Split walking tour & city guide
A living city inside a Roman emperor's palace.
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Split is Croatia's second city and the heart of Dalmatia. Its old town grew inside the walls of a palace built by the Roman emperor Diocletian around 300 AD, and today people still live, shop and drink coffee among the ancient columns, making it one of the most remarkable cities in Europe.
Diocletian's Palace
The palace covers a whole quarter of the old town, with four gates named after metals: Golden, Silver, Bronze and Iron. At its center, the Peristyle is a colonnaded square in front of the emperor's mausoleum, now the Cathedral of Saint Domnius, whose bell tower you can climb.
Beneath the palace, the vaulted substructures, once used as storage, give an idea of the original layout and were a filming location for Game of Thrones. Outside the Golden Gate stands the giant statue of Gregory of Nin, whose big toe is rubbed for luck.
The Riva and Marjan
The Riva, the palm-lined waterfront promenade in front of the palace, is the city's living room, full of cafés from morning until late at night. Ferries and catamarans leave from the harbor for the islands of Brač, Hvar and Vis.
On the western side of the city, Marjan Hill is a forest park with walking paths, small chapels and viewpoints. Bačvice, the city beach, is famous for picigin, a local ball game played in shallow water.
Visiting tips
Split is a great base for island hopping and for day trips to Trogir, the Krka waterfalls and Omiš. The palace is busiest in the middle of the day, so explore it early or in the evening, when the lanes are lit up.
Top sights in Split
- 1
Diocletian's Palace
A Roman palace that became a city.
- 2
Peristyle
The colonnaded heart of the palace.
- 3
Cathedral of Saint Domnius
A cathedral in the emperor's mausoleum.
- 4
The Riva
A palm-lined waterfront promenade.
- 5
Marjan Hill
A forest park with city views.
- 6
Gregory of Nin statue
Rub his toe for good luck.
Food markets & where to eat in Split
Green Market (Pazar)
An open-air market by the palace walls.
Fish Market (Peškarija)
Fresh fish from the Adriatic every morning.
Veli Varoš
An old neighborhood of stone houses and konobas.
The Riva
Cafés and bars on the waterfront.
Food to try in Split
Pašticada
Beef slow-cooked in wine and prunes, served with gnocchi.
Grilled fish
Fresh catch with olive oil and chard.
Soparnik
A thin pie filled with chard, from the nearby hills.
Fritule
Small fried doughnuts with raisins.
Opening hours and prices change often. Please check with each place before you visit.
Plan your trip to Split
Enjoyed the walk? Here is everything you need to see it for real.
- Hotels in SplitCompare places to stay and prices.
- Tours & ticketsWalking tours, museums and day trips in Split.
- eSIM for CroatiaStay online from the moment you land.
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