How to Beat the Crowds at Diocletian's Palace
Diocletian's Palace is free and open 24 hours, since it's part of Split's old town. The paid parts are the cellars (about €10) and the Cathedral of St. Domnius and its bell tower (about €5-10). Arrive before 9 am, ahead of the cruise groups, to see the Peristyle and climb the bell tower before the narrow stairs get busy.
- Palace and streets
- Free, open 24 hours
- Cellars
- About €10 adults, €8 reduced
- Cathedral + bell tower
- About €7-10 combined, tower alone about €5
- Best time
- Before 9 am, or evening
- Busiest
- Mid-morning to late afternoon on cruise days and in summer
- Summer festival
- Split Summer Festival in the Peristyle (July)
- Time to allow
- 2-3 hours
How busy is Diocletian's Palace?
The Roman emperor Diocletian's retirement palace is now a living part of Split, with shops, cafés and homes inside its walls. From mid-morning on cruise days, groups pack the Peristyle, the Vestibule and the narrow lanes. Ticket queues for the bell tower and cellars build at the same time, and the tower stairs are narrow.
Before you go, check how busy Diocletian's Palace is likely to be. BeatTheCrowd shows the live crowd level and an hourly forecast for any date, adjusted for Croatian holidays, school breaks and weather.
Check today’s crowds at Diocletian's Palace →