5 Best Beaches of the island of Ugljan
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August 7, 2024Trogir, one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe, is located just a 40-minute drive from Split. Right next to Trogir, connected by a bridge, lies the small island of Čiovo, which continues to attract hundreds of visitors every year who want to “get lost” in its hidden coves and enchanting beaches, far from the bustle of town.
Whether you are planning to spend your summer holiday in one of these destinations or visit only on a day trip, below you will find more than just a list of beaches. You will get the details you actually need before setting off: whether the beach is sandy or pebbly, which one is best for children, where there is the most entertainment, where to find peace and quiet — and how to get there most easily.
Quick answer
- Best for children and shallow water: Pantana and Medena — pine shade, facilities and everything within easy reach.
- Best for entertainment: Okrug (Copacabana) on Čiovo, with a row of bars and cafés along the coast.
- For peace and nature: Kava near Slatine, Duga Cove and Labaduša on Čiovo.
- Sand or pebbles? Most beaches are pebbly or a mix of pebbles and sand; Pantana has the most “sandy” feel.
- How to reach Čiovo: the island is connected to Trogir by bridge, so you can reach the beaches by car or on foot from the centre.
Pantana Beach
Since Trogir and Čiovo are popular among families with children, we begin our list of the best beaches with Pantana Beach. This pebble-and-sand beach just outside Trogir has all the right “ingredients” for a full day by the sea. It stretches for almost half a kilometre and is surrounded by a dense pine forest that provides deep shade during the hot summer months.
There is a shop and restaurant nearby, while the beach itself offers plenty of interesting facilities. You will also find several beach bars serving refreshing drinks and light snacks — perfect for cooling down during a long sunny day.
You can also rent a parasol and sun loungers and settle in comfortably while enjoying the sound of the waves and the scent of the sea. On the beach, you can play a game of beach volleyball or badminton, and if water activities are more your style, try pedalos and kayaks.
Where to stay in Trogir? Browse houses and apartments 100 m from the beach or accommodation with Wi-Fi and a sea view.
Oštrica Beach
If you prefer a quieter option outside the very centre of Trogir instead of a town beach, Oštrica Beach in Seget Vranjica is a good alternative. It is located in a coastal area that is close enough to Trogir for an easy trip, yet has a more relaxed rhythm than the beaches directly beside the historic town centre.
The beach is suitable for those who are not looking for a long line of bars and a loud atmosphere, but rather a simple day by the sea. The shore combines pebbles, rocks and maintained entrances, so it is worth bringing sea shoes, especially if you are travelling with children or planning to stay longer.
It is best to choose this beach when you want to escape the biggest crowds on better-known beaches such as Okrug or Medena. It is not the most urban choice on the list, but that is exactly why it makes sense: it is accessible enough, yet offers more peace and a more local feel.
If you want to stay close to this part of the coast, browse accommodation in Seget Vranjica or accommodation in Trogir.
Medena Beach
The popular Medena Beach was named after the three-star hotel located nearby. This pebble beach stretches for 3 kilometres from the village of Seget to Hotel Medena.
The beach is sure to appeal to fans of sports and entertainment activities, as well as to families with children. There are children’s playgrounds, tennis courts, a football pitch, a beach volleyball court and similar facilities. Other nearby amenities include restaurants, supermarkets and a souvenir shop.
You can leave your car in the car park (which, unfortunately, is paid), and the beach can also be reached by sea — by “taxi” boat from Trogir.
For a base near this beach, browse accommodation in Seget.
Okrug Beach – Copacabana
Lovers of entertainment and nightlife should not miss Okrug Beach, or Copacabana, as some call it because of its popularity and the large number of restaurants, bars and cafés stretching along the coast.
Okrug Beach is located on the western coast of Čiovo Island and is two kilometres long. Thanks to its fine pebbles, entertainment options and deep shade provided by the pine trees, the beach is also ideal for families with children.
Labaduša Beach
If you want a beach with that “hidden” feel, Labaduša is the right choice. It is set in a bay on the southern side of Čiovo, surrounded by dense pine forest that provides shade exactly where you need it. The sea is clear, and the atmosphere is noticeably calmer than at the well-known Copacabana.
The beach is pebbly and rocky, so bring sea shoes and a sun lounger or mat. Part of the cove is traditionally naturist, while the rest is open to everyone — with enough space for everyone to find their own corner. There is usually the occasional beach bar nearby, but there are fewer facilities than on urban beaches, which is precisely part of its charm.
