Trogir Old Town

Why Trogir Old Town is special
It's one of the three most historic and seductive old towns along the Dalmatian Coast (the others are Dubrovnik and Hvar).

Top 3 Trogir Old Town attractions
Overall setting
Trogir Old Town is a jewel. It snugly sits on a petite island wedged between the Croatian coast and Ciovo Island. Most of the monumental structures - castles, churches, and more - date back over 500 years. The grand main square, the narrow cobblestone alleys, the sea of reddish-orange tiled roofs, and the yacht-lined harbor add to the appeal.

St Lawrence Cathedral
The highlight is Radovan's wonderfully sculpted west portal. The bell tower that dominates the skyline is also laudable.

Castle and city walls
Their bold profiles take us back to medieval times when Trogir was a prosperous and influential Mediterranean trading port.

Trogir tips and insights
How to pronounce
Tragir = troh-geer

Day trip
Some vacationers visit Split (27 kilometers or 17 miles away) to see its famous Diocletian Palace, which is also a Hillman Wonder. You can get there in under 30 minutes by road.

Yacht cruises
Trogir has a small fleet of independent sailing yachts that offer multiple-day, live-aboard cruises to other Dalmatian Coast islands. You explore small fishing villages and swim in secluded beach coves.

Pedestrian friendly
The site is tailor made for exploring on foot. The islet is compact (you can leisurely walk its length in 15 minutes). And vehicular traffic is minimal (only local cars and trucks with special permits can enter the tourism areas).

History in brief
The ancient Greeks founded the port town in the 3rd Century BC. Later, it was ruled by the Romans, Venetians, Hapsburgs, among other foreign powers. It became a part of Croatia when Yugoslavia broke up in 1991.

Architecture
The monumental buildings parade a variety of architectural styles - especially Romanesque, Baroque and Renaissance.

Comparison with Dubrovnik Old Town
Seasoned travelers enjoy comparing the two tourist destinations. Overall, here's how they stack up:

• Trogir Old Town has a quieter, more relaxful feel.
  
• It's less touristy. Though it can get busy at times, you won't experience swarms of visitors.
  
• It's less expensive - in both dining and accommodations.
  
• Trogir lacks the good restaurants and outdoor cafes of Dubrovnik.
  
• Ditto for nightlife.
  
• Dubrovnik is a world famous tourist destination, Trogir isn't (though it deserves to be).

See my Dubrovnik web page for my overall tips and insights on that destination.

Location in Croatia