Resort Guides › Croatia › Dalmatian Coast
A real working city built directly into and around a Roman emperor’s palace.
Overview
Split’s old town is unique in genuinely being built inside and around the ruins of a Roman emperor’s retirement palace (Diocletian’s Palace), still lived and worked in today, giving the city a lived-in, authentic feel alongside its history.
Families & toddlers
The palace’s cellars and courtyards are an easy, free family exploration, and Bačvice Beach, a short walk from the old town, is sandy and shallow, unusually family-friendly for this stretch of coast.
Couples, teens & nightlife
A genuinely lively evening scene both inside the palace walls and along the Riva waterfront promenade, with enough range for both a big night out and a quiet couples’ dinner.
Seniors & accessibility
The Riva waterfront is flat and pleasant; the palace interior has some uneven ancient stonework worth pacing around.
Best time to visit
May to September for the beach and ferry connections to the islands; Split also works well as a base for day trips to Hvar and Brač.