Čiovo Island – A Hidden Gem of Central Dalmatia
Beaches, sights and everything worth knowing about the island
Čiovo Island is where your perfect Croatian holiday begins. Set in the heart of central Dalmatia and joined to the historic town of Trogir by a bridge, Čiovo combines the best of both worlds: the calm and beauty of a Dalmatian island, and easy reach of Split, the airport and two UNESCO World Heritage sites. If you are looking for accommodation on Čiovo or planning a holiday in Dalmatia, this is everything you need to know about the island.
Why choose Čiovo for your holiday?
An island with no ferry
You reach Čiovo by bridge from Trogir, with no queues and no ferry timetables. All the character of an island, with the convenience of arriving by car.
Close to Split Airport
A short drive from the airport to the island, which makes Čiovo an easy choice for guests flying in.
UNESCO Trogir on the doorstep
One of the best-preserved Romanesque-Gothic towns in Europe, minutes away.
Split within easy reach
Diocletian's Palace and the largest city in Dalmatia make for a perfect day out.
More than 20 beaches and coves
From family beaches with every facility to hidden coves you reach on foot or by boat.
The most beautiful beaches on Čiovo
Čiovo is known far and wide for its crystal-clear Adriatic water and for the variety of its beaches, framed by pine woods and olive groves: pebble, sand, rock and concrete sunbathing platforms alike. The beaches closest to Villa Novak are here in Okrug Donji, a few minutes' easy walk away.
Stari Porat (Okrug Donji)
The beach closest to Villa Novak, a short walk from the door: pebbles beside a picturesque little harbour. The pebble seabed gives the water its wonderful turquoise tones, the pines provide natural shade, and there is a beach bar right on the shore. Ideal for families and for a daily swim without the car.
Put kave (Okrug Donji)
A string of pebble coves and quiet swimming spots along the promenade of the same name. Crystal-clear water, fewer crowds than the big beaches, and a pleasant seafront walk to get there.
Labadusa (Okrug Donji)
A popular beach beside the campsite, with everything on hand: bars, restaurants and entertainment for the little ones.
Duga uvala
An oasis of calm on the south-western side of the island. A secluded beach with turquoise water, coves of every kind and taverns right at the water's edge. For those who love quiet and untouched nature.
Barbara beach (Beach Bar Borkko)
A favourite swimming spot with a laid-back beach bar. Clear water, shade and a cocktail or coffee right on the shore.
Copacabana beach (Okrug Gornji)
The island's best-known and liveliest beach. A long pebble stretch with sunbeds, beach bars, restaurants and plenty for children. For anyone who loves a summer buzz.
Mavarštica
A picturesque cove of fine pebbles looking out over the central Dalmatian archipelago: Šolta, Brač and Hvar. The natural shade of the pines makes it perfect for a whole day by the sea.
Kava beach (Slatine)
On the eastern cape of the island, facing Split. Surrounded by pine forest, well away from the crowds, with a small beach bar.
The beaches of Slatine and Arbanija
Quieter pebble beaches on the northern and eastern side of the island, a favourite with families with young children.
Towns and villages on Čiovo
Several charming Mediterranean settlements share the island's 28.8 km². Okrug Gornji and Okrug Donji are the island's tourist centres, with the widest choice of beaches, restaurants and facilities. Arbanija and Slatine are quiet fishing villages made for a family holiday. Mastrinka and Čiovo sit by the bridge, closest to Trogir. And Žedno is the only village in the island's interior, surrounded by olive groves and dry-stone walls, with a breathtaking view.
History and cultural heritage
Čiovo has been inhabited since prehistory. In Roman times it served as a place of refuge, and from the 5th century onwards it drew hermits and monks. During the Ottoman incursions the island sheltered the people of Trogir. That turbulent past left a rich religious heritage:
The shrine of Our Lady of Prizidnica (1546)
A tiny church and hermitage carved into the steep cliffs above the sea on the southern side of the island. A place of unreal beauty and calm, reached by a scenic road through the pine woods.
The Dominican monastery of the Holy Cross in Arbanija (1432)
A protected cultural monument right on the shore, with a Gothic cloister and precious painted wooden ceilings.
The church of St Theodore (Tudor)
Above Okrug Gornji, one of a scattering of small stone churches across the island, linked by walking and cycling trails.
Trogir – UNESCO World Heritage next to Villa Novak
Trogir lies just beside Villa Novak: a museum town under UNESCO protection since 1997. Its Romanesque-Gothic core, on a small islet between the mainland and Čiovo, is one of the best preserved in central Europe. Wander the narrow stone lanes, take in the Cathedral of St Lawrence with Radovan's celebrated portal, climb the bell tower for the panorama, visit the Kamerlengo fortress, and end the day with a stroll and an ice cream along the lively waterfront.
Day trips from Čiovo – the perfect base for exploring Dalmatia
Thanks to its position, Čiovo is an ideal base for day trips:
Split and Diocletian's Palace (UNESCO)
Easily reached by road, or by the boat line from Slatine.
The Blue Lagoon and the island of Šolta
Popular boat excursions with swimming stops in turquoise bays.
Krka National Park
Waterfalls and lakes, an hour's drive away.
Salona
The remains of the largest Roman city on Croatian soil, near Solin.
The islands of Brač and Hvar
Reachable on boat excursions from Trogir.
Things to do on the island
Whether you prefer the beach or an active holiday, Čiovo has something for everyone: cycling the scenic tracks through olive groves and pine woods, kayaking and stand-up paddling along the indented coast, diving and snorkelling in crystal-clear water, spearfishing around the islets of Fumija and Kraljevac, walking to viewpoints and hidden coves, and the best of Dalmatian food in the village taverns, from fresh fish and dishes baked under the peka to local olive oil.
How to get to Čiovo
By plane
Split Airport (SPU) is right beside Trogir and the bridge onto Čiovo.
By car
Take the A1 motorway to the Prgomet or Dugopolje exit, then head for Trogir. The island is joined to the mainland by bridges, so no ferry is involved.
By bus
Regular lines connect Trogir with Split and the airport.
By boat
A summer boat line connects Slatine with Split and Trogir.
Frequently asked questions about Čiovo
Do you need a ferry to get to Čiovo?
No. Čiovo is joined to the mainland by a bridge at Trogir, so you can drive straight onto the island.
Which is the most beautiful beach on Čiovo?
That depends on what you are after. Closest to Villa Novak is Stari Porat in Okrug Donji, a pebble beach with turquoise water beside a picturesque harbour, with natural shade and a beach bar on the shore. The liveliest is Copacabana in Okrug Gornji, while Duga uvala and the coves along the Put kave promenade are the quiet ones.
How far is Čiovo from Split and the airport?
Split Airport is immediately next to Trogir, a short drive from the island, and central Split is reached by car or on the summer boat line from Slatine.
Is Čiovo good for a family holiday with children?
Yes. Shallow pebble beaches, quiet villages such as Slatine and Arbanija, and everything Trogir offers close by make Čiovo ideal for families.
What is there to see on Čiovo?
The shrine of Our Lady of Prizidnica, the Dominican monastery of the Holy Cross in Arbanija, the village of Žedno, and above all UNESCO Trogir next door.
Your home on Čiovo – Villa Novak
After a day on the beach or exploring Trogir, the comfortable apartments of Villa Novak are waiting for you. Secure your dates for an unforgettable holiday on Čiovo Island.