Things to Do In Trogir: Beaches, Walks & Sights of Old Town
There are many things to do in Trogir, Croatia, including visiting various historic sites in the old town. It is also good for beach activities, and there are some good hiking trails nearby. We were never bored on our two-week visit and found lots to keep us entertained.
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The pretty old-town area and waterfront ensured we were never far from eye-catching sights. You can also find tours and excursions on the GetYourGuide and Viator websites, including boat tours to nearby islands and the Blue Lagoon.
Things to Do In Trogir
These are the various sights and fun activities we enjoyed while visiting Trogir.
Explore The Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
A must-see attraction is the old town of Trogir, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The old town is on a small island connected to the mainland by a small bridge. This has many fascinating features, including fortifications, churches and town squares.
There are lots of narrow walkways to explore, with all the architectural details, shops, and cafes.
If short on time, a guided tour is a good option to see the key places of interest. We were in the city for two weeks, so we thoroughly explored the area.
Cathedral of St Lawrence
The Cathedral of St Lawrence is a highlight of the old town, and its entrance is at Trogir Trg. This is a Romanesque-and-Gothic three-nave Roman Catholic cathedral. The cathedral was built on the site of an early Christian church between the 13th and 17th centuries. Most of this was completed in the 13th century.
The cathedral is lovely to see from various parts of the old town or from viewpoints across the water.
I really liked the décor inside; highlights were the altar, pulpit, treasury museum and the Chapel of St John Orsini.
The Chapel of St John Orsini has many decorative features and is considered one of the key Renaissance works of art in Europe. Details include statues of the twelve Apostles.
There is a small entrance fee; you need to purchase tickets at the museum on the opposite side of the square. You can also get a separate ticket to the baptistry or climb the cathedral’s bell tower for views of the city from above.
Trogir Promenade
As the old town of Trogir is on a small island, the promenade, or waterfront, is scenic. The main section has many refreshment options and some impressive boats. Along the waterfront are many places to sit, including in the shade of palm trees.
The walls of the old town are also visible here, with a few churches for good measure. At the end of the waterfront is the impressive Kamerlengo Castle. The promenade has some bars and restaurants with sea views.
Kamerlengo Castle
Kamerlengo Castle is one of the city’s iconic sights and is on the seafront. This was built by the Venetians when they took over the town in the 15th century. Before the castle, the site was just a tower.
This is great for a look around the outside at any time of the day. Unfortunately, the inside was closed during our spring visit.
St Mark’s Tower
Also on the old town island is St Mark’s Tower. This is on the waterfront in one of the quieter sections of the path around the island. This was also closed to visitors in March but opens during the tourist season.
This tower was built by the Venetians in 1470 and was part of the city walls; today it stands alone. It is circular, has 2 floors, and the walls are three metres thick.
Trogir Trg
One of the nicest parts of the UNESCO-listed old town area is Trogir Trg, where you can have a drink at one of the cafes overlooking the sights.
Key features of the town square include the cathedral, the city loggia, the Chapel of St Sebastian and the town hall.
Chapel of St Sebastian
The Chapel of St Sebastian is one of the eye-catching features of the main town square. It is a nice chapel with decorative features, including a sculpture of St Sebastian and an iconic Renaissance clock tower. The Chapel of St Sebastian was built in 1476 as a thanks for deliverance from the plague. Inside is a memorial to those who died in the Homeland War that took place between 1991 and 1995.
City Loggia
Also in Trogir Trg is the city loggia, an open-sided structure with some interesting décor. This has columns and sculptures. Built in the 1400s, it served as a men’s courthouse; people used to gather in the square to watch trials.
Trogir City Museum in The Garagnin-Fanfogna Palace
I really enjoyed visiting Trogir City Museum, housed in the Garagnin-Fanfogna Palace near the North Gate. The palace dates from the 1700s and incorporates Renaissance and Baroque design elements. The courtyard leading to the museum’s sections is nice, particularly the architecture and artefacts.
The lapidarium had stone artefacts from many eras of the city’s history, including Roman and Venetian exhibits. There were also exhibits about various aspects of the city’s history. This included coins, art and ethnographic exhibits.
