Diocletian's Palace

Diocletian’s Palace is the heart of Split, a living Roman complex where locals still live, work, and eat inside ancient walls. Built as Emperor Diocletian’s retirement residence in the late 3rd to early 4th century, it later became the foundation of the medieval city and today forms part of Split’s UNESCO-listed historic complex.

On this page you’ll find quick answers, the best things to see inside the Palace, and practical tips to plan your visit (including what’s free vs ticketed). If you’re building an itinerary, also explore our Split attractions guide.

Diocletian’s Palace: quick answers

• What is it? A vast Roman imperial palace complex that later evolved into Split’s Old Town.
• Is it UNESCO? Yes, part of the UNESCO-listed historical complex of Split built around the Palace.
• Where is it? Central Split Old Town, between the Riva waterfront and the city streets behind it.
• What should I see first? Peristyle square, the Vestibule, the basement halls (cellars), and the Cathedral area (the former mausoleum).
• How long do you need? 45–90 minutes for highlights; 2–3 hours if you add cellars, museums, and stops for photos.
• Do I need tickets? Many outdoor areas are free to enter, but specific sites (like substructures/cellars and some interiors) can require tickets, check on-site and official listings for current access.
• Best time to go? Early morning or late afternoon for fewer crowds and better photos.

Best tours of Diocletian’s Palace

Because Diocletian’s Palace is not a traditional museum but a living part of the city, many of its most important details are easy to miss without explanation. A guided walking tour helps you understand how the palace was originally laid out, what each space was used for in Roman times, and how the ancient structure gradually transformed into the Old Town of Split.

Guides also provide context you won’t get from signage alone - from why the Peristyle was the ceremonial heart of the palace to how the underground cellars mirror the rooms above. If you have limited time in Split or want a deeper understanding of what you’re seeing, a guided tour is often the most efficient way to experience Diocletian’s Palace.

What is Diocletian’s Palace?

Diocletian’s Palace is a vast Roman imperial complex built between the late 3rd and early 4th century AD as the retirement residence of Emperor Diocletian. Unlike later medieval palaces or standalone ruins, it was conceived as a fortified structure combining the functions of a luxury villa, a military camp, and an administrative centre, all enclosed within massive stone walls.

The palace was carefully planned according to Roman urban principles. Two main streets ran through it from north to south and east to west, dividing the complex into four quarters. At its southern end, facing the sea, were the emperor’s private apartments, while the northern sections housed soldiers, servants, and storage areas. At the centre stood ceremonial and religious spaces, including temples and the emperor’s mausoleum.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, the palace was not abandoned. From the 7th century onward, refugees from nearby Salona settled inside its walls, gradually transforming Roman halls, corridors, and courtyards into homes, churches, workshops, and streets. This continuous occupation is what makes Diocletian’s Palace exceptional today: it is not only an archaeological site, but a living part of the city where everyday life unfolds inside an ancient Roman monument.

Because of its remarkable state of preservation and unique historical continuity, Diocletian’s Palace and the surrounding medieval city of Split were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Walking through the Palace today means moving through more than 1,700 years of history layered into a single urban space.

Top things to see inside Diocletian’s Palace

Diocletian’s Palace isn’t a single building you enter and exit. It’s a living part of Split’s Old Town, where Roman courtyards, temples, and substructures blend into today’s streets, homes, cafés, shops, and small museums. The highlights below are the easiest way to understand what you’re looking at while you explore.

If this is your first time in Split, start with our Split travel guide and browse more ideas in Split attractions.

1) Peristyle (the main ceremonial courtyard)

The Peristyle (Peristil) is the palace’s most iconic open space - a grand Roman courtyard framed by columns that once served as the ceremonial heart of the emperor’s residence. It’s still the best meeting point inside the Palace, and one of the most atmospheric places in Split at any time of day.

• Best for: photos, people-watching, and getting oriented
• Look for: original Roman columns, elevated steps, and the sense of symmetry
• Tip: visit early morning for calmer photos; return in the evening for atmosphere

2) Vestibule (the circular entrance hall)

Just off the Peristyle, the Vestibule is a dramatic round chamber that once acted as a formal transition into the emperor’s private quarters. Today it’s one of the most memorable “look up” moments inside the palace complex.

• Best for: architecture lovers and quick photos
• Tip: pause for a moment - the acoustics are famous, and you may hear local singing

3) Cathedral of St. Domnius (Diocletian’s Mausoleum)

One of the palace’s most fascinating transformations is the emperor’s mausoleum becoming the Cathedral of St. Domnius. Even if you do not go inside, the exterior and surrounding lanes are a must-see. If you do enter, you’ll get a strong sense of how Roman structures were adapted over centuries.

