There are many amazing places to visit in Croatia, a beach lover’s paradise. Boasting an extensive coastline and dozens of delightful off-shore islands dotted around the perfect turquoise waters of the Adriatic, there is a perfect beach for each and every visitor. Popular beaches offer rental facilities for loungers and umbrellas as well as equipment for waters ports, and you can almost always find a restaurant/bar nearby.
Mali Bok Beach, Cres
Picturesquely located on Cres Island off the northern coast of Croatia, Mali Bok Beach is a truly sensational little strip of paradise. Cres Island is known for its beautiful coves and bays, surrounded by towering cliffs, and Mali Bok is one of the most beautiful. However, such an idyllic beach comes at a price – it is difficult to access and on the small side.
Pro tip: You can find parking close to the village of Orlec and you then have to follow a steep trail down to the beach – however, most visitors agree that the hike is well worth it.
Must know: You will need to take everything you need down with you as there are no services.
Address: Mali Bok Beach, Orlec, Cres Island
Zlatni Rat, Brac
Located on Brac Island (which lies south of Split), Zlatni Rat Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches along Croatia’s remarkable coastline. The beach is formed by millions of fine pebbles which have been deposited around a coral reef and extends over 500 meters into the sea.
Local travel tip: Due to constant wind and water movement, the beach is actually a work in progress which changes shape from time to time, making it even more irresistible.
What is there to do at the beach? Zlatni Rat beach forms part of a protected natural area and is a favorite haunt of surfers and kite surfers, as well as bathers and sun worshippers.
Pro tip: You can reach the beach on foot or by boat or take advantage of the summer tourist train.
Address: Zlatni Rat, Brac Island, Croatia
Berulia Beach, Brela
You will find Berulia Beach tucked three scenic coves in the popular coastal resort of Brela. The beach stretches for over 400 meters and is backed by a scenic forested area which provides shade in summer. Although the beach is quite narrow, it offers many facilities to enhance your visit including public toilets, outdoor showers and chance rooms.
Pro tip: You can hire deck chairs and umbrellas and there are plenty of water activities on offer including para-sailing, pedal-boats and jet skiing.
Good to know: Probably the best feature of Berulia Beach is the fact that it enjoys Blue Flag status (for the cleanliness of the water) and there are lifeguards on duty.
Address: Berulia Beach, Brela, Croatia
Gradsko Kupalisto (Town Beach), Crikvenica
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You will find Gradsko Kupalisto or Town Beach about 200m north of the Crikvenica, easily accessible on foot or by car or public transport. This is another of Croatia’s beautiful Blue Flag beaches, boasting crystal clear water and great services. This beach offers something for everyone and is very popular with families. Young children can have fun at the children’s playground, while adults can enjoy a relaxing beach massage.
What are the most popular beach activities at Gradsko Kupalisto? Other activities on Gradsko beach include tubing and banana boat rides, swimming and kayaking.
Do this: You can hire loungers and umbrellas on site and there is a restaurant and café, toilets and showers.
Must know: This beach charges a daily entrance fee between 8am and 5pm – outside of those hours everyone can enjoy free entry.
Address: Gradsko Kupalisto (Town Beach), Crikvenica, Croatia
Banje Beach
Located immediately besides Dubrovnik's famous city walls, Banje Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Croatia offering wonderful views of the ancient city ramparts, and Lokrum Island.
Must know: You have to walk down a steep set of steps to reach the beach (which makes this beach unsuitable for strollers or wheelchairs) but once you reach the beach you can hire everything you need for a relaxing beach day.
Where to eat: To escape the hot mid-day sun you can spend some time in the shaded café or have a genuine Croatian meal in the restaurant.
Popular beach activities: Active visitors can enjoy jet-skiing, banana boats rides, para-sailing or pedal boats.
Address: Banje Beach, Dubovnik, Croatia
Sveti Jakov
Sveti Jakov beach is one of the prettiest of Dubrovnik’s beaches, located south of the city and offering distant views of the historic walled city. Like many of Croatia’s best beaches you will need to make a little effort to visit Sveti Jakov – there are about 160 steps leading down to the beach – easy enough at the start of your day but not so great when you need to go home.
Pro tip: To avoid the steps you can access the beach via bus or boat from Gruz, which will take you directly to the beach.
Is there a restaurant on the beach? Once you reach this fine pebble beach you will find lounger and parasol hire, a restaurant and beach bar and a concession where you can hire sea kayaks and jet skis.
Address: Sveti Jakov, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Sakarun Beach
One of Croatia’s most beautiful (and least known) beaches, Sakarun Beach lies at the northern tip of Dugi Otok Island, which is located due west of the mainland town of Zadar. Finding your way to Sakarun Beach is an adventure in itself and you will first have to hop aboard the ferry from Zadar for a pleasant journey around the Zadar archipelago to Dugi Otok Island. From there you can take a local bus or hire a car to reach the beach.
