The ultimate guide to spending a day in Split, Croatia including everything you must do, see, and eat.
Split, Croatia was the port on our cruise that my daughter was most excited about and it did not disappoint. When we were originally looking at cruise itineraries for our Greek cruise and I mentioned Split my teen immediately perked up and wanted to go on that cruise. When I asked her why she said that’s where Diocletian’s Palace is. I am not going to lie, I was not familiar with Diocletian’s Palace, but she had read about it in a book. I made sure during our visit that we had plenty of time to explore this huge, fortress-like palace.
Who was Diocletian? He was a Roman Emperor from 284-305 AD and the last well-known emperor to persecute Christians. Diocletian was also the only Roman Emperor to retire. He built Diocletian’s Palace to be his retirement home.
Diocletian’s Palace was built in the 4th century AD and took 10 years to complete. It has four gates – one on each side of its fortress’s walls. However, do not expect an actual palace; the labyrinthine streets packed with restaurants, shops, and homes within the walls/gates is Diocletian’s Palace – an imperial residence, military fortress, and fortified town. Today the remains of the palace and the city’s historic core are listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
What to See in Split
Peristil Square
This beautiful square was where Diocletian would receive and greet his subjects. Today it is a wonderful spot to grab a spot in the shade and people-watch.
Vestibule
Located just behind Peristil Square, the beautiful vestibule was the first room Diocletian’s visitors would see on their way to the imperial apartments in the palace.
St. Domnius Cathedral + Bell Tower
St. Domnius Cathedral was originally built as a mausoleum for Diocletian in 305 AD. I highly recommend stopping in for a visit and you can also climb the bell tower. It might not the best view of the city, but it’s still very much worth the effort if you have time.
Jupiter’s Temple
Originally built to honor the Roman God Jupiter this small temple was later transformed into a baptistery for St. John the Baptist. Be sure to check out the gorgeous ceiling inside the temple and the Egyptian Sphinx outside.
Basement Halls/Cellars
The basement of Diocletian’s Palace is a beautiful walkway from Peristil Square to the Riva and is a place for souvenir shopping.
Plus, if you are a fan of Game of Thrones, several scenes were filmed in Split including in the basement where Daenerys Targaryen kept her dragons. The basements are also where Daenerys’ throne room was.
Golden Gate
One of the four gates, the Golden Gate is the most impressive. Also just outside the Golden Gate is the Statue of Gregory Nin. It was built in 1929 to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of the bishop’s brave opposition against the official rulings of the Roman Catholic Church. It is said that rubbing the statue’s big toe will bring you good luck.
People’s Square
This larger square, People’s Square, is lined with shops and cafes and is another great place to people-watch. The square is also home to a gorgeous Renaissance clock tower.
Climb Marjan Hill
This is where you can find some of the best views of Split! Climb Marjan Hill all the way to the top or visit the terrace in front of Teraca Vidilica Restaurant for a great view without having to climb to the top.
Riva
The Riva is a palm-tree-lined promenade that sits between the water and the walls of Diocletian’s Palace. Here you can enjoy a walk, admire the views, and enjoy some gelato from one of the various stands (we had the best gelato from our entire trip along the Riva at Gelateria Riva Split – cash only).