• Best for: history, sacred art, and understanding the palace’s “living city” evolution
• Tip: the bell tower is one of the best viewpoints over Split’s rooftops and the waterfront

4) Temple of Jupiter (Baptistery)

The Temple of Jupiter is one of the best-preserved Roman temple spaces in the palace complex. It’s small but impressive, and a good stop if you want a clear example of Roman sacred architecture integrated into Split’s later history.

• Best for: Roman-era details in a compact, easy-to-visit space
• Tip: visit mid-walk when you want a quieter, more “museum-like” pause

5) Palace basements (substructures / “cellars”)

The palace basements are key to understanding the original layout above. These substructures supported the imperial apartments, and many spaces mirror what once existed overhead. For planning (and what to expect), see Diocletian’s Palace Cellars.

• Best for: imagining the original palace footprint and how it functioned
• Great with a guide: the basements make far more sense with context
• Tip: a good place to cool down in hot weather

6) The palace gates (your navigation points)

Diocletian’s Palace was built as a fortified complex, and the gates remain some of the most useful landmarks for navigating the Old Town. Treat them as “compass points” when you move between the palace, the waterfront, and Split’s wider centre.

• Best for: orientation and understanding the original defensive layout
• Start here: Golden Gate, Silver Gate, Iron Gate
• Tip: if you feel lost in the lanes, head toward a gate area and re-orient

7) Egyptian sphinxes (a surprising detail)

One of the most unexpected details in the palace area is the Egyptian sphinx, a reminder that the Roman world was connected and symbols travelled across the empire. If you want the story and context, see our dedicated guide: Sphinx in Split.

8) Medieval streets and everyday Split inside the palace walls

Some of the best moments aren’t single monuments at all - they’re the narrow stone lanes, tiny courtyards, and shopfronts woven into ancient walls. This is where you feel the palace as a living neighbourhood rather than a static ruin.

• Best for: slow wandering, small details, and candid photos
• Tip: step a street or two away from the Peristyle for a calmer feel

Quick route idea (60-90 minutes)

1. Start at the Peristyle
2. Step into the Vestibule
3. Visit the Cathedral area (optional bell tower)
4. Temple of Jupiter stop
5. Finish in the basements

If you want the “full story” and don’t want to miss key details, this route is ideal with a guided tour.

Self-guided walking route (60–120 minutes)

If you prefer to explore independently, this simple self-guided route helps you see the main highlights of Diocletian’s Palace in a logical order without backtracking. It’s ideal for first-time visitors who want a clear structure while still leaving room to wander and stop where something catches your eye.

The route below focuses on the most important areas inside the palace walls and works well whether you spend just over an hour or take your time and stretch it to two hours.

1. Start at the Peristyle – Begin in the ceremonial heart of the palace. Take a moment to absorb the space and orient yourself.
2. Step into the Vestibule – Move through the circular entrance hall and look up to appreciate its dramatic architecture and acoustics.
3. Visit the Cathedral area – Walk around the former mausoleum of Diocletian. Optionally climb the bell tower for panoramic views.
4. Temple of Jupiter stop – A short walk brings you to this compact Roman sanctuary, perfect for a quiet historical pause.
5. Descend into the Palace Cellars – Finish underground, where the substructures reveal the scale and layout of the imperial apartments above.

After completing the route, continue toward one of the palace gates to explore the surrounding Old Town streets, cafés, or the nearby Riva waterfront. If you find yourself wanting deeper explanations along the way, this is the point where many visitors decide a guided tour would add extra value.

Tickets & opening hours (what’s free vs paid) + approximate prices

Diocletian’s Palace is not a single gated attraction with one ticket. The palace streets, squares, and outdoor areas are part of Split’s Old Town, so you can enter and walk around freely at any time. What you pay for are specific interior sights and managed sites inside the complex (especially the cathedral complex and the underground substructures), each with its own opening hours.

Ticket prices and opening times can change by season and by management policy, so treat the prices below as approximate on-site ranges and always confirm at the entrance on the day you visit.

• Free to visit: palace lanes and squares, Peristyle, Vestibule, the gates (exteriors), and most outdoor areas.
• Palace Cellars (basements/substructures): typically around €8 for entry (often listed as “Basement Halls/Substructures”). For planning details see Diocletian’s Palace Cellars.
• Cathedral of St. Domnius complex: commonly sold as individual entries or a combined ticket; a widely reported combined option is around €15 for multiple components (cathedral + additional sites such as baptistery/Temple of Jupiter, treasury/crypt, and bell tower).
• Bell tower climb: often reported around €7 as a standalone ticket (or included in a combined cathedral complex ticket).
• Temple of Jupiter (Baptistery): frequently included in the cathedral complex ticket; if sold separately, pricing is usually in the same “small-site” range as other interiors. For visitor info see Temple of Jupiter.

