Trogir Day Trip: UNESCO Old Town, Kamerlengo & Čiovo
Plan a Trogir day trip from Kaštela: the UNESCO old town, Radovan's portal, Kamerlengo fortress, the Riva and Čiovo, with bus 37, parking and timing tips.
Trogir is our closest old town and one of our favourite places on the whole coast. It sits on a tiny island between the mainland and the island of Čiovo, only about 10 kilometres from Villa Marina in Kaštel Stari, roughly 14 minutes by car. It is small enough to see in a morning, but most people end up staying for the evening, because that is when it is at its best.
Getting to Trogir from Kaštela
Trogir is easy to reach by any means:
- Bus: the local line 37 between Split and Trogir runs along the Kaštela coast road; the nearest stop is about 800 metres from the villa, around 11 minutes on foot. The ride is short and drops you near the bridge to the old town. Check the current timetable with Promet Split, as it changes between summer and winter.
- Car: about 14 minutes. The old town is car-free, so park on the mainland side near the bridge or on Čiovo. Parking is paid in summer and fills by late morning.
- Taxi: inexpensive for such a short distance and handy for the return trip after dinner.
- Bike or on foot: the road is busy in places, so we recommend the bus or car for most guests.
The UNESCO old town
Trogir has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, and it is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Central Europe. Its street plan goes back to Greek and Roman times, and the buildings add Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque layers on top. You enter over a small bridge through the North Gate and immediately find yourself in a maze of stone lanes, arches and quiet courtyards.
The heart of the town is the main square, with the cathedral on one side and the Town Loggia and clock tower on the other. The loggia was once the town's court and public meeting place. Around the square stand the palaces of Trogir's noble families, including the Cipiko family, the same family that built the castle in our own village of Kaštel Stari.
The Cathedral of St Lawrence and Radovan's portal
The Cathedral of St Lawrence is the most important building in Trogir. Its main portal, carved by Master Radovan and signed in 1240, is one of the finest works of Romanesque sculpture in Croatia. Adam and Eve stand on either side of the entrance on the backs of lions, and around them the stone is full of scenes from everyday medieval life: the months of the year, hunters, craftsmen, animals and saints. Spend a few minutes looking closely; the detail is extraordinary.
Inside, do not miss the Renaissance chapel of the Blessed John of Trogir. You can also climb the bell tower for a view over the red roofs to Čiovo and the sea. The cathedral and tower have an entrance fee, and opening hours vary with the season, so check at the entrance.
Kamerlengo fortress and the Riva
At the western end of the island stands Kamerlengo fortress, built by the Venetians in the 15th century. Climb its walls and tower for views over the harbour and the channel. In summer the courtyard is used as an open-air venue for concerts, film screenings and festivals, so it is worth checking what is on during your stay.
Between the fortress and the town gate runs the Riva, Trogir's seafront promenade, lined with palm trees, cafés and restaurants and facing the yachts moored along the channel. It is the place to sit with an ice cream or an evening drink and watch the boats. Just outside the walls is also a small outdoor market for fruit, vegetables and souvenirs.
Čiovo and making a day of it
Cross the second bridge from the Riva and you are on Čiovo, a long island with pine woods, small villages and beaches. Okrug Gornji, a few kilometres along, has a long pebble beach and plenty of bars and restaurants, while the smaller coves further on are quieter. A simple plan for a full day:
- Morning: explore the old town and the cathedral before it gets hot.
- Lunch: something light on the Riva or in a side street.
- Afternoon: swim on Čiovo or take a boat trip to the islands from the Trogir harbour.
- Evening: back to the old town for dinner and a walk as the stone cools and the lanes light up.
Because Trogir is so close, many of our guests visit more than once during their stay: a morning for sightseeing, an evening for dinner, a boat trip from the harbour. Staying at Villa Marina in Kaštel Stari means Trogir is always within easy reach, with a heated pool and a covered terrace waiting when you get home.
