Split Cruise Port to Trogir: UNESCO Journey Through Time

Want to travel from Split Cruise Port to Trogir on a day trip when your ship is docked at Split cruise port? Trogir is a UNESCO World Heritage gem, with captivating medieval architecture and idyllic waterfront setting. It’s a very popular half-day excursion from Split, as it’s only about 30 minutes away from Split.

In this guide, I’ll give you all the DIY transport options to get from Split to Trogir easily. They all leave from close by Split Cruise Port, so it’s a straightforward DIY excursion. Once you get there, I’ll also have a list of things to see & do in Trogir.

This is Part 2 of my Split Cruise Port series. Check out my other guides before deciding what you’d like to do in Split Cruise Port:

• Part 1: Split Croatia Cruise Port Guide: Roman Ruins to Beach Bliss
• Part 3: Split to Krka National Park: DIY Guide to Krka Waterfalls

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Split Cruise Port to Trogir: Is a DIY Shore Excursion Easy? 😎😎😎😎 Straightforward

A DIY excursion from Split Cruise Port to Trogir is 😎😎😎😎 straightforward. Here’s why:

• Multiple DIY Transport Options: Given how popular this (typically half-day) excursion is, you have many options to get from Split Cruise Port to Trogir – by coach, ferry or bus service. The non-stop coach service will get you there in as little as 30 minutes.
• Walkable Trogir: Trogir itself is compact and very walkable. You can walk (non-stop) from one end of Trogir to the other in under 15 minutes.
• Outdoor Areas: There’s lovely outdoor park areas and a waterfront promenade that you can walk through to enjoy the sunshine. There isn’t a beach in Trogir itself but there is one, across the bridge, about 10 minutes walk away.

Given how close Trogir is, it is possible to split your port day between Split and Trogir, so you can see both Split Old Town and Trogir. But you do need to do a bit of itinerary planning and work out your logistics in advance – that’s why I have all your transport options listed below!

Where is Trogir? Why Is It Worth Seeing?

Trogir, often referred to as “Little Venice“, is about 27 km (~17 miles) west of Split. It’s in fact a small island connected to the mainland by bridges. It has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1997, as an exceptional example of urban continuity. The town’s layout and structures trace a remarkable journey through history, from its Ancient Greek origins to its flourishing under Venetian rule.

This element of urban continuity was something I definitely felt on my visit. Centuries old building and alleyways have been well adapted for modern use.

Split Cruise Port Essentials: All You Need To Know

• Currency: Euro
  • Croatian Kuna no longer accepted: Croatia changed its currency from the Croatia Kuna to Euros from Jan 2023. The Croatia Kuna is no longer accepted as legal tender.
• Language: Croatian – as Croatians rely heavily in tourism, you’ll find that almost everyone working in tourism related businesses will speak English with you.
• Official Tourism Website: Visit Trogir and Visit Split are the official tourism boards.
• Recommended Transport App: I used Google Maps for both Split and Trogir and it worked well for me.
• Trogir Virtual Tour: Can’t decide whether to visit Trogir, then check out the Trogir360 tour online!

Split Cruise Port to Split Ferry Terminal & Split Coach Station

Below, I’ll share details on all your transport options from Split to Trogir. But first, you’ll need to know how to get from Split Cruise Port to Split Ferry Terminal and Split Coach Station for your transfer!

• Split Coach Station: Split’s Coach station is conveniently located about 5 minutes away from Split Cruise Port. I’ve marked it in my Split Cruise Port map below 🗺️📍👇. Once you exit the port gates, head towards the docked ferries. The coach station is opposite the road from the ferry terminal, before you get to Split’s Old Town
• Split Ferry Terminal: Split’s ferry terminal is next door to Split cruise port! So once you exit the port gates, you’ll start to see the ferries docked at the piers.

How to Get from Split Cruise Port to Trogir: Your Transport Options

There’s a few options to get from Split to Trogir easily, with some faster than others! Here’s your DIY transport options:

1. Split Cruise Port to Trogir by Express Coach

The non-stop express coach from Split Bus Station, about 5 minutes walk from Split Cruise Port, is the fastest way to get from Split to Trogir. But there’s a catch. During summer months, you’ll need to pre-book as the coaches regularly get booked out.

I arrived in Split in August 2024 without having booked my ticket to Trogir. And of course, all coaches are booked out! This may surprise you but Split has seen a huge increase in tourists post pandemic, so coach and ferry services get very busy during summer months. Be smarter than me and pre-book if you’d like to go to Trogir!

