Split Old Town History Walking Tour
Description
Discover the Roman and medieval heart of Split on this 1.5-hour guided walking tour. Begin at the lively Riva promenade, then explore the underground cellars of Diocletian’s Palace, the best-preserved part of the ancient Roman complex. Visit the Peristyle, the emperor’s former court, and see the Cathedral of St. Domnius, once his mausoleum. Step into the Vestibule, known for its echoing dome and klapa singers, and visit the Temple of Jupiter, now a baptistery with ancient sarcophagi. Learn about Roman dining in the Triclinium, and pass through all four palace gates, including the grand Golden Gate. Outside the walls, rub Gregory of Nin’s toe for luck, then explore Split’s medieval side with stops at Pjaca (People’s Square) and the charming Fruit Square. End the tour back on the Riva with a deeper appreciation of Split’s rich layers of history.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Riva Promenade - Meet your guide at Split’s vibrant waterfront promenade. Get an introduction to the city’s history, culture, and layout while enjoying sea views and a lively atmosphere
Diocletian’s Palace Cellars - Enter the well-preserved substructures beneath the palace. Discover how these underground chambers supported the emperor’s residence above and learn about life in the Roman Empire.
Peristyle and Cathedral of St. Domnius - Step into the heart of Diocletian’s Palace. Admire Roman columns and the magnificent cathedral that was once the emperor’s mausoleum.
Stand beneath the circular open dome with impressive acoustics. If you're lucky, you might hear a live performance from traditional klapa singers
Visit this former Roman temple turned baptistery, featuring ancient sculptures and a preserved sarcophagus.
See where Diocletian hosted his lavish banquets. Your guide will share insights into Roman dining culture and imperial luxury.
Golden Gate and Gregory of Nin - Exit through the grandest of the four palace gates. Outside, stop at the towering statue of Gregory of Nin and rub his toe for good luck—a local tradition.
Pjaca - Stroll through this historic square surrounded by charming Venetian-era buildings, an old city clock, and buzzing local cafés.
Explore this lively square named after the fruit markets once held here, now framed by baroque palaces and Split’s vibrant daily life.
Riva - Conclude the tour where it began. Take in the seaside atmosphere with a deeper appreciation of Split’s rich layers of history.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Pets are not allowed on tour.
Reviews(108)
It was a good mix of food, wine, air conditioning and shade on a hot day! The explanation of the food and wine was perfect. Laura answered some tough questions from the group and was very knowledgeable. Thank you, Laura, for hosting!
Very knowledgeable, easy to understand. I would recommend Anita again!
Hello, Thank you for your kind review! We're delighted to hear you found the experience informative and easy to follow. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again soon for another great trip! Kind regards, Gray Line Team
Anita Tavric is an engaging, knowledgeable guide with a passion for her city and its history. You could not find a better guide for your walking tour of Split. Thank you, Anita.
Absolutely amazing. Our tour guide Anita was first class, very knowledgeable, friendly and we learnt so much, would definitely recommend a tour with her.
We had an amazing tour of Split Old Town with Anita. She was extremely knowledgeable, entertaining and friendly. We learnt so much from her which has made our stay in Split so much more enjoyable.
Anita was an EXCELLENT tour guide! She was friendly, personable, easy to understand, and very knowledgeable. Excellent tour!
We had a fabulous morning out with Mate, he was so passionate about his history it was so awesome to have him as our guide. Super informative and didn’t rush us at all, in fact I think we ran overtime by quite a bit. We really enjoyed it and I would recommend for everybody to do this. Thanks again Mate
Anita was very knowledgeable and a delight to tour with
Our guide Anita Tavric was both personally delightful and professional. Highly recommended
We did the tour with Anita. It was excellent. You could see the passion he has for history and what he does. Highly recommended!
