Walking Tour of Split & Diocletian's Palace: 90 Minutes

A Roman emperor's palace, still standing after 1,700 years, with a guide who knows why it matters

This 90-minute walking tour of Split explores Diocletian's Palace and the surrounding old town with a licensed English-speaking guide. You'll walk through the Peristyle Square, the palace gates, and past the Temple of Jupiter and Cathedral of Saint Domnius, learning how a Roman emperor built one of history's most luxurious retirement palaces and how the city grew around it. The tour covers both the ancient palace complex and the medieval sections that developed later, with the guide offering tips on what to visit further on your own.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Split and Diocletian's Palace

• Meet guide at the fountain
• Learn history of Diocletian Palace
• Visit Peristyle Square
• See one of the four palace gates
• View Temple of Jupiter exterior
• View Cathedral of Saint Domnius exterior
• Explore Split Old Town

The Experience

The tour starts at a fountain in Split where your guide meets you and begins with the story of Diocletian's Palace itself—when it was built, why the emperor chose this Adriatic coast location, and how a structure meant as a private retreat became the foundation of an entire city. Most of the 90 minutes unfolds inside the palace complex, moving through the Peristyle Square, the main courtyard where the emperor conducted daily business, and one of the four palace gates, where your guide explains its original function and what remains visible today.

You'll pass the Temple of Jupiter, where the emperor devoted an entire building to the Roman gods, and the Cathedral of Saint Domnius, originally a Roman mausoleum that later became a church. Neither entrance is included, but your guide provides details and recommendations so you can return to explore them afterward if you choose. The tour also takes in the medieval old town that grew up alongside the palace, showing how the city's character shifted from purely Roman to something layered with centuries of later settlement.

The whole route stays on foot through streets and courtyards, suitable for all fitness levels. Strollers work for infants and small children, and public transportation is nearby if you need it. Your guide is a licensed local expert who shares not just the history but the perspective of someone who lives in the city.

What’s included

• Licensed professional guide in English.
• access to the ancient palace complex and medieval old town.
• exploration of the Peristyle Square, palace gates, Temple of Jupiter exterior and Cathedral of Saint Domnius exterior.
• local guide recommendations and tips for further exploration.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Vegolas Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want the story of Diocletian's Palace and Split's layered history told by someone who lives here, without having to piece it together from plaques or a map.

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Top questions

What exactly is Diocletian's Palace and why is it a UNESCO world heritage site?

Diocletian's Palace is a 1,700-year-old Roman palace built by the emperor Diocletian as a retirement residence on the Adriatic coast. It's protected as a UNESCO world heritage site because of its historical significance and the way the city of Split grew up around and inside the palace structure itself, making it one of the best-preserved Roman palaces in the world.

How long does the 90-minute tour actually take, and what's included in that time?

The tour runs 90 minutes and covers the Peristyle Square, the palace gates, the Temple of Jupiter, the Cathedral of Saint Domnius, and the medieval old town, all with a licensed guide explaining the history and function of each stop. Entrance fees to the temple and cathedral are not included, but your guide gives recommendations and tips for visiting them afterward.

Will I be able to walk the whole route, or is it steep and difficult?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels and stays on foot through the palace courtyards and old town streets. Strollers work for infants and small children, and public transportation is available nearby if you need a break.

What does the guide actually explain at each stop?

Your guide covers the history of when and why the palace was built, how the emperor used the Peristyle Square and what military and servants did there daily, the original purpose of the palace gates, the emperor's religious devotion shown in the Temple of Jupiter, and how the medieval old town developed separately from the ancient palace core.