Your Guide for One Day in Trogir, Croatia

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Situated on a tiny island on the Adriatic Coast, accessible by boat or by bridge, is the small historic harbor town of Trogir, Croatia.

Nicknamed the “Stone Beauty,” the Greeks founded the UNESCO World Heritage site in the 3rd Century B.C.E.

It’s one of Europe’s best-preserved Medieval towns, withstanding occupation by the Romans and the long-time rule of the Venetians.

If you can only spend only one day in Trogir, here is my recommended itinerary for your time.

Your Itinerary for Visiting Trogir in One Day

One Day in Trogir: Morning

If you’re only taking a day trip to Trogir from Split, make sure you get on the ferry early in the day to maximize your time in the beautiful town!

Since the historic center of Trogir is small and self-contained, it’s easy to cover the city in a day just by walking.

That’s why I always recommend a walking tour, especially in a city as small as Trogir.

And although you probably won’t get lost, if you do, don’t stress–you’ll eventually walk your way to the water or to one of the city’s historic gates to cross back over to the mainland.

Or, you can spend your morning on one of the beautiful beaches near Trogir.

One Day in Trogir: Afternoon

Once you’ve enjoyed your walking tour, now it’s time to climb to the top of the bell tower at the Cathedral of St. Lawrence.

When you come back down, check out the Radovan Portal, the Town Loggia, St. Sebastian’s Church, and the Town Clock Tower, since they’re all in the same area.

Make sure you stop for a meal at one of the recommended restaurants, and it’s never a bad time to get gelato after–especially if it’s a hot summer day!

You can also spend time before sunset exploring the Trogir City Museum, participating in Mass at the Church of St. Dominic with the Benedictine sisters, or walking to Gradska Plaža, a nearby beach.

One Day in Trogir: Evening

As sunset approaches, this is the time to walk along the promenade and climb to the top of Castle Kamerlengo for perfect sunset views over the city.

Or, take a trip just outside the city center to Kairos Vineyard for dinner and other incredible views from high above Trogir.

The Best Things to do in Trogir

For such a small island, Trogir is packed with incredible Venetian architecture.

Palaces, churches, the city center’s historic loggia, and a fortress still stand and are open for visitors to view.

Map for this Guide

I created this color-coded map as a companion to this guide for visiting Trogir! You can find all of the locations and businesses marked here.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a creation or landmark chosen for conservation by the United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO) due to its cultural, historical, scientific or natural significance. It must meet a minimum of one of ten selection criteria to be considered for the World Heritage List, and once chosen, it becomes protected for preservation by various international treaties.

1. Visit the Cathedral of St. Lawrence

The first stop on our day trip to Trogir from Split—The Cathedral of St. Lawrence.

Known as St. John’s to locals, it was established in the 13th Century.

Most of the Cathedral was built by 1251 in the Romanesque style, but the bell tower wasn’t fully completed until the 16th Century. 

The Cathedral’s main west entrance is its own incredible feat, known as the Radovan Portal.

Created by 13th Century Trogir artist and sculptor Master Radovan, he started designing the intricate carvings when the church was first being built and finished in 1240, according to his inscription at the top.

It’s a stunning piece of artwork to view.

You can head to the top of the bell tower at the church for unbelievably scenic views high above the city center.

Since it was built in stages across several centuries, its design includes three different architectural styles.

The stairs are very steep, but thankfully, there weren’t too many people trying to head down while we were going up.

The all-around sweeping views of the city are gorgeous.

2. Explore the many historic buildings in Trogir’s Old Town

Town Loggia

After visiting the Cathedral and bell tower, the Town Loggia is in the courtyard below.

As an outdoor meeting space constructed in the 15th Century, it was used for contract signings, new laws announcements, and as an outdoor court of law.

The decorative carvings on the inside were created in 1471.

St. Sebastian’s Church and the Town Clock Tower

Adjacent to the city loggia is St. Sebastian’s Church and the Town Clock Tower.

St. Sebastian’s was erected in 1476 as an offering to deliver the citizens of Trogir from the plague.

The Town Clock Tower rises above the church.

Grand Cipika Palace

On the other side of the square, opposite the Cathedral of St. Lawrence, lies the Grand Cipika Palace.

The manor was built in the 15th Century for a notable Trogir family.

While the inside is closed to the public, the Gothic windows are a beautiful feature facing the square.

3. Take a walking tour of Trogir

Maybe I’m partial, but it’s crucial to take a walking tour of a new destination if you have the time and budget.