• Coach Companies: The two coach companies running direct non-stop services from Split to Trogir (and return as well) are Arriva Croatia and Flixbus.
• Departure Point: Split Bus Station, about 5 minutes from Split Cruise Port – see this marked on my Split Cruise Port Map above. Split bus station is on the opposite side of the road from Split Ferry Terminal.
• Journey Time: 30 minutes
• Get Off: Trogir Bus Station – from there, it’s about 2 minutes walk into Trogir (across the bridge) and Trogir’s Old Town starts immediately from there.
• Tickets: Both companies operate dynamic pricing. The busier the coach, the higher the price. But I’ve seen prices as low as €4-€6 one way. Both companies allow one-way tickets, so you don’t need to buy a return from the same coach company. Just book whatever departure times work best for your itinerary.

2. Split Cruise Port to Trogir by Ferry

This non-stop ferry route from Split to Trogir, operated by Bura Line, from Split Ferry Terminal, only operates during the summer season. It’s the scenic option and takes a little longer than the coach service. I think this is a good back-up option, in case the coaches are booked out. As the Split Ferry Terminal is next to the Split Cruise Port, you don’t have to walk very far to hop onto the ferry.

Once you get off the ferry terminal in Trogir, you’re a few minutes walk across the bridge from Trogir itself.

• Ferry Company: The Split to Trogir ferry is run by Bura Line – www.buraline.com – NOT an affiliate link
• Departure Point: Normally the pier closest to Split’s Old Town. Check on Bura Line’s website as it’s subject to change. I’ve marked this on
• Journey Time: Around an hour one-way
• Tickets: €8 adults, €4 kids. I do recommend booking online as I’m not sure Bura Line has a booth or ticket office at Split Ferry Terminal. (I tried to find it and couldn’t!)

P.S. Bura Line also runs full day sightseeing tours but I found these tours to be far too long for cruisers. If your ship is at Split for over 12 hours, you may also want to check these out.

3. Split Cruise Port to Trogir by Small Group Tour & Transfer

This small group tour starts at Diocletian’s Palace at around noon and ideal if you’re planning a full port day at Split Cruise Port. You can spend your morning exploring Split’s Old Town and then join the group tour to Trogir and be back in Split by late afternoon.

4. Split Cruise Port to Trogir by Public Bus

This is the least convenient option because the departure point is not close to Split Cruise Port as the other options. But it’s a good back-up way to get from Split to Trogir (and back to Split!) At least you know there is a regular bus service in case you missed your coach or ferry transfer back to Split! I had to take this option because I didn’t pre-book my coach or ferry tickets!

• Bus Route: #37 leaves every 30 minutes. For timetables, click here.
• Departure Point: Leaves from “AUTOBUSNI TERMINAL SUKOIŠAN”, approximately 10 minutes walk from Split Old Town. See this marked on my Split Cruise Port Map above 🗺️📍👆.
• Journey Time: About an hour – this takes much longer than the express bus option, as it’s the “all-stops” service for locals.
• Get Off at Last Stop: Last stop on this route is the Trogir Bus Station – the same bus station as the coach service’s drop off point.
• Tickets:
  • Tisak Newstand: Buy a 4-zone ticket for €2 one-way. I would buy the return ticket as well to save time.
  • Promet App: Official Promet app also sells tickets. Download both Android & iOS versions from your usual app stores.
  • Pay Driver (Cash or Contactless): Split buses now take contactless payments onboard! (It worked in August 2024.) You have to let the driver know where you’re going first, due to different fare zones, before tapping your card to pay via contactless. This option is more expensive. Split to Trogir is a 4-zone ticket at €4 one-way. Kids’ fare is €1.
• Validate your ticket: Be sure to validate your ticket when you board the bus! I was on this bus and two different ticket inspectors boarded the bus on different parts of the journey to check tickets. And a third ticket inspector checked my bus ticket on the return journey back to Split.

Trogir DIY Shore Excursion Map

• On Desktop | Laptop? Use buttons on bottom left to zoom in/out. Click on the upper right hand corner to see a bigger version.
• On Tablet | Mobile? Pinch your screen to zoom in/out and use two fingers to move map around. If you have Google Maps installed on your tablet/mobile, my map will open in your Google Maps app if you click on the upper right hand corner.
• If map is not loading correctly, click here to see it directly on Google Maps

Trogir: Top Things To Do & See

Trogir is compact! You can walk from one-end of Trogir to the other in under 15 minutes, so all of the following are within walking distance of each other. Or you can just wander around aimlessly (like I did) and you’ll eventually see them all!

