15 Beaches in Croatia to Enjoy a Laid Back Vacation in 2024

Croatia Beaches

Zlatni Rat, Banje Beach, Punta Rata, Dubovica Beach, Sakarun Beach, Nugal Beach, Sunj Beach, Zrce Novalja, Kamenjak National Park, Stiniva Beach, Baska Beach, Peljesac Beach, Podrace Beach, Watermelon Beach, Nin Beach and many more Croatia beaches.

The Croatian coast has always been a true treasure. Croatia's coastline and archipelago's include over 100 Best Croatia Beaches that have been awarded the blue flag. This is owing to its beautiful white sand beaches and crystal clear turquoise seas. With so many possibilities, deciding where to spend more time on your trip might be challenging.

When exploring the best Beaches in Croatia, you will get to spend time at Zlatni Rat which is considered to be one of the best surfing sites across the world and Banje Beach, Dubrovnik which is known for its brilliant appealing blue-green hue. The Punta Rata is truly an eye catcher with its spectacular Brela Rock and exciting water based activities like Stand-up-paddling, kayaking, jet skiing, and parasailing. If you are someone who wishes to spend time in the midst of alluring nature enjoying the peaceful vibe, then you can head out to Nugal Beach.

Here are some of the best beaches in Croatia :

01

Zlatni Rat, Brac

The heavenly beach Zlatni rat, Brac(Golden Horn or Golden Cape) is known as one of the Best Beaches in Croatia. The most exceptional beach Zlatni Rat, Brac of Croatia is well-protected as a geomorphological monument by the government of Croatia.

The most significant thing about this beautiful beach is that its shape keeps changing constantly during the influence of winds, waves, and sea currents and makes it appear more appealing and interesting repeatedly. Zlatni rat, Brac is a favorite spot for many surfers and kite surfers across the world.

How to Reach: You can reach the beach either by car, by a 20-minutes walk along the seaside, or by a small tourist train as well as tourist boats off from the Bol port.

Also Checkout: National Parks in Croatia
Islands in Croatia

02

Banje Beach, Dubrovnik

The Banje Beach, Dubrovnik beach situated on the edge of Dubrovnik's Old Town, offers a perfect backdrop of historic Easter European splendor. As for the beach, the shoreline of Banje Beach is built of small round pebbles which gives a brilliant appealing blue-green hue.

There are plenty of parasols and beach lounges for those who claim a peaceful relaxation on the beach itself. The beach is always occupied with opulence of visitors whether it's morning for basking sun, evening for witnessing fantastic sunset or even its night for a nightclub party.

How to Reach: Due its perfect location on the Lapad peninsula, the sunset beach is easily accessible by a bus or a taxi from the old town

Must Checkout: Croatia Islands
Croatia Places to Visit

03

Punta Rata, Brela

Punta Rata, Brela coming under one of the Best Beaches in Croatia, is located on the picturesque Makarska Riviera. This beach is quie real eye-catcher as the western end of the beach is a spectacular Brela Rock, consisting of a huge stone shielded with green pine trees and wholly surrounded by the crystal clear turquoise blue sea.

Over the years, Punta Rata has become one of the Best Croatia Beaches and has been protected to maintain its natural jewel and its dense pine forest. You can try out many underwater activities like snorkeling, and some of the popular watersports like Stand-up-paddling, kayaking, jet skiing, parasailing at the pleasant white pebble beach.

How to Reach: You can reach this place by a car drive through the roads around Brela.

Also, check: Croatia Travel Packages
Things to Do in Croatia

04

Dubovica Beach, Hvar

Recognized as one of the Best Croatia Beaches, Dubovica Beach is a picturesque location on the Hvar Island setted with a spacious pebbled bay and exceptionally beautiful crystal blue sea. The beach offers many amazing underwater areas which will provide you an unforgettable moment while diving and trying other fun activities.

