Split Walking Tour: Diocletian’s Palace & Old Town Highlights

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. The Southern Gate once served as the palace’s direct maritime entrance, allowing ships to approach and dock at its very walls. It may also have functioned as a discreet escape route for Emperor Diocletian himself. Today, it forms a graceful passage between the ancient Palace and the lively Riva promenade. This is where our tour begins — at a vantage point that offers the most impressive southern sea view of the Palace and Diocletian’s private residence. From here, you’ll uncover the remarkable story of Split’s transformation: from an imperial retirement complex into a vibrant, living city. Over the centuries, rather than fading into ruins, the Palace became the heart of a flourishing urban center, growing into one of the most significant and captivating cities along the Adriatic coast.

   10 min

2. The Riva is Split’s vibrant waterfront promenade, stretching along the southern façade of Diocletian’s Palace and opening toward the Adriatic Sea. Lined with palm trees and cafés, it’s the city’s favorite meeting point

   10 min

3. The Vestibule is the monumental entrance hall of Diocletian’s imperial apartments, a circular space once covered by a grand dome. Its towering stone walls and open oculus create remarkable acoustics, making it one of the most atmospheric spots within the palace today.

   10 min

4. The Peristyle is the monumental central square of Diocletian’s Palace, once used for imperial ceremonies and public addresses. Surrounded by ancient columns and arches, it remains the symbolic heart of Split, where Roman grandeur meets the city’s vibrant daily life.

   10 min

5. originally built as the mausoleum of Emperor Diocletian in the 4th century. Today, it stands as one of the oldest Catholic cathedrals in the world still in use, blending Roman, medieval, and Baroque elements, with its iconic bell tower rising above Split’s historic skyline.

   10 min

6. Pjaca, or People’s Square, has been the civic heart of Split since the Middle Ages. Surrounded by elegant palaces and lively cafés, it remains a vibrant gathering place where history and everyday Dalmatian life naturally blend together.

   10 min

7. The Golden Gate is the grand northern entrance to Diocletian’s Palace, once used by the emperor himself when entering the city. Its massive stone walls and decorative niches reflect both the military strength and ceremonial importance of this impressive Roman gateway.

   10 min

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Know before you go

How it compares in Split

• Its from-price is 87% below the median of the 1250 experiences we list in Split.
• It is shorter than most of them.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Split

Split is a busy Dalmatian port built within and around a Roman emperor's palace, with ferries to some of Croatia's loveliest islands.

Diocletian's Palace, built around the turn of the fourth century as the emperor's retirement home, is the old town itself: its walls, cellars and courtyards hold homes, shops and cafés. The Peristyle, the colonnaded heart, leads to the Cathedral of St Domnius, once the emperor's mausoleum, and its bell tower gives views over the rooftops.

Top-ranked sights in Split: Budikovac Island (Veliki Budikovac), Blue Lagoon Croatia (Krknjasi Bay), Peristyle Square (Peristil).

See all 1250 experiences in Split