Split, Croatia
A Roman emperor’s palace that became a living town, a palm-lined waterfront and islands on the horizon. Here’s how to make one day in Split count.
A palace you can live in
Split grew up inside the walls of Diocletian’s Palace, the retirement home the Roman emperor built on the Dalmatian coast around AD 300. Seventeen centuries later, people still live, shop and eat inside it. The palace and the medieval town around it are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Riva promenade runs right along the front.
The best part for cruise guests is how close it all is. The palace is a flat walk from most berths, and the Roman ruins of Salona, the hilltop Klis Fortress and the little island town of Trogir are all nearby. Below are the shore excursions we’d book, the ship tours worth knowing about and the details that keep a Split day easy.
Which pier you’ll dock at
Ships use berths around Split’s city harbor or anchor in the bay. Your berth decides how far you walk, so check your daily program for details.
City harbor berths
Split’s cruise berths are spread around the city harbor, including the outer breakwater. From the closest berths, the Bronze Gate of Diocletian’s Palace is a few minutes’ walk along the waterfront; from the outer berths, allow about 15 to 20 minutes on flat ground. The Gat sv. Petra pier is being rebuilt and isn’t in use for 2026. Most ship and independent tours meet you at the pier.
Used by: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Norwegian, MSC, Viking, Oceania, Regent, Silversea, Seabourn, Windstar, Cunard and Explora Journeys.
The tender ride
On busy days, or for some ships, you’ll anchor in the bay and tender to the waterfront near the Riva, which puts you right at the palace. Tenders depend on the sea, and lines can build at the end of the day, so leave extra time to get back.
Used by: any line when berths are full. Check your itinerary for your pier.
Excursions we’d book
Hand-picked shore excursions from local operators, bookable through our partner Project Expedition. Every tour here carries Project Expedition’s Back to Ship Guarantee. Prices are per person and can change; check the live price when you book.
Split's Secrets - Private Walking Tour with Marjan Hill
A private two-hour walk through Diocletian’s Palace and the Old Town, then up Marjan Hill for the best view over Split and the islands. Your guide meets you at the cruise port and brings you back. Minimum age is 15.
View on Project ExpeditionPrivate Klis Fortress Tour with Olive Museum Tasting
A private five-hour day that pairs Split’s Old Town with Klis Fortress, high on a ridge above the city, and finishes with an olive oil tasting at an olive museum. The guide meets you at the cruise port. Rated moderate for fitness. Guests have found the olive museum closed on Sundays, so check the day of your call when you book.
View on Project ExpeditionThe Back to Ship Guarantee and refunds if your ship skips Split are covered by Project Expedition’s shore excursion terms. Your advisor can walk you through them.
Cruise line favorites
Book these in your cruise planner. Ship-sold tours cost a bit more, but the ship waits for you if the tour runs late.
- Diocletian’s Palace walking tour. A guided walk through the Peristyle, the cathedral and the vaulted cellars beneath the palace. Short, easy and full of history.
- Trogir old town. A small medieval town on its own island, another UNESCO site, with a cathedral, a seafront fortress and narrow stone lanes.
- Krka National Park. Waterfalls, boardwalks and green pools in a river canyon about an hour away. A full and rewarding day.
- Klis Fortress & Salona. A dramatic fortress on the ridge above Split plus the ruins of Salona, the Roman city where Diocletian was born.
Exploring without a tour
Prefer to explore at your own pace? These are the highlights to know, wherever your day takes you. Keep an eye on the clock.
Diocletian’s Palace
Wander the Peristyle, the emperor’s old courtyard, then the Cathedral of St. Domnius, built around his mausoleum. The bell tower climb and the palace cellars cost extra and are worth it. Churches ask that shoulders and knees are covered.
The Riva
The palm-lined promenade along the palace’s seaward wall is Split’s living room, lined with cafés and made for a slow coffee and people-watching.
Markets & Marjan
The morning green market sits just outside the palace’s east wall. Above the city, the pine-covered Marjan Hill park has the classic view over the rooftops to the islands.
Before you go ashore
- All-aboard is firm. If you book independently, plan to be back at the pier an hour before all-aboard, and allow for the longer walk if your ship is on the outer berths.
- Traveling with mobility needs? Split’s waterfront is flat, but the Old Town has steps, uneven stone and polished paving that can be slippery. If you or someone in your party has mobility needs, tell your advisor when you book. Our accessibility specialist can help arrange the right support.
- Check your berth. The walk to the palace ranges from a few minutes to about 20, depending on where your ship ties up. Your daily program will say.
- Calls can change. Split is one of the Adriatic ports we most often see swapped, usually for Zadar, when docking space is tight. Your cruise line will let you know if your call changes.
- Island trips take planning. Hvar and Brač look close, but a round trip eats most of a port day. A ship-sold or vetted tour handles the timing for you.
Sailing to Split
Split appears on Adriatic and Eastern Mediterranean itineraries, typically sailing round trip from Venice (Trieste or Ravenna), Rome (Civitavecchia) or Athens (Piraeus), often alongside Dubrovnik and Kotor.Find a cruisePlan with Harr Travel
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