Discover all reasons that makes Ciovo island Trogir Riviera jewel and an excellent choice for your summer holidays.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Even though this website includes only four Split County islands, Ciovo should be the fifth, despite many considers it a peninsula.
This island considers being a peninsula since two bridges connect it with Trogir town, the Riviera capital.
The old vehicle bridge has long been the island's most significant problem, but in 2018 the new drawbridge was constructed, making the island's connection faster and safer.
The island covers 28.8 square kilometers with 6000 inhabitants, with the highest peak Rudine (209 m).
The island enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate, rich vegetation, archipelago of two small picturesque islands (Drvenik Veli and Mali), with countless hidden bays and beaches.
You can see that there is only a narrow canal between Ciovo island and Trogir town that separates it from the mainland.
The largest places on the island are Okrug Gornji, Okrug Donji, Arbanija, and Slatina.
What makes Ciovo island so attractive?
Several reasons make this island an excellent choice for your summer getaway.
It's the nearest island or peninsula to Split Airport, distant less than 6 miles. Once on the island, you can find excellent boat connections from Trogir or Slatina village to Split town.
If you prefer to take a bus to visit Split, there is a regular public bus connection N° 38 to Split town.
From Ciovo island, you can easily reach some of fascinating Croatia's landscapes, Krka and Plitvice National Parks. Krka National Park is only 39 miles from Ciovo, while you can get to Plitvice Lakes in a 3-hour drive or taking one of many guided tours.
Ciovo island beaches
The island of Ciovo, including two small islands, Drvenik Veli (Big) and Mali (Small), offers many beaches, from sandy, pebble, or rocky, a few family ones to several secluded beaches.
Near Okrug Gornji (Upper) village, there is the most popular beach on Trogir Riviera. It is 5km from Trogir center, easily reachable by the road that follows Ciovo Island's south side, to Okrug Gornji.
Two kilometers long gravel beach is also called “Trogir Copacabana” because of its beauty and popularity. The vast number of beach bars and few restaurants keeps this place alive through the night.
There is a water-sport center “MAX” with a complete water sports offer for your active summer holidays.
Beach Mavarstica is located in a bay in the southern part of Ciovo, south of Okrug Gornji (Lower) village. The beach is a combination of sand and fine gravel beach with a portion reserved for naturists.
The beach of Mavarstica is ideal for an escape from the crowded beaches and surrounded by pine wood. On the beach, there are no facilities, only a crystal clear sea.
Island Ciovo beaches nera Arbanija and Slatine
Arbanija beaches. Arbanija is a small peaceful place located on the north side of Ciovo island. It's located only a few miles from Trogir town.
It has numerous coves made of gravel or rocky beaches where you can escape from other island's crowded beaches.
One of the most popular Arbanija beaches is the Tri Sestrice (three sisters), a beautiful fine pebble beach.
Slatine Kava beach – Near small Slatine village, on the far east corner of the Ciovo Island, facing Split Marjan hill and only 12km away from Trogir, there is a beach called Kava.
It's the largest beach among the much smaller inside the Slatine bay, the real natural beauty. The beautiful sandy beach is perfect for all who wish to relax in the shade of pine trees and enjoy the silence and crystal sea.
Drvenik Veli i Drvenik Mali islands
These two islands on the western side of Ciovo make the part of the island. Both islands are regularly connected with Trogir and Split port.
Those looking for peace can hire a boat and take a tour to small islands in front of Ciovo – Drvenik Veli and Drvenik Mali, where you can find some sandy beaches. In Trogir, you can rent a boat from Trogir Marina.
Both islands hide many beautiful coves. The most beautiful is the cove of Vela Rina, also a pier for smaller yachts. On Veli Drvenik, there are two stunning coves, Solinska and Krknjasi, also often visited by private boats.
Getting to the island
If you are arriving to Croatia by air than the Split airport is the closest airport to Trogir Riviera and island of Ciovo. It's only a few miles to Trogir town. There is a local bus line from Split airport to Trogir bus station.
Once getting to Trogir you can easily reach Ciovo island. There are no ferry connections to the island but during the high season, there is a regular boat (it runs every 30 minutes) connection to Okrug Gornji.
 |  |
Getting to the island from Split
Trogir Riviera is only 30 km from the Split city. With a car it takes 25 to 30 minutes to get there. The cheapest way but not also the fastest is by city bus line N° 37 that leaves from Sukoisanska bus hub.
From Split, you can reach this island by sea. There are two ship connections:
- Jadrolinija Ship line 606 (only passengers) – Split – Trogir- Drvenik Mali- Drvenik Veliki. Here you can check your schedule from June to October 2021.
- Private Bura Company fast boats – Line 616 run by Bura Line on the route Trogir – Slatine (Ciovo island) – Split and vice versa begin with navigation from May until September 30, 2021.