Welcome to Znjan Beach

Split's largest beach, reimagined — your complete guide to the Miami of Split

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Znjan Beach — The Miami of Split

Znjan Beach is Split's largest beach, recently transformed with a €45M investment. With a new promenade, sports zones, restaurants, and an amphitheater, Znjan has become one of the most attractive Adriatic destinations.

€45M
Investment
2km+
Beach Length
5
Beach Zones
11
New Pavilion Venues

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Things to Know

Answers to common questions about Znjan Beach

Where is Znjan Beach located?
Znjan Beach is located in the eastern part of Split, Croatia, about 4km from Diocletian's Palace. It's the city's largest beach, stretching over 2km along the coast. It's easily accessible by car (underground garage with 530 spaces), bus (lines 8 and 15), Uber (€6-9 from Old Town), or bicycle.
Is there parking at Znjan Beach?
Yes! Znjan has a brand-new two-level underground garage with 530 spaces, plus 451 outdoor spaces — nearly 1,000 total. Parking costs €1 per hour (charges began July 16, 2025). Ten spaces are reserved for disabled drivers. The entire beach complex is a pedestrian-only zone, so you park and walk in. During peak summer months, arrive early as spaces fill quickly. Bus lines 8 and 15 are a convenient alternative from the city centre.
What was the €45.77M Znjan Beach transformation?
Reopened on June 21, 2025, the €45.77M transformation (including €13.94M in EU funding) rebuilt Znjan Beach from the ground up. Designed by architect Ante Kuzmanić and built by Lavčević d.d., it includes 11 new pavilion buildings, a two-level underground garage (530 spaces), 451 outdoor parking spaces, a 2+ km promenade, an amphitheatre with steel dome, ~48,000 m² of green space with 730 trees, and full accessibility features including a hydraulic sea-access elevator. Managed by Znjan d.o.o. under a 40-year concession, it's earned the nickname 'Miami of Split'.
Is Znjan Beach sandy or pebbly?
Znjan Beach is primarily a pebble beach with some sandy sections, especially in the kids' area. The pebbles are small and smooth. We recommend bringing water shoes for the most comfortable experience, especially for children.
How do I get to Znjan Beach by bus?
Take bus line 8 or line 15 from Split city centre. The ride takes approximately 15–20 minutes. Get off at the Žnjan stop — the beach is immediately visible. Buses run frequently during summer season. You can also take an Uber or Bolt from the Old Town for approximately €6–9.
What is the best time to visit Znjan Beach?
The swimming season runs from June to September, with July and August being the warmest months (water temperature 24-26°C). For a less crowded experience, visit in June or September. The promenade and restaurants are enjoyable from April to October. For the best combination of warm weather and manageable crowds, early June and September are ideal.
What facilities are available at Znjan Beach?
Znjan Beach offers comprehensive facilities including: showers, changing rooms, sunbed and umbrella rentals, lifeguard stations (summer), 11 pavilion restaurants and beach bars, public toilets, ~981 parking spaces (530 underground + 451 outdoor), water sports equipment rental, beach volleyball courts, a 1,200 m² skate park, a 600 m² children's playground, splash pads, an amphitheatre with steel dome for events, wheelchair-accessible paths and a hydraulic sea-access elevator, and ~48,000 m² of landscaped green space.
Is Znjan Beach family-friendly?
Yes, Znjan Beach is one of Split's most family-friendly beaches. It features dedicated kids' play areas with shallow water entry, lifeguards on duty from June to September, shaded seating areas, playgrounds, accessible pathways for strollers, family-oriented restaurants, and clean modern restroom facilities. The gentle pebble surface makes it safer than rocky beaches.
Is Znjan Beach accessible for people with disabilities?
Yes — Znjan is one of Croatia's most accessible beaches. The accessible beach zone actually opened in summer 2024, a year before the main beach. It features a hydraulic sea-access elevator for swimmers with mobility challenges, floating safety barriers, adapted WC and changing cabins, trained assistants, and beach umbrellas. The underground garage has 10 reserved disabled parking spaces connected to the beach by an accessible path. The full 2+ km promenade is flat, fully paved, and suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