For accommodation close to these coves, browse apartments on Čiovo.
Duga Cove
Duga Cove is for those days when you simply do not feel like dealing with crowds. It is smaller and quieter, surrounded by pine trees and without major facilities, so it is mostly visited by those who know what they are looking for: peace, shade and sea without rows of sun loungers. It is ideal for a slow afternoon break or if you want to avoid the peak of the daily bustle on the main beaches.
Since there is not much hospitality offer by the cove, treat it like a day trip: bring enough water, something to eat and shade if you cannot rely on the pines. The reward is a beach that can feel like a little secret even in July.
Kava Beach (Slatine)
Kava Beach is located on the eastern part of Čiovo Island, near the village of Slatine. Unlike the other beaches on our list, there is only one bar here, so it is recommended to bring food and drinks. This partly pebbly, partly rocky beach stands out for the untouched nature around it, as it is located on an uninhabited part of the island.
Despite its isolated location, Kava Beach can get crowded during the summer months. You can rent sun loungers and parasols or simply move your towel into the shade of the pine trees.
Where to stay on Čiovo? Browse apartments 100 m from the beach or houses for families with children.
Arbanija and Mastrinka
If you want to stay close to Trogir but still enjoy an island atmosphere, Arbanija and Mastrinka are also good choices — villages on the northern side of Čiovo, facing the mainland and the bridge. Here you will not find large organised beaches like Copacabana, but rather a series of smaller coves and concrete sea entrances, quieter and suitable if you are travelling with younger children or simply like the sea to be “two minutes from home”.
This whole stretch is close to the bridge, so you can easily combine a beach day with dinner or an evening walk in Trogir’s historic centre. As a base on the island that keeps both the sea and town within easy reach, this part of Čiovo is a very practical choice.
Which beach is best for whom
Not every “beautiful beach” is the right choice for your day. Here is a quick guide based on who you are travelling with and what you are looking for.
With children
Pantana and Medena — shallow water, pine shade, facilities and everything you need in one place.
For entertainment
Okrug (Copacabana) — bars, cafés and the liveliest atmosphere on all of Čiovo.
For peace and nature
Kava near Slatine, Duga Cove and Labaduša — fewer crowds, more pine trees and quiet.
Without a car, from the centre
Trogir town beach — a quick swim within walking distance of the old town, no planning needed.
How to get to Trogir and Čiovo
HOW TO GET TO TROGIR? | |
| From Split: | By car: around 40 minutes’ drive, and longer in summer because of traffic. By bus: line no. 37 every 20 minutes. |
| Connections: | The town is well connected with surrounding places and easily accessible even if it is not your base location. |
| To Čiovo: | The island is connected to Trogir by a bridge in the very centre, so you can reach the beaches by car or on foot. A road along the island leads to Okrug, Slatine and the surrounding coves. |
p.s. If you decide to travel by bus, check the timetable on the official Promet Split website, as the frequency of the line changes depending on whether it is a working day or weekend, and sometimes also during the season.
Frequently asked questions about the beaches of Trogir and Čiovo
What is the most beautiful beach in Trogir?
For a full family day out, Pantana is hard to beat — it has pebbles and sand, shallow water, pine shade and facilities. For entertainment and bars, choose Okrug (Copacabana) on Čiovo, and for peace and quiet, Kava near Slatine.
Does Trogir have sandy beaches?
Classic sandy beaches are almost non-existent — the coast is mostly pebbly and pebbly-rocky. Pantana has the most “sandy” feel and a long shallow area, making it the closest option to a sandy beach.
What are the best beaches on Čiovo?
The best-known is Okrug (Copacabana) thanks to its entertainment and facilities. For nature and peace, there are Kava near Slatine, Duga Cove and Labaduša, which also has a naturist section.
How do you get to Čiovo?
Čiovo is connected to Trogir by a bridge in the very centre, so you can reach the island on foot or by car without taking a ferry. The road along the island leads to Okrug, Slatine and the surrounding coves.
Which beach is best for children?
Pantana and Medena. Both have shallow water, shade, facilities and everything you need nearby, making a beach day with children much easier than in smaller, more isolated coves.
Are there naturist beaches near Trogir and Čiovo?
Yes — part of Labaduša Beach on the southern side of Čiovo is traditionally naturist (FKK), while the rest of the cove is open to everyone.
Do you have to pay for parking at the beaches?
At larger beaches such as Medena and Okrug, parking is charged during the season. It is worth arriving earlier in the morning, when there are more spaces and fewer crowds.
