The best beaches in Croatia

Croatia is renowned for its ideal natural setting for swimming with its coves and pebble or white sand beaches with crystal clear waters.

This destination will suit lovers of idleness as well as families and naturism enthusiasts . With or without a bathing suit, enjoy the beaches that dot the coast and the Croatian islands. There are also some destinations for partygoers not to be missed.

Note : There are few fine sandy beaches in Croatia. They are most often made up of small pebbles, which give a magnificent color to the water.

How to get there by car?

We often forget that Croatia is an easily accessible destination by car. With a stopover in Milan or Munich , the journey is pleasant and it is essentially on the motorway. And on site, except on the islands, a car is essential to fully enjoy your stay.

The journey time, below, is given up to the border in the north of the country. Be careful though, it stretches over 500 km . The quality of the roads to the south is not always equivalent.

From Paris

Count more than 16 hours of road. A stopover in Munich may be wise.

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From Lyon

Allow about 11h30 drive. A break in Milan can be considered.

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From Marseille

Count about 13h drive. Again, a break in Milan can be considered.

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How to get there by plane?

Here is the list of the main airports in Croatia sorted by volume of traffic.

It should be noted that all these airports have international flights, but their importance varies depending on the region they serve and the airlines that operate there.

1. Zagreb-Pleso
   Zagreb-Pleso Airport is located about 17 km southeast of the city center of Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. It is the largest airport in the country and serves many European capitals, including Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Copenhagen, Dublin, Frankfurt, Istanbul, London, Madrid, Paris, Rome, Stockholm, Vienna, and Zurich.
2. Split
   Split airport is located about 25 km west of the city of Split, the second largest city in Croatia. It mainly serves European destinations such as Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, London, Munich, Paris, Rome, and Zurich.
3. Dubrovnik
   Dubrovnik Airport is located approximately 20 km southeast of the city of Dubrovnik, a coastal town in southern Croatia. It mainly flies to European destinations including Amsterdam, Berlin, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Munich, Paris and Rome.
4. Zadar
   Zadar Airport is located about 8 km east of the city of Zadar, a coastal town in northern Croatia. It primarily serves European destinations including Brussels, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, London, Munich, Paris, Rome and Stockholm.
5. Pula:
   Pula Airport is located about 7 km northeast of the city of Pula, a coastal town in northwest Croatia. It mainly flies to European destinations including Amsterdam, Berlin, Frankfurt, London, Munich, Paris, Rome and Zurich.
6. Rijeka
   Rijeka Airport is located on the island of Krk, approximately 17 km southwest of the city of Rijeka, a port city in northwest Croatia. It primarily serves European destinations including Berlin, Frankfurt, London, Munich, Oslo and Rome.

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1. Lubenice, the most beautiful beach in Croatia?

Considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Kvarner, this secluded cove is reached by a steep path through the woods. The 45-minute descent is pleasant, but the return exhausting; to avoid this ordeal, take a water taxi from Valun or Cres.

Our recommendations :

• Hotel Manora
• Hotel Zlatni Lav
• Restaurant Zlatni Lav
• Restaurant Galinac

More hotels in Lubenice >>

2. Bačvice, ideal for swimming

Classified Blue Flag , this beach is perfect for swimming and known for its lively atmosphere, especially around its memorable games of picigin (typical Dalmatian tennis court). Bars and summer nightclubs also attract young people from Split and elsewhere to this beach.

Our recommendations :

• Hotel Park
• Luxury Hotel
• Dvor Restaurant
• Restaurant Fife

Best Hotels in Bacvice >>

3. Stiniva, the wildest beach in Croatia

The wildest beaches are on the southern coast . Stiniva is the most spectacular cove in Vis. Its very narrow stone entrance opens onto a pebble beach flanked by 35m high cliffs.

Best hotels in Stiniva. >>

Our recommendations :

• Hotel Issa
• San Giorgio Hotel
• Restaurant Konoba Kod Mate
• Restaurant Roki's

4. Zrće, the Croatian Ibiza

Forming a crescent of pebbles 1 km long, it dominates an arid zone to the east of Pag , with the mountains of the mainland emerging on the horizon, from where a beautiful point of view. Swimming here is very pleasant, even if it involves enduring the hum of the jet skis.

Our recommendations :

• Luna Island Hotel
• Hotel Boskinac
• Restaurant Konoba Gec
• Restaurant Bistro Plaza

Cheapest hotels in Zrce >>

5. Zlatni Rat, the most popular

This splendid tongue of land is lined with smooth white pebbles; its tip fluctuates with the winds and currents. The pines provide appreciable shade and the steep cliffs set back from the beach create one of the most beautiful natural settings in Dalmatia .

Best hotels in Zlatni >>

Our recommendations :

• Bluesun Elaphusa Hotel
• Hotel Pastura
• Restaurant Konoba Kopacina
• Dalmatino Restaurant

6. Lokrum, paradise for naturists

This island, planted with holm oaks, ash trees, pines and olive trees, is lined with rocky beaches suitable for swimming . The naturist beach (indicated by the mention “FKK”) is also, in practice, the gay beach of Dubrovnik.

Our recommendations :

• Hotel Kompas
• Dubrovnik Palace Hotel
• Orhan Restaurant
• Nautika-Restaurant

Best hotels in Lokrum >>

7. The Pakleni Islands, a paradise archipelago

The Pakleni Islands (Pakleni Otoci) take their name (“islands of hell”) from paklina, the resin with which boats were once covered. This archipelago of 21 wooded islands, bordered by secret beaches and deserted lagoons , and bathed in crystal clear waters, is splendid.

Our recommendations :

• Amfora Hotel
• Hotel Adriana
• Zori-Restaurant
• Gariful Restaurant

Other hotels on the Pakleni Islands >>

8. Paradise Beach in Crnika , perfect for families

Located in Crnika Bay , right in the city center, this beach is ideal for children, as the sea is very shallow. It is almost possible to ford a small offshore island.

Our recommendations :

• Hotel Mediteran
• Hotel Jadran
• Vila Rustica Restaurant
• Restaurant Lina

Other hotels in Crnika >>

9. Brela and its pebble beaches

Six kilometers of pebble beaches border coves planted with pine forests , where you can enjoy the crystal clear sea and magnificent sunsets. The most beautiful beach is Dugi Rat , a superb ribbon of pebbles 300m south-west of the centre.

Our recommendations :

• Hotel Bluesun Soline
• Sunceva Postelja Hotel
• Restaurant Burin
• Feral-Restaurant

Other hotels in Brela >>

10. Rt Kamenjak and its magnificent coves

A 30 km ribbon of pristine beaches and coves. You can enjoy a breathtaking view of the island of Cres and the peak of Velebit. Be careful not to leave any traces of your passage. Beware of strong sea currents south of the cape!

Our recommendations :

• Villa Letan Hotel
• Hotel Park Plaza Belvedere Medulin
• Restaurant Batelina
• Restaurant Vodnjanka

Best hotels in Kamenjak >>

In conclusion :

Croatia is an ideal destination for nature and swimming lovers. With its coves and beaches of pebbles or white sand with crystal clear waters, there is something for everyone.

Whether you are with your family, a naturist or a party lover, you will find what you are looking for on the beaches of Croatia.

From north to south, from Lubenice to Rt Kamenjak, via Zlatni Rat and the Pakleni Islands, these beaches offer breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable moments of relaxation.