Substructures of Diocletian's Palace
45 minAll agesAll year
Vaulted halls beneath Diocletian's Palace that preserve the plan of the emperor's apartments. €10; families €18.
ArrivalPlane, bus or ferry
Best timeMay · Jun · Sep · Oct
Minimum time2 days
CurrencyEuro
What to do
What to do in Split
Each plan says how long it takes, who it's for and whether you can book.
St Domnius Cathedral and the Bell Tower Climb
1 hNo vertigo for the bell towerAll year
Split cathedral occupies Diocletian's mausoleum, from the year 305; the Romanesque bell tower gives the view of the whole palace. Tickets at the Peristyle.
Climbing Marjan via Vidilica to Telegrin
2 hFrom age 6, with stairsDog-friendlyAll year · avoid midday in summer
A climb by stairs from Varoš to the Vidilica viewpoint and, among pines, to Telegrin, at 178 m. Two hours round trip, free.
Itineraries
Itineraries that pass through
Days and weekends already planned out, with how to get between each stop and who to book with.
Plan the trip
Split, step by step
Each choice narrows the next: the season shapes how best to travel, and how you travel decides where you stay and where you eat.
When to go
When to go to Split
May, June, September and early October: warm sea, boats to the islands and fewer people. July and August bring heat, cruise ships and high prices. From November to March the city is quiet, but many boat excursions do not run.
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Best timeGood timeLow season
How you travel
Split your way
Choose how you're travelling and we'll tell you where to stay, how to get around, where to eat and which services you'll need. We only show the ways of travelling that make sense here.
The natural way to see Split
The airport, bus station, railway station and port are ten minutes' walk from the palace. Trogir, Klis and the islands are done by bus or boat.
90–150 €per person per day, approximate
- Where to sleepInside the palace: Vestibul Palace…
- Getting aroundAirport shuttle to the station…
- Where to eatVaroš taverns on foot from…
- ServicesBus and railway stations next…
Where to sleep
- Inside the palace: Vestibul Palace or Slavija
- Hotel Park, next to Bačvice, if you want a beach at the door
Getting around
- Airport shuttle to the station, €10
- Bus 37 to Trogir, 22 to Klis; Bura Line boat to Trogir until October
- Catamaran or ferry to Brač, Hvar and Vis
Where to eat
- Varoš taverns on foot from any hotel
- Pazar market for the boat lunch
Services
- Bus and railway stations next to the quay
- Jadrolinija tickets on your phone
A cheap base for island-hopping
Split is Dalmatia's transport hub: you arrive by bus or plane and leave by ferry. A lot is free: the palace, Marjan and Bačvice.
40–70 €per person per day, approximate
- Where to sleepHostel Dvor, dormitories of 4…
- Getting aroundEverything on foot within the…
- Where to eatPazar Market and bakeries for…
- ServicesBus station next to the…
Where to sleep
- Hostel Dvor, dormitories of 4 and 6
- Split Hostel Fiesta Siesta, if you want atmosphere
Getting around
- Everything on foot within the city
- City bus to the airport, Trogir and Klis
- Ferry or catamaran to the islands, with the ticket on your phone
Where to eat
- Pazar Market and bakeries for the day
- Buffet Fife, large dishes at a moderate price
Services
- Bus station next to the port
- Marjan climb and beach for nothing
Sleeping inside a Roman palace
There are few luxury hotels, but they are in unique places: inside Diocletian's walls or next to the beach. The rest is provided by the private boat to the islands.
300–600 €per person per day, approximate
- Where to sleepHotel Vestibul Palace, next to…
- Getting aroundPrivate airport transfer, 20 km…
- Where to eatZOI, tasting menu above the…
- ServicesPrivate transfers and guide, coming…
Where to sleep
- Hotel Vestibul Palace, next to the Vestibule
- Hotel Park Split, with wellness, next to Bačvice
Getting around
- Private airport transfer, 20 km away
- Speedboat to the Blue Cave, Vis and Hvar, also private
Where to eat
- ZOI, tasting menu above the Riva
- Konoba Fetivi for home cooking
Services
- Private transfers and guide, coming soon
Useful for continuing the trip, a hindrance in the centre
The car is useful for arriving and for leaving towards Plitvice, Omiš or Dubrovnik. In Split, leave it still: the old town is pedestrian and parking in zone I is expensive.