Is Znjan Beach free to visit?
Yes, Znjan Beach is completely free to access. It's a public beach with no entry fee. You only pay for optional services like sun lounger rental (€20–50 at beach clubs), food and drinks at restaurants, and water sports equipment rental. Parking is €1 per hour in the underground garage (530 spaces) and outdoor lots (451 spaces).
Can I bring my dog to Znjan Beach?
Dogs are generally not allowed on the main bathing areas of Znjan Beach during summer season (June–September) between 8am and 8pm, as per Split's city ordinance for organised beaches. However, the promenade is dog-friendly for walks. Outside of peak season and hours, regulations are more relaxed. Check local signage for the most current rules.
What hotels are near Znjan Beach?
Several hotels are within walking distance: Radisson Blu Resort & Spa (4-star, 252 rooms, 2,600m² spa), Hotel Amphora (4-star, 206 rooms, pools), Hotel Fanat (4-star boutique, 22 rooms), and Hotel More (3-star family-run, 11 rooms on the promenade). The Mövenpick Hotel Žnjan — Croatia's first Mövenpick — is opening in 2026 with 156 rooms and a rooftop infinity pool.
What restaurants and bars are at Znjan Beach?
After the 2025 transformation, Znjan Beach has 11 new pavilion buildings housing venues including: Palma Beach Club, Taboo Beach Club, Mistral Beach Club (at Radisson Blu), Casa Sol (Mediterranean/Italian), Central Beach (all-day dining), MIMI Italian Clubino (fine dining by F Group), and GAL Split (casual Mediterranean). More venues are expected to open as additional pavilion leases are finalised.
What water sports are available at Znjan Beach?
Znjan Beach offers stand-up paddleboarding (SUP, €10-15/hour), kayaking (€12-18/hour), and snorkeling (best at the rocky eastern end). Equipment rental is available from May to October along the beach. Beach volleyball courts are also available in the dedicated sports zone. The calm morning waters are ideal for SUP beginners.
Is there nightlife at Znjan Beach?
Yes! Several beach clubs keep the energy going into the evening. Taboo Beach Club is known for DJ sets and VIP cabana experiences, especially on weekends. Palma Beach Club offers cocktails and lounge music with sunset views. Most venues are busiest from Thursday to Sunday during summer season (June–September). For full nightclub experiences, Split's city centre (Riva area) has additional options.
When is the best time to swim at Znjan Beach?
The best swimming season is June to September, when water temperatures range from 22°C to 26°C and lifeguards are on duty. May and October are also swimmable but cooler (18–21°C). Peak beach hours are 11am–4pm in summer; for a more relaxed experience, visit early morning or late afternoon. The eastern rocky end tends to be less crowded.
Is Znjan Beach sand or pebble?
Znjan Beach is a pebble beach with small, smooth stones. It's comfortable to walk on but water shoes are recommended for the most enjoyable experience, especially for children. The advantage of pebble beaches is that the water stays crystal clear — no sand to cloud it. Some areas near the kids' zones have finer gravel for more comfort.
Do I need water shoes at Žnjan Beach?
Yes, water shoes are strongly recommended. Žnjan is a pebble beach with small stones that can be uncomfortable to walk on barefoot, and sea urchins are occasionally present in the water. Rubber sandals or water shoes make walking and swimming much more comfortable.
Are there sea urchins at Žnjan Beach?
Sea urchins can be found on rocky areas of Žnjan, especially near the eastern end. They are common along the Croatian Adriatic coast. Wearing water shoes is the best prevention — this protects your feet both on the pebble beach and in the water near rocks.
How deep is the water at Žnjan Beach?
The water depth varies by section. The main beach has a gradual entry that gets waist-deep within a few metres. The dedicated kids' zone has very shallow, gentle water. However, in some areas the sea gets deep relatively quickly — non-swimmers should stay close to shore. The eastern rocky section is deeper near the rocks.
