Split Walking Tour: History, Legends & Tales

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. We'll start our tour at main promenade Riva. You'll see a model of Split and hear an introduction about Diocletian, his Palace and Split in general.

   15 min

2. We will pass through Substructures of Diocletian's Palace, a fascinating labyrinth of underground corridors and rooms that once served as the foundation of Emperor Diocletian's palace. As we explore this underground maze, you will marvel at the sophisticated engineering techniques used by the ancient Romans and imagine life within these rooms centuries ago.

   10 min

3. On our way to the next stop - Vestibulum, the grand entrance hall of Diocletian's Palace - we'll walk through the southern parts of the Palace, where Diocletian's Apartments once stood, as wells as Triklinium (dining Hall) and his gardens.

   10 min

4. Next stop - Peristyle! Peristyle is a unique experience, one of the closest touches of a modern man with the ancient heritage, not only Roman, but also Egyptian, as the Peristyle is closely watched over by a 3500 old and perfectly preserved sphinx, the witness of Split's history in making.

   20 min

5. Our next stop will be the Golden Gate, a magnificent entranceway that once welcomed visitors into Diocletian's Palace with its grandeur. Then we'll head to the statue of Gregory of Nin. Legend has it that rubbing the statue's big toe brings good luck and grants wishes. So, don't forget to make a wish!

   15 min

6. Just outside the walls of Diocletian’s Palace sits Pjaca (the official name: People’s Square. It is located just past the western walls of Diocletian’s Palace, at the exit of the Iron Gate. As the population grew, the palace became too small and Pjaca was the first area developed beyond the walls in the 14th century. Home to the former 15th-century city hall, Pjaca has been a gathering space for centuries, and it’s still a great place to enjoy a cup of coffee or a nighttime stroll.

   10 min

7. There are several landmarks decorating this not so large a square thriving with city life in bars, restaurants and exclusive shops, a venue often used also by fairs. The biggest is certainly the octagonal Venetian tower, the leftover of the former fortress, built in the 15th century for the defence of, at the time, a small town. Opposite the tower is a magnificent Palace of the old family Milesi from the 17th century with a spectacular Baroque facade, one of the best examples of that style in the whole of Dalmatia.

   10 min

8. As our journey comes full circle, we'll conclude our tour where it all began - Riva Harbor. From the ancient walls of Diocletian's Palace to the vibrant streets of Split, we've explored the rich tapestry of history and culture that defines this coastal gem.

   Passes by

Cancellation

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

Reviews

Ratings come from 65 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

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.
• By number of reviews it ranks 186 of 1250.
• 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