Emporer Diocletian's Palace
Emperor Diocletian’s Place in sunny Split, Croatia

This is the fourth installment in a six-part series following JohnnyJet.com writer Cynthia Cunniff through her experience of touring Bosnia-Herzegovina & Croatia with Insight Vacations. Head back to the series home page for the full experience or jump straight to: 

part 1 

part 2 

part 3

part 5 

part 6.

Our Insight Vacations tour included a day stop in Split, Croatia, which has been hosting visitors seeking its beaches and sun since the Roman era. Entering the town from the harborside, we were greeted by the majestic retirement palace of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, which spans for blocks. Its glowing white stonework comes from the nearby island of Brač and may look familiar if you’ve been to DC. It’s rumored the White House stonework was shipped to the US from the same quarry.

Setting for Game of Thrones in Split, Croatia
The basement once used as a refuse dump under the Diocletian Palace is now part of the set for Game of Thrones

After Diocletian’s death, his palace and the surrounding area became a resort destination and has been a vacation spot ever since. Our local Insight expert took us through the maze of grand hallways into the bowels of the palace, which had been used during the Diocletian era as a dump until the cavernous rooms were full and forgotten. When it was discovered again, the ancient debris was removed, leaving spooky archways and minimal light. A perfect spot for the Game of Thrones scenes shot at this location.

Decadence is still a thing in Split
Decadence is still a thing in Split

A tour through the narrow, winding streets of Split will lead you to gelato and little cafes, a working 400-year-old clock, and other artful surprises at every turn.

400-year-old working clock in Split, Croatia
This ornate clock has been giving time to tourists and locals for 400 years

Ancient Rome had a lasting impact on Split, and the Romans brought evidence of their many other conquests. A 3,500-year-old Egyptian sphinx is one of the few that remain intact in the city, and is surrounded by columns also taken from Egypt.

Spoils of war brought by Romans to Split
Spoils of war brought by Romans to Split

The public squares of the city have their own groups of locals that congregate in them. There’s a seniors square where many of the older folks come to gossip, for example, and the younger people traditionally hang out on the waterfront.

Stalls of all kinds on the Split waterfront
Stalls of all kinds on the Split waterfront

Our evening in Split was enjoyed at a lively taverna with seafood, wine, folk songs, and fantastic friends.

Fun with friends old and new in Split
A great night of food, friends, and entertainment in Split, Croatia

The town glows as the sun hits its white stonework, and there’s no question why it’s been used as a resort town for thousands of years. Split is enchantingly aged and a living city at once.

Tip: On its modern side, it hosts Ultra Europe, a music festival that draws over 100,000 partners from 75 different countries each July.

A day of fishing on the Dalmatian Riviera
A day of fishing on the Dalmatian Riviera
Spoils of war brought by Romans to Split
Spoils of war brought by Romans to Split
The old section of Split is comprised of white stones and glows in the distance
The old section of Split is comprised of white stones and glows in the distance
Emperor Diocletian's Place in sunny Split, Croatia
Emperor Diocletian's Place in sunny Split, Croatia
This ornate clock has been giving time to tourists and locals for 400 years
This ornate clock has been giving time to tourists and locals for 400 years
Insight's luxury coach alongside one of its touring vessels
Insight's luxury coach alongside one of its touring vessels
The basement once used as a refuse dump under the Diocletian Palace is now part of the set for Game of Thrones
The basement once used as a refuse dump under the Diocletian Palace is now part of the set for Game of Thrones
Stalls of all kinds on the Split waterfront
Stalls of all kinds on the Split waterfront
One of the many social squares of Split, Croatia
One of the many social squares of Split, Croatia
Statues and other surprises around each corner in Split, the Dalmatian Riviera
Statues and other surprises around each corner in Split, the Dalmatian Riviera
Romantic, narrow walkways full of shopping and treats
Romantic, narrow walkways full of shopping and treats
Cerulean blue of the Dalmatian Riviera
Cerulean blue of the Dalmatian Riviera

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