Table of Contents
This post may contain affiliate links to things like tours, hotels, Amazon associates and products. These help me earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.
Have you heard of Trogir? It’s by no means the best-known place in Croatia but, if you’re visiting Split (and why wouldn’t you be?), it should be on your radar. Although there are several attractions in Trogir, it’s a tiny settlement that can be seen during a half-day trip from Split.
TROGIR QUICK LINKS
Accommodation: Booking.com / Hostelworld
Getting there: car / bus
Getting around: on foot
Activities: GetYourGuide
In this guide, I’ll explain how to get to Trogir from Split Old Town and what to see and do there.
Read next: 35 fantastic things to do in & around Split
Is Trogir worth visiting?
With all the attractions of Split not far away, what makes Trogir worth visiting? Is it just a mini Split?
Well, a few things make Trogir sightseeing worthwhile. Firstly, its unique architecture: the Romanesque-Gothic buildings are some of the best-preserved in Central Europe. Secondly, the whole town resides on a small Adriatic island, easily reachable by foot.
In fact, Trogir is largely pedestrianised meaning you can escape cars and fumes altogether.
With accolades under its belt like best island city in the world (National Geographic, 2015), it’s undeniably charming and idyllic. A throwback to the 1500s… with just a few sushi restaurants to indicate the globalised era we live in!
To answer the question, YES it’s 100% worth taking a day trip to Trogir!
Read next: the ideal Croatia itinerary for a first trip
How to get to Trogir from Split during a day trip
By bus (coach): This is the option I took. Use GetbyBus to check departure times. I didn’t book my ticket in advance, instead purchasing it from Split bus station 15 minutes before departure. The ride took 30 minutes and cost 30 kuna.
Local bus: On the way back from Trogir to Split, I jumped on a local bus (rather than the coach I’d come on) from Trogir bus station. These don’t seem to be listed online but cost just 20 kuna, paid in cash to the driver. However, it stopped everywhere, taking over an hour to get back to Split.
By car: If you hire a car in Split, the drive takes just 30 minutes. There’s plenty of parking and you can simply walk across the bridge to Trogir island.
Day tour: in peak Trogir tourist season, you can take a speedboat tour from Split, hitting up the islands, Blue Lagoon and Trogir during a day. You’ll only get an hour in Trogir so it’s not the best option if you want to explore the town in depth.
How long to spend in Trogir?
I think half a day in Trogir is the right amount of time to spend. I arrived at 10am and left at 2pm. However, if you want to go inside every Trogir attraction, take a leisurely lunch and enjoy coffee in the sun, dedicate a whole day.
Another option is spending the morning in Split and the afternoon on one of the nearby beaches (more on this to come).
It may be tiny but historians and architecture fans will think there’s plenty to do in Trogir.
When to visit?
For the best weather, the summer months of June-September are the best time to visit Trogir. But make no mistake: Croatia in the summer is busy, and a town the size of Trogir fills up fast.
Shoulder season of late September-early November and late February-May is a lovely time to visit because it’s not too cold or too crowded. In the winter, expect the town to be cold and empty with barely any shops or restaurants open.
Things to do in Trogir
During your day trip from Split to Trogir, there are plenty of places of historical significance to tour, as well as places in Trogir to visit, eat, drink coffee and shop.
Here are the Trogir must see attractions, in my humble opinion…
1. Coffee on the mainland waterfront
Before setting foot on the island, I enjoyed a coffee on the mainland overlooking the small section of water separating Trogir from the mainland.
This strip of cafes is atmospheric with locals sitting in the sun and chatting over coffee. Croatian coffee culture isn’t about shotting your espresso and heading to the office; it’s a leisurely affair and I’m here for it!
Head to Caffe Bar Tomislav and you’ll find an outside walkway with tens of atmospheric cafes. They all serve similar beverages for similar prices.
If it’s speciality coffee you’re looking for, save yourself for Tinel Specialty Coffee Shop on Trogir Island. I wasn’t blown away by the speciality coffee scene in Croatia (but I did find some good coffee shops in Split and Zagreb) but I hear good things about this place.
2. Green Market
Before crossing the bridge to Trogir, stroll through the atmospheric Green Market. Even if you don’t purchase fruits, veggies, fresh flowers, honey, spices, wine or cheese, it’s a pleasant place to wander and experience authentic, local life.
Surrounding the market are several static stands serving fast food and bakery goods. If you haven’t already, try some Croatian snacks. I find taking a random guess and pointing at what you like the look of works well… A Russian roulette of snacks, if you will!
