A summer tradition
Open-air summer cinemas (ljetno kino) have been part of life on the Croatian coast for generations. Many towns had one in the decades after the Second World War: a walled garden or courtyard with rows of chairs, a screen and a projection booth, showing films after dark from June to September. Some have closed, but several have survived or been revived, and a network of new outdoor screenings now reaches towns and islands that have no cinema at all.
Most screenings start around 9 pm, once it is dark enough. Films are usually shown in the original language with Croatian subtitles, so English-language films are easy to follow, and some programmes add English subtitles for local and European films.
Split: Ljetno kino Bačvice
Split's best-known summer cinema is Ljetno kino Bačvice, on Šetalište Petra Preradovića above the city beach. It opened in 1956 and since 2018 has been co-managed by Kino Mediteran. Its season usually runs from late May or June into September, with screenings starting at around 9 pm and the box office opening an hour before.
The programme leans towards independent and European films, with some recent commercial releases, classics and films for children. Tickets have been priced at around €5 to €6 in recent seasons, but check the current programme. In June, Bačvice is also one of the main venues of the Mediterranean Film Festival Split (FMFS), which in 2024 ran from 13 to 22 June and showcases films from Mediterranean countries.
Kino Mediteran on the islands and coast
Kino Mediteran is a cinema network that brings films to towns and islands across Dalmatia. In summer it runs open-air screenings in more than twenty locations, including Bol and Supetar on Brač, Hvar Town and Jelsa on Hvar, Komiža on Vis, Šolta, Korčula, Makarska, Trogir and Cavtat, among others. Venues range from town squares to terraces and old courtyards.
In Hvar Town, screenings have been held at Veneranda, a historic complex on the slope above the town that is one of the most atmospheric outdoor cinema settings on the coast. In Bol, the venue has views over the sea towards Hvar. Locations change from year to year, so check the current summer programme on the Kino Mediteran website.
Dubrovnik: Slavica and Jadran
Dubrovnik has two traditional summer cinemas. Kino Slavica is in a walled garden on Branitelja Dubrovnika Street, on the road between the Pile Gate and Lapad, and Kino Jadran is tucked away inside the Old Town walls and is also used for events during the Dubrovnik Summer Festival. Both have historically shown mostly English-language films in the original version on summer evenings, starting after sunset. Programmes and opening dates vary by season, so check with the city cinema operator, Kinematografi Dubrovnik.
Pula Film Festival in the Arena
The most spectacular outdoor screen in Croatia is in Pula's Roman amphitheatre. The Pula Film Festival, Croatia's oldest film festival, holds evening screenings in the Arena every July; the 2025 edition ran from 10 to 17 July. The programme focuses on Croatian films alongside international titles, and watching a film inside a nearly 2,000-year-old amphitheatre is unforgettable. The festival also screens in other venues around the city.
Motovun Film Festival in inland Istria
Not strictly on the coast, but worth the drive, the Motovun Film Festival is held in the hilltop town of Motovun in inland Istria in late July. It focuses on independent films and films from smaller film industries, with screenings in the main square and other venues around the old town, and has a lively, informal atmosphere. The 2025 edition ran from 22 to 27 July. Accommodation in Motovun is limited, so many visitors camp or stay in nearby villages.
Tips for an evening at the cinema
Arrive early for popular films, as seating is often first come, first served. Bring a light jacket or cardigan, since evenings by the sea can be breezy, and mosquito repellent for garden venues. Most summer cinemas sell drinks and snacks, and some accept only cash. Screenings can be cancelled for rain or strong wind, which is rare in midsummer but possible.
Finally, check the language: most foreign films are shown with Croatian subtitles only, so Croatian films may not have English subtitles unless the programme says so.
