Split: top attractions & road trip guide
Split is Dalmatia's largest city, built around the retirement palace the Roman emperor Diocletian constructed for himself in the 4th century AD. Unlike a typical ruin, the palace remains inhabited: its ancient walls, courtyards, and basement halls now hold shops, homes, cafés, and a cathedral, forming the living core of the old town.
The city is a major hub on the Dalmatian coastal road trip, roughly halfway between Zadar and Dubrovnik on the Adriatic Highway, with regular ferries to islands such as Hvar and Brač departing from its harbour. The historic centre is closed to most traffic, so cars are typically parked at the edge and the palace explored on foot.
Top attractions
Diocletian's Palace
A UNESCO-listed Roman palace complex from around 305 AD that forms the entire core of Split's old town, still lived in and used today rather than preserved as a static ruin.
Cathedral of St. Domnius
Built from Diocletian's own mausoleum, this is considered one of the oldest cathedrals in the world still using its original structure, with a bell tower offering views over the palace.
Peristyle
The palace's grand colonnaded courtyard, once Diocletian's ceremonial entrance hall, now the open-air centre of old town life and a common venue for concerts and performances.
Riva Waterfront Promenade
A palm-lined seafront promenade running along the harbour just outside the palace walls, lined with cafés and a popular spot for an evening walk with views of the marina.
Marjan Hill
A forested peninsula park west of the old town with hiking and biking trails, small chapels, and viewpoints looking back over Split's rooftops and the surrounding islands.
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