Small-Group Walking Tour: Diocletian's Palace and Old Town
Description
My tour gives first-time visitors an engaging, easy-to-follow introduction to Split's history, culture, and daily life. We visit key landmarks like the Peristyle, Jupiter’s Temple, Mausoleum, Cellars, Riva, and more. As a guide originally from Bosnia who lived across the former Yugoslavia and the US, I offer a unique perspective. I connect Split's story to the wider Balkans and the world. I love diving deep, so ask me anything! Want to know why we fight all the time in the Balkans? Or why people in Split love Napoleon, but in Dubrovnik they wish you didn't ask? Or why Croatia is "selfishly" taking all the coastline? Maybe you want to learn different architectural styles? We’ll spot centuries of styles standing in one single spot. My small-group tours guarantee meaningful conversations. Afterward, I provide personalized recommendations, including a list of my favorite restaurants, local foods, and wines. Perfect for anyone wanting an informative, laid-back intro to Split.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The northern entrance to Diocletian's Palace, the Golden Gate, served as the main landward gate. Join the tour to find out real meaning behind its name.
This vibrant square is the heart of Split's Old Town. Surrounded by historic buildings, including the old Town Hall, it has been a central gathering place for centuries. Today, it's lined with cafés and shops, making it a perfect spot to experience the city's lively atmosphere.
Situated near the Peristyle, the Temple of Jupiter was built in 4th century AD and dedicated to the main Roman deity. Today, it serves as Baptistery of St. John the Baptist. How and why did this happen, learn on the tour.
The central courtyard of Diocletian's Palace, the Peristyle, is flanked by monumental columns and arches. It served as the main access point to the imperial apartments and religious buildings
Originally built as Emperor Diocletian's mausoleum, this structure was transformed into a cathedral in the 7th century, dedicated to Saint Domnius, the patron saint of Split. It stands as one of the oldest Catholic cathedrals still in use in its original structure.
Grand circular foyer that once led to the emperor's private quarters.. Its impressive domed ceiling and acoustics make it a captivating site, where tourists can hear "Klapa" sing and take wonderful photographs.
Located beneath the imperial apartments, the palace basements are among the best-preserved ancient complexes of their kind. They offer insights into the palace's construction and have been used as filming locations, notably in the "Game of Thrones" series. Find out what did Romans use these areas for, as well as how medieval people used them for their needs.
Split's iconic waterfront promenade, the Riva, stretches along the harbor and is lined with palm trees, cafés, and restaurants. It's a bustling hub where locals and tourists alike gather to enjoy the scenic views.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(27)
Wonderful walking tour. Helena was very knowledgeable and very friendly. Our group of four all enjoyed
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the tour! :)
Guide was excellent and very knowledgable. Jelena was the best and answered all of our question and was extremely friendly. .
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the tour! :)
Our tour guide was wonderful. Very knowledgable and fun to explore with. She gave us a lot of interesting history.
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the tour! :)
Great tour that helped us learn about the city in a small group. Our guide Jelena was very knowledgeable and funny. I appreciated that she shared many recommendations and details after the tour too.
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the tour! :)
Was a very fun and educational tour the guide was very clear and enthusiastic
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the tour! :)
We booked the 7pm walking tour with Jelena after only arriving in Split that afternoon and it has since been a highlight of our time in Split. Jelena has excellent presentation, she brought the Old Town and Palace to life with all her interesting insider facts. Tour was perfectly paced, not too long and great value. Jelena is knowledgeable, professional and friendly. Highly recommend the tour, and at 7pm there were very few crowds.
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the tour! :)
Wonderful guide! Perfect small group!! Jelena is very knowledgeable and able to impart the history in a memorable way.
Jelena was knowledgeable and interesting and shared her love for her beautiful city with us. We learned so much! We highly recommend her tour.
Good micro history lesson in a short amount of time while seeing the highlights of Split. Our guide was pleasant and informative. She spent time extra time with questions and recommendations which was helpful.
Jelena was awesome, great pace, knows so much about the city. Good explanation. I would totally recommend this, small group works best. You can ask questions and get a truly detailed answer if that’s what you want. Will explore Split further from what we learnt today.
