Discover Split — Oblivion Luxury Rooms

A.D. 305

Diocletian's Palace

Built 295–305 · UNESCO World Heritage Site

Built between A.D. 295 and 305 as a fortified retirement residence for Roman Emperor Diocletian, the Palace covers nearly 30,000 square metres at the eastern edge of the old town — half the Emperor's private quarters, half a Roman military garrison. It is one of the most complete Roman structures surviving anywhere in the world.

After the fall of the Empire, refugees fleeing the destruction of the nearby Roman city of Salona moved inside the Palace's protective walls. They never left. Their descendants live there still, seventeen centuries later — making this perhaps the only ancient Roman monument on Earth that has been continuously inhabited from the day it was built. Inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1979.

Secrets of the Palace

✦ The Living Palace

This is not a museum — it's a living neighbourhood. Three thousand people live inside 1,700-year-old walls. Their laundry hangs between Roman columns; neighbours argue across ancient archways.

✦ The Cabbage Emperor

Diocletian was the only Roman Emperor to voluntarily abdicate. He retired here in 305 A.D. to grow cabbages. When begged to return to power, he reportedly replied: "If you could see my cabbages, you would not ask."

✦ Game of Thrones

Klis Fortress was Meereen. Diocletian's cellars appeared as the dragon pits. Walk the exact paths of Daenerys Targaryen — a GoT walking tour is genuinely brilliant.

✦ The Zinfandel Secret

DNA testing confirmed Zinfandel and Primitivo grapes originated in Croatia — from the Dalmatian Crljenak Kaštelanski variety. California wine culture owes a great deal to this coast.

✦ Picigin — Pure Split Soul

The ball game played at Bačvice is unique to Split and inscribed on UNESCO's heritage list. Players stand in ankle-deep water performing acrobatics to keep a small ball from touching the surface.

✦ Three Layers of History

The Cathedral bell tower was built 900 years after the Cathedral itself, which was built 900 years after the Palace. Three civilisations stacked on one spot — 1,800 years of continuous human story.

Must See

Split Essentials

The unmissable experiences of an extraordinary city

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Diocletian's Palace — You're Already Inside It

A UNESCO World Heritage marvel where 3,000 people still live. Explore the Peristyle square, underground cellars, Jupiter's Temple and the Golden Gate. Don't just visit — wander, get lost, discover.

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Peristyle Square — The Heart of the Palace

The grand colonnaded courtyard at the centre of the Palace, where Diocletian once received guests at his throne. Today it hosts summer opera, candle-lit cafés and street musicians. The most photographed square in Split.

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Cathedral of Saint Domnius — Climb the Bell Tower

Built inside Diocletian's own mausoleum — one of the world's oldest functioning cathedrals. The bell tower offers the most spectacular 360° panorama of the city and sea. 206 steps. Worth every single one.

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The Riva — Split's Grand Promenade

The white-stone seafront walk along the Palace's southern wall. Palms, cafés, and the Adriatic on one side; 1,700-year-old walls on the other. Locals gather here every evening — sunset on the Riva is essentially the city's heartbeat.

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Pazar & Peškarija — The Markets

Split's daily green market (Pazar) and old fish market (Peškarija) are the still-beating heart of the city's food culture. Fresh produce, fish caught that morning, and real Split life unfolding exactly as it has for centuries. Best before 11 AM.

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Statue of Gregory of Nin (Grgur Ninski)

A 9th-century Croatian bishop immortalised in bronze by Ivan Meštrović just outside the Golden Gate. Tradition says rubbing his enormous big toe brings good luck and a return to Split. The toe gleams from a century of faithful believers.

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Meštrović Gallery — Art, Architecture & Sea Views

Croatia's greatest sculptor built this stunning Italianate villa as his summer residence. Breathtaking sea views, terraced gardens filled with bronze masterpieces. One of the most beautiful art spaces in the Adriatic.

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Marjan Hill — The Green Soul of Split

A forested peninsula above the city with pine-shaded walking and cycling paths, hidden medieval chapels, a small deer park and the finest sunset panoramas of Split and the islands.

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Klis Fortress — Game of Thrones' Meereen · 20 min from Split

A spectacular medieval fortress clinging to a cliff high above the city, filmed as Meereen in Game of Thrones. Jaw-dropping views across Split to the Adriatic. An essential half-day trip with a powerful story behind every stone.

