Split is facing growing pressure to balance its booming tourism industry with the quality of life of people who live in the historic city center. Reports of late night noise, public disorder and alcohol related incidents involving young visitors have intensified the debate, with city authorities considering restrictions on nighttime alcohol sales during the summer season.
Under the proposed measure, shops and other retail outlets would be prohibited from selling alcoholic drinks between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. from June 1 to September 15. The proposal would not close stores or change their opening hours. Instead, it would specifically restrict alcohol sales during those hours as part of a broader effort to reduce disturbances in central Split.
Split Nightlife Restrictions Spark Tourism Debate
The issue has become increasingly visible during the summer months. Local reporting has described visitors drinking in the streets late into the night, while residents complain about noise and disorder around apartment buildings. Emergency services also reported more than 50 calls related to intoxicated people in public areas during June, with 44 people found when medical teams arrived. Most were reportedly young foreign tourists.
The city has already introduced measures aimed at protecting public order. Rules allow fines of up to €300 for certain forms of inappropriate behavior in public spaces, including drinking in restricted areas, public urination, vomiting, leaving food and drink waste, climbing monuments and entering fountains. However, enforcement remains an important part of the debate, with reports questioning whether enough officers and city guards are present during the busiest nighttime hours.
The controversy reflects a wider problem facing popular Adriatic destinations. Tourism brings major economic benefits to cities such as Split, but a rapid increase in party oriented visitors can also put pressure on historic neighborhoods and residents. Split’s old town is particularly sensitive because it combines a major tourist attraction with homes, businesses and cultural heritage sites. Local politicians have therefore been considering different approaches, including restrictions on alcohol sales and measures aimed specifically at nightlife venues.
The proposed restrictions are not without opposition. Businesses that depend on summer visitors may fear that tighter rules could affect tourism revenue, while some residents argue that stronger action is necessary to protect their neighborhoods. The experience of nearby Makarska, which introduced its own nighttime alcohol-sales restriction in 2026, shows that similar measures can produce mixed reactions from tourism businesses and local communities.
For Split, the challenge is finding a balance between remaining an attractive international destination and ensuring that tourism does not come at the expense of residents. The proposed Split alcohol sales ban is one attempt to address the problem, but its long term effectiveness will likely depend on enforcement and broader management of nightlife and mass tourism.
The debate ultimately raises a larger question for Split, how can the city continue benefiting from tourism while preserving the character and livability of its historic center?