Next, cross the bridge on foot to visit the main attractions on Trogir island…
3. Cathedral of St. Lawrence
The terracotta-tipped bell tower of St Lawrence Cathedral (Katedrala Sv. Lovre) is the first thing you’ll see when Trogir slides into sight. Originally named the Cathedral of St John (after one of the early bishops), it’s a key reason for Trogir’s UNESCO World Heritage status.
This Roman Catholic cathedral is one of the Romanesque-Gothic monuments that puts Trogir on the map as an architect’s dream. Since it was built over several centuries, you can walk through the history of Dalmatia. Romanesque elements date back to the 13th century, meanwhile gothic details were added in the 15th century.
It was built in the 12th century on the foundations of a basilica destroyed by the Saracens, an Arab group that invaded in 1123. It’s thought that a religious building has stood on this spot since the 5th century.
One of the most impressive elements of St Lawrence Cathedral is the elaborate Romanesque doorway. The top part shows religious imagery while the bottom displays exotic animals including a pair of lions.
Pass through the doorway to see inside the cathedral. The Chapel of St. Ivan towards the back displays an impressive collection of statues by Firentinac and Duknovic.
Visitor’s info: 30 kuna, open from 8am-12pm, Mon-Sat.
3.5. Climb the bell tower
For an additional 15 kuna, get a bird’s eye view of Trogir by climbing the Cathedral’s bell tower. This was closed with no explanation during my visit in early 2022 but hopefully as restrictions continue to lift, and peak tourism season approaches, this will change.
4. Pass by Trogir City Hall
City Hall is another impressive Trogir monument in Gothic-Renaissance style, built using fragments of the Duke’s Palace that stood before it.
Don’t miss the courtyard: it’s a peaceful spot with a quaint staircase, lampost and fragments of archaeological interest built into the stone walls.
I’d have loved a photo on the staircase but alas, I was travelling solo and didn’t have my trusty tripod to hand!
5. Trogir Clock Tower & Loggia
Trogir’s Loggia is a historic, multi-purpose room held up by five pillars. During the years, it’s acted as a courtroom and meeting place. Connected is the Clock Tower, a monument built during the 14th and 15th-centuries featuring a pale blue face and gold hands.
This characterful clock was partly under construction during my visit in 2022, hopefully to preserve it as a Trogir tourist attraction for years to come. It’s easy to find, just across from the Cathedral in the main square.
6. Admire Cipiko Palace
This Romanesque palace built in 1497 was once home to the powerful Cipiko family. Although Palača Ćipiko has an attractive facade with large windows and balconies, it’s currently closed to the public. Admire it from outside (it’s metres from the Cathedral and Clock Tower) before moving onto other places of interest in Trogir.
Stop for coffee in the main square admiring the wonderful monuments around you
7. Get lost in the backstreets
During my day trip to Trogir from Split, I marvelled at the maze of alleyways, similar to those surrounding the Diocletian’s Palace. After the main things to see in Trogir, spend some time wandering to your heart’s content and looking for nothing in particular.
From art galleries to ancient churches and houses with idyllic details like stone balconies and charming courtyards, there are countless delights to be discovered.
8. Trogir City Museum
The City Museum is the main museum, situated in the former Garagnin-Fanfogna palace. From prehistoric finds to Greek ceramics, religious history and Renaissance art, it contains a wealth of information to help you understand Trogir, and Dalmatia, a little better.
It’s not huge but it’s a worthwhile place to visit in Trogir with works of art by local painter, Cata Duišin Ribar.
Entrance costs 20 kuna (€2) and you can spend around an hour. If you experience bad weather while sightseeing in Trogir, it’s a decent rainy day activity.
9. Monastery of St Dominic
Beside the water, St Dominic Monastery (Crkva i samostan sv. Dominik) was founded in the 13th century and remains one of the key Trogir attractions to this day. Although it was damaged during WWII, it not only lived to tell the tale but has been renovated by the Institute for the Protection of Monuments in Split to look as it would in its heyday.
Spot artwork and artefacts in the entrance before entering the monastery. As well as a small chapel, there’s a beautiful garden with sculptures, lime trees, roses and a shaded cloister to wander through. It’s a tranquil place to escape the crowds on a busy summer’s day.
10. Church of St. Peter
This church was part of the Benedictine women’s monastery, thought to have been founded by the wife of King Béla IV of Hungary.
The plaque on the wall did not name her, only calling her ‘the king’s wife’. Yuk. I found her name for you: Maria Laskarina! Say it 😉
Redecorated in Baroque style in the 17th century, St Peter’s Church (Crkva sv. Petar) is home to the tombs of famous families, Andreis and Cipiko.
