Old Town Split merges history, dynamic culture, exquisite nature, and maritime seascapes into a captivating whole.
The city, on the Adriatic coast, is home to Diocletian’s Palace, one of the best-preserved Roman palaces in the world, plus many other historical sites that will grab your attention. It’s also brimming with activity in its lively cafés and shops, creating a kind of living museum that’s still fully engaged with the modern world.
Hike Marjan Hill for incredible views of Split Old Town, visit art galleries and museums, and then indulge in traditional Dalmatian food like stewed mussels or prosciutto. Split, and its Old Town, offers the best of Croatia for all tastes in terms of holiday excitement and seaside relaxation.
Top Attractions in Split’s Old Town
Temple of Jupiter
Temple of Jupiter
Visiting the Temple of Jupiter is like jumping in your time machine and heading back to the Roman era to rub elbows with the deities.
Originally dedicated to the Roman god Jupiter, this ancient structure is a good example of the deep history that Split has with its architecture.
Constructed in the early fourth century AD, it’s one of the best-preserved ancient Roman temples in the world. It includes two impressive stone Sarcophagi, with the bones of bishops inside, plus many stunning carvings and an impressive vaulted paneled ceiling.
Temple of Jupiter
Inside, you’ll also see a statue of a very skinny John the Baptist, a local addition since Roman times, added after this temple was turned into a Christian baptistery. Outside, you’ll encounter an authentic Egyptian sphinx statue.
Diocletian’s Palace
Diocletian’s Palace
One of the most beautiful places in Croatia, Diocletian’s Palace is a stop you’ll want to explore when visiting Old Town Split. The palace, built for the Roman emperor Diocletian, was finished around the beginning of the fourth century AD.
This Greek and Byzantine-style complex became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 and is regarded by many as the symbol of Split, with its unique mix of a luxury villa and fortress-style architecture
Diocletian’s Palace
The massive complex of buildings, streets, and squares that make up the palace tell a story of wealth and power, thanks to the reliefs and stone-carved details here, along with Peristyle Square, where you’ll see Egyptian-style columns dating back thousands of years.
From the tunnel galleries, now with cafés and shops, to the impressive dome-shaped vestibule open to the heavens above, Diocletian’s Palace will offer you a grand Roman tour of what palatial life must have been like in the past.
Cathedral of St. Domnius
Cathedral of St. Domnius
The Cathedral of St. Domnius, constructed as a mausoleum for the Roman Emperor Diocletian, is also part of Diocletian’s Palace and happens to be the oldest working cathedral in the world.
Inside, you’ll find the original octagonal mausoleum with marbled columns circling it, plus the Romanesque bell tower, which took several hundred years to build, offering you spectacular views of Split Old Town.
The Cathedral, dedicated to St. Domnius, the city’s patron saint, has many unique features and classic artworks, such as the carved altar of St. Anastasius, as well as beautiful walnut gates depicting scenes from the life of Christ.
Monument to Gregory of Nin
Gregory of Nin Statue
Walk a short distance north from the Cathedral of St. Domnius and you’ll reach Strossmayer’s Garden or Đardi Park, where you’ll come across the city’s iconic Gregory of Nin Statue.
This tall statue, first erected in 1928, although moved several times, was created by the famed Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović, and depicts the father of the Croatian language, Gregory of Nin. Gregory, in the Middle Ages, fought for the Croatian language to be used in the liturgy instead of Latin.
Meštrović put a lot of heart and effort into creating this figure of a powerful man with a grave look on his face. Even so, that has not stopped people from rubbing Nin’s big toe for decades, for luck, causing the toe to become faded and discolored over the years.
Fruit Square, or Trg Braće Radić
Fruit Square
Fruit Square is just one of the many beautiful squares you’ll come across in Split. Its official Croatian name is Trg Braće Radić, named after three brothers who played key roles in Croatian politics.
This square was once a vibrant marketplace selling fruit and vegetables, hence its modern nickname. Today, you’ll find cafés and shops in the square, along with fine-looking architecture, including the beautiful Baroque-style Milesi Palace, where cultural events, concerts, and exhibitions are often held.
You’ll also come across the city’s Venetian Tower, plus another sculpture by Ivan Meštrović of another historical figure, Marko Marulić, an important figure in Croatian literature. It’s a very pretty square, worth a look as you roam around Old Town Split.
Things to Do in Old Town Split
Stroll Along Riva Promenade
Riva Promenade
One of the first things you should do when visiting Split Old Town is walk along the Riva Promenade, which runs along the seafront past fountains, cafés, and shops. In many ways, it’s the beating heart of this Eastern European city.