Crystal Adriatic

Beaches

From a 5-minute walk to bucket-list day trips

In Split

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Bačvice Beach — The Icon · 5 min walk from the Palace

Split's most famous beach and the spiritual home of picigin, the legendary local ball game on the UNESCO heritage list. Shallow, warm, sandy — buzzing beach bars at sunset. Split beach culture at its finest.

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Kašjuni Beach — Hidden Gem · Beneath Marjan Hill

Tucked beneath Marjan's pine forests — no beach bars, no crowds. Just crystal-clear turquoise water over smooth pebbles, and absolute tranquility. A local escape, perfect for peaceful morning swims.

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Žnjan Beach — Family Favourite · Eastern Split

Split's longest beach with a relaxed, local atmosphere. Excellent facilities, consistently clean water and a beautiful waterfront promenade alongside. Ideal for spending a full, lazy day.

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Ježinac Beach — Intimate & Sheltered · Central Split

A small, protected pebble beach with exceptionally clear water, ideal for snorkelling. Quieter than Bačvice and beautifully positioned in the heart of the city — a polished little gem.

Around Split — Ferry or a Short Drive

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Zlatni Rat (Golden Horn) — Bol, Brač Island · 1h ferry + 20 min bus

Croatia's most photographed beach — a unique white pebble spit that shifts direction with the wind and juts dramatically into turquoise sea. Spectacular, unforgettable. Bucket-list material.

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Stiniva Cove — Vis Island · Voted Best Beach in Europe

A secret pebble cove hidden between dramatic 100m cliffs, accessible only by boat or a steep hike. Wild, intimate, breathtaking — one of the most extraordinary beaches in Europe.

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Pakleni Islands — Near Hvar · ~2h

An archipelago of 20 pine-forested islands near Hvar. Crystal bays, beach bars, some of Croatia's clearest water. Reach them by water taxi from Hvar harbour.

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Brela — Makarska Riviera · 1h drive

6 kilometres of pristine pebble beach backed by the dramatic Biokovo mountains. Famous for the iconic Brela Stone rising from the sea. An easy half-day trip and one of Europe's most beautiful beaches.

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Blue Lagoon — Boat Tour from Split · Half or Full Day

A shallow, almost unreal-blue bay between three small islands, reachable only by boat. The classic Blue Lagoon tour from Split spends a few hours here for swimming and snorkelling. One of the most popular full-day boat trips from the city.

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Laganini Beach Bar — Čiovo Island · ~30 min drive

On Čiovo — the closest island to Split, connected by bridge — Laganini is a beautifully designed beach bar with crystal water, sun loungers and a lazy Mediterranean feel. The easiest island escape from Split.

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Primošten Area — A Coast of Hidden Beaches · ~40 min drive

A small medieval town on its own peninsula, surrounded by some of the loveliest pebble beaches on this stretch of coast. Multiple beaches stretch in both directions — quiet, clean, with a dramatic Dalmatian backdrop.

The Real Magic

Beyond these named beaches, the Dalmatian coast hides hundreds of small coves and secret swimming spots. Drive south toward Omiš and Makarska, north along the road to Trogir, or down any unmarked path through the pines — and you'll find your own private beach. The more you wander, the more this coast gives you.

Dalmatian Cuisine

The Soul of the Adriatic on Your Plate

✦ Mediterranean at Heart

Dalmatian cooking celebrates simplicity and supreme quality. Ultra-fresh Adriatic seafood, cold-pressed olive oil, sun-ripened vegetables, wild herbs and local wine — the building blocks of every great meal here.

✦ The Holy Trinity

Olive oil, garlic and sea salt appear in nearly every dish. Locals say the Adriatic salt air itself seasons the food before it reaches the kitchen.

✦ Wine Culture

The Dalmatian hinterland produces world-class wine. Plavac Mali (a powerful red, cousin of Zinfandel) and crisp white Pošip are local gems. Ask for "domaće vino."

✦ The Art of Slow Cooking

The most beloved dishes take time and patience. Peka — meat or seafood slow-cooked under a cast-iron bell — can take 3 hours. Not fast food. A philosophy of life.

✦ Fresh from the Sea

Dalmatian fishermen have supplied Split's markets for centuries. Sea bream, sea bass, John Dory, dentex and octopus are daily staples. If it's on the menu, it was almost certainly caught that morning.

✦ Local Tip

Walk two streets away from any main tourist promenade. Prices drop, quality rises, and the restaurants are full of locals — always the best sign.

Must-Try

Dalmatian Dishes

Your Croatian food bucket list

Peka

Lamb or octopus slow-cooked for 2–3 hours under a cast-iron bell covered in hot embers. The defining Dalmatian experience. Order in advance.

