This vibrant island is situated in central Dalmatia, Croatia, and is pronounced Chyoh-voh. It’s one of Croatia’s hidden gems, just a stone’s throw away from the UNESCO-listed town of Trogir. This small-town island is a hidden gem that most tourists overlook, but if you choose to give the Island of Ciovo a go, you will have the best time.
With its crystal-clear waters, secluded beaches, and lush Mediterranean landscapes, the island of Ciovo remains one of Croatia’s best-kept secrets. It offers a retreat where nature, history, and authentic coastal charm come together.
About the Island of Ciovo
Ciovo is an island linked to the mainland by bridges. It’s a little hamlet scattered over a small area of 28.8 square kilometres and home to roughly 6,000 inhabitants; it has its highest peak, Rudine, which climbs 209 meters above sea level and offers stunning panoramic vistas, too!
There’s a wellness experience you can indulge in, right? The island has a characteristic Mediterranean climate bursting with flora all over. It’s a breathtaking place to visit and super easy to get to as well. You can cross the Ciovo bridge by car from Split. The airport in Split makes the Island of Ciovo easy to visit, even if it is just for a day. So, experience the promise of true tranquillity far from the well-trodden paths on the island of Ciovo.
Where to stay on the island of Ciovo
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Don’t let your health take a backseat while on the island of Ciovo. Here are the top hotels with the best wellness experiences taking centre stage.
Hotel Brown Beach House & Spa
Hotel Brown Beach House & Spa is a premier hotel on the island of Ciovo. Your health, leisure, and comfort are among their top priorities here. Located at Put Gradine 66, this hotel boasts an incredible 4.4-star rating out of 899 Google reviews. Moreover, with its mid-century modern ambience, this trendy hotel is situated in an early twentieth-century tobacco shipping terminal.
It’s an 11-minute walk from Cathedral Sv. Lovre, a beautiful Romansesque-Gothic church. It is also 3 kilometres from Okrug Gornij Beach and 6 kilometres from Split Airport. Rooms are stylish and have complimentary Wi-Fi, flat-screen televisions, and tea and coffee-making facilities. Upgraded rooms include sea views, while suites include living spaces.
Book with Hotel Brown Beach House & Spa here with Booking.com
Hotel Trogir Palace
Hotel Trogir Palace is among the best hotels near the island of Ciovo. It is a 4-star hotel with a sparkling 4.3-star rating out of 388 Google reviews.
Located at 8 Put Gradine, this hotel is an 11-minute walk from Kamerlengo Castle and 8 minutes on foot from Trogir Cathedral in the historic old town. The minimalist rooms include minibars, free Wi-Fi, satellite TV and balconies with sea or city views. Just perfect, right?
Book with Hotel Trogir Palace here with Booking.com
Hotel Ola
This 4-star, adults-only boutique hotel will take your breath away. It is just 10 minutes by car from St. Sebastian’s Church in Trogir’s Segent Donji district, and for this reason, the hotel offers awe-inspiring ocean views. Although the hotel is not situated on the island of Ciovo, it really is close enough.
If you are sad that it is not on the island of Ciovo, however, don’t fret. Here’s something to cheer you up: this boutique hotel also has a rooftop pool! It’s 10 kilometres from Split Airport, a 25 minute walk from the Historic City of Trogir, and 2.5 kilometres from the Roan Catholic triple-naved basilica, Trogic Cathedral.
What to Do on the Island of Ciovo
For its size, you’d be surprised that there are two small islands, Drvenik Veli and Drvenik Mali adorning the main island, boasting several hidden beaches and coves. Why not try some island hopping, then? Make a day out of it to see the best of these two islands.
However, everybody knows Croatia has the best beaches. Beach bums fly from all over the world to experience the intense blue Adriatic waters, and you can indulge in peaceful beach vibes on the island of Ciovo without the crowds.
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Hiking on the Island of Ciovo
Although there are many official hiking trails in Trogir, there are also many unofficial hiking trails on the island of Ciovo. However, if you’re a hiker who needs to follow a map, there is one trail that you can follow. The hiking trail covers a distance of 17.1 kilometres! Nice and long. The island of Ciovo can be your hiker’s paradise. However, if you don’t want to hike every day, you can easily make a single day out of tackling this challenge.
There is an elevation gain of 207 metres and a loss of 194 metres. It is a one-way trail that typically takes about 3 hours to complete. With sweeping views of the beautiful Adriatic Sea, breathtaking landscapes, and ocean breezes waving its tender fingers through your hair, it’s not going to feel like work at all. However, many have noted that this trail is moderately complex, meaning it is not impossible, but you will get a slight workout. But no pain, no gain, right?
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Cycling on the Island of Ciovo
With minimal traffic and good-quality roads, the island of Ciovo is simply a magical place to explore via bike. If you are coming from Trogir, then you can rent a bike from Joke Bike & Scooter Rental, situated just a couple of hundred metres from the old town. Two short bridges connect the old town to the island of Ciovo, easily accessible by car and bike alike. After crossing the bridge, you can turn right towards Okrug Gornji or left towards Mastrinka and Slatine. The latter route commences with a few hundred metres on the main road approaching the New Ciovo Bridge, which is the least appealing section for biking.
After the roundabout in front of the new bridge, pedal uphill towards the Zedno turn-off; this may be one of the more demanding aspects of an otherwise simple route. It gets better! Once you reach Mastrinka, the road narrows and gets even less crowded on the already scenic and tranquil roads of the island of Ciovo. The main sight on this route is the Church of Our Lady of Prizidnica, located on the south-eastern side of Ciovo. Before reaching the church parking lot, you’ll pass through a pretty forest with hints of the turquoise blue waters picking through the trees. Be sure to read more about the cycling route here!
If you enjoy this article,be sure to read about diving into fun: exploring the best aqua parks in Croatia!
Good times on the Island of Ciovo
When the time eventually comes to leave the island of Ciovo, hopefully, you’ve garnered memories that will stay with you until the end of days.
Experience Croatia’s quieter side if you have a passion for tranquillity mixed with history, sightseeing, and untouched natural beauty. It truly is the island of Eden, and you’ll see why that is when you get there. (Notice I wrote when not if). In my mind, you’re already booking your accommodation. Wink wink!
