Trogir is a historic town located on the picturesque Dalmatian coast of Croatia. Trogir’s compact size makes it the perfect day trip from Split, Sibenik, or Zadar. Read on to discover the best things to do in Trogir!
Trogir is tiny in size. You can stroll the entire town in well under an hour: we walked the streets multiple times when we visited for the day, to marvel at the beautiful stone buildings over and over.
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On a day trip to Trogir, you can visit all the major sights, enjoy a couple of leisurely meals, and take lots and lots of photos.
Trogir is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Croatia and one of the easiest day trips from Split.
It is a must for your itinerary for Croatia!
What to do in Trogir
Trogir is actually an island, located just a few miles north of Split and connected to the mainland by bridges.
The historic center of Trogir has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site for its gorgeous Venetian architecture.
Like many other Croatian coastal towns, Trogir was a filming location for the Game of Thrones TV show, in which it featured as the city of Qarth. It is a beautiful town: you will fall in love with this tiny treasure, guaranteed!
Here, then, are the best things to do in Trogir, Croatia:
Wander the gorgeous streets of Trogir
The overall best thing to do in Trogir is simply to stroll the streets of the town. Take in the beautiful stone architecture, linger in the lively squares, and browse the many little shops that line the streets.
Admire the city gate, and marvel at the old city walls (only a part of the walls still survives).
While Trogir is so small you can’t get lost, you can take your time just marveling at all the beautiful little corners and gorgeous buildings in the town.
Even better, join a guided walking tour so you learn about the history of the charming town as you take in the major sights.
We always do a walking tour if we find one that works in terms of time: it is the best introduction to a place you can get, especially if your guide is good.
Admire the Cathedral of St. Lawrence
The Trogir Cathedral, the Cathedral of Saint Lawrence, is the most important building in the tiny town. And it is, quite simply put, gorgeous.
Started in the 13th century and completed only in the 17th century, the cathedral features a mix of architectural styles, including Romanesque and Gothic.
The portal entrance is beautiful, with intricate designs carved mostly by master sculptor Radovan, and two stone lions, standing guard on either side.
The upper portion of the portal depicts scenes from the life of Christ.
The interior is ornate, and contains some interesting relics and artwork in the Renaissance Chapel of Saint John.
Climb the bell tower for views
The slender bell tower of the Trogir Cathedral can be seen from everywhere in the town. It was begun in the 14th century and completed in the 16th century.
You can climb to the viewing gallery at the top of the slender bell tower for panoramic views over the town and the water.
Be warned, however, that the spiral staircase to the gallery is narrow and the top steps are steep: not for the faint of heart!
Relax for a bit in the beautiful central square
Trogir’s Central Square is a great place to sit and have a drink, take in the beautifulo architecture all around you, and people watch.
The Trogir Cathedral is on this square, but here you will also find the Trogir City Hall, and the Church of San Sebastian. The loggia used to be an open-air courthouse.
Bustling and lively, the square sometimes features musical performances, and there are cafes and bars along its periphery, with lots of outdoor seating.
Gawk at Trogir’s architectural gems
Trogir has a number of architectural gems, for a town so tiny. The Trogir Cathedral is of course the main feature, but a few other structures are noteworthy.
The gorgeous stone Clock Tower with its red domed roof stands next to the loggia in the Central Square. The loggia is beautiful as well, with its slender columns.
The Cipiko Palace in the Central square is lovely. It used to be the home of the Cipiko family in medieval times, and was built by Firentinac and Alesi, two famous architects. Alesi designed the beautiful Venetian Gothic window.
The Church and Monastery of Saint Dominic along the waterfront is another beautiful building. It was being renovated when we visited, so we could not enter.
Walk the pretty waterfront promenade of Trogir
One of the most pleasant things to do in Trogir is to stroll its waterfront promenade. You can watch the boats, and enjoy the sight of the imposing fort at the end of the walkway.
The views across the water to the other side are beautiful. There are lots of cafes with outside seating if you want to sit and enjoy the views and the sea breeze.
With palm trees, boats at the harbor, and not too many people, the Trogir promenade stroll is picturesque and offers lots of great photo ops!
Climb the walls of the Kamerlengo Fort
You can climb up to the top of the walls of the Kamerlengo Fort for lovely views, although the climb is not easy in parts: you have to climb up ladders to get to the top of the tower.
The 15th century castle-fortress is a stolid looking building at the end of the waterfront promenade in Trogir. The inside is bare, but you can sense the history of the place as you walk around.
Watch the short movie that recounts the history of Kamerlengo, and then climb the walls to enjoy the views.
Sample the local sweet treat
If you like almonds, you cannot leave Trogir without sampling the local dessert! Called Trogirski rafioli, the dessert consists of a filling of sweetened almonds in a casing of dough pastry.
The story goes that a girl from the Rafioli family was captured and held captive in the Kamerlengo Tower. To pass time, she starting making the sweet raviolis.
