“Not Today” – Game of Thrones and History of Split Private Guided Walking Tour

This tour is interesting because Split is one of the places where Game of Thrones really took over. You walk through real Roman spaces tied to Diocletian’s Palace, then your guide points to the corners the show borrowed for scenes like Meereen. It’s movie magic, but you’re doing it on stone you can actually touch.

Two things I like a lot are how the tour blends Game of Thrones locations with Split’s Roman-era stories, and how the experience is led by a dedicated local guide, Viktoria, who clearly loves both topics. One possible drawback is that one key stop uses paid entry, the Diocletian Palace Substructures ticket, so you should budget a little extra on the day.

You get a private format, so it moves at your pace. That also means you’ll get the best results if you’re ready to ask questions and enjoy some walking through both outdoor and underground areas.

Key highlights to watch for

• Viktoria’s storytelling, linking show moments to what Split actually was in Roman times
• Diocletian Palace Substructures, a paid extra stop that makes the Meereen feel real
• The throne experience, where you can sit down in a Game of Thrones moment for photos
• Golden Gate, Peristyle, and Saint Domnius area views, big, recognizable palace landmarks
• A hands-on photo book moment, used to connect locations to filming scenes
• Outdoor filming locations near the City Museum, so you do not lose time inside ticket lines

Game of Thrones plus Roman Split, taught by Viktoria

If you have even a mild Game of Thrones habit, Split can hit fast. The show did not just film here in the abstract, it used specific built spaces that still carry the weight of the original city plan. That is why this tour works: it teaches you how to look at Diocletian’s Palace like a set, not just a monument.

What I appreciate most is that it is not one-track fandom. Viktoria is the type of guide who can explain what you’re seeing in the palace, then switch gears and show you what that same space became on screen. In the best moments, she uses a photo book to help you remember the exact feeling of scenes shot around Split. That matters because it stops the locations from turning into a generic highlight reel.

This is also a smart choice if you want a private tour rather than a big group bus approach. The private format means you can linger when a doorway, corridor, or courtyard catches your attention, and Viktoria can tailor the pacing to the vibe of your group.

Getting started at Riva Harbor, and why the opening matters

The tour begins at the model of Split’s historical core, right by Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda 23. Starting there is practical. You get an instant map in your head before you start walking, and you can connect what you hear to where you’re standing.

You also start at Riva Harbor, and that first stretch sets the tone. This is where your guide shares stories about how filming unfolded in Croatia and in Split specifically. Even if you only remember a few scenes, these early bits help you “decode” what comes next. It turns the rest of the walk from random stops into a sequence.

Another reason the start matters is timing. You are on your feet for about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours, so a quick orientation at the beginning keeps you from feeling rushed. And since it is a private experience, you are not stuck waiting on strangers who are late, confused, or still deciding where to meet.

Diocletian Palace Substructures, the ticket stop that makes Meereen feel real

The big centerpiece is the time you spend in the Diocletian Palace Substructures. This is the underground and basement world beneath the famous palace spaces, and it is also the part where the tour connects most directly to the show’s Meereen-style settings.

Here is the key practical detail: the Diocletian Palace Substructures ticket is not included. The extra cost is €8.00 per person, paid upon entrance. Since this is the clearly stated admission fee on the tour, it is the one you should plan for, and it is worth it. Underground spaces create the right atmosphere quickly, and your guide can point out the structural logic of the palace while also connecting it to how scenes were staged.

Expect this stop to take about 45 minutes. That is enough time to see the space, listen without feeling like you’re speed-running, and still keep the full walk feeling balanced. The substructures are where you move beyond “I saw it on TV” and into “I understand what I’m standing on.”

One consideration: because you are in a basement environment, you will want to be comfortable with enclosed spaces and uneven walking surfaces if they are present. Nothing in the tour description suggests it is extreme, but it is still a good idea to bring steady shoes.

Vestibulum and Peristyle, where entrances and courts do the storytelling

After the substructures, you continue through palace architecture that makes Split feel cinematic even without costumes. The next stop is the Vestibulum of Diocletian’s Palace, described as an entrance to the emperor’s apartment in Roman times. You get a sense of how controlled access worked in the original complex, which helps you understand why the palace filmed so well. Walls, thresholds, and sight lines all matter when a city is also a story set.

Then you reach the Peristyle, the central square inside the palace. It is described as part of a complex devoted to religion and to the worship of Diocletian. That detail is not trivia for trivia’s sake. It helps you realize this was not just a residence. It was a whole statement of power and belief in one compact place.

What I like about these palace sections is that they are usually easier than the underground areas. You can look around. You can let your eyes reset. And because multiple stops here are labeled as admission ticket free, you spend your money where it counts.

The Peristyle also gives you time for the “oh, I’ve seen that” moment. Even if you are not a total superfan, this is the kind of space your brain catches quickly because it is visually strong and easy to map onto scenes.

Saint Domnius and the Golden Gate, big landmarks with meaning

Two of the most memorable stops are the Cathedral of Saint Domnius and the Golden Gate. The cathedral was originally built as Emperor Diocletian’s mausoleum. That tells you a lot about how Split viewed its rulers. This was not just where they lived and ruled. It was where the power of the empire continued after death.