Brudet (Brodet)

A rich fisherman's stew of mixed Adriatic fish, onions, tomatoes and wine, simmered low and slow. Served with creamy polenta. Every grandmother has a secret recipe.

Crni Rižot

Risotto made dramatically black with cuttlefish or squid ink. Intensely briny, deeply flavoured. A Dalmatian icon that divides tourists and unites locals.

Pašticada

Slow-braised beef marinated overnight in vinegar, prunes and spices, cooked in a silky sweet-savoury sauce with Prošek wine. Served with homemade gnocchi. Sunday-lunch perfection.

Riba na Žaru

Fresh Adriatic fish (sea bream, sea bass, dentex) simply grilled with olive oil, garlic and herbs. Served with blitva and boiled potatoes. Perfection in simplicity.

Fritule

Small fried dough balls with rum, citrus zest and raisins — Croatia's answer to doughnuts. Traditionally Christmas food, but found year-round. Utterly addictive.

Soparnik

A UNESCO-protected savoury pie from the Omiš region, filled with Swiss chard, onions and olive oil. Simple, ancient, extraordinary — a true taste of old Dalmatia.

Burek

Flaky phyllo pastry filled with cheese (sir) or minced meat. The Dalmatian breakfast of champions. Best eaten piping hot from the bakery at 7 AM.

What to Drink

Dalmatian Drinks

Wines, brandies and the daily coffee ritual

✦ Plavac Mali

Dalmatia's signature red — powerful, sun-soaked, the genetic cousin of California's Zinfandel. The benchmark Dalmatian wine. Order it everywhere.

✦ Pošip

A crisp, mineral-driven white from Korčula and Pelješac. Pairs effortlessly with seafood. The summer white of choice.

✦ Dingač & Postup

Premium reds from the steep, sun-baked southern slopes of Pelješac peninsula — Croatia's most prestigious wines. Dense, velvety, age-worthy.

✦ Prošek

Traditional Dalmatian sweet wine made from sun-dried grapes. Sipped slowly with dessert or strong cheese. Not to be confused with Italian Prosecco.

✦ Travarica

Grape brandy infused with wild Dalmatian herbs — sage, rosemary, juniper. Often offered as a welcome shot at restaurants. Smoother than it sounds.

✦ Rakija

Croatia's wider family of fruit brandies — šljivovica (plum), loza (grape), medica (honey), orahovica (walnut). Strong, traditional, deeply local.

✦ Maraschino

A clear, fragrant cherry liqueur invented in nearby Zadar in the 18th century. Hemingway loved it. Sipped neat or in cocktails.

✦ Karlovačko & Ožujsko

Croatia's two big lagers — every konoba and beach bar pours one or the other. Cold, easy, perfectly fine after a long beach day.

✦ The Coffee Ritual

Croatians don't drink coffee — they do špica: long, slow morning sessions on the Riva. Order an espresso, sit, watch the city pass by. There is no rush.

Explore Further

Split's Full Culinary Map

Want to go deeper? TasteAtlas's dedicated Split page covers every traditional dish, drink and ingredient rooted in this city — beautifully illustrated and ranked by locals and travellers.

Open TasteAtlas · Split

Where to Eat

Best Restaurants

From Michelin-level dining to corner-konoba locals

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ZOI — Michelin Star · 2 min walk

Split's most prestigious dining room — a Michelin-starred kitchen on a wonderful location, very classy and pricy. The benchmark for fine dining in the city. Book well in advance.

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Zrno Soli — Fine Dining · Michelin Recommended · 20 min walk

Creative modern Dalmatian cuisine with a stunning terrace view over the Adriatic. A bit further from the centre, but worth the walk. Ideal for a special occasion.

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Sug — Modern Dalmatian · Refined & Inventive

Contemporary takes on Dalmatian classics, beautifully plated. A more polished, modern dining room than the traditional konobas — warm, considered, perfect for a quiet evening.

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Sperun — Traditional Dalmatian · Inside the Palace Walls

Authentic Dalmatian classics — excellent peka, pašticada, local wines — in a beautiful stone dining room. A true Split institution. Warm and unpretentious.

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Bokeria — Trendy Mediterranean · 2 min walk

Lively, stylish atmosphere with creative Mediterranean dishes and an excellent wine list. Great central location, no view but plenty of buzz. Long evenings and excellent cocktails.

