Trogir, A perfect Day Trip from Split

Trogir is wedged between Croatia’s Dalmatian coast (connected to the mainland via a bridge with the nearest city being Split), and the sprawling island of Ciovo, yet its medieval Old Town is as hidden as it gets. It even takes a few moments to realise it’s sat on an island all of its own, but once you’ve entered the maze of marble lanes and creamy stone houses its charms become quickly apparent.

Is Trogir worth visiting?

Trogir’s architecture is just one of the signs that Venice had a hand in shaping its history. Of course the Greeks, Romans and Byzantines were here first, before Venice’s nearly 400 year rule from 1420 to the 1800s, meaning within a compact space is a beautiful collection of Romanesque, Baroque and Renaissance architecture all piled together.

That’s what makes Trogir so special. It’s not just a ‘mini Split’ 30 minutes down the road, but is has a lot to offer in its own right and it’s unique. The town is also perfect for people as it’s largely pedestrianised meaning you can escape the cars and hustle of the city all together.

It’s even been listed as the best island city in the world in National Geographic and with such undeniable charm and beauty…..the answer is YES, it’s 100% worth visiting Trogir!

How to get to Trogir from Split

• By bus – You can take the local bus 37 from Split bus station and buy the ticket at the station (costing about EUR2). It takes around 60 minutes as it stops absolutely everywhere possible, and it’s a very bumpy ride! This is the option we took. There is a coach which runs the route too in 20 minutes, though these are less frequent.
• 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.
• Organised Trip – During the summer months you can take a speedboat from Split to Trogir on a day trip. Normally these trips combine other things, such as the Blue Lagoon or other islands, so you normally only get around 1hr in Trogir – which to me isn’t enough for this beautiful place.

Things to do in Trogir

Cathedral of St Lawrence

The terracotta-tipped bell tower of St Lawrence is the first thing you’ll see when Trogir comes in to view and it’s a key reason for Trogir’s UNESCO World Heritage status. It was built in the 12th century on the foundations of a basilica destroyed by the Saracens and today it has ancient with Romanesque elements dating back to the 13th century and gothic details from the 15th century.

Climb the Bell Tower

For an additional smal fee, get a bird’s eye view of Trogir by climbing the Cathedral’s bell tower. This was one of our favourite parts of the day, though it is steep with lots of steps.

Loggia & Clock Tower

Trogir’s Loggia is a historic room held up by five pillars. During the years, it’s acted as a courtroom and meeting place. The characterful clock is a lot of fun and easy to find in the central Market Place. It’s the perfect place to stop for a while on one of the stone benches and take in the incredible beamed ceiling and reliefs carved by 15th century sculptors.

Monastery of St. Dominic

Right on the waterfront, the Monastery is a key spot in Trogir. Built in the 13th Century, it was damaged during WW2 but has since been renovated and preserved. We absolutely loved the cloisters, and the grounds are filled with trees, roses and sculptures making it the perfect place to find some quiet away from the crowds.

Kamerlengo Castle

This perfectly preserved 15th century castle was once a Venetian fortress connected to the city walls (which unfortunately no longer exist). It’s lovely to stroll around and in the summer it acts as a venue for events and concerts.

Waterfront Promenade

The waterfront is yet another beautiful spot on the Dalmatian Coast, providing views out to the sea. Make sure you cross the bridge to get the views back across the Old Town skyline.

St Mark’s Tower

This stone tower was once connected to the castle and the city walls, protecting Trogir from invasion via the strip of water that separates it from the mainland. It offers some nice views from the top.