Split Old Town Walking Tour: Inside Diocletian's Palace
Historical tour of Split’s Old Town focused on Diocletian’s Palace: we trace the city’s evolution from Roman imperial residence to Venetian-era streets and today’s lively waterfront. Highlights include the Golden Gate, Peristyle, Temple of Jupiter, Cathedral of St. Domnius, Pjaca (People’s Square), the Riva promenade, and selected Game of Thrones filming spots.
Basic Information
Total time
2h
Language
English, Spanish (check the calendar for availability)
Price
„Pay what you wish” tours do not have a fixed price. It is up to you to evaluate your guide’s work and reward it. Some people give 10€, others 50€ depending on their satisfaction and abilities.
Meeting point
Fountain, Josip Juraj Strossmayer Park Nearest public transport: Pazar 1 bus stop; HNK - Izlaz bus stop
Additional info
☂︎ This tour is organised by Free Spirit Tours guides. Look for the guide with the orange umbrella.
❗This tour operates with audio sets for each guest which are MANDATORY. The price for an audio set is 2 EUR PER GUEST. Your guide will arrange everything at the meeting point. Please make sure you have change at the beginning of the tour. Our goal is to provide the best possible experience for each guest, especially in a crowded area like the Diocletian's Palace. That's why we opted to use the audio system on every tour.
♿️ Tour not suitable for people with reduced mobility or strollersBooking rules
Booking is obligatory. Our pay as you wish tours are designed for individual travellers and small groups. We don’t accept parties of more than 6 people on them. If you travel in a party of 7 or more (school groups, bigger groups of friends etc.), please choose a paid option of 10€ per person or book a Private Tour. For more information on the latter, please contact us.
About the tour
There was once a ruler of the extremely powerful empire, covering almost the entire Europe, who got tired with the world, ruling and politics. He wanted to retire and enjoy the rest of his life in some beautiful, sunny place far away from the conflicts and court intrigues. And as an emperor he had all the money in the world to do that.
It is not a fairy tale, it is the story of Roman emperor Diocletian, the first emperor who voluntarily abdicated. He used his fortune to build a magnificent palace and fortress on Dalmatian coast with windows of his imperial rooms overlooking the turquoise sea of Adriatic whose waters were reaching as far as the base of the palace walls. Such were the beginnings of the city of Split. Diocletian spared no money to adorn his palace with marble and gold and even columns and sphinxes imported from Egypt, creating one of the most impressive ancient Roman structures existing till the present day!
It is somewhat bizarre to realise that the old town of Split is located inside that very palace and walking down its narrow streets and passages, sitting in cafes and restaurants, watching inhabitants living their lives, washing hanging from the windows, kids playing, we are still within the palace limits.
Walking through Split we will get to know the palace and structures that were built for it, sometimes hard to see at first glance, with all the houses that were constructed later within the walls and buildings of the palace. Walk with us to see the preserved gates of the palace, named after precious metals: gold, silver, bronze and iron, stand on the monumental Peristyle where the emperor would address the public and where the Jupiter Temple, once the Diocletian mausoleum stands. Diocletian was a fierce persecutor of Christians and now they laugh last as the temple was converted into a church devoted to one of the emperor’s victims and instead of the Jupiter statue, the statue of St John the Baptist stands under the dome. Get to the Vestibule that once led to the emperor’s private apartments and try to imagine what life in his palace was like.
After the glorious days of the palace came the inevitable destruction and sacking of the region by the Avars and the Slavs. Split entered the sphere of interest of the Byzantine Empire and then the Republic of Venice and the Kingdom of Croatia. Being surrounded by the Ottoman Empire its influences are visible here as well. The modern city of Split that reaches far beyond the old palace is the second-largest city of Croatia and one of the centres of Croatian culture.
Come and visit with us this outstanding place, one of its kind in the world, listed on the UNESCO Heritage List and get amazed!
Since the tour operates in the city’s historical center, please keep in mind it’s forbidden to walk in a bikini or shirtless.
During the tour, alcohol consumption is not permitted. Make sure that your behavior does not affect other guests on the tour.
Highlights
- 1
Diocletian's Palace
A massive ancient Roman palace that forms the historic core of Split, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- 2
Golden Gate
The main and most ornate entrance to Diocletian's Palace, reserved for the emperor and his family.
- 3
Cathedral of St Domnius
Originally Diocletian's mausoleum, now one of the world's best-preserved ancient Roman buildings and a Catholic cathedral.
- 4
Jupiter's Temple
An ancient Roman temple dedicated to Jupiter, later converted into a baptistery with a statue of St John.
- 5
Pjaca Square
The People's Square, the central hub of Split's city life, featuring a beautiful historic clocktower.
- 6
Riva Promenade
A vibrant waterfront promenade perfect for strolling, enjoying coffee, and soaking up the Adriatic atmosphere.
- 7
Venetian Tower
A remnant of Split's medieval fortifications, built during the era of Venetian rule to defend the city.
8Game of Thrones Sites
Discover filming locations from the hit TV series, including the cellars of Diocletian's Palace used as Meereen.
Map
Fountain, Josip Juraj Strossmayer Park Nearest public transport: Pazar 1 bus stop; HNK - Izlaz bus stop