Our one day in Trogir was not complete without taking a walking tour with Daniela, a licensed tour guide in Split-Dalmatia county.

Daniela grew up in Trogir and spent an hour and a half wandering through the city’s pristine stone streets with us, expertly teaching the history of her city.

We even stopped in at Đovani, a bakery and ice cream shop, to try Trogirski rafioli, a traditional Croatian dessert that was created in Trogir.

However, if Daniela isn’t available, there are many other great tours of the city!

4. Visit the Muzej grada Trogira

Found in the former Garagnin-Fanfogna Palace, the Trogir City Museum is dedicated to preserving the city’s history.

Opened in 1966, its permanent collections on the first floor showcase art and artifacts from prehistoric times through the modern day.

The lobby area is reserved for temporary exhibitions and displays. 

Notable permanent displays throughout the museum include the Museum Lapidarium, the Cata Dujšin Ribar Gallery, and an original library founded by the Archbishop to the nearby city of Split, Ivan Luka Garagnin, in the 18th century. 

5. Enter the city through its gates

Once part of the city’s defensive walls, Trogir has two historic gates still standing, which you can still walk through.

Built during the 16th Century, Porta Terrae Fermae is the city’s north gate, while Porta Marina is the city’s south gate. 

6. Have mass with the Benedictine Monastery of St. Nicholas

As one of the oldest monasteries in Croatia, the Benedictine Monastery of St. Nicholas has been part of the city’s community since 1064–nearly a thousand years. 

With many of the church’s patrons, mariners and seafarers, they dedicated the church to St. Nicholas, the patron saint of travelers; however, the church is actually dedicated to two saints. It was originally named for St. Dominic, who hid here according to legend. 

The rosary is spoken by the Benedictine sisters with the community at the Church of St. Dominic every day at 5:30 p.m., followed by Holy Mass at 6 p.m.

Or, stop by the St. Nicholas Convent Museum to see the famous 3rd century B.C. Hellenistic bas-relief of the Greek god Kairós.

7. Find fresh foods at the Green Market 

Right over one of the footbridges, you can find Trogir’s Farmer’s Market next to the bus station.

You can find fresh produce, meats, breads, and other locally made baked goods.

You can also find handmade souvenirs and treats here during the high tourism summer months. 

If you need to do more grocery shopping than what’s available at the farmer’s market, there’s an outpost of a Croatian grocery store chain, Konzum, across the street, as well as a fresh fish market next door.

8. See the blue water from Glorijet maršala Marmonta

Erected in 1808, this outdoor stone gazebo-like structure was built as a tribute to the French governor of Napoleon’s Illyrian Provinces, Marshall Marmont.

It sits all the way to the west of the island, overlooking the city’s coastline.

9. Climb to the top of Kamerlengo Castle

By the time our evening walking tour ended, the sun had started to set over our day trip to Trogir from Split.

We used this opportunity to visit our last stop, the city’s fortress.

Kamerlengo Castle was built in the 15th century and was initially a fortress connected to the Croatian city’s protective Medieval walls.

Today, Kamerlengo Fortress is mostly empty, except for its observatory level.

The lookout on top of the city walls is open for visitors and the wonderful views are absolutely worth the second old stairwell climb of the day. Especially at sunset.

10. Stroll along the waterfront promenade

The boulevard in front of Kamerlengo Castle is truly the heart of modern-day Trogir.

Ample outdoor seating lines the coastline to watch the boats coast in and out of the waterways.

As we walked down the seafront promenade at sunset, the entire city was filled with life.

People are eating at outdoor terraces, families taking after-dinner strolls, and others sitting, enjoying the evening along the Croatian coast.

The perfect end to your one day in Trogir.

Things to do near Trogir

11. Relax on one of Trogir’s beaches

Even though Trogir is an island itself, the best beaches near the city are found on the mainland and nearby islands.

For example, if you’re looking for something within walking distance to the historic city center, Gradska Plaža Trogir is only a 10-minute walk away and features a great view of the city’s skyline.

Or, Okrug Gornji Beach and Medena Beach are beaches on the neighboring Čiovo Island and easily accessible by ferry from Trogir’s promenade.

I have a whole guide on the best beaches in Trogir if you’re looking for more ideas!

12. Enjoy local wine tastings at a vineyard

While you won’t find a winery within the city walls, you can find Kairos Vineyard on the hills above Trogir.

While you do need a car to reach the vineyard, the 15-minute drive is worth it.

Once you’re up there, you’ll find an incredible panoramic view of the Adriatic Sea and Trogir below and a beautiful, open-air wine bar.

