Čiovo: Cycling Routes, Coast and Cultural Heritage

On Čiovo, a clearly described cycling route, coastal towns and historic churches come together. Route 35, “Mystique of the Island,” passes through several places on the island; there are also numerous paths for cycling and hiking. The coast offers different ways to plan your trip, from a pebble beach with a promenade to boat connections during the summer months.

Cycling, Hiking and Diving

Route 35, “Mystique of the Island,” crosses Čiovo and passes through Okrug Gornji, Okrug Donji, Žedno, Arbanija and Slatine. It is 33.6 kilometres long and reaches an elevation of 565 metres above sea level. If you are planning a cycling trip, you can use these details to help choose your route. The places named also give an overview of which parts of the island the route passes through.

Beyond the numbered route, Čiovo has numerous paths for cycling and hiking in nature. For a different view of the island, Trogir Diving Center organises dives from Mavarčica Bay in Okrug Gornji. With professional support and suitable equipment, you can explore the underwater area around Čiovo. Check with the centre for the latest details before making specific plans.

The Coast and Finding Your Way Around the Island

Toć Beach is a two-kilometre-long pebble beach with a promenade. Čiovo also has numerous unexplored beaches and lush Mediterranean vegetation. Most of Trogir’s beaches are in Arbanija on Čiovo. This information can help you consider the coast as one possible focus for your stay without reducing it to a single beach.

A bridge connects Čiovo with Trogir. During the summer months, Arbanija has good boat connections; check seasonal timetables when planning your trip. Okrug also has a culinary side: Dalmatian konobas serve seafood and wine from the region. As individual restaurants and menus may change, it is worth checking what is currently on offer locally.

Churches and Historical Traces

Čiovo has numerous pre-Romanesque churches. The hermitage sanctuary of Gospe od Prizidnica dates from the 16th century and lies on the southern side of the island, on a sea-facing cliff. The Dominican monastery and the Church of the Holy Cross date from the 15th century. Together, these buildings represent different historical periods, while the island’s history extends beyond any single era.

In Okrug Donji, the Church of St John the Baptist (Crkva sv. Ivana Krstitelja) stands on the old road leading to the coastal landing at Stari porat. Its late Renaissance architectural features include a moulded door lintel, a rose window and a bell gable. These details provide a specific architectural point of reference alongside the dates of the other churches.

The Church of St Tudor lies on the coast at the end of Saldun Bay. Its construction may date back to the 6th century; archaeological excavations uncovered a layer from an older church beneath the present one. The Racetini family’s country estate complex is located in Pantera Bay. According to Pavao Andreis, it was built in 1650. This makes it possible to distinguish the possible early construction of St Tudor from the later buildings with explicitly stated dates.

Plan Your Stay Around Your Interests

When looking for a hotel on Čiovo, you can start by deciding what you want your trip to focus on: cycling and hiking, the coast, diving or cultural heritage. The route, beaches and individual churches offer different ways to shape your plans. These priorities can help you focus your planning on the experiences that matter most to you.

Discover more destinations: Ugljan, Split-Dalmatia, Istria County, Brod-Posavina, Koprivnica-Križevci County, Krk, Murter, Dubrovnik-Neretva County

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