1. Kamerlengo Fortress

Standing at the edge of Trogir’s harbour, the Kamerlengo Fortress is an imposing 15th century stronghold built by the Venetians to protect Trogir from invaders and to solidify their control over this vital Adriatic port. The fortress, even today, is a fine example of military architecture, with sturdy walls, crenellated towers and a wide moat that once deterred unwanted visitors.

You can climb to the top of the fortress for panoramic views of Trogir’s red rooftops, the sparkling harbour and the surrounding islands.

• Opening Hours: Daily 9am to 10pm from June to August, daily 9am to 8pm during May & September. Daily 10am to 6pm during winter months.
• Tickets: €5 adults, €2.50 students & kids aged 7-18. Free for kids under 7.

2. Cathedral of St. Lawrence

Dominating Trogir’s main square, The Cathedral of St. Lawrence is most famous for its magnificent western portal – a masterpiece of Romanesque sculpture created by Master Radovan in the 13th century. The Cathedral itself has been built over several centuries, resulting in a fascinating blend of Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance styles.

The bell tower is similarly built in stages and you can see the transition of architectural styles too. You can climb to the tower for some great views of Trogir.

• Opening Hours: 8am to 8pm Monday to Saturday, 12 noon to 6pm on Sunday
• Tickets: €5 entrance fee, including entrance to the Cathedral Treasury & Bell Tower. Note the climb up to the bell tower is via small spiral staircase!

After visiting the Cathedral, drop by the City Hall building next door – see photo above 👆. It’s the official tourism information office but you can take a look at the lovely building including the courtyard 👇

3. City Loggia

Opposite the Cathedral of St. Lawrence is the City Loggia. The Loggia, an open-sided structure supported by columns, was originally built in the 13th century. The Loggia was once used to host public gatherings, court sessions and even executions! Look for the judge’s table and the 14th century relief portraying justice on the north well.

Now this is a great place to take a break from sightseeing and people-watch. And there’s also free WiFi! (I’m sure that this is not the only spot where you can get the official free WiFi. But it’s in the shade and have benches to sit on.)

4. City Museum

Housed in the elegant Garagnin-Fanfogna Palace, the City Museum has a wide range of artefacts and artworks, including archaeological finds, medieval sculptures, Renaissance paintings, antique furniture and historical documents. It also had a Salvator Dali exhibition when I visited in August 2024.

• Opening Hours: Daily 10am to 1pm, 6pm to 9pm during July & August. 10am to 1pm, 5pm – 8pm Monday to Saturday during June and September. Winter hours are 10am to 2pm.
• Tickets: €4 adults, €2 kids. (Note the Dali exhibition will run through till Sept 2024 and requires a separate ticket).

5. Cipiko Palace

The Cipiko Palace is often mentioned as an excellent example of Venetian Gothic and Renaissance architecture that’s typical of the golden age of Trogir. The palace’s facade is adorned with a series of remarkable reliefs, including allegorical figures representing virtues and vices. I don’t think that the Palace is open to the public anymore but you can admire the architecture outside. Just look for the statute.

6. Church & Monastery of St Dominic

The monastery in Trogir, established in 1265, gained its current form in the early 15th century thanks to the support of a Venetian prince. Despite enduring damage during World War II, it was meticulously restored, showcasing valuable paintings, altarpieces, and liturgical objects. (Unfortunately, I don’t have much more information about this, as it was closed when I visited!)

7. Walk along Waterfront Promenade

Strolling along Trogir’s waterfront promenade is a delightful way to wrap up your visit to Trogir! There’s loads of cafes and restaurants if you’d like to take a break, so just grab at benches or steps and enjoy the Mediterranean sunshine.

Return to Split Cruise Port: Departure Points

If you’ve come by coach or bus, the return trip starts at where you got dropped off, at the Trogir Bus Station. If you arrived by ferry, the return trip also starts at the Buraline ferry pier where you were dropped off.

Featured Image by neufal54 from Pixabay

I hope this guide has helped you plan your DIY shore excursion from Split to Trogir! This is one of the really popular half-day excursions and easily combinable with half day sightseeing at Split’s Old Town. If this option interests you, don’t forget to read my DIY shore excursion at Split! Please drop me a comment below if you have any questions. Happy cruising as always!

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