Stories of Split

Walking tour of Diocletian's palace!

If only the walls could talk! Split is a city of stories, literally an open-air museum that begs for a voice to sort out the layers of history that sit remarkably preserved and unfussed about in this atmospheric and wondrous Roman ruin. There is a unique feeling to Split, the bits of ancient civilization sitting in the midst of modern life on the narrow streets lined with restaurants, café-bars, and boutiques. As your walking tour guide unveils the eras off of Split’s shiny corners and palace facades, acquire perhaps the most important tidbit of the local philosophy: the art of ‘pomalo’, a skill of taking it easy and enjoying life at its very core.

This tour is fully private and on request only.
Tour includes collection from your hotel, villa or private accommodation in Split region by our guide and professional English speaking chauffeur in a comfortable luxury sedan car or passenger van and entrance tickets to two attractions.
Bring your camera, comfortable shoes, hat and sunscreen in the summer months.
Please advise if you have any mobility issues so the tour can be adjusted accordingly.

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Tour description

What you'll see on this tour

For more than 1,700 years, the streets and alleyways of the Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace have been continuously inhabited. Home to nobility, adventurers, gentry and common folk, everywhere you look you can still see and feel the centuries. From sphinxes that the Romans brought from Egypt to remarkably preserved Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque palaces, Diocletian’s Palace is a treasure. What makes the palace a unique piece of living history is not only its ancient marble-lined streets and alleyways but the more than 3,000 people who live here; who buy their fish at the local market, take their kids to the Riva promenade for a walk and hang out their wash on 1,200-years-old balconies.

To really appreciate its extraordinary complexity, we begin with an overall orientation. The Palace itself was built between 298-305 AD and still is one of the finest examples of the architecture of the late Empire. With numerous unique landmarks in mind, we’ll start in the basement substructure. It is so remarkably preserved that it helped archaeologists understand how the palatial buildings above were built and what they were used for. Next, the heart of the palace, the Peristil is our stop along with incredible spaces within the former Emperor’s quarters. From here we will wander through the four quarters of the palace, stopping to meet a local artist, have an espresso or two and learn the mystery and magic of what makes this palace one of UNESCO’s most celebrated World Heritage Sites!

As enjoying life to the fullest is one of the key philosophies of Split lifestyle, your guide will also point out the prime locations in Split for enjoying local food, wine and espresso, as well as for getting some authentic Split mementos to always remind you of this great day in Split.

Preview of a tour, via Zoom, can be experienced here: https://hr.airbnb.com/experiences/1739178

Quick Info

Split

Šibenik

Hvar

Brač

Peristil

The heart of the Diocletian’s Palace, Peristil, is located at the intersection of the old city main streets cardo and decumanus but also at the strategic location between the Emperor’s residential and public quarters. Peristil is bordered by some of the most remarkable sights in Split: the former Emperor’s speaking balcony, the Split cathedral and the Sphinx. Today, Peristil makes a beautiful open sky theatre and concert stage, as well as a vital part of the everyday life in Split.