Diocletian's Palace

The magnificent ruins of Diocletian’s Palace are not confined to a traditional archaeological site, but rather are part of the living, breathing heart of Croatia’s second-largest city. They can be seen during guided biking, Segway, and walking tours of Split as well as during food and wine tours. The ruins also feature onGame of Thrones location tours, with the HBO hit series having filmed scenes here. Organized day tours to Split from Dubrovnik, Zadar, Makarska, and Trogir typically include guided tours of Diocletian’s Palace.

• One of the most magnificent Roman ruins in existence, Diocletian’s Palace is a must for ancient history aficionados.

• Bring a sun hat, sunglasses, water, and sunscreen if exploring during the summer months as it can be hot and humid.

• Some parts of the old town, including the palace’s underground ruins and the Riva seafront promenade, which is bordered by the palace’s southern facade, are wheelchair accessible, though large parts are not.

Diocletian’s Palace faces out to the harbor in Split Old Town. The palace can be accessed on foot via the Bronze Gate (sometimes called the Brass Gate) at the eastern end of the Riva, 300 feet (100 meters) from the ferry terminal.

Diocletian’s Palace is enchanting at any time of the year, though May, June, and September strike an appealing balance, promising sunny weather but fewer crowds. Summer is prime visitor season, and tourist numbers and temperatures both peak in July and August. During these months, come first thing in the morning to avoid the afternoon rush.

Finding your way around the alleyways, hidden courtyards, and twisting and turning streets can be difficult for first-timers. Use the gates to help get your bearings: Golden Gate is located in the north wall, Bronze Gate (or Brass Gate) in the south, Silver Gate to the east, and Iron Gate to the west. Kresimirova Street, Split’s Decumanus Maximus, runs directly between the east and west gates, dividing the palace in two: To the south was the emperor’s imperial residence, while the northern section housed soldiers and servants.

Diocletian's Palace is a 4th-century palace in Split, which was commissioned by the Roman Emperor Diocletian. It is considered among the best-preserved examples of Roman palatial architecture and features both Greek and Byzantine elements. The palace was used as a filming location for numerous Game of Thrones scenes.

Diocletian's Palace occupies much of Split's Old Town and is easy to get to on foot if you're staying in the historic part of the city. If you're coming by ferry, you can access the palace via the Bronze Gate near the terminal.

Diocletian’s Palace is always accessible as it's part of the city, rather than a specific attraction with a ticket desk. As such, you can visit whenever you like. However, some parts of the palace—including the basement area, which sits under Peristyle Square—have designated hours and charge an admission fee.

Yes, you can explore Diocletian’s Palace independently. However, a guide can help you navigate the site and not miss anything, as signposting is limited. Anyone keen to learn about the palace’s rich history should consider booking a tour, which will provide information and commentary.

Must-see attractions located inside Diocletian's Palace include the ancient Temple of Jupiter, the palace basements, and the Cathedral of Saint Dominus. In front of the cathedral, Peristyle Square has displays of millennia-old Egyptian sphinxes amongst its beautiful colonnaded architecture.

There are plenty of things to do in Split beyond visiting Diocletian's Palace. Popular activities include strolling along the Riva Promenade, taking a boat trip out to Bisevo Blue Cave, and heading up Marjan Hill for views of the Adriatic Sea.