In this guide
💡 The Short Version: Split has low violent crime. The risks for visitors are pickpocketing in crowded transit hubs and markets, and municipal bylaws enforced in the old town: on-the-spot fines for drinking alcohol in the street, walking through the old town shirtless or in swimwear, and climbing on Roman monuments. For police, ambulance or fire, dial 112. Or book a tour: the Split: Diocletian’s Palace & Old Town Small Group Tourad is a good first orientation of the old town’s alleys before you explore on your own.
⚠️ Dress code and alcohol bylaws apply inside the old town. City wardens (komunalni redari) and police patrol Diocletian’s Palace and the Riva. Drinking alcohol on the street, walking shirtless or in a bikini, sleeping on public benches and climbing Roman masonry carry on-the-spot fines.
| Source | Assessment |
|---|---|
| US State Department | Level 1, exercise normal precautions |
| UK FCDO | Low crime levels; violent crime rare |
| Canadian government | Take normal security precautions |
| Rule in the old town and on the Riva | What it means |
|---|---|
| No drinking in public (parks, streets, benches) | Drink on bar and restaurant terraces only |
| No swimwear or bare chests in the old town | Dress before you leave the beach |
| No climbing on Roman monuments or sphinxes | Do not sit or stand on the stonework |
| Emergency number | Service |
|---|---|
| 112 | Universal emergency number, English-speaking |
| 192 | Police (Policija) |
| 193 | Fire (Vatrogasci) |
| 194 | Ambulance (Hitna pomoć) |
| 195 | Maritime search and rescue |
Crime overview and official travel advisories
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) says crime levels throughout Croatia are low and violent crime against foreign visitors is rare. The US Department of State gives Croatia its lowest advisory level, Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions.
Residents and solo travellers walk at night through the lit alleys of Diocletian’s Palace, along the Riva and across residential quarters like Veli Varoš and Lučac.
Split’s pedestrian Riva esplanade illuminated at night. Photo: Argo Navis, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Petty crime and theft prevention
Petty theft, mainly pickpocketing and bag snatching, happens at crowded tourist spots from June to September.
Common theft hotspots
- Stari Pazar (Green Market): The narrow aisles between fruit and souvenir stalls outside the Silver Gate suit distraction pickpockets. Keep wallets in zipped front pockets and wear backpacks on your chest in the morning crowds.
- Promet bus line 37 (airport to city): The bus between Split Airport and Trogir carries heavy luggage, and thieves sometimes board at Kaštela stops to dip into unattended bags on the racks.
- Ferry port boarding queues: Crowds waiting for summer catamarans on Gat Sv. Duje and Gat Sv. Petra are easy targets. Keep your passport and phone secured while you manage suitcases.
- Bačvice beach at night: Late-night swimmers from the Bačvice pavilion bars sometimes leave bags on the open sand. Do not leave phones, wallets or cameras unwatched after dark.
Evening strollers along the palm-lined Riva esplanade. Photo: Michael Angelkovich, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Municipal rules, dress codes and public order fines
Split’s public order rules (Odluka o komunalnom redu) are enforced by uniformed city wardens (komunalni redari) and the police. Breaking any of them means a fine on the spot.
| Prohibited behaviour | Where | What to do instead |
|---|---|---|
| Drinking alcohol in public | Streets, squares, parks, Riva benches | Drink on licensed restaurant and bar terraces |
| Wearing swimwear in town | Old town, Diocletian’s Palace, public streets | Put on a shirt or dress before leaving the beach |
| Walking shirtless | The whole pedestrian old town | Wear a t-shirt or shirt away from the beach |
| Climbing on monuments | Roman walls, Peristyle columns, the sphinxes | Do not stand or sit on the stonework |
| Urinating or vomiting in public | Any public area | Use the public toilets |
| Sleeping in public | Park lawns, benches, palace stairs | Enforced in Đardin and on Riva benches |
| Severe public disturbance | Brawling, shouting, aggressive drunkenness | Fines run up to €4,000 under national misdemeanour law |
A Croatian national police vehicle (Policija). Photo: Suradnik13, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Transport safety and scam avoidance
Taxis and ride-hailing apps
Street cabs at the ferry terminal and airport ranks sometimes overcharge new arrivals by not switching on the taximeter.
- Ride-hailing: Uber and Bolt show the route and price before you board.
- Street taxis: Confirm the driver turns on the meter (taksimetar), or agree a total price in euros before you get in.
Nightlife overcharging scams
The Canadian government and the UK Foreign Office warn about adult entertainment venues (“gentlemen’s clubs” or cabarets) on the outskirts of Croatian coastal cities. Tourists there have been charged bills of several hundred to thousands of euros for drinks and hostess company, backed by intimidation from security staff.
- Rule of thumb: Stick to cocktail lounges, craft beer pubs and wine bars in the old town and along the West Coast promenade. Never hand your card to bar staff to keep a tab, and check menu prices before ordering champagne or spirits.
ATM dynamic currency conversion
As the money in Split guide explains, the yellow-and-blue Euronet ATMs along the Riva and at the palace gates charge high fees and add conversion markups of 10% to 18%. Withdraw cash from bank ATMs (Zagrebačka banka, PBZ or Erste Bank) and choose “Without Conversion / Debit in EUR”.
