Split: Diocletian's Palace & Old Town Private Walking Tour

Walk Through a Roman Emperor's Palace Still Standing After 1,700 Years

You walk through a 1,700-year-old Roman palace and the medieval streets built inside and around it, with a licensed local historian who grew up in Split and knows the layers of history (recent and ancient) that shaped the city. The private format means no crowds, no fixed pace, and the chance to ask questions without holding up a group of thirty people. Entry to the Cathedral and Temple of Jupiter costs extra, but the palace itself and all the squares, statues and streets are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Diocletian's Palace25m
2. Split Old Town25m
3. Cathedral of Saint Domnius5m
4. Riva Promenade5m
5. Peristyle Square5m
6. Gregory of Nin5m
7. Fruit Square5m
8. Temple of Jupiter5m

Explore Split Old Town and Diocletian's Palace

• Start at Main Riva Promenade
• Visit main entrance of Diocletian's Palace
• Tour Diocletian's Palace interior
• See 500 years old 24-hour clock
• Visit Cathedral of Split outside
• Explore Emperor's Square
• Learn about Gregory of Nin
• Visit former Green Market and Marul statue
• Explore People's Square
• See Temple of Jupiter outside
• Visit Museum of Cellars, best preserved palace part
• Visit Old Medieval Town of Split
• Finish at Main Riva Promenade

The experience

The Riva Promenade stretches in front of you, and your guide is already pointing toward the limestone walls of Diocletian's Palace rising from the harbor: built in AD 305 and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site that swallows half the old town inside it. This is a private tour, which means it's just your group moving through the narrow streets, stopping when something catches your attention instead of when a schedule says to move on. Your guide is a Split native, someone who grew up here during the '80s and '90s, and has a Master's degree in history, not someone reading from a script but someone who actually knows why these stones matter.

You'll walk through the medieval old town first, moving past the Peristyle Square (the heart of the palace, they call it), then down to the Cathedral of Saint Domnius, which you can see from outside or pay 3.50 EUR to enter. The Temple of Jupiter sits nearby (another 1.50 EUR if you want inside), and the guide will show you the 500-year-old 24-hour clock, the Fruit Square with its statue of Marul (the father of Croatian literature), and Gregory of Nin, a figure who shaped Croatian history. It's a lot of ground, but the pace is yours. A private walking tour of Diocletian's Palace and the old town doesn't rush.

One stop that most visitors miss is the Museum of Cellars, the best-preserved section of the palace, where you drop below street level and see how the Romans built underneath. The main entrance to the emperor's private residence is still there too, and your guide will explain how the palace worked as both fortress and home. Everything starts and ends at the Riva Promenade, so you're not stranded at some edge of town when the tour wraps up.

What’s included

• Your day includes the service of a private licensed resident guide (a Split native with a Master's degree in history), a custom-designed walking route through Diocletian's Palace and the medieval old town, visits to the Peristyle Square, Fruit Square, Gregory of Nin statue, People's Square, the 500-year-old clock, and the main palace entrances.
• Optional paid entries are the Cathedral of Saint Domnius (3.50 EUR per person) and the Temple of Jupiter (1.50 EUR per person).
• The Museum of Cellars, the best-preserved section of the palace, is also part of the route.
• The tour starts and ends at the Riva Promenade.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 12:00, 14:30 and 17:00

Book up to3h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 11.20

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Walking Tour of SPLIT

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to understand Diocletian's Palace as a living piece of the city, not just a monument: a private guide who lived through Split's recent history brings context that a group tour can't match, and the private format means you set the rhythm instead of keeping pace with strangers.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's included in the tour price?

The licensed guide, the walking route through the palace and old town, and access to all public squares and streets. Entry to the Cathedral (3.50 EUR) and Temple of Jupiter (1.50 EUR) are optional and paid separately.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible, though the old town has uneven cobblestones and narrow passages in places.

Can I customize the itinerary?

Yes, the tour is described as custom-designed, so you can discuss priorities with your guide when you book.

Where does the tour start and end?

Both start and finish at the Riva Promenade, the main waterfront in Split.

Is this tour suitable for children?

Yes. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and the pace is flexible since it's a private tour.

Do I need to book in advance?

It's a private tour, so advance booking is recommended to secure your preferred date and guide.