Since we live in the part with the best beaches in Croatia, it would be a shame not to write a dedicated article with the best places in Croatia for beach holiday. So here it is, an article that brings you some of the best parts of Croatia when it comes to the relaxed beach holiday. We are going to mention 7 most famous such places in which you can find beautiful beaches located near the tourist areas, as well as many secluded and harder-to-reach beaches.
Croatia is most famous for its coastline, crystal-clear Adriatic Sea, and beautiful beaches . Many of these beaches are rocky, and we decided to exclude them from this list which will consist only of sandy and pebbly beaches which we believe are the most tourist friendly and most visitors traveling to Croatia search for such beaches. If you are kind of a person looking for a combination of the sun, sea, and beach time, read this article to the end and find out the best places in Croatia for beach holiday.
1. Makarska Riviera – Croatia’s Ultimate Beach Destination Of course, we have to start with the place we live at. Makarska Riviera is the unique blend of the Adriatic Sea and the Biokovo Mountain and it’s regarded to have some of the most beautiful beaches in Croatia. Many of them are easily accessible, but we always prefer those that are secluded. The good thing about Makarska Riviera is the fact that it has secluded, hidden, and easily accessible beaches.
Best For: Families, couples, and beach lovers looking for long and easily accessible beaches.Beach Type: Mostly pebbly with different pebble sizes and crystal-clear sea.Why Visit? The Makarska Riviera is a place with some of the most beautiful beaches in Croatia that are located underneath Biokovo Mountain . Places like Brela, Baška Voda, Tučepi, and Makarska offer a range of beachfront accommodations with easy access to these beaches.Top Beaches on Makarska Riviera:
Punta Rata Beach (Brela) – Often ranked among the best beaches in Europe.Nikolina Beach (Baška Voda) – Perfect for families with kids.Nugal Beach (Makarska) – A secluded beach accessible by a short hike. Surrounded by high cliffs and is perfect for couples and nudists.
2. Brač Island – Home to Zlatni Rat, the Famous “Golden Horn” of Croatia If you have Googled the term ‘beaches in Croatia’ you have probably stumbled upon the famous Zlatni Rat Beach located on the Brač Island. It’s yet another famous beach in Croatia, and probably the one that appears in online searches most often. All of the islands in Croatia have beautiful beaches and some of the clearest seas you’ll ever see in your life.
Best For: Water sports lovers, families, and couples.Beach Type: Soft white pebbles.Why Visit? The island of Brač is famous for Zlatni Rat Beach , one of Croatia’s most iconic beaches. The horn-shaped beach changes shape with the tides and creates one of the most unique places for beach holiday in Croatia.Top Beaches on Brač Island:
Zlatni Rat Beach (Bol) – Perfect for windsurfing, paddleboarding, and sunbathing.Lovrečina Bay – One of the rare sandy beaches on the island, ideal for families.
3. Rab Island – The Best Destination if you like Sandy Beaches You’ll notice that this list is full of islands. The reason for that is the fact that islands in Croatia have more beautiful beaches than on the mainland. These beaches were made by thousands of years of erosion by the sea tides. Rab Island is another famous location for beach holidays in Croatia. Rab is also famous for its sandy beaches so if you’re a type that loves this kind of beach, Rab is the place for you.
Best For: Families and travelers looking for soft sandy beaches.Beach Type: SandyWhy Visit? Unlike most Croatian islands that have pebbly beaches, Rab Island is known for its natural sandy beaches with shallow and warm waters.Top Beaches:
Paradise Beach (Rajska Plaža located in Lopar) – One of the best sandy beaches in Croatia, stretching for almost 2 kilometers .Pudarica Beach – A peaceful sandy beach with a clear sea.
4. Dugi Otok – Sakarun Beach, a Caribbean-like Paradise We are still on the islands and will stay on them for most of this article. This time we go to Long Island, or Dugi Otok in Croatian language. As the name says, this is rather a long island in Croatia that has very beautiful beaches and Sakarun Beach is at the top of the list.
Best For: Anyone looking for a quiet beach retreat.Beach Type: SandyWhy Visit? Sakarun Beach is one of the most famous sandy beaches in Croatia, with white sand and shallow, turquoise waters . This is a perfect place for families and couples visiting Croatia .Things to Do: Snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, and enjoying the Caribbean vibe in Croatia.
5. Lopud Island – The Best Sandy Beach Near Dubrovnik From the northern island group, we go all the way south, near the famous city of Dubrovnik. When it comes to the beaches near Dubrovnik, the most famous ones are Banje Beach in Dubrovnik and Pasjača Beach in Konavle. But for this article, we have included another sandy beach that is located on Lopud Island near Dubrovnik. Its name is Šunj Beach and it’s the most famous beach on the Elaphiti Islands.
Best For: Families and those staying in Dubrovnik and want to enjoy a sandy beach experience.Beach Type: SandyWhy Visit? Located near Dubrovnik, Lopud Island has one of the best sandy beaches in Croatia. Lopud can be visited via public lines from Dubrovnik or via the Dubrovnik to Elaphiti Islands boat tour.Top Beach on Elaphiti Islands:
Šunj Beach – A long, shallow sandy beach perfect for families with kids.
6. Krk Island – The Best Family-Friendly Beach Destination As the sixth entry on the list of best places in Croatia for beach holiday we have put the Krk Island. It’s not the place we travel to often and it’s part of the northern islands in Croatia. It’s also regarded as one of the best locations for a family holiday in Croatia .
Best For: Families and anyone who wants a mix of pebbly and sandy beaches.Beach Type: Mostly pebbly, with some sandy beaches too.Why Visit? Krk Island is one of the most accessible Croatian islands since it’s connected by a bridge to the mainland. It has beautiful beaches too.Top Beaches:
Vela Plaža (Baška) – A long beach made of pebbles , located near the picturesque town of Baška.Oprna Beach – A secluded beach on Krk Island with small pebbles and a relaxing atmosphere.
7. Pelješac Peninsula – Quiet and Beautiful Beaches Near Dubrovnik For the ending of this list, we once again go to southern Croatia and visit the Pelješac peninsula. Pelješac is located near Dubrovnik and it can be reached via the newly built Pelješac Bridge. It’s a place famous for its wines, but it also has some of the most beautiful pebbly and sandy beaches you’ll find in this part of Croatia .
Best For: Couples and travelers seeking a bit more peaceful beach destinations.Beach Type: Pebbly, few sandy onesWhy Visit? Pelješac Peninsula stunning and often uncrowded beaches . Use this opportunity and enjoy some of the best beaches in southern Croatia.Top Beaches on Pelješac peninsula:
Divna Beach – A breathtaking pebbly beach surrounded by lush vegetation.Vučine Beach – A secluded beach near Žuljana with shallow waters and pine trees that provide shade.
Before You Venture to any of the Croatian Beaches Croatia is a beach paradise and in this article, we have included some of the best places in Croatia for beach holiday. Of course, there are many more places with stunning beaches, but we tried to look at the other amenities as well, such as accommodation, easily reachable beaches, and other activities present at particular places. Also, lists with numerous entries make no sense. If you’re looking for something particular, you want to know only the best options, not necessarily all the options. And we believe that this list is made of only the best places for beach holidays in Croatia.
Enjoy your time in our country!
