Split walking tour: Diocletian's Palace & Old Town with guide

Walk through 1,700 years of Split without arranging the route yourself

A guided walking tour of Split's Diocletian's Palace and Old Town led by Daniela, a licensed local guide with 15 years in tourism, covering the Peristyle Square, Cathedral of Saint Domnius, Temple of Jupiter, Gregory of Nin statue and the Riva Promenade. The tour runs about two hours and suits all ages. You choose between a private tour or a group departure with a minimum of four participants.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Peristyle Square10m
2. Cathedral of Saint Domnius5m
3. Temple of Jupiter5m
4. Gregory of Nin5m
5. Fruit Square10m
6. Riva Promenade30m

Explore Diocletian's Palace and Old Town

• Visit Diocletian's palace
• Enter Diocletian's apartment with klapa singing
• See Peristyle Square
• Visit Cathedral of Saint Domnius
• Explore Temple of Jupiter
• Pass through main palace entrance
• View Gregory of Nin statue
• Visit old synagogue
• Walk through People square
• See Fruit Square
• Stroll Riva Promenade

The experience

You arrive in Split with a free afternoon or a morning to spend, and the Old Town is right there, but the palace walls and medieval streets don't announce what you're looking at. Daniela walks you through Diocletian's Palace and the surrounding Old Town, starting with the best-preserved section of the palace itself and moving into the Peristyle Square at its heart. She explains why Emperor Diocletian picked this spot for his retirement, how Greek, Roman, Venetian and French rule left their marks on the streets, and what the locals mean when they call Split "the most beautiful city in the world." The tour takes about two hours and covers the main landmarks on foot.

The route takes you to the Cathedral of Saint Domnius (the smallest and oldest Christian Catholic cathedral in the world, built inside the palace), and the Temple of Jupiter, which served as the emperor's religious sanctuary and now functions as the Baptistry of Saint John. You'll see the Gregory of Nin statue, a masterpiece by Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrovic, and walk through the medieval squares of the Old Town: the People's Square and the Fruit Square, where a Venetian fortress and a baroque palace frame the statue of Marko Marulic, the father of Croatian literature. The Riva Promenade, the main waterfront strip lined with restaurants and cafés, closes the walk.

Daniela weaves in local details most visitors miss: the coffee culture that defines Split's daily rhythm, the tradition of klapa singing (you'll hear it authentically performed during the palace section), and the everyday life that still moves through these 1,700-year-old streets. The tour is built for all ages and fitness levels, and you can book it as a private tour or join a group departure that requires a minimum of four people.

What’s included

• Tour organization and a licensed local guide with 15 years of tourism experience.
• the route through Diocletian's Palace, the Peristyle Square, the Cathedral of Saint Domnius, the Temple of Jupiter, the Gregory of Nin statue, the Old Town squares and the Riva Promenade.
• authentic klapa singing performance during the palace section.
• and Daniela's insights into Split's Roman, medieval and Venetian history, local coffee culture and the spirit that keeps the city alive after seventeen centuries.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private tourGuide in English · 08:30, 13:30 and 18:00Private tour

Walking tour of Diocletian's Palace and the Old Town of Split, led by DanielaGuide in English · 11:00 and 17:00

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 18:00Last departure this season: 12 Nov

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years): free · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

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.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Split Walking Tour with Daniela

Is this one for you?Book the private tour if you want the guide's full attention and flexibility on timing. Choose the group departure if you're traveling solo or with one other person and prefer to share the cost with other visitors. Either way, you get a licensed guide who knows the city deeply and can answer questions as they come up. The difference is just the group size and the schedule.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years): free. Children under 12 can't be included in the booking.

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 is the Cathedral of Saint Domnius and why is it inside Diocletian's Palace?

The Cathedral of Saint Domnius is the smallest and oldest Christian Catholic cathedral in the world, built within the palace itself after the emperor's death. It was constructed inside the mausoleum Diocletian had built for himself, transforming the sacred space into a place of Christian worship that has stood for centuries.

Does the tour include entrance fees to the cathedral, temple and other paid sites?

The walking tour does not include entrance tickets for the Cathedral, the Temple of Jupiter, the Bell Tower or the palace cellars. Those are optional and paid separately if you choose to enter them. The guide shows you these sites and explains their history from outside or in the accessible areas.

How long does the tour take and what's the difference between the private and group options?

The tour runs about two hours. The private tour is just you and Daniela. The group tour requires a minimum of four participants and departs on a set schedule. Both follow the same route and include the same guide.

What is klapa singing and will I hear it on this tour?

Klapa is a traditional form of Split singing that is part of the city's cultural identity. On the tour, you'll experience an authentic klapa performance during the section exploring Diocletian's apartment within the palace, so you hear the tradition as it's meant to be heard.

What languages does Daniela speak on the tour?

Daniela conducts the tour in English, sharing her 15 years of local knowledge and personal insights about the city's history, architecture and everyday life.