Visiting Diocletian’s Palace in Split, Croatia: What to See + Do

An ancient palace built for the Roman emperor Diocletian on the Adriatic Coast, Diocletian’s Palace today forms about half the Old Town of Split.

A UNESCO Heritage Site, these marvelously preserved Roman ruins are also famous for being the setting for the hit TV series Game of Thrones.

Here’s our guide to Diocletian’s Palace in Split, Croatia—what to see, how to visit, and sights not to miss.

Peristyle

It’s the perfect spot to sip a kava (coffee) at one of the crowded cafés and gaze up at the lofty Corinthian columns around you.

Inside, there are decorative friezes, gold and silver artifacts, baroque paintings, beautifully carved wooden bench-rests, and an intricate Romanesque pulpit.

Cathedral of St. Domnius

Bell Tower

You can climb the metal stairs to the top of the Romanesque bell tower. You’re treated to 360-degree views of Split and the magnificent palace in all its decaying and partially restored glory.

Diocletian’s Palace basement

The main alleyway of Diocletian’s Palace basement is used as a market, with numerous shops where locals sell arts and crafts.

Ivan Mestrovic statue

The towering 25-foot-tall statue of the 10th-century Bishop Gregory of Nin (Grgur Ninski) by Croatia’s most famous sculptor. Ivan Mestrovic caught our eye.

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