Stroll along the palm-lined waterfront with a view over the Adriatic while soaking in the sun and the bustling atmosphere. Stop for a coffee and people-watch.
This stretch of shoreline will offer you a place to unwind and admire the beauty of Split. It also comes with the bonus of letting you walk past Diocletian’s Palace’s exterior, located close to the eastern end of the Riva Promenade.
Explore Pjaca
People’s Square
People’s Square, Pjaca, is one of the main squares in Split, where history bumps up against the modern-day thrum of this coastal city.
Located in the center of town, Pjaca is the perfect place for a meal or a drink at one of the eateries or cafés here; simply sit outside, enjoy your food, and watch people enjoying the summer.
You can appreciate some gorgeous examples of medieval architecture in this rectangularly-shaped square too, like the 15th-century Gothic Town Hall, several palaces, plus the Pjaca Clock Tower. If you’re a reader, you’ll also find one of the oldest bookstores in the world here, Morpurgo Bookstore, open since the 1860s.
Visit the Mestrovic Gallery
Mestrovic Gallery
If you’re an art enthusiast, visiting the Mestrovic Gallery, built in the 1930s, is one of the best things to do in Split.
Situated in a beautiful 20th-century villa designed by one of Croatia’s most famous sculptors, Ivan Meštrović, this lovely gallery is home to a collection of his artworks. Meštrović originally intended to live in this mansion, but then he decided to leave Croatia.
Some of the creations in this space range from busts and painted religious figures to wood, marble, and bronze statues, including Cyclops, Contemplation, and Adam and Eve, among others.
Mestrovic Gallery
The gallery also houses the studio where Meštrović worked, plus a lush outdoor sculpture garden where you can admire the views of the Adriatic Sea set against the backdrop of Meštrović’s larger-than-life statues.
A visit to the Mestrovic Gallery will give you an overview of this master’s artistic career, as well as the powerful influence he had on Croatia’s 20th-century artistic scene.
Restaurants
Šug
While slightly outside Old Town Split, just to the east of Đardi Park, Šug will offer you a modern take on Dalmatian and Mediterranean cuisine, making it a perfect spot for foodies. This stylish restaurant uses locally sourced ingredients, lovingly prepared in a setting full of charm and character.
You’ll find hearty meat plates coming in big portions, as well as lots of seafood, exemplified by the “Šug Plate,” featuring prawns with pistachio, fish caviar, smoked swordfish, tuna, and other delectable ingredients from the sea.
Konoba Korta
Risotto
Konoba Korta is a traditional Croatian restaurant with outdoor patio seating in a pretty medieval alleyway and square, steps from Diocletian’s Palace. The traditional Dalmatian-inspired meals are all about tasty seafood, meat, pasta, risotto, and seasonal vegetables, offering unpretentious, genuine local flavors—and outstanding Dalmatian wines that Croatia is known for.
Zinfandel Food & Wine Bar
If you’re looking to add a little sophistication to your gastronomic calendar, then Zinfandel Food & Wine Bar is a superb place to dine while in Old Town Split.
With a focus on Mediterranean-inspired food, plus an often-changing menu that can vary from day to day, the dishes here are memorable and creatively delicious.
Croatian wine
Eat seasonally at this venue, enjoy some superb wines, listen to live music, and dive into some elegantly presented takes on international and Croatian cuisine, from grilled octopus and seared tuna to gourmet burgers, filet mignon, and more.
St. Burek
If you want to try the flaky burek pastry so indicative of Croatia and other Balkan nations, St. Burek is the perfect spot to get your hands on these meat, cheese, or spinach-filled thin-dough pastries.
Nothing fancy here except fresh and very flavorsome burek that you can either pick up for a takeaway snack or sit down and enjoy with some yogurt or, if you still have room in your belly, another order of burek.
Travel Tips
Golden Gate
Getting to Split’s Old Town is simple, with multiple access points available. The port is within easy walking distance of car-free Split Old Town, making it suitable for anybody arriving by sea.
Buses, ride shares, and taxis are also widely available.
Croatian souvenirs
While you’re in Old Town Split, buy some olive oil from local producers for a taste of the region, and then try some Dalmatian wines, like Plavac Mali, for a taste of the local vineyards.
Threaded filigree jewelry, made by local artisans, along with cute little bags of lavender, make great gifts. Colorfully decorated heart gingerbread cookies—which travel well—make fun gifts too, although be sure to not eat them on the way home.
Read: Romantic Places to See on a Honeymoon in Croatia
Old Town Split
On a cruise to Split with Celebrity Cruises, experience Old Town’s distinctive Adriatic culture, storied history, stunning architecture, and incredible sea views.
