Split travel guide — where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Split, Dalmatia, Croatia.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Split.
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1
Diocletian's Palace
This is the Roman emperor's retirement compound from around 305 AD, and unlike most ruins it was never abandoned - the old walls now contain apartments, shops, bars, and the cathedral, with the modern city built into and around the ancient structure. Walking through the Bronze Gate from the waterfront puts you directly into the substructure halls, and the Peristyle square sits at its center. It functions as Split's living downtown, not a fenced-off site.
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2
Cathedral of Saint Domnius (Katedrala Sv. Duje)
Originally built as Diocletian's own mausoleum, this octagonal structure was converted into a Christian cathedral centuries after his death, making it one of the oldest buildings in the world still used for its (adapted) religious purpose. The interior is compact and dark, ringed by a colonnade of granite columns brought from Egypt, with a carved wooden door and a domed ceiling that still shows traces of the original Roman construction. The bell tower rises above it as a much later Romanesque-Gothic addition.
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3
Peristyle (Peristil)
This sunken colonnaded courtyard was the ceremonial entrance to Diocletian's private quarters, where the emperor would have appeared to subjects gathered below. Red granite columns and an entablature with sphinxes frame the space, and the cathedral bell tower now rises directly behind it, creating the most photographed junction of ancient and later construction in the palace. It's still an open public square today, not a roped-off monument.
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4
Meštrović Gallery (Galerija Meštrović)
This museum occupies the seaside villa that sculptor Ivan Meštrović designed and built as his own home and studio in the 1930s, and it now holds the largest collection of his work anywhere. The rooms are arranged much as a residence rather than a conventional gallery, with large-scale marble, wood, and bronze figures set against sea-facing windows and a garden of outdoor sculptures. Meštrović is Croatia's best-known modern sculptor, and this is the primary place to see the range of his output in one place.
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5
Marjan Hill Forest Park
This forested peninsula rises directly behind Split's old town and has functioned as the city's green escape since medieval times, when it was already referenced as parkland. Paths wind up through pine woods past small stone chapels, climbing walls, and lookout points, with the developed western tip giving way to quieter trails further out. It's used constantly by residents for running and walking, not just visitors.
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6
Riva Promenade
This palm-lined waterfront strip runs along the harbor side of the old town, directly outside the palace's former sea gate, and functions as Split's main public gathering space. Cafés and bars line the inland side under arcaded buildings, while the water side is kept open for walking, with ferries and boats docked just beyond. It's where the city actually socializes - locals use it for an evening walk (korzo) as much as tourists use it for photos.
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7
Klis Fortress (Tvrđava Klis)
This fortress sits on a narrow limestone ridge controlling the mountain pass just inland from Split, a position that made it a strategic prize fought over by Romans, Croatian nobles, Ottomans, and Venetians across more than a thousand years. What stands today is mostly the result of centuries of rebuilding by successive occupiers rather than a single period's design, and the long, narrow layout follows the ridge itself. It gained wider recognition after being used as a filming location representing Meereen in Game of Thrones.
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8
Split City Museum (Muzej Grada Splita)
Housed in a Gothic-Renaissance palace within the old town, this museum traces Split's history from the Roman palace period through the medieval and Venetian eras, using furniture, weapons, coins, and civic artifacts tied specifically to the city rather than Croatia broadly. The building itself, the Papalić Palace, is a notable example of Split's Renaissance domestic architecture and is as much a reason to visit as the collection inside. Compared to the open, crowded palace streets outside, it's a quiet, low-traffic stop.
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9
Archaeological Museum Split (Arheološki Muzej)
Founded in 1820, this is Croatia's oldest museum and holds finds from Salona and the wider Dalmatian coast, including Roman stone inscriptions, glassware, ceramics, and a large collection of ancient coins. It sits outside the old town core, so it draws fewer casual visitors than the Diocletian's Palace sites but rewards anyone wanting context for what they've already walked through. The collection is arranged partly in an open-air lapidarium in the garden as well as indoor galleries.
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10
Jupiter's Temple (Jupiterov Hram)
Built as part of Diocletian's Palace complex, this small temple was later converted into a baptistery for Split's cathedral, so today it functions as the Baptistery of St. John. It retains its original coffered barrel-vault ceiling and a Roman-era black granite sphinx guards the entrance. The space is compact, so visits are quick but the ceiling carving is worth looking up for.
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
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Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
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- Tourist information office: Trg Franje Tuđmana 1 (near Riva); phone +385 21 348 600, Most old town sights can be reached on foot within 15 minutes of the Riva, Luggage storage at Split Bus Station: €3/bag/day (~$3.30), Public toilets: near Peristyle (€0.50 coin), bus station, ferry terminal
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Visit popular attractions early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds and harsh midday light.
Book tickets online in advance for major attractions to skip long queues and sometimes save money.
Many cities offer multi-attraction passes that include public transport. Calculate whether they save you money based on your itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
Is Diocletian's Palace free to enter?
The palace area (streets, courtyards, Peristyle) is free to walk through at any time. Individual attractions inside — the Cathedral, bell tower and Jupiter's Temple — charge separate small admission fees of €3–€5 each.
How much time do I need in Split?
Two full days is the minimum to cover the old town properly, a beach and one day trip. Three to four days allows Klis Fortress, Marjan Hill, a boat trip and relaxed exploration.
Is the Klis Fortress worth visiting?
Yes. The views from the clifftop are spectacular and the fortress itself is very well preserved. Allow half a day including bus transit from Split.