Along Croatia’s nearly 6,000 kilometres of coastline you’ll find some of the most stunning beaches in the Balkans, turquoise blue waters, unspoilt islands and breathtaking views of perfectly integrated towns and cities. Turquoise blue waters, unspoilt islands and breathtaking views of towns and cities perfectly integrated into the landscape. Want to know more? Well, read on as we tell you everything you need to know about the beaches in Croatia.
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Best Beaches in the Kvarner Region
1. Island of Cres
The island of Cres, one of the largest in Croatia, is famous for the history of its origin. In Roman times it was united with the island of Losinj, i.e. they were one island. However, the Romans built a bridge to separate the two islands, and they were only joined by a bridge.
The island of Cres has two very distinct areas. On one side, the winds have eroded the landscape and made one part of the island almost desert-like. The other side, on the other hand, is characterized by a rugged relief. The beaches are therefore rocky, but are well worth a visit for their unique landscapes. You can also visit the most famous villages on the island, such as Osor, Belj or Lubenice, and you should not miss Lake Vransko.
2. Island of Krk
The island of Krk is perfect for beach tourism – are you travelling with your family? With pets? Are you looking for nudist beaches? Or do you prefer snorkelling? Whatever your preferences, you’re sure to find your perfect beach on Krk. Our favourites are Stara Baška and Oprna Bay. The island of Krk is the second-largest island in the country and the most populated. But it is not one of the most touristy. The only drawback is that there are no car parks. You have to leave your car on the side of the road. That’s why we recommend getting up early to find a parking space.
3. Proizd, Croatia’s most hidden beach
Proizd is probably the most difficult beach to reach in Croatia. The only way to get there is by boat. A boat leaves from Vela Luka frequently during the summer months, which takes 35 minutes and costs €8. Tickets are bought on the boat itself. You should be aware that if there are no less than 10 people on the boat, the boat does not leave.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
Best Croatia beaches in the Region of Istria
1. Kamenjak National Park
In the Kamenjak National Park, located at the southern tip of the Istrian peninsula, you will find some of the best beaches in Croatia. The coastline is characterized by rugged terrain. So, rather than beaches, you’ll find areas of crystal-clear water perfect for diving and snorkelling. The national park is protected, so most of the landscape remains unspoilt.
2. Porec
Porec is the most visited coastal town on the Istrian peninsula for its picturesque stone architecture with influences from all the civilisations that passed through it: Romans, Byzantines, Lombards and Franks, Venetians, Austrians and the Napoleonic Empire. The most important building is the Basilica of St. Euphrasia, a World Heritage Site.
As for the beach, like most of the country, it’s characteristically rocky and not particularly large. There are usually quite a few tourists, but it’s still a really nice place to stroll around with views of the sea and Porec in the background.
3. Pula, one of the most famous Croatia beaches
Pula is the largest city on the Istrian peninsula and is characterized by the legacy of the Roman Empire. Therefore, in the city you will find many buildings and monuments from that period, such as the Forum and Temple of Augustus, the Triumphal Arch of the Sergians, an Amphitheatre, the mosaic of the Punishment of Dirce….
In the town of Pula there are two incredible beaches: Zlatne stijene and Havajka, also known as Veruduela Hawaiian Beach.
Best beaches in the Dalmatia region
1. Punta Rata Beach
The beach of Punta Rata is located in the town of Brela, a 10-minute drive from Makarska and is a beautiful and pleasant place surrounded by pine trees. In fact, in 2004 it was considered the best beach in Europe by Forbes magazine. Like most beaches in Croatia, it is very crowded in July and August, so it is recommended to visit it out of season. The beach is characteristic for the “symbol of Brela”, which is nothing more than a big rock with a tree on top of it. It is, however, in the middle of the sea.
2. Sakarun Beach
It is one of Croatia’s longest beaches at 800 metres long. It is characterised by its white sand and very shallow crystal-clear waters that give the sensation of being in a swimming pool. Otherwise the beach is practically untouched, with only a few umbrellas and public toilets. In the distance you can see sailboats moored where it covers more, as the boat is also a very popular option to go to Sakarun. If you don’t have the option of going by sailboat, that’s fine, you can also get there from Baova, where a tourist ferry leaves every 2 hours, or by boat from Zadar.