Make sure to reserve a tasting of their wines in advance on their website!

How to Get to Trogir from Split

If you’re adding this trip into your 3 day Split itinerary, a day trip to Trogir from Split, Croatia is perfect, since it’s only about 30 miles away. It’s very easy to choose how to get to Trogir from Split since you have a few options!

If you’re planning to rent a car to drive from Split to Trogir, the drive is about 40 minutes.

Or, the local bus Promet Split runs the route several times a day, taking about 50 minutes.

The bus terminal is on the mainland side of the city, so to get to the historic center, you’ll need to walk over one of the small bridges that connect to the island.

Bus tickets in Trogir can be purchased at the central bus station next to the pier.

As an alternative to driving the distance, the Bura Line ferry takes you directly from the marina in Split to Trogir. 

The boat ride takes a little over an hour and makes an additional stop at an island town called Slantine before arriving at Trogir.

You can sit on top to take in the surrounding lovely views, or there’s a covered seating area on the boat as well.

Otherwise, if you’re flying in, the Split Airport is actually closer to Trogir’s city center than Split’s!

It’s only about 4 miles away from Trogir, and there are regular busses that can take you to either city from the airport.

Although you can rent a car and drive yourself, getting to Trogir from Split is really easy with different bus lines or a ferry that can take you from the center of Split straight to Trogir.

Where to Stay in Trogir

Although I highly recommend you take a day trip from Split to Trogir to maximize your time exploring this region of Croatia, the Dalmatian town does have some great places to stay overnight.

• Budget hotel – While the Guest House Tiramola (Booking | Hotels) is my recommended budget option, you’ll feel like you’re staying in a far pricier place for the quality you’ll find here. Right in the city center, close to the waterfront, the hotel offers thoughtfully designed spaces equipped with modern amenities. You can also request an airport pick-up or drop-off for an additional fee.

• Mid-range hotel – Another great option is Palace Derossi (Booking | Hotels), housed in–you guessed it–a former palace! Located just inside the city’s Porta Terrae Fermae north gate, their 15 different rooms all have a different theme, Standard, Comfort, Suite, and Royal, and they also have 1 full apartment, depending on your needs. Relax in their outdoor courtyard, or take advantage of their rooftop hot tub.

• Luxury hotel – Hence the name, XII Century Heritage Hotel (Booking | Hotels), is found in a 12th-century building right along the promenade in Trogir. The luxe hotel has breathtaking views of the water to accompany its on-site restaurant. While you can choose between their rooms or suites for your stay, all options come with a safe, black-out curtains, and free wifi.

• Resort stay – To find a luxury resort like the Brown Beach Hotel (Booking | Hotels), you must leave Trogir’s historic city center for Čiovo Island. Although it’s a 10-minute walk away, you’ll find a full experience here–from their day spa, swimming pool, and private beach to enjoy during the day to private rooms with jacuzzis, suites, and a bar and restaurant to entertain you at night.

Where to Eat in Trogir

This historic city is packed with great restaurants! Since you’re on an island on the Dalmatian coast, you’re bound to find some fantastic seafood.

Kapasanta is a great choice right in the city center, and Restoran Piccolo Ponte has a menu with a more Italian flair.

If you’re interested in a more casual option, Bubalus Burger Bar serves up phenomenal burgers right in the city center, or check out Calebotta for a beautiful blend of ancient architecture and Dalmatia cuisine.

Restaurant Riva is also a great dining experience by the water.

We decided on Pizzeria Kristian for our one day in Trogir.

The food was delicious, and the staff was very kind. It’s a popular restaurant with long wait times for a table at dinner, but we sat right down when we went for lunch.

For dessert, make sure you stop for gelato at Gelato Bar Bella, a must for any day trip to Trogir from Split.

Or, if you want to try a traditional dessert, you can find a Trogirski rafioli, a local pastry, from Đovani.

We had the opportunity to try one on our walking tour with Daniela, and they were delicious!

Trogir Travel Guide: FAQs

Trogir Guide for 1 Day: Wrap-Up

From exploring the town’s rich history and architecture to enjoying the stunning views of the Adriatic Sea, spending one day in Trogir, Croatia, can be a truly unforgettable experience.

As you wander the narrow streets and alleys, take a moment to observe the locals going about their daily lives.

Notice the way the sun filters through the trees and illuminates the buildings. Feel the cool sea breeze on your skin and listen to the sound of the waves lapping against the docked boats along the Riva.

Do you have any questions or recommendations for spending one day in Trogir? 

Lyndsay

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