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Antique Sushi — Sushi on the Riva · 3 min walk

Beautifully positioned right on the Riva promenade — great location, great view. Polished sushi and Japanese-Mediterranean dishes. A welcome change of pace from Dalmatian classics.

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Pizzeria Bokamora — Best Pizza in Split · By the Sea

Petar's personal pick for the best pizza in the city. Beautiful seaside setting, generous Italian-Mediterranean kitchen, and pizza that locals quietly recommend to everyone.

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Makaroom — Modern Pasta · Old Town

A stylish, intimate spot inside the Palace serving creative fresh pasta with Dalmatian ingredients. Beautiful presentation, excellent wine pairings. Reservation recommended.

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Chops Grill — Steakhouse · Premium Cuts

For when you want a great steak in Split. Quality cuts, professional service, a polished modern dining room. The closest thing Split has to a classic American steakhouse.

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Terasa Vidilica — Spectacular View · 15 min walk

A brilliant panorama over the entire town and harbour — easily one of the best views in Split. Food is solid rather than spectacular; come here for the sunset and a long, lazy drink.

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Konoba Matejuška — Seafood · Old Fish Market

Family-run for generations, right at the historic fish market. Order whatever was caught that morning. No fuss — just exceptional seafood. Beloved by locals for decades.

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Konoba Fetivi — Where the Locals Eat · Budget-Friendly

Zero tourist markup, real Dalmatian food, genuine hospitality. If you want to eat the way locals eat, come here. Exceptional value — the real Split on a plate.

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Buffet Fife — Old Split · Generations of Locals

A no-fuss neighbourhood buffet near the Riva, serving the kind of simple Dalmatian food that locals grew up on. Generous portions, low prices, no concessions to tourists. The real Split.

After Dark

Split Nightlife

Bars, beach clubs and late-night spots worth knowing

Oblivion Bars & Clubs

✦ 305

A small, lively club just off Marmontova street in the city centre — international music, intimate dance floor, late nights without the megaclub crowds.

✦ Boiler

A classier and pricier downtown club — polished crowd, premium drinks, dressed-up nights out.

✦ Central

One of Split's biggest clubs, downtown — close to Boiler and 305, easy to bar-hop between them.

✦ Vanilla

One of Split's most famous clubs near Poljud Stadium. Indoor and open-air sections, busy summer nights, electronic music, big crowd energy.

✦ Tennis Bar

A relaxed pre-party spot working day and evening — easy drinks, casual crowd, the place locals go before heading downtown.

✦ Antique

On the Riva promenade in the heart of downtown — works equally well for a long lunch, sunset drinks or a late evening.

✦ Tabu

A beach bar at Žnjan beach — one of several similar venues along the promenade. Easy days on the loungers, easier evenings as the sun drops.

✦ Gal

Food and drinks on the newly renovated Žnjan beachfront — modern setting, full menu, cocktails right by the sea.

✦ Fabrique

Industrial-style space with cool music, food and drinks — works equally well as a daytime hangout or for cooler evenings.

Most downtown clubs come alive after midnight in summer. Dress smart-casual — no flip-flops or beach attire.

Day Trips by Sea

Islands & the South

The Adriatic archipelago is your playground

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Hvar — Croatia's Glamour Island · 1h catamaran

Croatia's sunniest island — 2,724 sunshine hours per year. A breathtaking Renaissance main square, lavender fields, a Venetian hilltop fortress, dreamy beach clubs and legendary nightlife. Endlessly seductive.

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Brač — Beach & Stone · 1h ferry

Home to Zlatni Rat, Croatia's iconic beach. Also the source of the lustrous white limestone used for Diocletian's Palace — and famously the White House in Washington D.C. The quarries at Pučišća are a revelation.

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Vis — The Untouched Gem · 2.5h ferry

Croatia's most remote inhabited island — a former military island closed to tourism until 1989. The Blue Cave, Stiniva beach and some of Croatia's finest food and wine.

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Šolta — The Secret Escape · 1h ferry

Just one hour from Split and barely touched by mass tourism. Ancient olive groves, local honey, beautiful hidden coves and stone villages unchanged for centuries. The perfect antidote to crowds.

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Mljet — Pine Forests & Salt Lakes · ~3h ferry

Croatia's most forested island and home to one of its oldest national parks. Two interconnected salt lakes, a 12th-century Benedictine monastery on a tiny island in the lake itself, and pine-shaded paths perfect for cycling and walking.

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Korčula — Marco Polo's Birthplace · 2.5h ferry

A walled medieval town often called "Little Dubrovnik," surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. Korčula claims to be the birthplace of Marco Polo, and you can visit the house where he was supposedly born.

