Unforgettable Island Getaway With JacuzziN°001
Ciovo, Croatia
Private Pool
From $2,971 per night
Ciovo is a tranquil island in central Dalmatia, linked by bridge to the UNESCO town of Trogir near Split. Renting a luxury villa in Ciovo gives you private pools, secluded coves and authentic island life, with concierge support and easy access to Croatia's finest beaches and historic harbours.
- Calmer, less crowded than neighbouring Trogir and Split
- Secluded bays and some of central Dalmatia's best beaches
- Excellent diving with rich Mediterranean marine life
- Bridge-linked to UNESCO-listed Trogir old town
- Curated luxury villas with private pools and sea views
Known forQuiet Dalmatian island life, secluded bays, sea-view villas and proximity to UNESCO-listed Trogir
Best time to visitMay to September for warm seas and long days; June and September for fewer crowds
Nearest airportSplit Airport (SPU), roughly 20 to 30 minutes by car
Ideal forCouples, families and groups seeking a calm coastal base with easy access to Trogir and Split
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26homes available
1–7bedrooms
up to 14guests
13with a pool
Events not to miss in Ciovo
- July to August
Trogir Cultural Summer
Concerts, theatre and dance fill the squares and courtyards of UNESCO-listed Trogir, joined to Čiovo by a short bridge. Evening performances are a five-minute stroll from the island's northern shore.
- August
Moondance Festival
Electronic music inside the medieval Kamerlengo Fortress on Trogir's waterfront, one of Croatia's most atmospheric small festivals. Villas on Čiovo put you close but out of earshot.
- Mid July to mid August
Split Summer Festival
Opera, drama and ballet staged in Diocletian's Palace and around Split, half an hour away. A grand cultural excursion from a quiet island base.
- July
Ultra Europe, Split
The Adriatic leg of the global electronic festival draws tens of thousands to Split each July. Čiovo offers a serene retreat within easy reach of the action.
Ciovo through the seasons
- Spring (April – May)
Trogir before the season
Wander the Romanesque lanes and waterfront of Trogir in soft light and easy temperatures. Čiovo's coves are yours for early swims.
- Summer (June – September)
Coves, boats and island dinners
Pebble beaches around Okrug and Slatine, day sails to the Blue Lagoon and konoba dinners by the water. A private pool solves the midday heat elegantly.
- Autumn (October – November)
Warm seas and olive picking
The Adriatic stays swimmable into October while the island's olive groves begin their harvest. Split's restaurants and museums are pleasantly unhurried.
- Winter (December – March)
Dalmatian quiet
Mild, bright winter days for waterfront walks and coffee in Trogir's squares with hardly a visitor in sight. Suited to long stays and remote work with a sea view.
The Area
Ciovo is a small island in central Dalmatia, an inseparable part of Trogir and the wider Trogir Riviera. A short bridge connects it to the medieval old town, so you stay on a quiet island yet step into a UNESCO World Heritage centre in minutes. The landscape is classic Mediterranean: pine and olive groves, a mild climate and a low-key island rhythm that feels worlds away from the busier mainland resorts. Beyond the beaches and hidden coves, the surrounding archipelago scatters small, photogenic islets across clear Adriatic water. It is a setting that rewards slow days, with historic monuments, walking trails and gentle scenery within easy reach of any luxury villa in Ciovo.
Where to Stay
Our curated collection of luxury villas in Ciovo favours waterfront and elevated positions, where private pools and broad terraces frame the Adriatic and the Trogir skyline. Properties on the island's quieter coves suit those who want seclusion and direct sea access, while villas closer to the bridge keep Trogir's restaurants and harbour within a short stroll. Many homes combine traditional Dalmatian stone with contemporary interiors, generous outdoor living and shaded gardens. Each Smiling House villa comes with concierge support, so you can arrange private chefs, transfers, boat charters and provisioning before you arrive. Booking direct keeps the experience personal from first enquiry to checkout.
Things to Do
Beaches define a Ciovo holiday, and the island offers a range to suit every mood: family-friendly shallows, lively beach bars where you can leap straight into the sea, and discreet coves favoured by those seeking quiet. The clear, sheltered waters also make Ciovo a fine diving destination, with rocky shores, dramatic underwater landscapes and the full cast of Mediterranean flora and fauna. Equipment hire is straightforward and rarely crowded, even in high season. Beyond the water, explore Trogir's cathedral and stone lanes, charter a boat to neighbouring islets, or follow coastal paths through olive groves and pine for long, unhurried afternoons.
Dining & Nightlife
Ciovo's cuisine is unashamedly Mediterranean, built on fresh fish and seafood, garden vegetables, local olive oil and Dalmatian wines. Konobas and waterfront restaurants serve grilled catch of the day, octopus and peka cooked slowly under the bell, often with the sea just steps away. Across the bridge, Trogir adds livelier options, with harbourside terraces, wine bars and gelato along the promenade. Evenings here lean relaxed rather than raucous: a long dinner, a glass of local white and the lights of the old town reflected on the water. Your villa concierge can secure tables or arrange a private chef to cook seasonal Dalmatian dishes at home.
When to Visit
The Ciovo season runs from late spring to early autumn. July and August bring the warmest seas, busiest beaches and the fullest calendar of island life, ideal for families travelling in the school holidays. For warm water with more breathing room, aim for June or September, when temperatures stay pleasant and the coves feel calmer. May and early October suit walkers, divers and anyone drawn to quiet days and softer light. Because Ciovo is naturally less crowded than Split or the major resorts, even peak weeks feel manageable, and a private villa with its own pool makes the hottest afternoons effortless.
Getting There
Ciovo is among the easiest Dalmatian islands to reach because it is bridge-linked to the mainland. Split Airport sits roughly 20 to 30 minutes away by car and connects to major European hubs throughout the season. From the airport you can drive straight across the bridge to your villa, with no ferry required. Split's ferry port and train station extend onward links to other islands and along the coast. Concierge can arrange private airport transfers, car hire or a skippered boat. Once on the island, a car is useful for exploring distant beaches, though many villas keep Trogir and the nearest coves within walking distance.