11. Wander the Promenade
On a sunny day, there’s nothing better to do in Trogir than saunter along the promenade, soaking up ocean views. Grab a coffee and people-watch from one of the many restaurants lining the waterfront.
Expect to pay tourist prices in this premier part of town. In the off-season, many of the other restaurants in Trogir will be shut meaning these waterfront ones are the only place to grab a bite. I oped for a tasty lunch of crni rizot, black squid ink risotto.
12. Kamerlengo Castle
If you thought Trogir couldn’t get more quaint or historical, wait until you stumble upon Kamerlengo, a perfectly preserved 15th-century castle. This Venetian fortress was originally connected to the city walls, most of which are no longer in existence.
Keep an eye out for events happening; these days it occasionally acts as a venue for summer events and concerts.
13. St Mark’s Tower
If you’re walking around Trogir in a clockwise direction, pass Kamerlengo and continue to St Mark’s Tower (Kula Sv. Marka). This stone tower was once connected to the castle and city walls, protecting Trogir from invasion via the strip of water that separates it from the mainland.
During my visit in early 2022, the tower was temporarily closed. Once it’s open again, I imagine it would offer lovely views from the top.
14. Bask on a beach
Trogir links Ciovo Island to the mainland by bridge. After exploring the town during the morning, you can continue your adventures by crossing to Ciovo and discovering the beautiful beaches of Trogir.
Okrug Gornji Beach is a popular option suited for swimming and snorkelling. It does get crowded during the summer months so don’t expect a hidden paradise.
You can walk to the beach in 40 minutes from Trogir Old Town. Sun loungers cost 50 kuna and there are a couple of restaurants and beach bars.
15. Jewellery shopping
A final thing to do in Trogir is browse the shops, particularly those selling jewellery. There are endless stores in the winding backstreets, their shelves ladened with silver, gold and precious stones. Misel Trogir sells red coral harvested in Dalmatia.
Other things to do around Trogir
- Klis Fortress – this majestic fortress is one of the top attractions of the region. Visit for fantastic panoramic views.
- Island hopping – the Adriatic coast is easily accessed. Hvar, Brač, Korčula and Vis are mind-blowingly beautiful. Browse Trogir island tours.
- Krka National Park – you won’t regret making the 1.5-hour journey by car, bus or day tour to this incredible sanctuary of waterfalls and forest. Read about my awesome Split to Krka day trip here.
These extra Trogir activities can be accessed if you’re staying overnight. Otherwise, you can also do them from Split.
Heading elsewhere in Croatia?
Read my other Croatia posts…
General:
Split:
- 35 amazing things to see in Split
- 22 unmissable day trips from Split
- Visiting Split Old Town, Croatia
- Marjan Hill Viewpoint hike
- Visiting Krka Waterfalls from Split
- 18 best Split restaurants
- The top cafes in Split
- Guide to Split Old Town
Dubrovnik:
- What to do in Dubrovnik
- Guide to visiting Lokrum Island
- How to visit Bosnia & Herzegovina as a day trip from Dubrovnik
Zagreb:
Zadar:
Thanks for reading!
I hope you have a better idea of how to get to Trogir from Split and how to spend time there 🙂
For more travel content, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Liked these places to visit in Trogir? Pin this for later on Pinterest!
TRUSTED RESOURCES FOR VISITING CROATIA
Getting around by air – I use Skyscanner to find the best-value flights, using the ‘search by month’ tool to find the cheapest dates. You can also use the ‘to anywhere’ feature if you’re flexible on where you’re going.
Driving in Europe – use Rentalcars.com to compare car rentals in European countries (and all around the world).
For trains, I use RailEurope. The search feature allows you to compare prices, and they show live departure times on the website.
For buses, I use FlixBus. Find journeys between European countries from €1!
Use Omio to compare trains and buses in one search. It’s so handy!
For hotels and self-catering apartments, I use Booking.com. You can filter by review score and price to find the best-rated budget places. For hostels, I use Hostelworld.com.
To save money on accommodation, I use Trusted Housesitters, a website that connects homeowners going away and travellers who can sit their homes & pets.
Browse tours and activities on GetYourGuide.
Need travel insurance? I use True Traveller (for UK & Europe residents) since it’s affordable but covers everything you’d need including various activities, valuables and pre-existing conditions. Unlike some companies, they insure you if you’re already travelling / don’t yet have your flight home booked. Get a quote.
For travel insurance for other nationalities, I recommend Hey Mundo and for long-term digital nomad travellers, I suggest Safety Wing.
Check out my resources page for more travel discounts and budget tips from my 10+ years on the road!