80–130 €per person per day, approximate
- Where to sleepHotel Park, ten minutes' walk…
- Getting aroundTolled motorway from Zagreb to…
- Where to eatTaverns in Varoš, parking outside…
- ServicesParking zone III: €9.60 a…
Where to sleep
- Hotel Park, ten minutes' walk from the centre
- Camping Stobreč, 7 km away, open all year
Getting around
- Tolled motorway from Zagreb to Split
- Omiš and the Cetina, 25 km along the coast; Klis, 12 km
- Reserve the ferry departure if you take the car to Stari Grad or Vis
Where to eat
- Taverns in Varoš, parking outside the centre
- Supermarkets on the outskirts before going to the island
Services
- Parking zone III: €9.60 a day from May to September
- Split Parking municipal garages
Flight to Split and Shuttle to the Port
Split has direct flights from Spain in season, with Iberia from Madrid and Vueling from Barcelona; outside summer there are fewer and sometimes a stopover is needed. The airport is about 20 km away, next to Trogir, and the shuttle drops you at the bus station, next to the ferry port, in about half an hour. The city is done on foot; a car is only worthwhile if you continue to Plitvice, the interior or Dubrovnik.
- Getting thereSplit airport (SPU), with direct…
- Getting aroundOn foot through Diocletian's Palace…
- Where to sleepHotel Park, next to Bačvice…
- ServicesAirport shuttle and bus 37
Getting there
- Split airport (SPU), with direct flights from Spain in season
- Platanus airport shuttle to the bus station
- City bus 37 between Split, the airport and Trogir
Getting around
- On foot through Diocletian's Palace and the Riva
- Ferry and catamaran from the port to Hvar, Brač and Vis
- Hire car at the airport if you continue along the coast
Where to sleep
- Hotel Park, next to Bačvice, a few minutes from the station and the port
- A hostel inside the palace, if you arrive without a car and with little luggage
Services
- Airport shuttle and bus 37
- Private transfer from the terminal
How much does it cost?
People2
Nights3
Who you're with
Split for whoever you're with
A trip with a toddler is not the same as one with a teenager. Pick yours to see what works and what to bear in mind.
A city toured on foot that ends at the beach
With children of different ages Split works well: distances are short, Bačvice has sand and the palace is explored like a labyrinth. Save the long excursions for those who can manage the day.
- What works bestBačvice, with shallow water and…
- Where to sleepHotel Park, next to the…
- Where to eatBuffet Fife, large portions with…
- Keep in mindIn July and August, mornings…
What works best
- Bačvice, with shallow water and the game of picigin
- The palace Substructures, €18 family ticket
- Rafting on the Cetina, from age 6
- The Klis fortress, with a child's ticket at €4
Where to sleep
- Hotel Park, next to the beach
- Camping Stobreč, if you travel by car
Where to eat
- Buffet Fife, large portions with no fuss
- Pazar market for a picnic on the boat
Keep in mind
- In July and August, mornings for sightseeing and afternoons for the beach
- Marjan has many stairs: better along the park track
- The Klis walls do not have a railing everywhere
What to do as a family
Adventure half an hour from the city
In the city they get bored fast; in the Cetina canyon, not. Combine a day of palace and beach with a morning on the river or zip line at Omiš.
