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Inclusions
Inclusions
Inclusions
Inclusions
Inclusions
Inclusions
Historical significance: Diocletian’s Palace is one of the largest and best-preserved examples of ancient Roman architecture in the world. It was built as a combined imperial residential villa, military garrison, and fortified town.
Architectural marvel: Built in the traditional Roman style, Diocletian's Palace also incorporates Greek and early Christian influences, making it an architectural masterpiece.
Cultural significance: Due to its historical and cultural significance in the history of Split and the region of Dalmatia, Diocletian’s Palace was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.
Filming location: Diocletian’s Palace was used as a filming location for “Game of Thrones”, as the setting for the fictional city of Mereen. Scenes involving Daenerys Targaryen and her dragons were filmed here.
Go for: Guided tour
Duration: 1.5 hours
Diocletian’s Cellars access: No
Guide: Local English-speaking tour guide
Recommended tour: Split Walking Tour with Diocletian’s Palace
Go for: Private guided tour
Duration: 1.5 hours
Diocletian’s Cellars access: No
Guide: Local English-speaking tour guide
Recommended tour: Split Walking Tour with Diocletian’s Palace
Go for: Comprehensive guided tour
Duration: 1.5 hours
Diocletian’s Cellars access: No
Guide: Local English-speaking tour guide
Recommended tour: Split Walking Tour with Diocletian’s Palace
Go for: Specialized guided tour
Duration: 1.5 hours
Diocletian’s Cellars access: Yes
Guide: Local English-speaking tour guide who is also a “Game of Thrones” fan
Recommended tour: Split: Game of Thrones Tour with Diocletian’s Cellar
The Cathedral of Saint Domnius is one of the oldest Catholic cathedrals in the world. Originally built as a mausoleum for Emperor Diocletian, it was converted into a cathedral in the 7th century. The bell tower is the tallest structure in Split’s old town. It was built in the 12th century. Today, tourists can climb up to the top for spectacular views of the entire city.
The Temple of Jupiter is a remarkably well-preserved ancient temple. In Roman times, it contained a statue of Jupiter. Its interiors include many intricate reliefs and carvings as well as a truly magnificent stone ceiling adorned with decorative carved panels. The temple was converted into a baptistery in the Middle Ages.
Diocletian’s Palace has four gates – the Golden (north) Gate, Silver (east) Gate, Iron (west) Gate, and Bronze (south) Gate. In Roman times, the imposing Golden Gate was the main entrance to the palace, while the Bronze Gate was the sea entrance, from which boats could directly access the subterranean area of the palace.
The Vestibul once served as the grand entrance to Diocletian’s Palace, and a reception area for dignitaries and guests. You can see the impressive Roman architecture and engineering in its striking octagonal shape and the magnificent domed ceiling.
Originally the main courtyard of Diocletian's Palace, the Peristyle is today a central square within the palace complex. Its distinguishing feature is the series of columns lining its sides. A 3,500-year-old black granite sphinx stands to one side, one of 12 that were brought here from Egypt. It is the oldest object in Split.
The cellars, also known as the substructures or Diocletian's Palace basement, were used as storage areas in Roman times. They are some of the best-preserved substructures from antiquity. Today, its claim to fame is that scenes from “Game of Thrones” with Daenerys Targaryen and her dragons were filmed here.
Opening hours: There are no specific opening & closing hours for Diocletian’s Palace as it forms part of the city.
Duration of visit: 1.5 to 2 hours
Best time to visit: May, June, September, and October.
Address: Dioklecijanova 1, 21000, Split, Croatia
Getting there:
Split city is walkable, so the best option is often to get around by foot. As part of the old city itself, Diocletian’s Palace is easy to reach from most areas.
There are many good restaurants and cafes near Diocletian's Palace in Split, giving travellers a variety of options.
Riva Promenade: This waterfront promenade is a great place for a leisurely stroll, and offers beautiful views of the Adriatic Sea and Split's historic architecture.
Marjan Hill: A beautiful park forest located on a hill overlooking the city, it is perfect for hiking and offers stunning views of Split and the surrounding islands.
Split Archaeological Museum: One of the oldest museums in Croatia, it showcases a wide range of artifacts from the region's history, including Greek, Roman, medieval, and early modern relics.
Ivan Meštrović Gallery: This art museum is dedicated to the works of Croatia's most famous sculptor, Ivan Meštrović, and is housed in a beautiful villa.
You can buy Diocletian’s Palace tickets online. Booking online is easy, and allows you to reserve your tickets as a time and date of your convenience.
Tickets to Diocletian’s Palace tours start from €14.
Tickets to Diocletian’s Palace tours include a guided walking tour of the palace and the city. Depending on the experience you choose, you can also get special access to areas like the Diocletian’s Palace cellars.
You can access the Diocletian’s Palace basement by opting for the guided Game of Thrones Tour with Diocletian's Cellar ticket.
You can cancel these tickets for free up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
It takes one and a half hours to complete a tour of Diocletian’s Palace and Split city.
The best time to visit Diocletian’s Palace is in May, June, September, and October.
Diocletian’s Palace has no timings as such, since it forms part of Split city and access is open.
While most areas of Split city are wheelchair-friendly, certain sections of Diocletian’s Palace have uneven surfaces and steps, which might make it difficult for wheelchair-users or those with mobility issues.