Is there shade at Žnjan Beach?
Natural shade is limited on the main beach. There are some trees along the promenade and in landscaped areas behind the beach. Beach clubs offer parasols with sunbed rental (€20–50). For free shade, arrive early to claim spots near the trees. The newly planted 730 trees will provide more shade as they mature over the coming years.
Is Žnjan Beach better than Bačvice?
They're different beaches for different needs. Žnjan is larger (2+ km vs 300 m), has superior facilities after the €45.77M renovation, more restaurants, beach clubs, and a kids' zone. Bačvice is sandy (Žnjan is pebble), closer to the Old Town (7 min walk vs 15 min bus), and has Split's famous picigin game. Choose Žnjan for a full-day beach experience; choose Bačvice for quick access and sand.
How far is Žnjan Beach from Split city centre?
Žnjan Beach is approximately 4 km east of Diocletian's Palace (Split Old Town). By bus (lines 8 or 15) it takes about 15 minutes. By taxi or Uber it's a 10-minute ride costing €6–9. Walking takes about 45–60 minutes along the coastal promenade.
What are the opening hours of Žnjan Beach?
Žnjan Beach is a public beach and is open 24 hours a day, year-round. There is no entrance fee. However, beach clubs, restaurants, and lifeguard services operate seasonally — typically from June to September, with some venues opening in May and closing in October. The promenade is accessible at all times.
Is there WiFi at Žnjan Beach?
There is no free public WiFi on the beach itself. However, most beach clubs and restaurants along the promenade offer free WiFi to their customers. Croatian mobile data works well in the area, and most EU visitors can use their home data plans thanks to EU roaming regulations.
Are there lifeguards at Žnjan Beach?
Yes, lifeguards are on duty during the summer season (typically June to September) at the main beach and kids' zone. Outside of these months, there are no lifeguards. Always supervise children near the water and be aware that some areas get deep quickly.
Is the water warm at Žnjan Beach?
The Adriatic water temperature at Žnjan ranges from about 18°C in May to 25–27°C in August. June through September is the main swimming season with comfortable temperatures of 21–26°C. September is particularly pleasant — warm sea from the summer heat with fewer crowds than July and August.
What is Žnjan Beach known for?
Žnjan is known as Split's largest beach (2+ km), its €45.77 million transformation completed in 2025 that earned it the nickname 'Miami of Split', its 11 new pavilion restaurants and beach clubs, the modern promenade for cycling and running, excellent facilities for families, and being one of Croatia's most accessible beaches with wheelchair ramps and a sea-access elevator.
Is Žnjan Beach crowded? When is the best time to avoid crowds?
Žnjan gets busy in July and August, especially on weekends between 11am and 4pm. However, at 2+ km long it absorbs crowds better than smaller beaches. To avoid peak crowds: visit in June or September, arrive before 9am, or come in the late afternoon (after 5pm) when many people leave. Weekdays are significantly quieter than weekends.
Is the water clean at Žnjan Beach?
Yes, the water at Žnjan is very clean. The €45.77M renovation included a completely new sewage system that resolved previous water quality issues. The Adriatic water is crystal clear — especially at the rocky eastern end, which is excellent for snorkeling. Pebble beaches generally have clearer water than sandy ones since there's no sand to stir up.
Is Žnjan Beach stroller-friendly?
Yes. The 2 km promenade is flat, paved, and wide — perfect for strollers and pushchairs. Ramps connect the promenade to the beach level. However, once on the beach itself, wheels don't roll well on pebbles. Most parents park the stroller on the promenade and carry children to their beach spot.
What does Žnjan mean? How do you pronounce it?
Žnjan (pronounced 'ZHNYAN', rhymes roughly with 'onion' with a 'zh' at the start) is the name of a neighbourhood in eastern Split. The name likely derives from old Croatian/Slavic roots. The beach takes its name from this residential area. You may see it written as 'Znjan' without the háček (ž) in informal contexts.