This full day tour explores the top sights in the region. You visit the ruins at Salona, the medieval town of Trogir, and Diocletian's Palace in Split. There is free time included for lunch and a little shopping or self exploration.
After meeting your private licensed guide you immediately depart for Salona. The preserved archaeological remains at Salona date from Roman, early Christian, and even early medieval periods. You will walk with your guide among remains of temples, amphitheaters, first century baths, early Christian churches, and burial grounds. Salona became the capital of Roman Dalmatia and reached its peak in the 4th century, with a population estimated between 40,000 and 60,000, during the era of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who was born near Salona and later built his retirement palace nearby. In the early 7th century Salona was destroyed by Avar and Slavic invasions, traditionally dated to around 614. The surviving inhabitants fled into Diocletian's Palace, where the life of a new town began, the life of today's Split.
After visiting Salona you drive to the charming medieval town of Trogir, located on a small islet between the mainland of Croatia and the island of Ciovo. It was originally a Greek colony, but the main core of the town was developed between the 13th and 15th centuries, surrounded by city walls. The historical center of Trogir is a unique monument of culture and is included in UNESCO's World Heritage List.
You will walk with your guide through its narrow streets, taking you back in history as you pass stone houses, churches, palaces, monasteries, and city walls. You stop at the main attraction of Trogir, St. Lawrence Cathedral. Take time to enjoy the beauty of the Romanesque portal created by the local artist Radovan. It is considered the cathedral's finest piece of architectural work and features lion figures on the sides and the figures of Adam and Eve above them.
After your walking tour you enjoy free time in the old town of Trogir before you return to Split. Upon arrival in Split you have the chance to enjoy lunch (meal not included) in a local restaurant.
After lunch you visit Diocletian's Palace, located in the heart of the city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This palace is one of the largest Roman buildings still in use today. You visit the well preserved cellars of the palace, which show the building's original floor plan and support the imperial residential areas above. You will be impressed by the peristyle, an inner colonnaded courtyard where official audiences took place.
You also visit one of the oldest cathedrals in the world, the Cathedral of St. Duje, Split's patron saint, which was originally the mausoleum of Diocletian. Today it is called the Cathedral of St. Dominus. Before ending the tour you see the former temple of Jupiter, now used as a baptistery.
Following your visit to the palace is free time to explore the maze of small streets nearby, filled with shops and cafes.
If you cannot find what you are looking for, our Split tours and Split shore excursions can also be customized to fit your needs. If you have a larger group, we can offer you a private Split tour using a mid-size bus or full size coach. Please contact us with any questions or to receive a customized quote.