The Golden Gate is the main entrance to the palace in Roman times, and it is exactly the sort of location that reads clearly on camera. You can stand there and feel how a grand entry would work for processions, arrivals, and dramatic entrances. For Game of Thrones fans, it is the kind of place where your mind starts assigning roles, even if you are not trying to. For history fans, it is a straightforward example of how the palace structured movement and authority.

These are also good stops if you like learning without homework. You do not need a Rome textbook to appreciate it because the palace layout does the teaching. Viktoria’s job is to connect the built form to the stories the show borrowed, without pushing you into either camp only.

Outside the City Museum, plus the Grgur Ninski statue and fan shop

You also pass by the City Museum of Split area, but you do not go inside. The plan is to see where filming scenes were shot on the street outside the museum. That is a smart use of time. Indoor museum visits can be great, but they are also slow, and on a focused 1.5 to 2 hour tour, time is everything.

If you like recognizable street-level filming locations, this stop is for you. You get to walk the edge of what the show used, without spending your limited tour hours buying tickets for a separate attraction.

Then you get two short, satisfying landmark moments:

• The Grgur Ninski Statue, made by Ivan Meštrović, a well-known landmark in Split
• A stop at the Game of Thrones Split fan shop, which is exactly what it sounds like

These short stops might seem small on paper, but they help break up the palace-heavy feel. The statue gives you a quick taste of modern Split identity, while the fan shop gives you an easy way to take something home that matches what you just did.

And since the tour is private, you can also choose how much attention you want to give those quick stops. If you want photos, take them. If you want to keep moving, you can.

The throne seat and the photo book effect

One of the tour’s most fun promises is that you can sit on a real throne connected to the Game of Thrones experience. That is the kind of moment that turns a “good tour” into a “memory with a specific shot.”

Even if you do not care about poses, sitting down helps you feel the space differently. It forces you to notice angles, scale, and how a set might be designed around a prop. For fans, it is also a nice way to punctuate the walking. You go from walking real Roman layers to sitting in a story-world moment, then you move on with a better sense of pacing.

What I also like is the “photo book” approach tied to filming. Viktoria uses this to keep the connection between show scenes and locations clear. That is a bigger deal than it sounds. A lot of filming-location tours fail because you just get spoken descriptions. Here, you get a visual memory tool that makes the references land.

Price and timing, and why $93.52 can be fair value

The price is $93.52 per person, and the tour runs about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours. The experience is private, so only your group participates, and it is guided by a private licensed tour guide.

When I look at value, I ask two questions:

1) Are you paying for content you cannot easily DIY with an internet map?

2) Are you paying extra that you did not see coming?

On the first point, the answer is yes, because your guide is tying together palace architecture and filming references in real time, including the underground substructures. Those are not hard places to find, but they are hard places to interpret if you are doing it alone.

On the second point, the main surprise is straightforward: Diocletian Palace Substructures costs €8.00 per person and is not included. Everything else on the described stops is listed as free entry. So as long as you budget that €8, the cost structure is simple.

Also consider that the tour is sold as mobile ticket and runs daily from morning to early evening (8:00 AM to 7:00 PM). That gives you flexibility while you are in Split. The fact it is often booked about 108 days in advance tells me popular dates fill first, especially if you are traveling during peak season.

One last thing: the tour notes say it requires good weather. Split weather can shift, and walking tours suffer when conditions get slippery or rainy. If you are booking late, you might want a time of day that gives you options if clouds roll in.

Who this tour suits best in Split

This is best for you if you fit one of these profiles:

• You are a Game of Thrones fan who wants the filming locations, but you also enjoy learning what those places were before the show
• You want a private guide, especially one who can talk about both Roman Split and the show’s use of the palace
• Your group wants a compact, 1.5 to 2 hour walk that does not require museum marathons

It might be less ideal if you dislike enclosed spaces, because the substructures are part of the core experience. It also might not be the best fit if you want a purely history-focused route with no show references, since the tour is built around the Game of Thrones connection.

Should you book Not Today in Split?

If you are choosing between a quick walking tour and a show-themed one, I would book this. The reason is balance. You get real palace context, not just “this is where they filmed.” Viktoria brings a fan’s attention to detail, plus local knowledge that helps you understand why Diocletian’s Palace looks the way it does and why it worked on screen.

Do book it if you want:

• a guided walk that connects Game of Thrones scenes to specific Split landmarks
• the standout paid moment in the substructures plus the fun pause of the throne seat
• a private format that keeps the experience comfortable

Skip it only if you strongly prefer indoor museums over walking, or if you are not interested in Game of Thrones at all. Otherwise, this is a solid value for time, especially because you are spending your guide hours on the most “earned” spots: the palace and the places tied to filming.

FAQ

How long is the Not Today tour in Split?

It runs about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours.

What is the price per person?

The tour costs $93.52 per person.

Is the Diocletian Palace Substructures ticket included?

No. The Diocletian Palace Substructures admission fee is €8.00 per person, paid upon entrance.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It is private, and only your group participates.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at the model of the historical core of the city of Split, Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda 23, 21000 Split, Croatia.

What does the tour include?

It includes a private licensed tour guide.

Do I need good weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather, and if it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.