Magnificent arenas, imperial palaces, forgotten cities… Croatia is home to an exceptional ancient heritage, witness to a past when Rome reigned on the shores of the Adriatic. Throughout the country, imposing remains still stand, defying time and recounting centuries of history. From the splendour of the emperors to the vestiges of everyday life, here are six must-see sites for a journey to the heart of Antiquity.

, building theatres, forums, villas, and fortress that still stand as echoes of their legacy.

Today, these magnificent ruins continue to enthral visitors seeking history and grandeur during their stay. Each site offers a striking glimpse into an era when Rome shaped laws, culture, and architecture across the Region.

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6 ancient sites not to be missed on a trip to Croatia

The Pula amphitheatre, a stone Colossus frozen in time

century, once accommodating up to 23,000 spectators.

Its grand arcades still rise, defying the stay and bearing witness to the splendour of the gladiatorial games once held within. Today, the roar of wild beasts has been replaced by concerts and festivals, breathing new life into this timeless monument.

Diocletian’s Palace in Split, an imperial excess

century for Diocletian, this colossal complex blends a sumptuous palace with imposing military fortifications.

Its vaulted galleries, paved courtyards, and beautifully preserved temples immerse visitors in the opulence of an emperor who chose Dalmatia as his sanctuary. More than just a relic, the palace is woven into the fabric of the city: its colonnades are now home to cafés and markets, while its underground chambers still echo with traces of antiquity.

Salona, the forgotten city of Roman Dalmatia

Just a few kilometres from Split, Salona extends its ruins across a land that once thrived. As the capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia, this bustling trade city was home to over 60,000 inhabitants before being devastated by barbarian invasions.

Today, the whisper of the wind weaves through the stones of a partially collapsed amphitheatre, while the remains of baths and basilicas stand as reminders of a once-prosperous city where merchants, soldiers, and senators once crossed paths.

The Roman forum of Zadar, beating heart of a thousand-year-old-city

Set by the sea, Zadar retains a Roman forum at its heart, with remains that highlight the city’s crucial role in antiquity. Founded under Augustus, this expansive paved space was the administrative and commercial centre of the city.

Lonely columns, remains of temples, and fragments of porticos still stand, engraving history into the stone. Around them, the city continues to pulse with life, including its lively cafés and the archaeological museum, which extends the journey into the past.

Burnum, a military camp set in rock

. Here, there are no luxurious villas or sculpted temples, but the remains of a military camp that once housed Roman legionaries.

The amphitheatre, with its austere elegance, beats witness to the entertainment of the soldiers, while the ruins of the aqueduct showcase Roman ingenuity. This lesser-known site transports visitors into the harsh, strategic world of ancient garrisons.

Nesactium, remains of a little-known Illyrian city

At the edge of Istria, Nesactium reveals the traces of an ancient civilisation that thrived before the arrival of the Romans. This archaeological site, perched on a hill between the villages of Muntić and Valtura, unveils the foundations of a fortified city with massive stone walls, sanctuaries, and necropolises that bear witness to ancestral rites.

century BC, the site was reshaped according to imperial urban planning, incorporating baths and temples dedicated to Latin divinities. Their ruins are still visible in the middle of the oak and olive tree landscapes.