Opening hours: Outdoor areas are always accessible, but ticketed sites typically run longer hours in the summer season and shorter hours in winter. Sundays and religious services can affect access at the cathedral, and occasional restoration work can close or limit certain interiors.

Practical tip: If you plan to enter multiple interiors, ask for the combined ticket first (it can be better value than buying separate entries). To avoid queues in peak season, visit ticketed sites early in the morning or later in the afternoon.

Note: Prices and opening times can change without notice. Always check official information locally or at the ticket desk before planning your visit.

Best time to visit + photography tips

Diocletian’s Palace is open-air and always accessible, so the best time to visit depends less on “opening hours” and more on crowds, light, and temperature. If you want a calmer experience with better photos, plan your main walk for early morning or late afternoon.

• Early morning: the quietest time inside the palace lanes and squares, with softer light and fewer tour groups. This is the best window for photos in the Peristyle and narrow streets.
• Late afternoon to sunset: warmer stone tones and a more atmospheric feel as the Old Town comes alive. This is also a great time for the Riva and for exterior shots near the gates.
• Midday in summer: expect the most crowds and the harshest light. If you visit at midday, prioritize indoor or shaded stops (such as the cellars) and take breaks.

Photography tips: The palace is full of tight lanes and high stone walls, so wide-angle shots work best. In the Peristyle and Vestibule, look for symmetry and strong vertical lines. For rooftop and cityscape photos, the cathedral bell tower is the classic viewpoint - go when visibility is clear, but avoid peak midday heat.

Comfort tip: In peak summer, split your visit into two parts - an early walk outdoors and a cooler mid-day stop in the palace cellars or nearby museums, then return in the evening for atmosphere.

How to get there + best entrances

Diocletian’s Palace is located in the very centre of Split and is easy to reach on foot from most parts of the city. Because the palace forms the Old Town, there is no single "main entrance", instead, you can enter through several historic gates depending on where you’re coming from.

• On foot: If you’re staying in central Split, the palace is usually just a few minutes’ walk away. Follow signs for “Old Town” or “Diocletian’s Palace.”
• From the ferry port: Walk along the Riva waterfront for about 5 minutes from the Split Ferry Port; you’ll reach the southern side of the palace near the Bronze (Brass) Gate.
• From the main bus or train station: Both are next to the ferry terminal. From the Split Main Bus Station, it’s a short walk along the waterfront to the palace.
• By taxi or rideshare: Ask to be dropped near the Old Town or at a specific gate (Golden Gate is the most common reference).

Best entrances (gates): Each gate connects the palace to a different part of Split, so the best entry point depends on your route.

• Golden Gate: The most monumental entrance, ideal if you’re arriving from the newer city or starting a sightseeing walk.
• Silver Gate: A convenient entry if you’re coming from the Green Market (Pazar) area.
• Iron Gate: Opens toward lively squares with cafés and shops; good for evening visits.
• Bronze (Brass) Gate: Faces the sea and leads directly toward the palace basements; easiest access from the Riva and ferry port.

Orientation tip: Once inside, don’t worry about getting lost — it’s part of the experience. If you need to re-orient yourself, head toward any gate and use it as a reference point to continue exploring.

Accessibility notes (stairs, surfaces, mobility)

Diocletian’s Palace is a historic, open-air complex with uneven stone paving, narrow lanes, and frequent steps. While much of the Old Town can be explored at a relaxed pace, accessibility varies significantly from one area to another.

• Surfaces: Expect worn stone streets that can be slippery when wet. Supportive footwear with good grip is strongly recommended.
• Stairs: Many interior sites include steps, including the Cathedral complex, bell tower, and parts of the palace basements. The bell tower climb is steep and not suitable for those with limited mobility.
• Wheelchair access: Some outdoor areas and main lanes are accessible, but narrow passages, steps, and elevation changes make full wheelchair access challenging. Access to the palace basements and most interior attractions is limited.
• Seating and rest stops: Benches and café seating are available around the Peristyle and nearby squares, making it easy to take breaks.
• Heat considerations: In summer, shade is limited in open courtyards. Plan rest stops indoors or in shaded cafés, and carry water.

Practical tip: If mobility is a concern, focus on the main outdoor highlights such as the Peristyle, Vestibule entrance, and palace streets, and consider a private guided tour that can adapt the route and pace to your needs.

Practical tips (crowds, dress code, safety)

A little planning goes a long way when visiting Diocletian’s Palace, especially during the busy travel season. These practical tips will help you avoid the biggest crowds and make your walk through the palace more comfortable.

