Split Highlights
A walking tour through Diocletian's Palace and the best of Split, from Roman ruins to the Adriatic coast.
Trip Stops
- 1
The grand northern entrance to Diocletian's Palace, once reserved for the emperor's ceremonial processions. Its niches originally held statues of the four tetrarch rulers, and just outside stands a towering statue of Gregory of Nin — rubbing his polished big toe is said to bring good luck.
📍 Split, Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia
- 2
The palace's monumental central courtyard, where Diocletian once appeared before his subjects flanked by Egyptian granite columns. A sphinx over 3,500 years old still watches over the square, and Roman guards are reenacted here on summer afternoons.
📍 Split, Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia
- 3
Built as Diocletian's own mausoleum around 305 AD, this octagonal structure is considered the oldest Catholic cathedral in the world still standing in its original form. Its Romanesque bell tower rewards a climb up the narrow stairs with sweeping views over the old town.
📍 Split, Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia
- 4
A remarkably intact Roman temple dedicated to Jupiter, repurposed as a Christian baptistery in the 6th century. Architect Robert Adam once called it one of Europe's most beautiful monuments, and an Egyptian sphinx still guards its entrance.
📍 Split, Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia
- 5
This domed rotunda once formed the ceremonial threshold to Diocletian's private apartments, its open oculus letting sky pour straight down onto the stone floor. The near-perfect acoustics make it a favorite spot for a cappella klapa singers, whose harmonies still echo off the ancient walls.
📍 Split, Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia
- 6
The only one of the palace's four Roman gates to have stayed in continuous use since antiquity, opening onto Split's medieval city square. Its worn stone threshold has been crossed by residents for over 1,700 years.
📍 Split, Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia
- 7
Once home to a bustling produce market, this lively square is anchored by a 15th-century octagonal Venetian tower built to defend the town. Local legend says closing your eyes and touching two etched crosses in its stone passageway will grant a wish.
📍 Split, Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia
- 8
Split's palm-lined waterfront living room, running along the palace's southern sea wall where Diocletian himself once gazed out over the Adriatic. Cafes spill onto the marble pavement day and night, making it the natural meeting point for the entire city.
📍 Split, Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia
- 9
A pine-forested peninsula park rising 178 meters above the city, used as public parkland since as early as the 3rd century. Hiking trails wind past hidden chapels and viewpoints to the old Jewish cemetery, with the best panoramas of Split and its islands from the top.
📍 Split, Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia
- 10
A rare stretch of sandy shore on Croatia's mostly pebbly coast, with water so shallow you can wade out for over 100 meters. This is the birthplace of picigin, a splashy, ball-juggling game invented here by students in 1908 that's now a protected piece of Croatian cultural heritage.
📍 Split, Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia
- 11
A dramatic hilltop stronghold guarding the mountain pass above Split for over 2,000 years, held in turn by Illyrians, Roman-era rulers, Croatian kings, and Ottoman armies. Game of Thrones fans will recognize its ramparts as Meereen, where Daenerys Targaryen freed the slaves.
📍 Klis, Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia
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