Bacvice Beach

Bacvice is the city beach of Split, a shallow sandy bay ten minutes from Diocletian's palace, and it is where picigin was invented: in 1908 students returning from Prague began knocking a small ball around in the shallows, and the game that developed has no scoring and no teams - the only object is to keep the ball from touching the water, which produces spectacular diving in knee-deep sea. It is played all year, including on New Year's Day when a tournament is held in the cold. The beach itself is sand, unusual for Dalmatia, and shallow enough to walk out a long way.

What you actually see

• Picigin in the shallows - invented here in 1908, played with no score.
• Diving in knee-deep water - the way the game actually looks.
• A sandy shallow bay - rare on this coast.
• A New Year tournament - played in cold water each January.

When to go

May to September for swimming; year round for the game. Half a day.

Honest expectations

It is a city beach and packed in summer, with bars and noise attached. Water quality is monitored and is usually fine but can be affected after heavy rain. Bags are best not left unattended. Shade is minimal.

Nearby

Diocletian's palace is ten minutes west; Marjan hill is beyond it.