North Gate
The North Gate, also known as Sjeverna gradska vrata, is a historic feature you pass by when entering the old town from the mainland. This was once part of the city walls, which were built in the 15th century. It has a statue of Blessed John of Trogir, the city’s patron saint, over the arch. There are various other gates of the old town walls; my favourites are on the south side of the centre.
Great Cipiko Palace
The Great Cipiko Palace is a stunning ensemble of Venetian buildings near the cathedral, dating from the 13th century. They were developed in the 15th century by renowned artists, incorporating elements of Gothic and Renaissance design.
Unfortunately, the interior is not open to visitors, but the exterior is beautiful, including the doorways, windows, and balconies. The main entrance was open when I visited, and the hallway was nice too.
Ciovo Island Walks & Viewpoint
Ciovo Island is a short bridge away from the old town and is an excellent place for a walk. It gets a bit steep at the start, but the trails at the top can take you to other parts of the island. It’s a lovely area with views of the sea and beautiful countryside.
A short walk from the centre is the viewpoint where you can admire Trogir from above. From there, hiking trails lead to the villages and resorts of the island. You can find these on Komoot, which I found accurate in the area.
Markets
As a food fanatic, I love visiting markets wherever we travel, and Trogir was no exception. The markets here are on the mainland, near the bridge to the island; these include the green market and Ribarnica for seafood. These sold lots of local produce, which is ideal for self-catering holidays. They also sold local olive oils, wines and truffles, which are ideal to take home. There were also stalls selling souvenirs at the outdoor market.
Saldun Beach
We found quite a few beaches on the way to Ciovo Island, and Saldun Beach was one of the closest. It’s a steep walk uphill and then the same downhill. This is a rocky beach with benches and some handy steps to get into the sea. On our spring visit, we were the only ones there, and it is apparently one of the quieter beaches in the summer compared to those near the resorts.
Okrug Gornji Beaches & Seafront
If you’re after beaches and beach bars, then Okrug Gornji is a great place to head from the city. Okrug Gornji is about 30 minutes away on foot, or you could catch a bus. There are long shingle beaches and lots of places to swim.
It’s quite a tourist-friendly stretch of the coast, with lots of bars and fast-food joints. I had lunch out here just off the seafront, and it was special. You can also hire equipment for watersports and a marina to have a mooch around.
Boat Trips & Hire
Throughout the town, there were many adverts for boat trips and boat hire companies, and it seemed a hotbed for those wanting to enjoy the Adriatic Sea. There were lots of boats moored up, ready for excursions, cruises and even fishing trips. Boat rental was a big part of those parked up too, using companies like Charter Trogir.
Also, Bura Line, a ferry company, runs a service between Trogir and Split, a city down the coast with excellent attractions. Jadrolinija also operates a ferry terminal with regular services to the nearby islands of Drvenik Mali and Drvenik Veli.
If you wanted something organised, the GetYourGuide website has lots of options. Or you could do as I did and explore the marinas, seeing all the types of boats and the comings and goings that happen in ports.
Marinova Draga Beach
Marinova Draga Beach is a bit closer to the town centre than the long Okrug beaches. The Marinova Draga Beach is sandy gravel and is a nice place to hang out or have a paddle in the sea. Rock shoes or flip-flops are advised for paddling here, but the water is excellent and clear. The beach has regular buses to the centre and also a night ferry service.
Mainland Coast Path & Gradska Plaža Trogir
A path we regularly took walks on was on the mainland towards Gradska Plaža Trogir, a beach with views of the Old Town Island. The promenade along the coast here is picturesque with excellent views of the two islands. Gradska Plaža Trogir is a sand-and-pebble beach, a short, flat walk from the centre.
Plaža Rožac
Plaža Rožac is a big beach near the Rožac Campsite and a beautiful place for a walk or fun in the sea. The beach is a gravelly, sandy-type place with rocks, so water shoes are advised. It is quite expansive, so there is plenty of space. If you like shade, there are lots of trees towards the campsite. The beach also has shops and places for refreshments.