Croatia is an upcoming and gorgeous destination with beautiful scenery, historic cities, and miles and miles of truly lovely beaches on the Adriatic Sea.
Many people visit Croatia for its fascinating historic cities or the lush surrounding countryside. However, for those longing for clean sand and clear, warm waters, this country’s beaches can outdo many other seaside destinations.
Croatia has recently reopened to international travelers during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Check out your country’s current standing on the Croatian Ministry of the Interior’s website here.
This beautiful country has an amazing 1,104 mi of coastline on the mainland, plus another 2,521 mi clinging to its 1,246 islands and islets. Among those beaches, many are sandy, some are rocky and others are made up of smooth, white pebbles. However, all give access to the warm, clear waters of the Adriatic Sea. While you can’t say there is something to suit all, surfers should note that they won’t find good waves here!
While the miles of sand available make for a confusing decision for your next beach vacation, here are five of the best beaches to enjoy in Croatia.
1. Zlatni Rat On Brac Island
One of the more Instagrammable beaches on the Dalmatian Coast in Croatia, this gorgeous beach is featured on many tourist posters. The beach is made up of tiny pebbles and has earned the name “Golden Cape” as it stretches out into the Adriatic Sea. The beach is backed by shady pine trees running along the promenade, lined with stalls offering a wide range of services. Here you can choose a snack, ice cream, or a cooling drink, or book various activities, including diving, windsurfing, parasailing, boat trips, kayaking, or mountain biking. Zlatni Rat is located on the Island of Brac, close to the small town of Bol.
2. Prapratno, Near Korcula Island
Many of the beaches in Croatia are very shallow. While this is great for families with kids, anyone wanting to truly swim has to wade out to find some depth. Prapratno is different and is eminently swimmable. The beach lines a sheltered bay at the beginning of the Peljesac Peninsula. Close by, ferries are available to visit the island of Korcula. While a beautiful beach, there is very little development here. However, visitors have access to some restaurants and shops close to the sand. When having enough of the sun, the small town of Ston is 2.5 mi away, with its famous seafood restaurants and fascinating 14th-century walls.
3. Paradise Beach, Rab Island
Paradise Beach is the perfect choice for families with young children, as the water is very shallow. The sandy bay is located in Lopar village on the island of Rab. Here, parents can recline on their sun lounger, watching the kids having fun splashing around or making sandcastles. Summer sees the park behind the beach full of beach cafes, gelato and ice cream stands, and small kiosks offering a myriad of perfect kid’s beach essentials. Water slides and pedal boats are also available for hire.
4. Stiniva, Vis Island
One of the main Dalmatian islands, Vis is a magical place with only a few tiny towns and a gorgeous coastline with many sheltered coves. The most beautiful of the coves is Stiniva, which is almost completely encircled by rocky cliffs, with only a narrow opening to the Adriatic Sea. It is not that easy to access but can be reached with a very rough track heading down from a back road. However, it is easier to reach by boat. Boat moor just beyond the opening to the bay and swimmers head through the water to the white pebble beach. While it might sound isolated, there is one cafe serving snacks, ice creams, and cold drinks. If you don’t have access to a boat, taxi boats can be caught from the village of Rukavac close by.
5. Zrce Beach, Pag Island
Zrce Beach is the perfect choice for people who love the beach, but also want to party. Between June and September, this is known as the “Ibiza of Croatia,” with many music festivals, guest slots from famous DJs, and themed party weekends. This is absolutely the place to be for those under 30, or still feeling that young! The beachfront clubs have been listed on DJ Mag’s annual Top 100 Clubs list, so it is definitely the place to be. On top of this, regular party boats sail close to the shore. The beach is located near Novalia on the island of Pag. For convenience, the island is connected by a bridge to the Dalmatian mainland. Oh, and the normal beach activities and water sports are available too!
Pack the swimsuit, suntan lotion, and shades and head to Croatia this summer, then return home perfectly relaxed and with the perfect tan.
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