Hostel Splendido

Fourteen beds across dorm and private rooms at Eugena Kvaternika 11, Hostel Splendido sits a short walk from Šibenik's medieval old town — one of the Adriatic coast's least-touristed UNESCO-listed cores, predating Dubrovnik's walls by several centuries.

The outdoor terrace and sun deck double as the social hub; an outdoor fireplace extends the season well into October when Dalmatian evenings cool quickly. A shared kitchen and BBQ facilities let guests cook independently, which matters in a city where good local restaurants are few steps from the harbour but supermarkets require planning.

Airport shuttle and car rental are both bookable on-site — useful given that Krka National Park's waterfall trails begin roughly 15 kilometres inland and are best reached with private transport.