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Pelješac Peninsula — Croatian Wine Country · 1.5h drive

Not technically an island but a long, narrow peninsula — Croatia's premier wine region, producing the country's finest reds (Plavac Mali, Dingač, Postup). Tiny family wineries, hidden coves, and the famous oysters of Mali Ston.

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Pelješac Bridge — Croatia Without the Border

Opened in 2022, this stunning 2.4 km cable-stayed bridge finally connects southern Dalmatia to the rest of Croatia by road — meaning the drive to Dubrovnik no longer requires crossing into Bosnia & Herzegovina at Neum. Faster, simpler, and the views from the bridge itself are remarkable.

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Lastovo — The Hidden Island · ~5h ferry

Croatia's most remote and least-visited inhabited island — a designated dark-sky preserve, one of the best places in Europe to see the Milky Way. Quiet stone villages, untouched coves, time slows here in a way it does almost nowhere else.

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Krk — Northern Croatia · ~4h drive

Croatia's largest island, connected to the mainland by bridge and home to its busiest airport. A long Roman and medieval history, beautiful beaches, stunning karst landscapes — a worthwhile stop if you're touring further north toward Istria.

We can arrange private boat tours and ferry tickets for any of these — just ask.

By Land

Adventures Around Split

Extraordinary destinations within easy reach

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Krka National Park · 1h from Split

Spectacular waterfalls cascading over travertine terraces through a dramatic canyon. The famous Skradinski Buk is one of Croatia's greatest natural wonders. Boat tours through the park; swimming permitted at select spots.

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Plitvice Lakes National Park · 3h from Split

A UNESCO World Heritage marvel — 16 terraced lakes connected by hundreds of waterfalls, colours ranging from turquoise to emerald. Croatia's most visited attraction. Go early and the park feels like paradise.

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Omiš & the Cetina Canyon · 30 min from Split

A legendary pirate town at the dramatic mouth of the Cetina River gorge. Whitewater rafting, zip-lining across the canyon, kayaking and two medieval cliff fortresses towering above. A perfect half-day adrenaline adventure.

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Dubrovnik — The Pearl of the Adriatic · 3h drive or catamaran

The world's most beautiful walled city. Walk the 2km city walls, explore ancient stone streets, visit Game of Thrones' King's Landing. With the new Pelješac Bridge, the drive is faster and skips the Bosnian border.

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Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina · 2.5h drive

Cross into another world entirely. The iconic Ottoman bridge Stari Most, copper bazaars, mosques and the scent of freshly brewed Bosnian coffee. The most rewarding cultural contrast in the region.

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Trogir & Klis · 30 min from Split

Trogir is a UNESCO-protected island town packed with Romanesque and Renaissance architecture; Klis is the cliffside fortress made famous by Game of Thrones. An easy combined day trip.

Our trusted private driver covers all of these — comfortable, reliable, on time. Just ask.

Practical

Local Know-How

Everything you need to feel like a local

✦ Currency

Croatia uses the Euro (€) since January 2023. ATMs widely available; cards accepted almost everywhere.

✦ Language

Croatian is spoken. English is widely understood in tourist areas. A "Hvala!" (thank you) goes a long way.

✦ Tipping

Not mandatory, but 10% is warmly appreciated for good service. Tip in cash when possible — it goes directly to the waiter.

✦ Dress Code

When entering churches or the Cathedral, please cover shoulders and knees. A light scarf in your bag works perfectly.

✦ Siesta Time

Some local shops close between 13:00–17:00 in summer. Supermarkets and tourist spots stay open all day.

✦ Summer Heat

July and August average 30–35°C. Stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, plan outdoor sightseeing for mornings or evenings.

✦ Safety

Split is a very safe city, day and night. The Old Town is well-lit, well-patrolled and watched over by cameras at most corners. Walking home late is normal and untroubled.

✦ Respect the City

Split is a real, lived-in city — not a party resort. Public misbehaviour and excessive drunkenness on the streets can result in fines. Enjoy yourself, but treat the city the way locals do.

✦ Smoking

Smoking is forbidden indoors in restaurants, cafés and bars. Most places have outdoor terraces where smoking is welcome.

✦ Ultra Europe Festival

Each mid-July, Split hosts one of Europe's biggest electronic music festivals — drawing 100,000+ fans and world-class DJs. The city is full and electric. Book early if you're coming.

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Need a recommendation, a reservation or a real local taking your call? We're a phone call away.

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