Eventually she was rescued by a knight and lived happily ever after, continuing to make the raviolis for her knight in gratitude.
Traditionally the recipe is made with pork fat, so if you are a vegetarian or vegan, inquire to make sure the version you are planning to try is made with vegetable shortening.
We had the sweet treat at Dovani Restaurant in Trogir. They also have delicious gelato!
Walk the beach at Okrug Gornji…
The Okrug Gornji Beach is about a 30-minute walk from the Trogir town center, but you can take a water taxi in season, or drive there as well.
Located on the island of Ciovo (connected to the mainland by a bridge), the beach is pebbly, as most Croatian beaches are, but it is along beautiful beach.
You can swim or snorkel, jet ski, go parasailing or windsurfing, or ride a water bike. The beach is nicknamed “Copacabana” because of the many bars and restaurants and lively night life.
…Or visit another nearby beach
The Trogir area is known for its many beautiful beaches, so you are sure to find one you like!
Visit Pantan Beach, located less than a mile from the center of Trogir at the mouth of the Pantan River. The beach is edged with pine trees, and a beach bar offers refreshments right on the beach.
Or visit Medena Beach, about 2.5 miles from the town. Medena Beach is another popular beach with lots of activities like beach volleyball and a variety of water sports.
Getting to Trogir
Trogir is located on the Dalmatian coast, just under 19 miles north of Split. You can visit Trogir for the day from Split, or stop for a few hours on a Croatian coast road trip.
If you have a car, you can drive to Trogir. Driving distances and times from other cities along the coast are as follows:
Split — 19 miles, about 30 minutes
Sibenik — 31 miles, about 50 minutes
Zadar — 80.5 miles, about 1 hour and 30 minutes
Looking to rent a car for your Croatia trip? Discover Cars offers you the ability to compare availability and prices across many major car-hire companies. Pick the car that best meets your needs!
If you wish to visit Trogir by public transport, you can take a bus from Split, which takes about 40 minutes. Buses also connect Trogir with Sibenik and Zadar in the north. The bus station is just a short walk from the gate to the old town.
In season, you can take a ferry to Trogir from other places along the Dalmatian coast, such as Split. The ferry ride from Split to Trogir takes about one hour.
A guided tour from Split is a convenient way to visit Trogir if you do not have a car. This highly-rated half day small group tour allows you to learn about the history and tour the town in an efficient way.
Getting Around in Trogir
You can walk everywhere in Trogir: the old town is very compact. If you want to visit a beach nearby, you can drive, or take the bus.
Where to Stay in Trogir
You can easily see all the sights in Trogir in a few hours, but if you wish to spend longer, to soak in Trogir’s atmospheric charm, or to enjoy the beaches nearby, that’s certainly an option!
Hotel Brown Beach House & Spa is a boutique property located close to major sights in the old town. The hotel features spacious rooms with contemporary furnishings, and a lovely pool.
Book a stay here
If you prefer an apartment, check out Limestone Heritage House, where you can rent a studio or a 2-bedroom apartment. The property is a 10-minute walk from the beach and close to the historic core. Breakfast is offered, as well as air-conditioning and free wifi.
Book a stay here
The Best Time to Visit Trogir
The shoulder season months of May and September are ideal for a visit to Trogir. You’ll encounter fewer crowds and nice weather for the most part. Even late April or early October would be nice.
You will have lovely weather in the summer months, but expect the Croatian coastal towns and beaches to be crowded in summer.
In the off season, you will likely to be able to wander the beautiful streets of Trogir with no crowds at all, but expect some (or even most) services to be closed.
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So there you have it: the ultimate guide to the best things to do in Trogir, Croatia! If you have not yet visited this Croatian coastal gem, I hope I have inspired you to consider adding it to your itinerary for Croatia!
And if you are planning a trip to Croatia, read also about the best things to do in one day in Zagreb, the beautiful capital of Croatia, as well as suggestions for some fabulous day trips from Zagreb to add to your trip!
More Information for Your Croatia Trip
Zagreb: One Day in Zagreb Itinerary
Dubrovnik: Two Days in Dubrovnik Itinerary
Krka National Park: The Complete Guide to Krka National Park
Split: The Best Things to Do in Split, Croatia
Day Trips: The Best Day Trips from Zagreb
National Parks: What to See and Do in Croatia’s 8 National Parks
Zadar: The Best Things to Do in Zadar
Day Trips: The Best Day Trips from Zadar
Croatian Coast: The Best Coastal Towns in Croatia You Must Visit
Rovinj: The Best Things to Do in Rovinj, Croatia!
Varazdin: Visiting Varazdin, Croatia
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Trogir is really a gem.
It’s a town where I stayed more than in other towns of Croatia – 7 nights in 3 trips.
It is indeed a gem! I am glad you got to enjoy it at night and early in the day, that’s a totally different experience than visiting for the day.