June the 8th, 2026 – Split Airport and ferry port dealt with the first real summer surge this past weekend, with over 80,000 passengers expected to have passed through both facilities.
Croatia’s summer season is shifting into a faster pace and this past weekend hailed it. Split handled one of its busiest weekends of the year this weekend, with more than 80,000 passengers expected to have passed through the city’s airport and ferry port over just a few days.
According to forecasts from transport authorities, the combined volume of travellers moving through Split Airport and the Port of Split highlighted the start of what is expected to be another intense summer season for Dalmatia’s main transport hub. The city’s airport and ferry network serve as the primary gateway to some of Croatia’s most popular destinations, including Brač, Hvar, Vis, Šolta, and the Makarska Riviera.
The expected surge reflects a familiar pattern seen every June as international arrivals begin to accelerate rapidly ahead of the peak summer tourism months of July and August. Split Airport has experienced steady growth in recent years, handling nearly 3.9 million passengers in 2025 and continuing to strengthen its position as Croatia’s second-busiest airport after Zagreb.
At the same time, the Port of Split remains one of the busiest passenger ports in the entire Adriatic, serving millions of travellers each year and acting as the critical connection point between the mainland and Croatia’s island destinations. Passenger traffic through the port reached approximately 5.8 million travellers in 2024, underlining its importance to the country’s tourism industry.
The influx of visitors is expected to place additional pressure on roads leading into Split, particularly around the ferry terminal, city centre, and routes connecting the airport with coastal destinations. Transport operators and tourism businesses have spent recent weeks preparing for increased demand as hotels, apartments, restaurants, and ferry services begin transitioning into full summer operations.
For many businesses across Dalmatia, the weekend represents more than just a transport challenge. High passenger volumes are often viewed as an early indicator of the strength of the tourism season ahead, with arrivals closely monitored by tourism professionals and local authorities alike.
While the largest crowds are still expected later in the summer, the forecast of more than 80,000 passengers moving through Split’s key transport gateways demonstrates that Croatia’s busiest tourism period is now well underway.
As ferries fill up, flights arrive at increasing frequency, and roads become busier, the weekend offers a glimpse of what lies ahead for one of the Mediterranean’s most tourism-dependent destinations. For Split, the summer rush has officially begun.
