center? Who is ever really sure. While paying 20 HRK for a half liter of domestic beer is average along the Riva (I even found one for 18 HRK the other day), there are quite a few places in the city center where you can find half liters of Croatian craft beer for under 30 HRK - talk about a bang for your buck. Leopold’s, for example, has one of the largest beer selections in Split, offering guests quality beer for an affordable price and plenty of 20 HRK options.
Parking, on the other hand, can get a bit tricky. In case you want to park on the Riva next to the Port Authority, during the first hour guests will pay 25 HRK and another 20 HRK following. Just a few meters away at the bus station, however, an hour of parking in the city center will cost you 10 HRK per hour.
There are some cheaper parking options. Specifically, along Zrinsko Frankopanska street, there is a third area for designated parking spaces which charges 4 HRK in the summer season. And the real perk? Parking here puts you only 200 meters away from Stari Plac (5 minutes walk into the city center).
Žnjan, one of the most famous beaches in Split, is where locals should escape to if they’re really concerned with saving that extra kuna. While many tourists do flock to this area to swim, coffee in cafes are mostly to 12 HRK, beer is between 15 and 35 HRK, and cocktails that are 0.3 or 0.5 are between 40 and 60 HRK.
The food offer is even more flexible on Žnjan. At Plan B, for example, guests can eat a monster burger for 35 HRK. The beach club “Gladiator" offers promotional dishes every day for a price of 25 HRK, and you can find a family meal of mixed meat with potatoes for 100 HRK.
At beach bar "Congo,” breakfast is offered for 65 HRK, which consists of eggs, gourmet sausages, coffee and orange juice. For lunch, you can eat grilled shrimp for 185 HRK or a jumbo pizza for 90 to 130 HRK.
While the peak-season is known to be a bit rough for the local crowd, with just a little bit of effort and creativity, the people of Split can surely survive their city. And if you do choose to stay at home away from it all? Remember, winter will be here before we know it!
