Hotels near Diocletian's Palace

Topping every list of things to do in Split, Diocletian's Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most complete surviving Roman imperial complexes in the world. Built between AD 295 and 305 as the retirement residence of Emperor Diocletian, the rectangular compound stretches roughly 215 by 180 metres and covers about 38,700 square metres - half fortified palace, half garrison town. Unlike most Roman ruins, the palace was never abandoned: locals moved inside its walls after the fall of nearby Salona in the 7th century, and around 3,000 people still live and work within the same limestone walls today.

Walk in through the imposing Golden Gate on the north side or the smaller Iron and Silver Gates, and the layout still follows the original Roman cardo and decumanus. The underground Substructures, a vast network of vaulted halls famous as the Game of Thrones throne room for Daenerys's dragons, run beneath the entire southern half and now host souvenir stalls and seasonal exhibitions. Above ground you'll pass Romanesque belfries, Renaissance loggias, and ground-floor cafes that share their masonry with 1,700-year-old imperial chambers.

Pro Tip: Start a palace visit at the Bronze Gate (sea-facing entrance from the Riva) just after 8:00, then walk uphill through the Substructures and pop out onto the Peristyle before the cruise tours arrive at 10:00. The acoustics in the empty Vestibule rotunda are extraordinary - listen for a-cappella klapa singers performing under the open oculus.