Intimate pebbly beaches backed by fragrant pines, toddler-friendly sandy stretches with rustic cafés serving freshly grilled fish and cold beer, deserted coves rewarding you with the clear waters of the Adriatic after a long hike — Croatia spoils you with its sheer variety of beaches. Pebbly and rocky beaches rule, so bring a snorkel and swimming shoes to get the most out of them, but you’ll still be able to flop on sandy beaches and build sandcastles. You can even plan a city and beach break at the same place — both Dubrovnik and Split have terrific options on their doorsteps. These are the best beaches in Croatia.
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1. Pupnatska Luka, Korcula
All along Korcula’s heavily indented south coast you’ll find sheltered beaches squeezed into pine-backed bays, and pebbly Pupnatska Luka is one of the loveliest. Get there early to bag a parking spot — unless you’ve hired a scooter — and look forward to a lazy day of swimming and snorkelling in vivid blue waters. Bring a picnic or grab a shaded table at one of the two beach bars overlooking the bay and wallow in those views.
2. Krivica, Losinj
Bring your hiking boots for the 30-minute descent along a rocky footpath, and be prepared for a bit of a schlep on your way back up. But it’s worth it for this blue-green quiet bay that zigzags its way into the pine-covered coast. Sailors drop anchor at the mouth of the bay, leaving you plenty of space to swim and relax under the shade of the pines.
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3. Zlatni Rat beach, Brac
Zlatni Rat, on the island of Brac, can get crowded, but suck it up: this is one of Croatia’s most fabulous pebble beaches for good reason. The gleaming spit of white shingle on Brac’s southern side is brushed by shimmering clear blue water ideal for windsurfers and scuba fans. When you’re done snorkelling, grab a cold drink at one of its many beach bars and soak up the last of the day’s rays.
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4. Punta Rata, Brela
Pine trees stand sentinel at the back of Punta Rata — a pebble beach rated as one of the most handsome in Croatia. Part of the Makarska Riviera, Punta Rata ticks the boxes for both romantic waterside moments and family gatherings at its beach bar. Look out for the huge rock embedded with pine trees that stands on the western side of the beach: this is the Brela Stone and a symbol of the adjoining town.
5. Sunj Bay, Lopud
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Pine trees glower over the sheltered cove that is home to this sandy spot on the island of Lopud, one of 13 northwest of Dubrovnik known as the Elaphiti Islands. Grab a coffee or a beer at a beach bar, before wading through the shallow, gin-clear waters that the bay is known for. It’s the perfect spot for daydreaming or taking a break from the Dubrovnik crowds. And, if you’re into swimming or sunbathing in the buff, the northern end of the beach is home to the clothes-free community.
6. Lovrecina Bay, Brac
This small, sandy beach sits in a gentle cove and is perfect for catching the sun or paddling in the shallow turquoise waters before heading to the beach bar to quench your thirst. You’ll also find the ruins of the ancient Basilica of St Lovre at the back of the beach — and a shady halo of pine trees. It’s located on the northern side of the island of Brac, and the Dalmatian coast looms just across the water, a rugged contrast to easy beach life. Avoid the beach if planning to visit on St Lovre’s feast day of August 10, as the Basilica attracts a fair number of pilgrims — you’ll definitely struggle to find a spot for your towel.
7. Banje beach, Dubrovnik
Combine sightseeing around this jewel of the Adriatic with time spent cooling down and looking cool on the city’s busiest beach. Plenty of restaurants and beach bars encourage people-watching, while the beach is a mixture of shingle and sand. Given its popularity, Banje beach is best in the early part of the morning or during the evening.
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8. Uvala Dubovica, Hvar Island
This spot is in a cosy cove about six miles from Hvar. It’s a place to take it easy and watch the gentle waves caress gleaming white pebbles. At Uvala Dubovica the crystal-clear water is home to idling boats, a smattering of dwellings and a general sense of letting the world drift by. The restaurant here specialises in grilled locally caught fish if you want something net-fresh for supper.
9. Delta beach, Neretva
Kiteboarders love the sandy beach that sits between the deltas of the Neretva and its smaller tributary, with wide spaces to float above those golden sands. Whether you want to join them or just unwind on the beach, you can refuel at the boho beach bar that’s the HQ for the area’s water sports, including kayaking and paddleboarding.
10. Kupari, Dubrovnik
Get your Game of Thrones fix in Dubrovnik before heading south to this beguiling sandy beach, overlooked by a handful of abandoned hotels. It was once a resort for the Yugoslavian military but got destroyed during the 1990s war, and the eerie backdrop is a surreal addition to its plentiful sunbathing spots.
11. Sakarun beach, Dugi Otok
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Want a beach that shimmers with colour? Welcome to Sakarun (aka Saharun) hidden away on the island of Dugi Otok. A dark green belt of solemn-looking pine trees fringes the beach, where gleaming white pebbles provide a lighter, more luminous contrast. Then there’s the water — shallow, family friendly and translucent in its various shades of turquoise, depending on where the sun is in the sky.
12. Bacvice beach, Split
You’ll visit Split because it’s perfect for history and culture, but also home to this lively, sandy beach, just a ten-minute amble from the centre. The water is shallow and after a quick dip there are plenty of beach bars that bustle with locals and tourists; this where Split lets its hair down. Fancy a match? Join the locals as they take to the water to play a volleyball-like game called picigin.
13. Kraljicina Plaza, Nin
This is one of Croatia’s lengthiest beaches, where the shallow water shimmers an iridescent peacock-blue. No white pebbles, but instead there’s soft sand making it a dream spot for families with little ones to keep an eye on. When the sun gets too hot, shade is offered by pine trees gathering behind as if in conclave. There’s a compact lagoon of peloid mud behind the beach that’s a must to soothe aches and pains.
14. Kolovare beach, Zadar
This is for the swimmer who is staying in Zadar — one of the ancient cities of Croatia. The waters are deep, so it’s the perfect plunge pool for an exhilarating dip. A good choice of beach bars and restaurants surround the area, but families might want to avoid this one given the excess of pebbles and the deeper waters.
15. Sveti Ivan beach, Cres
Griffon vultures soar skywards above this isolated beach on the western side of Cres. You’ll need to take a picnic as there’s no beach bar — this is frugal beach life and all the better for it. Have a mooch about the hillside village of Lubenice above the beach; it goes back 4,000 years and is now home to a handful of people.
Additional reporting by Mary Novakovich
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