The beach is located near an urban area, among the mountains, so it's fairly easy to access within a few hours from the city centre of Spilt. It's for sure that you would be blown away while getting connected with its alluring beach and incredibly clear blue water. Dubovica Beach is the one where you can attain serenity in the idyllic scenery above all.

How to reach: Dubovica can only be reached by an unmarked route. If you're driving from Stari Grad to Hvar town, there's a parking lot on the left side of the road just beyond the tunnel. A small and steep trail runs down to the shore from there.

05

Sakarun Beach, Dugi Island (Dugi Otok)

Sakarun, one of the most famous beaches located on the northwest coast of Dugi Otok island also popularly known as Best Beaches in Croatia. The Croatian Sakarun beach is bestowed with a stunning, crystal clear beach sometimes called the Caribbean of the Adriatic. The gorgeous beach is enlarged around 800 meters long which justifies that the swimming area is suitable for kids.

The seabed is rich in Neptune grass or Mediterranean tape weed that is endemic to the Mediterranean Sea. In order to prevent soil erosion, Sakarun’s biodiversity has been protected within the northwestern part of Dugi Otok as a means of the significant landscape.

How to Reach: The best way to travel to Sakarun Beach is to take the Dugi Otok boat from Zadar to Brbinj. The voyage takes roughly 1:45 hours by auto ferry. After arriving on the island, the sandy beach is 15 kilometres away by vehicle or bike.

06

Nugal Beach

One of the Best Beaches in Croatia named Nugal is situated in a pebbled bay fenced by steep cliffs and the nude beach. You can access the Nugal beach by following a foot path (around 30 minutes)along the coastal way from Makarska or from Tucepi.

For the ardent naturists out there, this beach is an absolute treat with untouched nature and privacy on some sort of isolated area on it. Nugal Beach is an idyllic beach with utmost nature, peace, and tranquility around you. You can have a fresh swim session and sunbathe in the vicinity.

How to reach: It is only accessible by boat or on foot through a forest.

07

Sunj Beach, Lopud

Surrounded by a beautiful pine forest on the southernmost end of the Lopud island, Sunj Beach settles as one of the sandy and Best Croatia Beaches. The popular beach in the Dubrovnik area on the Lopud island is ideal for families and children to spend quality time.

The Sunj beach is located on the other side of the island, so it's easy to walk to the beach following the path through the forest or you can even choose to travel by electric car, right from the Lopud port. You can even prefer to reach by ferry on the regular line from Dubrovnik. The paradisal place is also an ideal place to play the Picigin game. If Picigin isn’t your thing then you can go with playing football and volleyball.

How to reach: Take a small ferry from Gruz port to Lopud Island, which travels many times a day in both ways (55 minutes ride). You will be dropped off in the port of Lopud by this boat. The Sunj beach is located on the island's opposite side.

08

Kamenjak Beach, Istria

With scenic pebbles and rocky beaches, the Kamenjak National Park is nestled near the lovely town of Premantra. The Kamenjak National Park includes marvelous cliffs, 23 intriguing beaches, and bays each more beautiful than others, uninhibited islets, long rugged coast as well as a cool Safari Bar which ultimately makes your visit an unforgettable experience.

This place was also a primary destination for fishing but later it transformed into a holiday destination. Here you can perform a large number of activities like hiking, trails, snorkeling, biking, etc. Explore its impressive wildlife, underwater world, and unique flora and fauna of the park.

How to reach: Cape Kamenjak is rather well marked after you reach Istria's southernmost point. You'll undoubtedly see a long line of cars headed there as well - and you'll know you've reached the entry when you come to a standstill queue.

09

Zrce Novalja, Pag Island

Zrce is a long pebble beach on Croatian Pag Island. It happens to be one of the best party beaches located near the town of Novalja and the area of Gajac, 2 km away from the town’s center. Pag’s tourists hold a great interest in the most prominent beach. Zrce Beach attracts worldwide tourists every year who’re looking for a hot and fun summer escape.

