Due to its long and history, Croatia is rich with cultural heritage.
Along with Ancient Roman ruins, you spend time visiting picturesque and well-preserved medieval towns, Baroque city centres, even prehistoric archaeological sites.
This exciting self-drive tour is a true delight for all art, history and architecture lovers.
Travel with us to Croatia’s distant past, explore the Roman ruins and roads and learn about this country’s intriguing history.
You can drive yourself or be escorted by a guide/driver on your way from Zadar to Split, Brač and more.
Your adventure starts in modern Zadar, once the Roman city of Iader.
Explore the remains of Roman forum in the very centre if Zadar and learn about its role in the Roman rule of Ancient province of Dalmatia.
Even after Roman times, Zadar remained a very influential centre. Its main landmark is the pre-Romanesque church of St Donat.
From Zadar, head towards Split, the Ancient city of Spalatum. Split is famous for the fantastic UNESCO-protected palace, situated in its very centre.
This palace was built in the beginning of the 4th century by Roman Emperor Diocletian, who wanted to retire here.
Only a 20-minute drive away from Split is a small town of Solin. Solin was the centre of Ancient Dalmatia in Roman times; today, tourists can visit the remains of a Roman amphitheatre in Solin.
Continue to the UNESCO-protected city of Trogir. Trogir was an Ancient Greek colony at first, under the name of Tragurium.
In the Middle Ages, this charming city developed into one of the most beautiful Medieval towns in the Adriatic, with some excellent examples of Venetian architecture.
On your way, you’ll also visit the Island of Brač, known as Bretia in Ancient Roman times, and Narona (modern-day town of Vid), boasting a remarkable Archaeological Museum.
If you don’t fancy driving, we can organise for a driver/tour guide to escort you on your way though Croatia’s Roman past.
Zadar and Split
5 nights/6 days
April | May | June | July | August | September | October
Upon your arrival in Zadar, you’ll meet your tour guide and start your journey through Croatia’s Roman past.
Iader, a modern-day Zadar, was a historical centre of the Roman province of Dalmatia as well as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Iader.
The city got its urban structure in Roman times; during the time of Julius Caesar and Emperor Augustus, the town was fortified and the city walls were built.
The Roman Forum in the centre of the city was founded by the first Roman Emperor Augustus.
Most Roman remains were used during construction of the fortifications, but two squares are embellished with lofty marble columns.
A Roman tower stands on the eastern side of the town and some parts of a Roman aqueduct can be seen outside the ramparts.
After the tour, our guide will take you to the 4* hotel in Zadar city centre.
Dinner and overnight.
After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll head to the Ancient city of Spalatum, which is a modern-day city of Split.
You’ll check in into a 4* hotel in Split city centre.
Your guide will meet you here and take you on a guided tour of Split once you’ve dropped your bags off and are ready to go.
Spalatum/Split is considered to be over 1700 years old
The Roman Emperor Diocletian decided to retire here and built the magnificent Palace in the beginning of the 4th century in Spalatum.
This palace is one of the best preserved examples of late-antique architecture.
After the tour, enjoy your free time in the centre of Split.
Accompanied by your travel guide, drive to Salona/modern-day Solin, a town very close to Split.
Salona is well known to historians and archaeologists as the capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia – as such, Salona made a quite important centre.
In the old part of town, you’ll see many monuments from the Roman period and after the visit, including the remains of Roman forum and amphitheatre.
After the visit, you’ll head back to your hotel in Spalatum/Split.
Overnight at a 4* hotel in Split city centre. Dinner and overnight.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Today you’ll visit the Ancient town of Tragurium, the modern-day city of Trogir.
This picturesque town was a Greek colony at first. During the Roman period, it was called Varvaria.
Because of its unique position on a small island, it was called a “Croatian Venice”.
In Ancient Roman times Trogir was known as “Tragurium marmore notum”, for its masterpieces in marble.
After the tour, enjoy your free time in charming Tragurium/Trogir.
Return to your hotel in Split. Dinner and overnight.
Breakfast at the hotel. Your Roman destination today is the modern-day Island of Brač, which was inhabited in the Roman period.
Some remains from the Roman period are in the town of Supetar: Villa rusticae, from the 6th century, near the cemetery, remains of the early Christian sarcophagi by the church.
Other towns were also inhabited in the Roman period and you’ll head on a tour to see most of them and walk the Roman roads.
Return to the hotel in Split.
Dinner and overnight.
Breakfast at the hotel.
You’ll head for an excursion to the Roman town of Narona – modern-day Vid.
The Narona Archeological Museum is the first museum in Croatia which is built at the place where its artifacts were actually found.
Here the lovers of Roman history can see many Roman statues, mosaics and glass exhibits.
After the guided tour, return to the hotel in Spalatum/Split.
Dinner and overnight.
Breakfast. Check out of your hotel and transfer to Split airport.
Have a safe journey home!
