Your stay — Hostel Backpacker's Fairytale
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The Property — Hostel Backpacker's Fairytale
This is a no-frills, sociable hostel in an old stone building a short walk from the Diocletian's Palace waterfront. The lobby floor is worn flagstone, there's a noticeboard covered in tour postcards, and the common room smells faintly of coffee and sun cream. It works best for lone travellers or small groups who want cheap beds and a base to meet people, not comfort or quiet. If you're after a private room with air con that actually works, keep looking.
Chronicles of Split
Split grew out of the Roman emperor Diocletian's retirement palace, built around 300 AD; his vast mausoleum later became the city's cathedral. After the Romans left, locals moved into the palace's shell, carving homes and shops into the ancient walls, creating a living city centre that's now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Venetian, Austrian and French rulers all left their mark on the grid of stone lanes and piazzas. Today Split is a busy ferry hub for the Dalmatian islands, its old town buzzing with bars, gelato stands and cruise-ship crowds.
Best Time to Visit
Full Split guide →Best months
May to June and September: warm sea, reliable sun, and the old town feels busy but not suffocating. July is the full-on frenzy.
Peak / festival surge
July and especially August. Cruise ships disgorge thousands of day-trippers, the Riva promenade is wall-to- wall, and hostel prices double. The Ultra Europe electronic music festival in mid-July draws 20,000+ visitors.
Budget shoulder season
Late September and early October: sea still swimmable, fewer people, and dorm beds drop by 30–40%. The weather can throw a rainy day or two, but it's rarely cold.
Weather & packing
Split in July is hot and often humid, with strong afternoon sun but also a sudden tramontana wind that can chill you. Pack a light windbreaker or long-sleeved top for evenings on the waterfront – and always bring a high-SPF hat, because the sun off the stone buildings and Adriatic is merciless.
Live City Briefing — Split
- The main waterfront promenade (Riva) is undergoing resurfacing in sections through summer 2025 and into 2026 – expect some scaffolding and detours along the seafront.
- Split Airport has a new direct bus service to the city centre every 20 minutes from April 2025, cutting the ride to 25 minutes.
- The city introduced a tourist tax increase in 2025 (now €2 per person per night in peak season) – check if your hostel includes it or collects it on arrival.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hostel Backpacker's Fairytale, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Ask for a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing the inner courtyard (away from Istarska ulica). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but low enough for quick stair access if the lift is slow or broken. The courtyard side gets morning sun but stays quieter than the street side.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor facing the street—they are closest to passing cars, delivery vans, and late-night pedestrian noise from the nearby waterfront bars. Also avoid rooms near the lift shaft on any floor (usually marked as 'near lift' during booking) due to mechanical clatter and late returning guests.
Best views
From upper floors facing south-west you get a partial view of the old town rooftops and a sliver of the Adriatic between buildings. The inner courtyard view is just brick and washing lines but is much quieter. No rooms overlook the harbour—you’re a 5-minute walk from the Riva.
Quietest floors
2nd to 3rd floors, inner courtyard side.
🔊 Noise notes
Istarska ulica is a minor but busy city-centre street with cafes, small shops, and frequent delivery trucks between 6-10am. On summer weekends, pedestrian noise from nightlife spills up from the adjacent alley near Diocletian’s Palace (5 min walk). The hostel’s own common room or bar (if open) can create low thrum until 11pm.
Insider tips
1) Request a courtyard room when booking by email or phone—hostels often assign street-side first unless you ask. 2) Bring earplugs if you’re a light sleeper; the hostel’s thin walls amplify corridor noise from backpackers returning late. 3) Parking is not on-site—use the Javna garaža Sveti Frane (public garage 400m away) or street parking after 9pm (free but scarce).
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Hostel Backpacker's Fairytale
Free, good-speed throughout (30 Mbps down). No login or time limits.
No lift. All rooms are on the first and second floors via stairs only.
No physical papers or digital press. Free guide map and tips at reception.
Check-in 14:00–22:00. Late check-in by prior arrangement. Early bag-drop from 10:00. Late check-out until 12:00 costs €15 (subject to availability).
Free for same-day arrivals/departures; €5 per day for longer storage.
No step-free access – entrance has two steps; no wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathroom adaptations.
No on-site parking. Closest public garage: 'Jadran' at Ulica Slobode 1, €20/24h. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €1.33 per person per night (2026 rate)
Deposit & card hold: Full amount charged at booking; a €50 card hold at check-in for incidentals
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Kršćanska adventistička crkva (168 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: crkva svetog Roka (332 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Evanđeoska pentekostna crkva Radosna vijest (344 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Crkva sv.Martina (376 m · ~5 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Šumica — 683 m · ~9 min walk
Diocletians Dream Virtual Reality — 200 m · ~3 min walk
Hrvatsko narodno kazalište u Splitu — 612 m · ~8 min walk
Mali Raj — 1.9 km · ~23 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Addiko Bank — 267 m · ~3 min walk
Pytho Pharma — 371 m · ~5 min walk
Studenac — 97 m · ~1 min walk
Vez Polaris Boat — 690 m · ~9 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs in the city center for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaus at the airport and bus station due to poor rates and hidden fees.
Cards (Visa/Mastercard) are widely accepted in shops and restaurants, but carry some cash for small bakeries, markets, and tips.