The beach offers the world’s most famous DJs for which it has become more prestigious and considered among Best Croatia Beaches. The beach comprises four different entertainment clubs namely Papaya, Kalypso, Aquarius, and Noa which last 24 hours per day, with all kinds of music and animation played in it to make everyone go crazy.

How to reach: Pag's villages and towns are linked by local buses that run on a regular basis. The only way to get to the location is to take a bus.

10

Stiniva Beach

Located at the farthest inhabited island Vis, Stiniva Beach is well-known and one of the Best Croatia Beaches for its unique natural sea inlet beauty overlooked by high cliffs. An ideal way to reach Stiniva Beach is from the sea itself. You can also prefer a 20 minutes footpath.

For all sea lovers out there, Stiniva Beach calls you all to indulge in its scenic beauty, clean azure sea, and the wild landscape surrounding it. For a good and valid reason, Stiniva Beach was voted Europe’s Best Beach in the Guardian a few years back. Its outstanding beauty sums up the local vineyard area near Plisko Polje to create an overall scenic quality and make the place worth visiting.

How to reach: The only way to get to Stiniva on foot is to go for around 20 minutes along a small dirt route. If you're going down, be cautious not to fall, but if you're going back up, you'll need to cool yourself with a swim. This is perhaps the only beach in the world that can be reached by following hiking trails that are normally only found on mountains.

11

Baska Beach

Baska Beach is known as one of the Best Beaches in Croatia as well as out of 315 other beaches in the Primorje-Gorski Kotar Country region which is 46.9 km away from its center of the city, Rijeka. The beautiful beach is located in an urban area amid the mountains.

Despite the fact that most of the beach is occupied by resorts, the beach is also highlighted by its natural wonders with turquoise water and light fine pebbles. This place also serves as a campsite located nearby, also includes different water activities such as catamarans or jet skis. As the beach resides in an urban area, it's easily accessible by any means of transportation around the region.

12

Peljesac Beach

Peljesac Beach is a bunch of different beaches which stand beautifully as one of the Best Beaches in Croatia, quiet on the Peljesac peninsula with all kinds of natural wonders. Here you will be able to explore a vivid range of beaches.

From long, wide, and highly sandy to small hidden pebble coves that can only be accessible by a local boat. Many of the beaches can be quickly reached from nearby accommodations. You can try your hands on various water sports available for tourist attractions.

How to reach: If coming from the north, drive to Ploce (Neretva valley), from whence you may take a vehicle ferry to Trpanj or walk down the coast to Neum and Ston.

13

Podrace Beach

With a slightly Robinson appearance, the untouched and peaceful Podrace Beach is a hidden gem among the rocks of Makarska Riviera. The beauty of Podrace Beach makes Brela so extraordinarily special and gathers a wide range of tourism across the globe.

Podrace Beach is an ideal place chosen for sunbathing and undersea exploring which makes a perfect getaway for family time. From being the Best Beaches in Croatia, it has also reached 12th place in the European Best Destinations choice list and is also known as one of the 15 most desirable holiday destinations in 2015.

How to reach: The best way to reach Podrace Beach would be by taking a bus from the city centre.

14

St. Ivan - Watermelon Beach

If you’re sailing across the Kvarner area of Croatia, you should definitely have a visit to St. Ivan - Watermelon Beach, one of the Best Beaches in Croatia. Rest your journey on a fine seaside and take a break at a charming beach St. Ivan – Watermelon.

Surrounded by the natural wonders of Cre, you’ll have a view of a clear open sea with privacy implied on the untouched nature and scent. The beach can be reached by descending down the steep trail from Lubenice or independently booking a private boat to sail off.

How to reach: The beach may be accessed by boat from the sea or by climbing the steep route from Lubenice.