3. Stiniva beach on the island of Vis
This is a cove with just 30 metres of beach and difficult to access as it is situated between two cliffs. The best way to get there is by boat, otherwise the other option is to walk. You can leave your car in a car park on the hill and walk from there. It takes between 20 and 30 minutes, but the terrain is quite uneven and the natural stairs are steep, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
Stiniva is probably one of Croatia’s most impressive beaches for its rock formations and crystal-clear waters. There is a small beach bar on the beach and sun loungers can be rented for €30. Otherwise the cove is completely unspoilt. In summer it is advisable to get up early to find space in the car park and on the beach, as it fills up quickly.
4. Island of Hvar
The island of Hvar is a favourite with young people because of the parties that take place there during the summer. It is undoubtedly one of the liveliest islands in the country. However, it also offers the chance to relax and unwind on its beautiful beaches. The best are Dubovica or Mekicevica, although there are many others.
5. Banje beach in Dubrovnik
The main attraction of this beach is the view of the Dubrovnik city wall. Banje beach as such is rather small and rocky, and it is always very crowded as it is a very touristy destination in summer. However, the surroundings and the city of Dubrovnik itself are spectacular and well worth a visit. In Dubrovnik, you can visit the city walls and the historic centre, which is considered a World Heritage Site for its unparalleled beauty. From the centre, there is also a cable car that takes you up to a nearby mountain, from where the views of the coastline will leave you speechless.
There are also small, more hidden coves in the surrounding area where there are usually fewer people. It’s best to organise your trip out of season, in early autumn or late spring, when it’s still warm but less crowded.
6. Labadusa Beach
Labadusa beach is the most famous beach on the island of Ciovo and is situated near the World Heritage site of Trogir, one of the most beautiful in the country. In addition to its beaches, the island has a wide range of tourist attractions, which is why it receives many visitors every year who come to spend their holidays in picturesque villages along the coast. Access to the island is easy as it is connected by a bridge to the mainland.
10-day itinerary to Croatia’s beaches
A common way to travel in Croatia is to drive along the coast from one end to the other, visiting the main points of interest. You can also do the same route by train or bus, but the car is more convenient if you want to visit small coves and other less well-connected points of interest. To start your trip, we recommend looking for flights to Venice rather than to Zagreb. Venice is closer and flights from Spain are more regular. You can rent a car there and cross the border without any problems.
Your first destination will be the Istrian peninsula, where you should visit beaches such as Pula and Porec. You can also organise excursions to the Kamenjak National Park and visit the region’s Mediterranean-style coastal villages, which will remind you of Italy.
On the next stage of the journey we reach the Gulf of Kvarner, where the country’s largest islands such as Proizd, Cres and Krk are located. And finally, we reach the region of Dalmatia, where the most spectacular beaches with turquoise blue water are located.
Travel tips to Croatia’s beaches
- The official currency of Croatia is the Kuna.
- If you are travelling by car, the lights should always be switched on.
- We recommend that you exchange money before you set off on your trip, as it will be cheaper.
- As European citizens we don’t need a visa to enter the country either, just your ID card or passport is enough.
- Bosnia and Montenegro are very close to the south, so if you’re driving along the coast, make sure you have the right documents to hand.
- The best time to visit Croatia’s beaches is in spring and autumn, when there are fewer tourists and temperatures are more pleasant than in winter or summer.
- Be covered for possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
- Croatia’s beaches are pebbly, so we recommend wearing crab shells so you can swim to your heart’s content.
How to plan your trip to Croatia’s beaches
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
- Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
- Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make any modifications you need to make, and you’re all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you’ve visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see on Croatia’s beaches.
If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.
Frequently asked questions when travelling to Croatia’s beaches
The best time to enjoy the beach is during the summer months in July and August when the weather is at its warmest. However, during these months there are a lot of tourists which can make our experience not so pleasant. Therefore, it is almost preferable to go in early spring or late autumn.
Croatia’s coastline is characterised by rugged terrain, both out of and in the water. These rock formations make the beaches a place with a lot of marine life, perfect for diving. The best beaches for diving are Vis Island, Brijuni National Park, Island Lošinj and the coast of Makarska.
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