Is Dubrovnik cheaper than Split?

Split is slightly cheaper than Dubrovnik! This is still noticeable in accommodation rates and costs of eating out. However, today prices in Split don't lag much behind prices in Dubrovnik.



In 2026, Split is generally cheaper than Dubrovnik, though the price gap has narrowed as both cities grapple with high demand. Dubrovnik remains Croatia’s most expensive destination, primarily due to its global fame and compact size. In Dubrovnik's Old Town, prices for a standard meal can be 20% to 30% higher than in Split’s Diocletian’s Palace area. Accommodation in Split is more varied, offering a wider range of budget hostels and mid-tier apartments, whereas Dubrovnik’s limited housing stock keeps prices high even in the off-season. However, Split is a major transit hub, which can lead to higher prices for certain services like car rentals or ferry connections during peak months. For budget-conscious travelers in 2026, Split offers better value for money, especially regarding food and nightlife, while Dubrovnik is viewed as a "premium" experience where the cost reflects its status as a world-renowned historical monument.

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Split is more relaxed and fun, centrally located, offering more day trip options, better nightlife, and slightly cheaper prices than Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik is one of the most beautiful walled cities in the world, very elegant, with better beaches and hotels than Split. Both towns are must-visit places in Croatia.

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When it comes down to budget, Croatia wins over Italy. The local currency in Croatia is the Kuna and in Italy, it is the Euro. Prices are around twice as high in Italy.

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Greece's capital, Athens, is a great place to spend time, particularly if you're a history buff. The Greek Isles are world famous, but so is Dubrovnik, the coastal town and top tourist destination in Croatia. In general, Greece is more expensive than Croatia.

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Dubrovnik is famous for its breathtaking coastline, and what better way to see it for yourself than from the seat of a sea kayak? There are a number of places where you can rent a kayak and explore the shores at your leisure, but a guided tour is a great way to discover all the best hidden spots along the coast.

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Costs of Food and Drink in Croatia Croatian food is both delicious and, in most places, excellent value. In the very best restaurants of major tourist destinations Dubrovnik, Split, and Hvar, a two-course dinner excluding drinks and tips will be around US$80.

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Dubrovnik a small town, so unless you plan to take day trips to islands or other attractions nearby, two days is the perfect amount of time to get to know this ancient city. (If you're interested in seeing on overview of our entire 2 week itinerary in Croatia, I've written up a summary of our trip here.

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Split is more relaxed and fun, centrally located, offering more day trip options, better nightlife, and slightly cheaper prices than Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik is one of the most beautiful walled cities in the world, very elegant, with better beaches and hotels than Split. Both towns are must-visit places in Croatia.

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The weather in Dubrovnik is relatively similar to the country's average temperatures, and is slightly cooler than its seaside counterpart of Split. If you're looking to soak up the sunshine, the warmest months in Dubrovnik are July and August, which coincide with the peak tourist season.

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While Split is undoubtedly a tourist hot spot, it's very much a working town too. There are many places in Split that locals love to visit that are overlooked by visitors. Take a look at some of the more off-the-beaten-track attractions you can visit on your next trip to Split, below.

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Budget restaurants offer meals for as low as $5 per person, while mid-range restaurants can range from $10 to $20 per person. Now, let's talk about daily expenses. If you're a budget traveler, you can expect to spend around $50 to $70 per day, including accommodation, meals, transportation, and some activities.

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Starting January 1, 2023, Croatia stopped using Croatian Kuna and adopted the use of the euro. Prices in Croatia are displayed in euros and Kuna, which started in the summer of 2022, but you must pay for things in only euros from Jan 14.

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Tipping etiquette in Croatian restaurants follows a fairly standard guideline. Showing appreciation through a tip is always welcomed. When dining at a pizzeria or konoba, a tip of 5% or more is appropriate. For a nice restaurant dinner, we recommend leaving a tip of 10% or more.

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Top 15 Things to Eat in Dubrovnik
  • Grilled Fish. With quality ingredients fresh from the land and sea, many dishes in Dubrovnik are simple and rustic. ...
  • Blitva. ...
  • Black Risotto (Crni Rizot) ...
  • Dirty Macaroni (Šporki Makaruli) ...
  • Buzara. ...
  • Octopus Salad. ...
  • Bakalar. ...
  • Pašticada.


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Dubrovnik is Europe's most overtouristed city Using data from 2019, Statista found that Dubrovnik was the most touristed city in Europe, above both Venice and Barcelona. The city has a population of just over 41,000 and welcomed almost 1.5 million tourists in 2019. That's around 36 tourists per resident.

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In general, Italy is considered to be a more expensive destination than Croatia. Accommodations, food, and transportation in Italy can be more expensive than in Croatia.

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It's very difficult to compare the beauty of Croatia and Greece's beaches. One thing setting them apart, is that Croatia has mostly pebble beaches as opposed to sand. This doesn't make them any less desirable, as it often means waters are clearer, therefore better for swimming and snorkelling.

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