Round up the bill or leave 5–10% in restaurants; not expected but appreciated in taxis; small change for hotel staff is fine.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A standard espresso or cappuccino at a local kavana costs around €1.50–€2.
A bakery sandwich or burek plus a soft drink for about €5–€7.
A pizza or pasta main in a konoba-style place for roughly €10–€14.
Look for ćevapi stands or pekara bakeries near the Riva waterfront for quick, cheap eats.
Common supermarkets: Konzum, Tommy, and Lidl; the latter often has the best prices.
H&M, Zara, and local chain stores in the Joker mall or Marmontova street for affordable basics.
A single bus ticket is about €1.50; the cheapest way from the airport is the local bus (line 37 or 37 to the main bus terminal, then walk).
Buy drinks and snacks at a supermarket, not on the waterfront; walk everywhere as the city center is compact; eat lunch at a bakery rather than a sit-down restaurant.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Split, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hostel Backpacker's Fairytale
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Addiko Bank — 267 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · Pytho Pharma — 371 m · ~5 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Split Bus Station → Kopilica (stop: Kopilica 2)
💡 Buy a 90-minute ticket from kiosks for €1.60—it covers transfer to bus 1 from the station. Validate it in the yellow machine on board.
Split Airport (SPU) → Royal Rooms (Kopilica area)
💡 Uber and Bolt work here too—often €5 cheaper than official taxis. Check both apps before grabbing a cab.
Split Airport (SPU) → Split Bus Station (Sukoišanska)
💡 Buy ticket from the driver or red machine at airport exit; keep it for the return trip—it's valid both ways.
Royal Rooms (Kopilica) → Diocletian's Palace / Riva
💡 Walk 5 mins to Kopilica tram stop if you're going to the centre—tram 7 runs every 20 mins and costs €1.60. Taxi only worth it for late nights or heavy bags.
About Split
Wikipedia ↗
Split (; Croatian: [splît] , see other names) is the second-largest city of Croatia after the capital Zagreb. It is the largest city in Dalmatia, largest city on the Croatian coast, and the seat of the Split-Dalmatia County. The Split metropolitan area is home to about 330,000 people. It lies on the...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hostel Backpacker's Fairytale?
Ask for a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing the inner courtyard (away from Istarska ulica). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but low enough for quick stair access if the lift is slow or broken. The courtyard side gets morning sun but stays quieter than the street side.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hostel Backpacker's Fairytale?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor facing the street—they are closest to passing cars, delivery vans, and late-night pedestrian noise from the nearby waterfront bars. Also avoid rooms near the lift shaft on any floor (usually marked as 'near lift' during booking) due to mechanical clatter and late returning guests.
Is Hostel Backpacker's Fairytale noisy?
Istarska ulica is a minor but busy city-centre street with cafes, small shops, and frequent delivery trucks between 6-10am. On summer weekends, pedestrian noise from nightlife spills up from the adjacent alley near Diocletian’s Palace (5 min walk). The hostel’s own common room or bar (if open) can create low thrum until 11pm.
Which rooms have the best views at Hostel Backpacker's Fairytale?
From upper floors facing south-west you get a partial view of the old town rooftops and a sliver of the Adriatic between buildings. The inner courtyard view is just brick and washing lines but is much quieter. No rooms overlook the harbour—you’re a 5-minute walk from the Riva.
What are insider tips for staying at Hostel Backpacker's Fairytale?
1) Request a courtyard room when booking by email or phone—hostels often assign street-side first unless you ask. 2) Bring earplugs if you’re a light sleeper; the hostel’s thin walls amplify corridor noise from backpackers returning late. 3) Parking is not on-site—use the Javna garaža Sveti Frane (public garage 400m away) or street parking after 9pm (free but scarce).
What time is check-in at Hostel Backpacker's Fairytale?
Check-in at Hostel Backpacker's Fairytale is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hostel Backpacker's Fairytale have Wi-Fi?
Free, good-speed throughout (30 Mbps down). No login or time limits.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hostel Backpacker's Fairytale?
€1.33 per person per night (2026 rate)
Where can I eat cheaply near Hostel Backpacker's Fairytale?
A bakery sandwich or burek plus a soft drink for about €5–€7.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hostel Backpacker's Fairytale?
A single bus ticket is about €1.50; the cheapest way from the airport is the local bus (line 37 or 37 to the main bus terminal, then walk).
When is the best time to visit Split?
May to June and September: warm sea, reliable sun, and the old town feels busy but not suffocating. July is the full-on frenzy.
Top Attractions in Split
💡 Bring a book or picnic from Pazar and sit on the far eastern end near the fish market, where locals outnumber tourists. Avoid paying 30 kuna for a coffee at front-row cafes—walk one street inland for half the price.
💡 Buy a bag of sour plums (višnje) and almonds for a cheap snack. Haggle only if buying in bulk—locals pay listed prices. Best visited before 11am when produce is freshest.
💡 Enter through the Bronze Gate from the waterfront for a dramatic view under the vaults. Go early (before 9am) to avoid crowds.
💡 Walk up the 500 steps from Sustipan for a quieter route than the main road. Take a swim at Kašjuni beach on the western side—free and less busy than Bačvice.
💡 From the fortress, walk downhill slightly to a restaurant above the quarry to see the dragon skulls left from filming. Take bus 22 from the main station (10 kuna).