What is Sakarun Beach in Croatia known for? What makes this beach so special is the amazing color of the water, the brilliant white pebbles and the beautiful backdrop of verdant green pines.
Is Sakarun Beach suitable for kids? The beach is particularly good for families as the water is shallow and ideal for children.
Local travel tip: During the summer you can hire loungers and umbrellas from one of two beach bars.
Address: Sakarun Beach, Dugi Otok, Croatia
Pupnatska Beach
The island of Korcula lies off the west coast of Croatia, roughly half-way between Split and Dubrovnik, where it boasts one of the country’s best beaches, Pupnatska Beach. To reach this delightful family beach you do need to navigate a rather perilous road, but once you get to the beach you will be happy that you took the trouble to find it.
Is Pupnatska Beach kid friendly? Pupnatska offers crystal clear waters (great for snorkeling) and areas of shallow water where children can safely wade.
What is the best beach in Croatia for sand castles? There is also a sandy area suitable for sand-castle building.
Good to know: You can hire chairs and umbrellas and there is a restaurant/snack bar and toilets.
Address: Pupnatska Beach, Korcula, Croatia
Vela Przina Beach, Korcula
Vela Przina Beach is one of the few sandy beaches you will find along the coast of Croatia, which makes it very popular especially for families. The beach is located 15 minutes by bus from Korcula Town on the southern side of Korcula Island, where it is a very popular gathering place for locals during the summer months.
What is the best family beach in Croatia? Families will find that Vela Przina is an ideal beach for children, offering shallow water for wading and lovely soft sand for building castles and pools.
Where to eat: There are two beach-side restaurants where you can buy snacks and light meals and there is easy access to the beach from the parking area.
Queen’s Beach, Zadar
An idyllic beach for families with young children, Queen’s Beach (aka Ninska Laguna) is a three-kilometer stretch of sandy beach located within the Nin Lagoon in Zadar. The beach is almost completely surrounded by shallow water which makes it perfect for little children (you will need to bring an umbrella as there is no shade on this beach). It is also the ideal spot to try your hand at wind surfing.
Pro tip: Locals believe that the mud in the lagoon has medicinal properties and you may try the local practice of immersing yourself in the mud before sunbathing – however, the mud is rather smelly so try this at your own risk.
Where to eat: The beach has a single restaurant where you can buy snacks and there is also parking, a shower and a public toilet.
Address: Queen’s Beach/a>, Nin Lagoon, Zadar
Rucica Beach, Pag
Rucica Beach is a small crescent-shaped pebble beach located about one kilometer from the town of Metajna on Pag Island, which is characterized by its barren moon-like landscape and is famous for its cheese and wine. Although Rucica Beach is not as picturesque as many of Croatia’s other beaches, it has a charm of its own and is well worth a visit.
Is Rucica Beach good for snorkeling? At one end of the beach you will find rocky areas which offer good snorkeling and there is a coffee shop with a terrace where you can escape the sun for a few minutes.
Pro tip: The beach offers wonderful views and the opportunity to take a short hike to several other beaches.
Good to know: You have to bring your own umbrella and chairs.
Address: Rucica Beach, Metajna, Pag, Croatia
Maslinica Beach, Rabac
You will find the beautiful white-pebble Maslinica Beach in the resort town of Rabac in Istria, in the extreme north of Croatia. The beach is extremely popular and has been awarded a Blue Flag for its clean, clear waters and the many facilities it offers visitors, including handicapped access, showers and toilets.
Good to know: You can rent anything you need for a day in the sun from one of the on-site concessions and there are several restaurants and bars where you can sip a refreshing drink.
Are there fun things to do for kids on this Croatian beach? Children can enjoy a variety of water and land activities including tubing, banana boats, pedal boats, volley ball, tennis and mini-soccer and little children can have fun at the playground.
Address: Maslinica Beach, Rabac, Istria, Croatia
Amarin Beach, Rovinj
Located three kilometers north of Rovinj, Amarin Beach, Rovinj is one of the most popular beaches on the west coast of the Istrian peninsula. This Blue Flag beach is mainly covered in pebbles and there are rocky areas which children will love exploring.
Is Amarin Beach in Rovinj easy to get to? Entry into the sea is very shallow making this an ideal beach for families and the elderly who can easily reach the beautiful clear waters.
Pro tip: You can hire everything you need on-site including umbrellas and sun loungers and there is an aqua park for the children.
Good to know: Amarin beach has several restaurants and bars, toilets, showers and water-sport rentals including jet-skis and pedal boats.
