Diocletian’s Palace is not a museum frozen in time — it is a living, breathing quarter of Split where Roman architecture from the 4th century seamlessly merges with medieval churches, Renaissance buildings, and modern cafes. Built as a retirement residence for the Roman Emperor Diocletian around 305 CE, this vast complex covers over 30,000 square meters and forms the entire historic core of Split. The monumental Peristyle courtyard, the underground cellars (remarkably preserved because they were filled with rubbish for centuries), and the octagonal Cathedral of Saint Domnius (converted from Diocletian’s mausoleum) are highlights.

What makes this site truly special is that approximately 3,000 people still live within the palace walls. Wander through the narrow streets and you will find locals hanging laundry beside ancient Roman columns, boutique hotels carved into medieval stone houses, and wine bars tucked into vaulted Roman chambers. The palace pulses with daily life in a way that no roped-off ruin ever could.

Pro tip: Explore the underground cellars first to appreciate the original layout, as the street plan above mirrors the vaulted chambers below exactly. On summer evenings, catch a klapa (traditional Dalmatian a cappella) performance in the Peristyle — the acoustics in this open-air Roman courtyard are magnificent.