• Crowds: The palace is busiest from late morning to mid-afternoon, especially in summer. Visit early in the morning or later in the evening for a calmer experience.
• Dress code: If you plan to enter the Cathedral of St. Domnius or other religious spaces, dress modestly. Shoulders and knees should be covered.
• Footwear: Wear comfortable shoes with good grip. The polished stone streets can be slippery, particularly after rain.
• Heat and sun: In warmer months, bring water, sunscreen, and a hat. Shade is limited in open courtyards.
• Personal belongings: As in any busy historic centre, keep an eye on your valuables, especially in crowded areas.
• Respect local life: Remember that people live and work inside the palace walls. Avoid loud behaviour late at night and respect private entrances.

Good to know: Restaurants and cafés inside the palace are often more expensive than those just outside the walls. If you want better value, walk a few minutes beyond the gates.

Nearby attractions & what to do next

Because Diocletian’s Palace sits at the very center of Split, many of the city’s top sights are just a few minutes’ walk away. After exploring the palace, it’s easy to continue sightseeing without changing location.

• Riva Promenade: Directly south of the palace, the Riva is Split’s main waterfront walkway. It’s ideal for a coffee break, people-watching, or a relaxed stroll along the sea.
• Split Green Market (Pazar): Just outside the Silver Gate, this lively market is a great place to see local produce, dried figs, olive oil, and everyday Dalmatian life.
• Marjan Hill: If you want fresh air and views, head west toward Marjan for walking trails, viewpoints, and shaded paths overlooking the city and islands.
• Museums in Split: Add historical depth with a museum visit nearby. Start with our guide to museums in Split to choose what fits your interests.
• Day trips from Split: The palace is close to transport hubs, making it easy to plan excursions to nearby islands or inland attractions. Browse ideas in our day trips from Split guide.

Planning tip: Many visitors combine the palace in the morning, lunch on the Riva, and a Marjan walk or museum visit in the afternoon for a well-balanced day in Split.

Address & contact details

Street: Dioklecijanova 1
Postcode: 21000
City: Split

FAQ

Is Diocletian’s Palace free to enter?

Yes. The palace streets, squares, and outdoor areas form part of Split’s Old Town and are free to enter at any time. However, several interior sites inside the palace complex, such as the Cathedral of St. Domnius complex, the Temple of Jupiter, and the Palace Cellars, require an entrance ticket.

How long do you need to visit Diocletian’s Palace?

Most visitors spend between 60 and 120 minutes exploring the main highlights. If you plan to enter ticketed interiors, climb the bell tower, visit museums, or stop for food and drinks inside the palace walls, allow at least half a day.

Do you need a guide to visit Diocletian’s Palace?

No, you can explore the palace independently, and many people do. However, because the palace is a living city rather than a traditional museum, much of its history is not obvious without explanation. A guided tour can help you understand the Roman layout, later adaptations, and hidden details you might otherwise miss.

Where is Diocletian’s Palace located?

Diocletian’s Palace is located in the centre of Split’s Old Town, directly behind the Riva waterfront. It is within walking distance of the ferry port, main bus station, and train station.

Is Diocletian’s Palace suitable for children?

Yes. Children often enjoy exploring the narrow streets, underground cellars, and open courtyards. Parents should be aware of uneven stone surfaces, steps, and crowds during peak hours.

Can you visit Diocletian’s Palace at night?

Yes. Because the palace is open and part of the city, you can walk through it at night. Evening visits are popular for their atmosphere, especially around the Peristyle and nearby squares.

Other things to do in Split

If you’re spending more time in the city after visiting Diocletian’s Palace, these guides will help you plan the rest of your stay and discover more of what Split has to offer.

• Day trips from Split – explore nearby islands, coastal towns, and inland attractions.
• Events in Split – concerts, festivals, cultural events, and seasonal happenings.
• Museums in Split – archaeology, art, maritime history, and local culture.
• Shopping in Split – from local markets and souvenirs to modern shopping areas.
• Parks and beaches in Split – relax by the sea or enjoy green spaces close to the Old Town.

Where to stay in Split

Split offers accommodation for every travel style, from historic rooms inside the Old Town to quieter neighborhoods just a short walk or bus ride away. These guides will help you choose the best area and type of accommodation for your stay.

• Split travel guide – overview of neighborhoods, transport, beaches, and main attractions.
• Hotels in Split – a broad selection of hotels and apartments close to the Old Town, beaches, and transport hubs.
• Luxury villas in Split – high-end accommodation with pools, sea views, and privacy, best suited for families and groups.
• Hostels in Split – budget-friendly and social options, many within walking distance of Diocletian’s Palace.