Address: Amarin Beach, Rovinj, Western Istria, Croatia
Golden Cape Beach, Rovinj
Located about 1.5 kilometers from the town center, the Golden Cape Beach, Rovinj is a wild and beautiful rocky beach interspersed by pebbly inlets. Due to the rocky nature of the shoreline in this area, access to the beautiful crystal-clear water can be a little difficult and Golden Cape Beach would not be suitable for small children.
Pro tip: The beach is backed by shady pine trees which provide some welcome shade and you can find several secluded and private spots for sunbathing.
Must know: You will need to bring everything you need to the Golden Cape Beach as there are no restaurants close by.
Address: Golden Cape Beach, Rovinj, Istria, Croatia
Pecine Beach, Island of Krk
If you are looking for a lovely sandy beach with crystal-clear water, Pecine Beach could be ideal for you. The beach is located close to the village of Silo in the north-east of the Island of Krk. This Blue Flag beach is easy to access by car or on foot and provides lovely soft sand for children to play in and shallow waters for bathing and wading.
Pro tip: You can hire beach loungers and umbrellas from an on-site kiosk and the beach has outdoor showers, changing cubicles and public toilets.
Where can I go shipwreck diving in Croatia? If you enjoy snorkeling or scuba diving you can explore the nearby sunken shipwreck.
Where to eat: When you need a drink or an ice-cream you will find options on site.
Address: Pecine Beach, Silo, Krk Island, Croatia
Spiaza Beach, Suzak Island
You will find Spiaza Beach, Suzak Island tucked away on the tiny car-free Croatian island of Suzak, where it provides a haven of peace and tranquility, far from the usual hustle and bustle of the better-known tourist resorts. The beach is sandy and the shallow water makes it ideal for families with young children.
Pro tip: Everything you may require for a great day on the beach can be found on site including umbrella and chair hire as well as cafés and restaurants serving local delicacies.
Must know: You can reach this remote island by means of the daily ferry from Losinj or by catamaran from Rijeka.
Address: Spiaza Beach, Suzak Island
Kanegra Beach, Umag
You will find Kanegra Beach close to the ancient walled town of Umag on the beautiful Istrian Peninsula. Kanegra Beach is popular and well-equipped with everything you need for a pleasant day on the beach. Although this is a pebble beach the gravel is quite fine and suitable for children of all ages to enjoy.
Good to know: There is a lovely grassy area for picnics and there are many activities for children including a playground, mini-golf, trampoline and pedal boats. Adults can relax and unwind, enjoy sunbathing and swimming or go sailing.
Pro tip: You can rent loungers and umbrellas on site and a beach bar, restaurant, pastry shop and café bar will ensure that hunger pangs are held at bay.
Address: Kanegra Beach, Umag, Istria, Croatia
Ambrela Beach, Verudela
Located close to the entrance of the popular tourist resort area of Verudela on the Istrian Peninsula, Ambrela Beach is a favorite of locals and visitors alike. The beach boasts Blue Flag Status and offers near-perfect conditions for families with young children who can safely play and wade in the shallow waters. There is also some natural shade provided by ancient trees and you can hire beach chairs and umbrellas.
Beach fun for kids at Ambrela Beach: Older children can have hours of fun playing on the inflatable iceberg sea playground, going on banana boat rides or trying out the pedal boats.
Where to eat: There is an excellent selection of restaurants, cafés and bars to keep everyone happy.
Address: Ambrela Beach, Verudela, Istria, Croatia
Steniva Beach, Vis
If you would like to see why Steniva Beach, Vis made this list, you had better get ready for an adventure. This remarkable little beach is very difficult to access, which makes it all the more irresistible to the curious traveler.
Must know: First of all, Steniva Beach lies on the most remote island of Vis, which requires a two-hour ferry ride to reach. Once there you will need to hike down a steep and demanding trail to reach the beach or charter a boat from near-by Rukavac.
Your reward used to be the chance to access a little slice of heaven to enjoy in near-solitude. However, now that the secret is out everyone flocks to see Steniva Beach and much of the magic has been lost.
Address: Steniva Beach, Vis, Croatia
Borik Beach, Zadar
Borik Beach is located about four kilometers from the Zadar city center and offers an excellent Croatian beach experience. Although most of the beach is covered in pebbles there is a small sandy area for younger children to play in.
This beautiful stretch of Blue Flag beach is ideal for the whole family and offers a wide variety of interesting activities for everyone.
Borik Beach is family friendly: While younger children can enjoy the shallow waters, older children will delight in trying the banana boat and tube rides or the thrill of parasailing.
Good to know: You can rent everything you need for a comfortable day in the sunshine and there are a selection of bars and restaurants to refresh you.
Address: Borik Beach, Zadar, Croatia