15

Nin Beach

Nin Beach is one of the famed beaches of tourists and is also known as one of the Best Beaches in Croatia. The beautiful sandy beach with a range of mountains as the backdrop attracts a growing number of tourists across the world. Nin Beach contains all kinds of visitors' suitability like outdoor showers, public toilets, changing rooms, etc.

Some choose the beach as an ideal place for camping and some people prefer this place to enjoy with families and children. The beach also renders many sports like volleyball, kite for all the sports enthusiasts out there.

How to reach: The only way to reach Nin Beach would by taking a private taxi or self drive rental.

Croatia Travel Guides

10 National Parks in Croatia

20 Islands in Croatia

101 best places to visit in Croatia

Croatia Reviews

Akshayakeerti Iyengar Exciting 9 Days Croatia Holiday Package

Excellent

The Thrillophilia team organized an outstanding trip for my partner and me. Really great suggestions too, this platform had many amazing packages which were interesting and with a good budget... We took with the Exciting 9 days Croatia Holiday Package and this package was very well-organized and well-executed... Stayed, transport, and picked-up and dropped-off were extremely up to the mark... We had a great time in all the sightseeing tours along we get to learn and witness the rich culture, history, architecture, and UNESCO Heritage Sites... This is truly an awesome trip which was worth everything we invested in it...

Deeptanshu Bhattacharya Scenic Swiss Austria & Croatia in 15 Days

Excellent

The team at Thrillophilia was very professional in dealing with the customer and planning any trip whether short or long tours, We took with the Scenic Swiss Austria & Croatia for a span of 15 days. The traveling we had around this place went as seamlessly... We went from one destination to the other like Lucerne, Engelberg, Zurich, Vienna, Zagreb, and Dubrovnik and its attractions were truly WoW... Everything they arranged they were thoughtfully thinking about it and that really made a difference... Each part of the day trips we had was perfectly organized... A worthwhile experience I highly recommend

Shivakari Talwar Scenic Swiss Austria & Croatia in 15 Days

Excellent

All we wanted to take a vacation for approx 15-days to relaxed and fresh our mind also to skip our daily routine for sometimes so we thought of visiting a new country this time to experience the culture, people, history, architecture, traditions, and simple words to experience new things in life...the second time we booked with Thrillophilia they were very organized, easy to book & good value...The local staff who assist us with the trip was informative and knowledgable, even we get full support from the Thrillophilia agents through WhatsApp text and call if needed, All the hotels they arranged at different places were nice and well-selected we loved our stay, the transfers they arranged for us was on-time along with a professional driver who knows all the nooks and corners of the place...We enjoyed all the sightseeing we had at each place and every spot arrived was impressed by us. The Rhine Falls, UNESCO heritage sites, the cultures, and all were simply amazing...and lots more...When we plan for a next trip to explore another part of the world, we will trust Thrillophilia to handle everything for us as this is the second time we are impressed with their plan...

Ahilya Marar Romantic Croatia Tour Package in 10 Days

Excellent

Unbelievable trip!!! The trip was well-organized, I am impressed with the execution of the trip, This was my first-time using Thrillophilia and after the experienced, I had with this trip really it won't be my last...The overall planned they plan was perfect. Right from the start, it was exciting with many sightseeing-spots we covered, witness the country village, lifestyle, culture, architecture, traditions, foods, thrilling adventure like windsurfing, Jet-skiing, boat-rides, snorkeling, beaches, I could go-on-and-on the fun and excitement we had was huge...We didn't have to worry about anything like hotels, picked-up and dropped...Services were fantastic from start till the end.

Rajinder Butt Scenic Swiss Austria & Croatia in 15 Days

Superb

The trip we had for 15-days was magical, the thrillophilia team was helpful and did all their best to accommodate our needs, Everything went smoothly from the booking, price, and the plan. The itinerary was a good one with each detail mentioned in it was interesting...The team has a great taste of choices like tourist spots, hotels, and transfers which we loved it...The local agencies associate with Thrillpphilia on the ground too provides the best service...I would strongly recommend it!

