The best bars in Split's Old Town
Diocletian's Palace is a labyrinth where the bars open one next to another. Here's a tried-and-tested route — in what order, when to start and where to go next.
A night in Split is best begun within the walls of Diocletian's Palace. Everything is a few minutes' walk apart, so it's easy to hit several places in one evening. There's a full overview on the Old Town Bars page; here's the route.
The route through the palace
- Lvxor — coffee or a first cocktail right on the Peristyle, on cushions along the steps of the ancient square.
- Marvlv's Jazz Library — jazz and vinyl in a 15th-century palace, for a quieter, more elegant tone.
- Leopold's Delicatessen — a tiny craft-beer specialist tucked into the stone walls.
- Sanctuary — a small, always-busy bar with craft beer and cocktails.
- The Daltonist — craft cocktails inspired by Dalmatian tradition, with small plates.
- Bar Sistema — a more urban cocktail bar with a serious whisky selection.
- Quasimodo — for a more alternative continuation: rock, indie and themed nights.
Timing
Start around 21:00 while the terraces are still airy and the palace is at its most photogenic. By midnight the bars fill up; some close around midnight, others run until 2:00. Weekends are busiest, but summer weekdays keep their atmosphere thanks to the visitors.
Where to continue
As the palace winds down, head toward the Riva and Fabrique for pub energy, or to Bačvice — Vanilla and Tropic — for the club part of the night. In summer the alternative is open-air at Žnjan. The full scene guide is in Split nightlife.
FAQ
When should you start the palace crawl?
Around 21:00 — the terraces are still pleasant, the palace at its most photogenic, and by midnight the bars fill up. Some bars close around midnight, others run until 2:00.