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Everyone slept wonderfully Croatia’s biggest hidden gem all the time?
The travel blogosphere went into an uproar earlier this year when United confirmed that they would finally launch non-stop transatlantic flights from their hub in Newark to Split, the Adriatic country’s top coastal destination at the moment.
Split is home to the UNESCO-listed Diocletian’s Palace, a series of Roman-era fortifications that effectively serve as the historic centre, beautiful palm trees and the bar-lined Riva promenade, and a plethora of picture-postcard beaches within easy reach of the city.
Which everyone, including us here at Tfraying of the path has to some extent been overlooked, is that Split Airport not only serves the holiday center of the same name, but also one of the most historically important and beautiful cities in all of Croatia…
In fact it is an easier ride from the airport than the city of Split itself.
Is this Croatia’s best kept secret?
Trogir is an island town just 5 km from Split airport. The city of Split itself is one whole 18 miles away. We’re not sure about you, but after a terribly long 9-hour flight, we opt for the city right next door rather than being stuck in traffic on the Dalmatian coast.
Trogir is located on a small island connected by bridges to the mainland and nearby islands, and in some ways it feels like Split’s less flashy, more unusual and perhaps more beautiful cousin.
The scale is much smaller, with roughly 14,000 inhabitants, while Split has more than 160,000 inhabitants. a miniature version without the chaos of British stag parties and hammered Germans. Plus, it’s just a lot quieter in comparison.
The immaculately maintained centuries-old core houses layers of Greek, Roman and Venetian history in a maze of stone-paved alleys and ocher mansions. Although Diocletian’s Palace in Split gets a lot of attention, Trogir’s city center is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A UNESCO protected centre
The one monument you probably won’t want to miss is the Cathedral of St. Lawrence. The Romanesque ensemble is among the most beautiful in Croatia, and the best view in the city is from the belfry, which offers a 360° view of the red roofs and the Adriatic Sea surrounding the island.
The narrow alleys of the old town wind from the cathedral square to secret courtyards, small piazzo surrounded by family businessesand passageways so narrow you wonder if you can fit in, and honestly the best way to explore is to simply get lost in the labyrinth.
Speaking of dining options, make sure you stop by Konoba Trs for a taste of traditional Dalmatian cuisine, which feels like the perfect blend of Italian and Slavic. However, they are best known for their seafood and local wine, so don’t hesitate to buy the grilled fish.
If you’re flying to Europe this summer, check the Entry Requirement Checker page for the travel rules that apply at your destination.
A paradise island right on the doorstep of Trogir
On the Trogir Riva, the local answer to Split’s bustling promenade, you’ll find bobbing yachts, aesthetic cafes serving refreshments and Croatian pastries, and the city’s pride, the Kamerlengo Fortress:
Right on the water’s edge, this Venetian-era fortress offers stunning sunset views and looks as if it was lifted straight from the territory of Westeros for our time. Game of Thrones lovers.
Most visitors consider Trogir as a half-day trip from Split, while completely missing the essence of Trogir: yes, it is compact, and you would probably see the main sights in the old city in a few hours.
Howeverthe town is actually a great base for island hopping and boat trips. Maybe more than Split, like it is literal wedged between the Croatian mainland and the beautiful island of Čiovowith a continuous bridge connecting all three.
You can walk from Trogir to Čiovo in a few minutes and visit the charming harbor town on the opposite side.
One of the safest beach areas in Europe
The beautiful Okrug Gornji Beach, with clear waters and plenty of beach bars, is a leisurely 40-minute stroll along Čiovo’s Trogir-facing coastline, or a short 7-minute taxi ride away.
Built dramatically into seaside cliffs, the 16th-century Church of Our Lady of Prizidnica is one of the most dramatic sights on the island and is a 21-minute drive from Trogir.
You come to the south side of the island, further from the city quieter coves and panoramic sea views. It’s all about coastal walks and viewpoints, and if you don’t mind a beach stop, Labadusa has white pebbles, a lagoon-like turquoise sea and none of the usual Dalmatian crowds.
The best of beach hopping in Split County?
It ranks as one of the safest summer getaways across the pond, scoring a near-perfect 90/10 on the Traveler Safety Index, a score based on reports from on-site travelers and their impressions of Split and its satellite towns as a destination:
How to get to Trogir this summer?
If you arrive at Split Airport (SPU) from Newark (EWR), it is generally easier and faster to reach Trogir than to reach the center of Split:
- Airport → Trogir: about 10–15 minutes by taxi/Uber or local bus
- Airport → Split city center: about 35–45 minutes by taxi/Uber, sometimes longer with summer traffic
The airport is actually between Split and Trogir, but much closer to Trogir than the town after which it is named.
If your accommodation is in Trogir’s Old Town, this is probably the most convenient airport transfer on this stretch of the Croatian coast.
Many visitors choose to stay in Trogir for the first or last night, mainly because of the easier commute to the airport, while saving most of the sightseeing and nightlife for Split.