Suryakanta Marar Romantic Croatia Tour Package in 10 Days

Excellent

My agent from Thrillophilia was very professional know how to deal with the customer give us many suggestions about the packages within Croatia only and we decided with the Romantic Croatia Tour in 10 days. the agent was able to make all my requests happen and more. The day before the travel date we received a call from the team and informed us about the important information about the trip. We were very excited about this trip. At the airport, the representative already waited for us greeted and guide us which was much appreciated. The arrangements were arranged according to our requirements which was met our expectations. The sightseeing tour in Zagreb was amazing and all the trips we had in Blue cave Islands, Dubrovnik, Croatian Island, and Games of thrones were simply outstanding with unforgettable memories... The team made sure that we were taken care of throughout our trip...

Achyut Namboothiri Exciting 9 Days Croatia Holiday Package

Excellent

First-time we used Thrillophilia for our recent 9 days trip to Croatia they were very easy to work with and easy to contact with if we have any questions while on planning the trip, during the trip and after the trip plus they were very quick to get back to us with proper solution and sorted out...They are even able to arrange a schedule that fits our logistical requirements and desires...They accommodated each adjustment and modification easily. No doubt their suggestion and planning were superb. The driver was always on time and the vehicle was good and comfortable. It was a nice thing that we covered all the mentioned places listed on the package we booked...we were focused on the trip and learn as much as possible about the people and their culture...The hop-on-hop-off bus tour in Zagreb City was amazing though. All-over we enjoyed every bit of this trip...

Pramila Chaturvedi Highlights of Croatia in 11 Days

Excellent

Amazing experience right from the beginning of the planning & booking which was so easy and smooth... The trip duration, the selected places, timing, and all were well-planned. The airport pick up was prompt and nice. The hotel they provided to us was neat and clean with the amazing service we get throughout the stay...The day tour in Zadar was wonderful with the popularity of its serene beaches, rich in culture, and the nightlife was absolutely awesome... The UNESCO World Heritage Site was breathtaking, We even covered the largest and oldest national park of Croatia and Rastoke which we witness the different species, Cruise experience was fantastic with the mesmerizing sunset view from there... We get to know the religion, culture, and history of the place. We purchased souvenirs, tried their famous dishes, met nice people and we became friends... Overall this trip was well-organized and the experience was joyous.

Dhana Verma Highlights of Croatia in 11 Days

Excellent

We booked this trip for Croatia for 11-Days, the details mentioned in the itinerary were nicely planned which seems interesting for us... The whole trip was safe and our operator and the team were supporting us from time to time during the trip. The trip was hassle-free all the bookings, meals, hotels and tours everything was totally perfect. we were so happy that we missed nothing from the package we booked. The place was truly beautiful with its culture, history, and the place has amazing ancient historical places, and also plentiful of scenics beauty. The experience will be always remembered...

Mayoor Pothuvaal Croatia Budget Tour Package in 8 Days

Excellent

Everything on this tour was beyond expectations. The hotel was well-maintained, comfortable with great service and the staff was responsive and helpful and the daily breakfast during our stay it was really good and served it on time picked up and dropped off were on time in a well-maintained car along with a well-behaved driver, the team always reached out to us through call and WhatsApp text messages to make sure we are fine and get everything mentioned in the package and also they were always ready to help us 24/7, the trip was hassle-free throughout, full-day sightseeing tour at Zagreb was truly a fun-filled experience we were wow with each place we arrived, wonderful historical places, the main part of our trip was the visit to the 5 stunning islands of Croatia we really enjoyed the views, surrounding areas, beautiful beaches, and sea we had various adventure activities really the fun we had there were absolutely amazing... We really appreciated the service they provided since the time we booked until we had the experience with no doubt now will definitely look forward to more trips like this from your team... Big thank you for making our vacation successful.