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An ancient stone courtyard with columns, a central archway, and a statue. 1
A circular stone structure with a clear blue sky visible through the center. 2
An ancient stone building with a bell tower and a dome. 3
An ornate stone building with intricate carvings and a green door. 4
A statue with a pointed roof and a bell tower in the background. 5
By KUKUVIA, Vl. Jelena Tanjić
Free cancellation available
Price is NZ$301 per traveller* *Get a lower price by selecting multiple travellers

Features

  • Free cancellation available
  • 2h
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation

Overview

    • Explore Diocletian's Palace and spot centuries of architecture in one spot.
    • Go beyond basic trivia and connect Split's ancient past to the wider Balkans.
    • See how a Roman Emperor's Mausoleum became an ancient Catholic Cathedral.
    • Stand in the grand Peristyle and explore the spectacular Palace Basements.
    • Enjoy a private tour with personalised local food and wine recommendations.

Activity location

    • Split
    • Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija, Croatia

Meeting/Redemption Point

    • Ul. kralja Tomislava 12, 21000, Splitska, Croatia | In front of the big statue of bishop Gregory of Nin and the north entrance to the Palace called Golden Gate. Look for black umbrella with KUKUVIA logo.
    • Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija, Croatia

Check availability

Private Split Tour: Diocletian's Palace, Pjaca and Riva

  • Activity duration is 2 hours2h
    2h
  • English
Language options: English
Starting time: 8:30 AM
Price details
NZ$300.64 x 1 TravellerNZ$300.64
Total
Price is NZ$300.64

What's included, what's not

  • Inclusions
    Private Expert Guide: Personalised insights from a unique Balkan perspective.
  • Inclusions
    Custom Recommendations: My curated list of top local foods, wines, and spots.
  • Inclusions
    Exclusive Local Discounts: Save money at my favourite hand-picked restaurants.
  • Inclusions
    A Digital Memory: A group selfie sent to your email to remember our journey.
  • Inclusions
    Meaningful Conversation: A deep, engaging dive into 1,700 years of history.
  • Exclusions
    Entrance Tickets: We will explore the stunning exteriors of the Cathedral (Mausoleum), Temple of Jupiter, and public part of the Cellars. If you’d like to go inside these specific sites after our tour, you can do so by buying a ticket in the info office on the Peristyle (usually around €8–€15 per site).
  • Exclusions
    Food and Drinks: While I will give you a fantastic list of my favourite places to eat and drink afterwards, any snacks or coffees during the tour are on you.
  • Exclusions
    Service charge: If you had a great time and learned something new, tips are always highly appreciated!
  • Exclusions
    Transport: This is a pure walking tour through a pedestrian-only zone, so no transport or hotel pick-up is included. Just bring comfortable shoes!

Know before you book

    • Not allowed: Audio recording
    • Not suitable for: Wheelchair users

What you can expect

  • Welcome to Split! I'm your guide. Originally from Bosnia, having lived across the former Yugoslavia and the US, I offer a unique perspective on this city.

    If you love deep, meaningful history told in a captivating way, you are in the right place. This private tour is designed for curious travellers who want to truly understand Split—not just collect basic trivia. We are going to connect the ancient stones of Diocletian's Palace to the complex, fascinating storey of the Balkans and the world.

    Here is what we will explore together:

    We start at the massive Golden Gates, the grand entrance built for the Emperor, and stop by the iconic Gregory of Nin statue. As we walk, we'll read the city's architecture like a book—spotting centuries of styles layered directly on top of each other. We will navigate the medieval heart of the city at Pjaca, pass under the ancient Iron Gate, and squeeze our way through Pusti me proc (“Let me pass”) street.

    Inside the monumental core, you'll stand in the Peristyle where Diocletian commanded absolute power, and discover the Temple of Jupiter. I will show you one of history's greatest ironies: the Cathedral of Saint Domnius. Originally built as the Mausoleum for an emperor infamous for persecuting Christians, it now stands as one of the oldest Catholic cathedrals in the world.

    We'll look up at the stunning open-air Vestibule, explore the ruins of his Triclinium (dining room) and Private Residence (Cryptoporticus), and head underground into the spectacular Basements to see exactly how this massive seaside fortress was engineered.

    Because this is a completely private tour, we have the time and space for real conversations. I love diving deep, so ask me anything! Want to know why we fight all the time in the Balkans? Let me tell you. Want to know why people in Split love Napoleon, but in Dubrovnik they wish you didn't ask? Or why Croatia “selfishly” took all the coastline? Let's unpack it.

    We wrap up by exiting the Bronze Gate straight onto the Riva, our beautiful palm-lined waterfront. By the end of our walk, you won't just see Split; you will understand it. Afterwards, I’ll provide you with a personalised list of my absolute favourite local restaurants, traditional foods, and Croatian wines.

    Looking forward to meeting you!

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    • Split
    • Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija, Croatia

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    • Ul. kralja Tomislava 12, 21000, Splitska, Croatia | In front of the big statue of bishop Gregory of Nin and the north entrance to the Palace called Golden Gate. Look for black umbrella with KUKUVIA logo.
    • Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija, Croatia