- What works bestThe Cetina zip line, eight…
- Where to sleepHotel Park, two steps from…
- Where to eatMarket and bakeries for the…
- Keep in mindThe zip line requires age…
What works best
- The Cetina zip line, eight cables and one of 700 m
- 10 km rafting through the canyon
- Climbing the bell tower and Telegrin, with the city at your feet
- The speedboat to the Blue Cave, if they can handle a day at sea
Where to sleep
- Hotel Park, two steps from Bačvice
- Heritage Hotel Slavija, to get around the old town on their own
Where to eat
- Market and bakeries for the excursion day
- Varoš taverns with large dishes
Keep in mind
- The zip line requires age 7 and at least 30 kg; canyoning, age 10
- The last stretch of the bell tower is an open staircase
- Wear rubber-soled footwear for the river
What to do with teenagers
Sand, short boat rides and walks without slopes
For under-sixes, Split has what is needed: a sand beach with shallow water and a one-hour boat to Trogir. The long speedboats are not for them.
- What works bestBačvice, on foot from the…
- Where to sleepCamping Stobreč, with the sea…
- Where to eatPazar market: fruit and bread…
- Keep in mindThe speedboat to the Blue…
What works best
- Bačvice, on foot from the centre
- The boat to Trogir, an hour watching the coast
- Marjan along the park track, with a pushchair
Where to sleep
- Camping Stobreč, with the sea alongside
- Hotels near Bačvice to go back for a siesta
Where to eat
- Pazar market: fruit and bread at any hour
- Taverns with a table on the street, without waiting
Keep in mind
- The speedboat to the Blue Cave is not recommended for under-3s
- Inside the palace there are stairs and polished stone floors: better a baby carrier
- In August the midday sun is merciless: beach first thing
What to do with young children
Split with Friends: Caves, Rafting and a Picigin Beach
Split is the Dalmatian city where a group finds the most to do without leaving the coast: rafting and ziplining in the Cetina canyon, a day by speedboat to the Blue Cave and an urban sandy beach. Diocletian's Palace sits in the centre and the bars are all around it. It is best to book the excursions with a few days' margin.
- What works bestBiševo Blue Cave by speedboat
- Where to sleepSplit Hostel Fiesta Siesta
- Where to eatKonoba Fetivi
- Keep in mindRafting and ziplining have minimum…
What works best
- Biševo Blue Cave by speedboat: about 10 hours from €125 plus the entrance fee, with Stiniva, Budikovac, the Pakleni islands and Hvar; from 1 April to 31 October.
- Rafting on the Cetina: 10 km by raft through the canyon, class 2 to 3 rapids, 3 to 4 hours and from age 6.
- Ziplining over the Cetina: eight cables and 2,100 m, up to 150 m above the ground, from €80 and age 7.
- Bačvice Beach: sand ten minutes from the palace and the birthplace of picigin, June to September and free.
- Marjan and the Telegrin: two hours there and back, free, with views from Vidilica.
- Klis Fortress: €12, 12 km from Split, open from 9:00 to 19:00.
- Palace Substructures: €10, for an hour in the shade.
Where to sleep
- Split Hostel Fiesta Siesta: a hostel for meeting people, right in the centre and on a street of bars; not for anyone who wants an early night.
- Hostel Dvor: small hostel with four- and six-bed dormitories, a short walk from the palace and the station.
Where to eat
- Konoba Fetivi: grilled fish of the day in Varoš; closed on Sundays and booking advised in July and August.
- Pazar Market: in the mornings, until 14:00; fruit and cheese to take on the boat.
Keep in mind
- Rafting and ziplining have minimum ages of 6 and 7: check beforehand if there are young people in the group.
- The Blue Cave depends on the sea: ask the company what happens if they cancel.
- Fiesta Siesta is on a street of bars: it is not the place if anyone wants an early night.
What to do with friends
Where to stay
Where to stay without a carif you're backpackingin styleif you're drivingif you're flying
We show you what suits the way you travel.Change how you travel
Hotel Vestibul Palace
Why we like it: A boutique hotel set into the palace walls, next to the Vestibule. You step out of the door and you are on the Peristyle.
Hotel Park Split
Why we like it: A classic hotel open since 1921, next to Bačvice beach and ten minutes' walk from the centre. It saves you driving into the old town.
Heritage Hotel Slavija
Why we like it: Inside the old town, a few steps from the Peristyle, and ten minutes' walk from the port with a suitcase.
