Memory Lane: Split, Croatia

Split was a day trip in 2017, but it left a bigger impression than some places we stayed overnight. We started with a walking tour led by a local guide, and the timing could not have been better. It was early morning, sunny, and still quiet enough to hear your footsteps on the stone streets.

We wandered through the Old Town, along the harbour, and straight into the heart of the city: Diocletian’s Palace. That was the standout. It did not feel like a “palace” in the way you imagine one. It felt like a whole living city built inside Roman walls, with archways, courtyards, and worn stone that looked like it had been holding its breath for centuries. What makes it even more fascinating is that it was originally built as a retirement palace for the Roman Emperor Diocletian in the 4th century, and instead of becoming ruins, it became the foundation of Split itself. Today, the palace and the historic centre of Split are recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Afterwards, we stopped for coffee in one of the old squares and watched Split wake up around us. Chairs scraped into place, shutters lifted, and the calm slowly gave way to the buzz of the day. I loved how the city felt layered, with Roman history everywhere you turned, softened by that relaxed Mediterranean pace.

For a short visit, Split gave us something rare: a place that felt ancient, lived-in, and completely effortless.