Has everyone been blissfully sleeping on Croatia’s top hidden gem all along?
The travel blogosphere went into a frenzy earlier this year when United confirmed they’d be finally launching nonstop Transatlantic flights from their Newark hub to Split, the top coastal destination in the Adriatic nation right now.
Split is home to the UNESCO-protected Diocletian’s Palace, a Roman-era set of fortifications that effectively doubles as a Historic Center, beautiful palm tree and bar-backed Riva promenade, and plethora of postcard beaches within easy reach of town.
What everyone, including us here at Travel Off Path to a certain degree, has overlooked all along is that Split Airport serves not only the namesake holiday hub, but one of the most historically-significant, and beautiful towns in all of Croatia…
In fact, it’s an easier drive from the airport than the city of Split itself.
Is This Croatia’s Best Kept Secret?
Trogir is an island-city a mere 3 miles from Split Airport. The city of Split itself is a whole 18 miles away. We’re not sure about you, but after a dreadful long 9 hour flight, we’re picking the town right next door instead of getting stuck in that Dalmatian Coast traffic.
Trogir sits on a tiny island connected by bridges to the mainland and nearby islands, and in a way, it feels like its Split’s less-flashy, more offbeat, arguably-prettier cousin.
It’s much smaller in scale, with roughly 14,000 residents, while Split is home to over 160,000, and it looks like a miniature version without the chaos of Brit stag do parties and hammered Germans. Plus, it’s just a lot quieter in comparison.
It’s perfectly-maintained ancient core packs layers of Greek, Roman, and Venetian history in a maze of stone-paved alleys and ocher-colored townhouses, and though Diocletian’s Palace over in Split gets all the buzz, Trogir’s town center is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A UNESCO-Protected Center
The one landmark you probably don’t want to miss is the Cathedral of St. Lawrence. The Romanesque ensemble is among Croatia’s most beautiful, and the best views in town are from up the belfry, which offers 360° views of the red roofs and the Adriatic surrounding the island.
The Old Town’s narrow alleys snake out of the cathedral square into secretive courtyards, tiny piazzette ringed by family-owned restaurants, and passages so narrow you wonder whether you’ll even fit, and quite honestly, the best way to explore it is simply getting lost in its labyrinth.
Speaking of eateries, make sure you stop by Konoba Trs for a taste of traditional Dalmatian cuisine, which feels like the perfect blend of Italian and Slavic. They’re particularly known for their seafood and locally-sourced wine, though, so don’t hesitate on getting the grilled fish.
If you’re flying to Europe this summer, make sure you check the travel rules that apply at your destination on the Entry Requirement Checker page.
A Paradisiacal Island Right On Trogir’s Doorstop
On the Trogir Riva, the local response to Split’s own bustling promenade, you’ll find bobbing yachts, aesthetic cafés dishing out refreshers and Croatian pastries, and the town’s pride and joy, Kamerlengo Fortress:
This Venetian-era fortress right on the waterfront offers excellent sunset views, and it looks like it’s been lifted straight out of Westeros territory for our Game of Thrones aficionados.
Most visitors treat Trogir as a half-day trip from Split, while entirely missing the point of Trogir altogether: yes, it’s compact, and you could probably see the main landmarks in the Old Town in a few hours.
However, the town is actually a great base for island-hopping and boat trips. Perhaps more so than Split, as it is literally wedged between the Croatian mainland and the beautiful island of Čiovo, with a continuous bridge connecting all three.
You can walk from Trogir to Čiovo in minutes, and visit the charming harbor town opposite.
One Of The Safest Beach Zones In Europe
The beautiful Okrug Gornji Beach, with clear waters and plenty of beach bars, is a 40-minute leisurely stroll along Čiovo’s Trogir-facing coastline, or a short 7-minute taxi ride away.
Dramatically built into seaside cliffs, the 16th-century Church of Our Lady of Prizidnica is one of the most dramatic sights on the island, and a 21-minute drive from Trogir.
Over on the southern side of the island, farther from the city, you get quieter coves and panoramic sea views. It’s all about coastal walks and viewpoints, and if you wouldn’t mind a little beach stop, Labadusa has white pebbles, lagoon-like turquoise seas, and none of the usual Dalmatian crowds.
The best part about beach-hopping in the Split province?
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 off of reports from travelers on the ground, and their impressions of Split and its satellite towns as a destination:
How To Get To Trogir This Summer
If you’re arriving at Split Airport (SPU) from Newark (EWR), it’s generally easier and quicker to get to Trogir than it is to reach central 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 the summer traffic
The airport is actually located between Split and Trogir, but much closer to Trogir than the city it is named after.
If your accommodation is in Trogir Old Town, it’s probably the most convenient airport transfer on this stretch of the Croatian coast.
A lot of visitors choose to stay in Trogir for their first or last night specifically because of the easier airport commute, while saving the bulk of the sightseeing and nightlife action for Split.
Stacie Harris is a local resident and reporter of the Maple Grove area. Stacie reports on medicine and science for the Maple Grove Report.