Hostel Dvor
Why we like it: A small hostel with dormitories of four and six beds, a walk from the palace and the station.
Hostel
Split Hostel Fiesta Siesta
Why we like it: A hostel for meeting people, in the middle of the centre and on a street of bars. It is not for anyone who wants to sleep early.
Camping Stobreč Split
Why we like it: Split's campsite, by the sea at Stobreč and open all twelve months. Useful if you arrive by car and don't want to pay for a garage in the centre.
Services for this trip
Where to eat
Where to eat in Split
From set lunch menus to Michelin stars. We mark the price level and what to order at each place.
A long-standing local
Buffet Fife
What to order: pašticada, fish brodet or fried fish.
Trumbićeva obala 11, next to the Matejuška quay · in summer it is hard to find a table
Konoba Fetivi
What to order: the fish of the day: they show it to you on a tray and grill it.
Tomića stine 4, in Varoš · closed Sundays · book in July and August
ZOI
What to order: the tasting menu, or the vegetarian one, of Mediterranean and Dalmatian cooking.
Dinners only, Tuesday to Sunday · book · the long top-floor terrace overlooks the Riva
Takeaway and markets
Pazar Market, Split
Map
Everything on the map
The places to stay and services on the map are the ones for the way you travel. Turn on the layers you want and tap a point to see its details.
What to do
Eat
88 €Stay
Services
Nearby
Near Split
The closest places, whichever country they are in.
Tips
Worth knowing first
- 1Enter the palace early
Before nine or at dusk, when the cruise groups leave.
- 2Buy the ferry before the day
In July and August cars queue for hours on the quay. With a reserved departure you board without waiting.
- 3Use the airport shuttle
It leaves about 30 minutes after each arrival and drops you by the port for €10.
- 4Go up Marjan last thing
There is pine shade and the sun sets over the islands.
The pirate-boat ride along the Riva
Many boats sell short rides from the Riva. For something more, the scheduled boat to Trogir shows you the same coast and drops you in another World Heritage city.
How do you get to the islands?
From Split port, on the east side of the old town. Jadrolinija has car ferries to Supetar (Brač), Stari Grad (Hvar) and Vis, and passenger-only catamarans to Hvar and other islands. The ticket is bought on its website or at the port ticket offices and shown on your phone when boarding. On the Stari Grad and Vis lines you can reserve the car for a specific departure: in August, do so. The bus and railway stations are right next to the quay.
Can you enter by car?
Into the old town, no: it is pedestrian. Street parking is paid by zones from Monday to Saturday; zone I, the most expensive, costs €1.20 an hour from May to September. If you sleep inside the palace, leave the car at the hotel or in a garage and get around on foot. To arrive from Spain by road there is a tolled motorway from Zagreb to Split.
What do you pay for at Diocletian's Palace?
Walking through the palace costs nothing: the Peristyle, the Vestibule and the streets inside the walls are open city at any hour. You pay to enter the Substructures (€10), the cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, and the walk along the north wall (€6). Croatia has used the euro since 1 January 2023 and is in Schengen: from Spain there is no passport control or currency exchange, but carry your ID card.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need?
Two days are enough for the city and Marjan. With a third you make an excursion: Trogir, the Cetina or the Blue Cave.
Do you pay in euros?
Yes. Croatia adopted the euro on 1 January 2023. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but some small taverns only take cash.
Do you need a car?
Not for the city. City buses reach the airport, Trogir and Klis. A car is only worthwhile if you continue to Plitvice, the interior or Dubrovnik.
Can you swim in the centre?
Yes. Bačvice is a fine-sand beach ten minutes' walk from the palace, with shallow water. On Marjan there are stony coves with fewer people.
Do you need to book the ferry to Hvar?
If you go on foot by catamaran, buy the ticket a few days ahead in summer. If you take a car to Stari Grad, reserve the departure time: it is one of the lines that allow it.
Is it worth it in winter?
For the city, yes: there are fewer people and the Substructures museum opens daily from 9:00 to 17:00. The Blue Cave speedboats and the Trogir boat stop running at the end of October.