Split Travel Guide: Roman History and Island Gateways

Split is unique because its historic core is not a museum—it is a living, breathing 1,700-year-old Roman palace where locals dine, drink, and live among Roman columns.

Exploring Diocletian’s Palace

• The Peristyle (Peristil): The monumental central courtyard surrounded by Roman arches and granite sphinxes brought from Egypt by Emperor Diocletian.
• Cathedral of St. Domnius: Originally built as Diocletian’s imperial mausoleum, later consecrated as a Christian cathedral. Climb the Romanesque bell tower for panoramic coastal views.
• The Cellars (Podrumi): The massive subterranean vaulted halls that preserved the original ground plan of the palace above.

Outdoor Activities & Viewpoints

1. Marjan Hill (Forest Park): Walk from the Old Town up the stone stairs to the Vidilica café terrace, then continue along shaded pine paths to secluded pebble coves like Kasjuni Beach.
2. Klis Fortress: Located 12 kilometers inland, this dramatic hilltop fortress guarded the mountain pass between the coast and the hinterlands for millennia.

Day Trips to Dalmatian Islands

Split’s port is the starting point for catamarans heading to:

• Hvar Island: 1 hour by high-speed catamaran.
• Brač (Bol & Zlatni Rat Beach): 50 minutes to Supetar or Bol.
• Blue Cave (Biševo) & Vis: Full-day speedboat tours visit glowing sea caves and World War II submarine tunnels.