Environmental and outdoor safety
Sea urchins on rocky beaches
Black sea urchins (morski ježinci) live on the underwater limestone shelves of the Adriatic. They are absent from the sandy seabed of Bačvice but common along the rocky and pebble shores of Marjan (Kašjuni, Bene and Ježinac) and around the island coves.
- Protection: Wear water shoes (vodene cipele) when entering the sea from rock ledges.
- First aid: If you step on an urchin, do not squeeze the skin. Remove visible spines gently with tweezers disinfected in rubbing alcohol, or apply olive oil or warm vinegar to soften the skin so the spines work out.
Summer heat and hydration
From late June through August, midday temperatures often reach 33°C to 36°C. The pale limestone of Diocletian’s Palace reflects sunlight and holds heat in the narrow alleys.
- Hydration: Tap water comes from the karst spring of the Jadro river. Free drinking fountains stand on the Peristyle, near the Golden Gate and along Marjan’s paths. Carry a reusable bottle.
- Sun: Wear high-SPF sun cream and avoid the climb to Telegrin or Klis Fortress between 12:00 and 16:00.
The bura wind and water sports
The bura is a gusty north-easterly wind that comes down from the coastal mountains without warning. Its gusts can blow lilos and stand-up paddleboards away from the shore along Marjan and Bačvice. Check marine forecasts and heed the red warning flags on municipal beaches.
Emergency numbers and medical care
| Emergency service | Croatian name | Telephone number |
|---|---|---|
| Universal European Emergency Number | Jedinstveni europski broj za hitne službe | 112 (Free from any mobile or landline) |
| National Police | Policija | 192 |
| Medical Emergency / Ambulance | Hitna medicinska pomoć | 194 |
| Fire Brigade | Vatrogasci | 193 |
| Maritime Search & Rescue | Traganje i spašavanje na moru | 195 |
| Roadside Assistance (HAK) | Hrvatski autoklub | 1987 |
Healthcare facilities and pharmacies
- Emergency hospital: Clinical Hospital Centre Split (KBC Split - Firule), Spinčićeva ulica 1, telephone +385 21 556 111, has an emergency room open 24 hours a day.
- Out-of-hours pharmacy (dežurna ljekarna): A duty pharmacy dispenses medicine outside normal hours. The Croatian Chamber of Pharmacists keeps a register of every pharmacy at hljk.hr.
- EHIC and GHIC: UK and EU citizens can use a GHIC or EHIC for medically necessary state healthcare. Co-payments still apply in Croatia for doctor consultations and hospital stays, so take travel insurance.
Guided tours and safety orientation
A small-group tour on your first day shows you the old town’s layout and where the pedestrian streets lead.
Split: Diocletian’s Palace & Old Town Small Group Tour
From €15 · 4.9 stars from 1,034 reviews · 1.5 - 5.5 hours · free cancellation
Split: Diocletian’s Palace & Old Town Small Group Tourad: Nearly 1,700 years of history with an accredited guide, on a walk through the car-free alleys, squares and seafront.
Diocletian’s Palace & Split Old Town Guided Tour – Since 2007
From €15 · 4.8 stars from 868 reviews · 1.5 - 5 hours · free cancellation
Diocletian’s Palace & Split Old Town Guided Tour – Since 2007ad: A classic 150-minute historical walk covering Diocletian’s Palace, the morning Fish Market, Pjaca, Marmontova, and the historic fishermen’s quarter of Varoš.
Split: Diocletian Palace, Marjan Hill Viewpoint & Local Eats
From €29 · 4.9 stars from 81 reviews · 1.5 - 2.5 hours · free cancellation
Split: Diocletian Palace, Marjan Hill Viewpoint & Local Eatsad: Combine a guided Roman palace walk with an easy climb up the stone stairs of Marjan to Prva Vidilica, finishing with local food tastings.
What to see next
- Money in Split: Cash, bank ATMs and card payments.
- Getting Around Split: The old town on foot, city buses and ferries.
- Best Time to Visit Split: Weather, bura wind and crowds by season.
- Split Airport to City Centre: The airport shuttle, bus line 37 and licensed transfers.
- Where to Stay in Split: Central neighbourhoods for hotels and apartments.
- Split City Break Hub: Every Split guide in one place.
Common questions
Is Split safe for solo travellers and families?
Yes. The US Department of State rates Croatia Level 1 (exercise normal precautions), and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the Canadian government describe crime as low and violent crime against visitors as rare.
What is the emergency telephone number in Split?
Dial 112 for police, ambulance or fire. The call is free, answered 24 hours a day by English-speaking operators. The direct lines are 192 (police), 194 (ambulance) and 193 (fire).
Can you be fined for drinking alcohol in public in Split?
Yes. Split's public order bylaws (*Komunalni red*) ban drinking alcohol on streets, squares, parks and benches, with on-the-spot fines from city wardens and the police.
Can you walk around Split in a swimsuit or shirtless?
No. Walking through the old town, Diocletian's Palace or the streets in swimwear or shirtless carries an on-the-spot fine. Swimwear is for beaches and seaside sunbathing platforms.
Is tap water safe to drink in Split?
Yes. Split's tap water comes from the karst spring of the Jadro River, the same source Emperor Diocletian piped to his palace around 300 AD. It is safe to drink and available from public fountains across the city.
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