Gates of Diocletian's Palace Tours
8 Reviews
Built as a retirement residence for the Roman emperor Diocletian in the 4th century AD, this massive fortress-like palace makes up about half of old town Split. Although there have been plenty of changes to Diocletian’s Palace over the ages, the original quadrant design still remains with four different gates—the Brass Gate, Iron Gate, Golden Gate, and Silver Gate—that enclose this walled fortress.
The Basics
Today, entering Diocletian’s Palace through any of the four gates will lead you to the central square of Peristil. Each gate has its own unique architecture, and you’ll likely want to experience them all.
Most tours enter through the Bronze Gate first, which is on the south side of the palace and opens directly to the sea. The Golden Gate, the largest and most ornate, was once the main entryway for the emperors. The Silver Gate, meanwhile, leads directly to the popular produce market areas of Split. Lastly, the Iron Gate houses the lovely 10th-century Church of Our Lady of Belfry.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Not just a traditional archeological site, Diocletian’s Palace is an active part of Split with many homes, shops, and restaurants.
- It’s easy to get lost in the labyrinth of alleyways and courtyards of Diocletian’s Palace, so consider taking a guided tour to get oriented before exploring on your own.
- The palace’s narrow streets can get jammed with tourists in summer, so visit in the early morning or late afternoon.
How to Get There
Diocletian’s Palace is located in the center of old town Split. Most visitors arrive by car, bus, or ferry and then set off to explore the palace gates on foot. The palace is most easily accessed on foot via the Bronze gate, which is located at the eastern end of the Riva promenade.
When to Get There
The Gates of Diocletian’s Palace are fascinating any time of the year. Summer is the busiest tourist season, so consider visiting early in the day to avoid both the heat and the mid-day crowds. Better yet, visit in May, early June, or September to enjoy pleasant weather but fewer crowds.
Other Attractions in Diocletian’s Palace
Entering through the Bronze Gate of Diocletian’s Palace, you’ll find yourself in the ancient cellars where you can tour the underground tunnels and learn about their former functions. Make sure to visit the Cathedral of St. Domnius and climb to the top of the bell tower for fantastic views of old town Split. Hit up the Split Market to browse the colorful fruit and vegetable stands and catch a glimpse of local life.
Address: Diocletian's Palace, Split, Croatia
6 Tours and Activities to Experience Gates of Diocletian's Palace
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Walking Tour of Split with a 'Magister' of History
This is a walking tour of Split with a local historian! I will guide you through all of the relevant sites in the center of Split in a logical manner following the cities development through time. That covers all of Split's history from ancient Roman times till today.
I have a Master's degree in history and I can tell you so much more about history. By that, I don't mean only about the history of Split. I can tell you anything you want to know about Croatia in general since I always welcome and encourage questions! I worked as a history teacher so I try and use all of the teaching skills I earned through education and practice. Interaction and dialogue are very important during my tour!
Also, I am a local from Split, I've been living here for my whole life. I try to use multi-media as much as possible so I carry a tablet with me which I use to demonstrate a lot of things I am mentioning. The tablet also has a free Wi-Fi hotspot on it for my group!
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From
$29.89
Price varies by group size
From
$29.89
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Best of Split Walking Tour
Step thousands of years back in time on this history-themed walking tour of Split. Meet me right on the Riva promenade. From there we'll head to Diocletian’s Palace. Built in the 4th century for Roman Emperor Diocletian, it’s located in the very center of the city. Learn more about Diocletian, local history and customs as we venture to the Peristil Square—roman square that still lives! During this visit you will see some filming locations for Game of Thrones, discover Split’s medieval architecture, and more!
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From
$11.98
From
$11.98
Private Split Walking Tour
This is a private walking tour that is custom made just for you and your small group! No other participants will join on your tour. It is unique that this tour includes inside visit of the Cathedral in Split and Jupiter's Temple. Cathedral of Split is one of the oldest and most unique cathedrals in the world - it is a burial site of the roman's emperor Diocletian!
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From
$28.76
Price varies by group size
From
$28.76
Price varies by group size
Discover the history of Split on a grand private tour
The history of Split is very rich and stormful to fit in just a couple of sentences and a couple of hours. It is the second-largest city of Croatia and the largest city on the Adriatic coast. Split and the surroundings are so stunning and there are so many things to do that you definitely need a guide to help you in exploration!
Your guide will pick you up from your hotel or from your cruise ship.
You will have a private guided tour of the Old Town and the Diocletian’s Palace.
In the end, your guide will take you back.
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From
$334.00
Price varies by group size
From
$334.00
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Ancient Greek times tour of Split, Trogir and Salona
On this private tour, we offer you to explore two cities under UNESCO's protection: Diocletian's palace along with the historical core of Split, and the historical core of the city of Trogir and the ruins of Salona - the capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia.
Your guide will pick you up from your hotel or from your cruise ship.
First, you will have a guided tour of the Old City of Split including inside visit of Diocletian palace.
You will have a drive to Trogir, where you will explore the city center and also have a visit to Kamerlengo fortress.
The last stop will be at the Salona ruins with a guided tour.
In the end, your guide will take you back.
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From
$437.00
Price varies by group size
From
$437.00
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Split Walking Tour - discover charming corners of the old city with us!
If you love history but as well you consider yourself a hedonist, Split is an ideal choice for you. City of Split is a unique combination of ancient history and modern city vibes. Our passionate tour guide will lead you through charming corners and narrow streets of the old city center and tell you all about the best preserved ancient Roman palace in the world – Diocletian’s palace, which is more than 1700 years old. After the history walk you will have the opportunity to feel popular ''Fjaka'' of the local people while drinking coffee at the Split’s waterfront promenade with magnificent view. If you ask yourself what Fjaka is, this is the easiest way to describe it - the art of doing nothing, enjoying it like there is no tomorrow. Hope you'll like it as much as we do! :)
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From
$35.95
From
$35.95
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Guides required to regularly wash hands
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