Best 25+ Croatia Beaches

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Although often regarded as part of Eastern Europe, Croatia has its own unique character with a mix of influences from Italy just across the Adriatic Sea and even a feel of Greece further down the coast. Historic towns and villages dot the coast; think winding cobbled streets of white stone and red-roofed houses, often enclosed in defensive medieval walls. It is little wonder Croatia has become a favourite TV and film location, perhaps the most notable of which has been Game of Thrones.

Natural beauty abounds too and with almost 6,000 km of coastline there is no shortage of beaches in Croatia. The convoluted coast is speckled with a diverse range of wide bays and sheltered coves all of which slope into warm crystalline waters. The backdrop won’t disappoint either with many beaches feeling like they are emerging from one of the many pine groves which cling to the cliffside.

If there is a any downside to Croatia’s beautiful beaches it is that they are rarely sandy. Pebbles are predominant although this has the benefit of keeping the water that little bit clearer. It may mean you have to throw down an extra towel, particularly if you are one of the many naturists who flock to the Croatian coast in the summer.

Many of Croatia’s finest beaches are .located on the numerous islands which are a feature the length of the coast. Usually just a short ferry ride from the mainland, sizeable islands such as Hvar, Krk and Brac all have their own character and hosts of stunning beaches.

The Best Croatian Beaches...

  • 1. Šunj (Lopud Island) // Dubrovnik

    Šunj (Lopud Island)
    dronepicr
    Great for:
    • Swimming

    Located on the island of Lopud, one of the Elaphite Islands close to Dubrovnik, Šunj Beach offers an enticing tranquillity amid rich blue waters, Mediterranean forest, and appealing sands with a shallow draft into the sea. Famously, visitors to Šunj can have to walk up to 100 metres to reach a depth where it is possible to swim, making the beach a tip-top destination for families with younger children, as… read more »

  • 2. Zlatni Rat // Brac

    Zlatni Rat
    © Kelovy

    The beach of Zlatni Rat is one of Croatia's best known with the most familiar view probably being from above. From here you will be left in very little doubt as to why the beach is often referred to locally as the "Golden Horn". Zlatni Rat juts out into the Adriatic Sea forming a triangle of beach fringing pine forest which is home to the ruins of a Roman villa.

    read more »
  • 3. Sveti Jakov // Dubrovnik

    Sveti Jakov
    dronepicr
    Great for:
    • Snorkeling
    • Swimming

    Within a stone's throw of Dubrovnik's Old Town a the beautiful bay which is home to Sveti Jakov Beach. Beyond the translucent, sapphire waters are views to Dubrovnik's Old Town itself. This makes it a great spot for escaping the crowds and basking in the afternoon sun after a day's sightseeing in the city.

    More local sites include the historic Sv. Jakov Church, which sits atop a large cliff with a… read more »

  • 4. Stiniva (Vis Island) // Dubrovnik

    Stiniva (Vis Island)
    dronepicr
    Great for:
    • Swimming

    Croatia's beaches and coastline are beginning to get a little more attention, and rightfully so. They are among the most stunning and sun-kissed in all of Europe with a growing number of accolades to back this up. Stiniva Beach was voted Europe's Best Beach in The Guardian a few years back, and with good reason.

    First and foremost, it is quite breathtaking. Generally speaking Croatia's beaches are famous for their white… read more »

  • 5. Pasjača // Dubrovnik

    Pasjača
    Juraj Patekar

    Beloved of locals, Pasjača Beach sits below the village of Popovići in Konavle municipality, approximately 12 kilometres from the town of Cavtat and 30 kilometres south of much more famous Dubrovnik.

    A man made construction formed in 1955 or thereabouts, Pasjaca Beach is only small, but was still named the best beach in Europe in 2019.

    To reach it and discover the magic for yourself, you will need to follow the… read more »

  • 6. Brela Beach // Dalmatia

    Brela Beach

    Brela is a charming little town on Croatia's Adriatic coast roughly midway between Split and Makarska. With the backdrop of the Biokovo mountains and lapped by the crystal clear azure waters of the Adriatic this largely unspoilt stretch of coast is quite stunning.

    There are a number of separate coves that make up the 6km stretch of Brela Beach. All are fringed with an abundance of pine trees and formed… read more »

  • 7. Saplunara // Dalmatia

    Saplunara

    Set at the far end of the somewhat undiscovered Dalmatian island of Mljet is the seaside village of Saplunara. Even as Croatia edges its way from the peripheries of the tourist map Mljet remains one of the hidden gems of the Adriatic and this is despite being only 30 km from Dubrovnik. The northern end of the island is a national park but there is barely much in the way… read more »

  • 8. Banje Beach // Dubrovnik

    Banje Beach
    dronepicr
    Great for:
    • Swimming

    Croatia is home to some of the most naturally beautiful beaches in Europe but Banje Beach also offers a perfect backdrop of historic splendour.

    The beach is located on the edge of Dubrovnik's Old Town alongside the 17th century Lazareti and Ploce Gate. To visit this area is to take a trip back hundreds of years and see what Eastern European life was like centuries ago. 

    As for the beach itself, the… read more »

  • 9. Divna Beach // Dalmatia

    Divna Beach
    Kris Sliver

    Divna Beach sits towards the far end of the Pelješac peninsula, the second longest in Croatia. This remote location means rather than becoming a developed resort, Divna Beach remains a chance to get in touch with nature. As such, there are few to no facilities on the beach itself. 

    All of this makes for a truly authentic, back to basics beach-going experience. You can bask in the sun and enjoy the… read more »

  • 10. Bačvice // Dalmatia

    Bačvice
    dronepicr
    Great for:
    • Swimming

    The Split area along the Dalmatian Coast is one of the most popular beach areas in Croatia, with a reputation that continues to grow internationally. Barely known a century ago, Bacvice Beach has quickly become one of the biggest bathing and beach areas along the Dalmatian Coast, so much so that "Let's go to Bacvice!" is practically shorthand for summer fun in the sun in Croatia.

    Bacvice attracts everyone from locals… read more »

  • 11. Dubovica // Dalmatia

    Dubovica
    niceholidayphotos

    Shimmering likes a diamond in the Adriatic, Dubovica Beach is particularly alluring beach escape in Croatia. Far from the big towns and beaches, the island of Hvar has long been a popular Croatian getaway. It's just a short hop between Hvar and the famed Dalmatian Coast.

    The little town of Hvar is nearby but this beach is all about natural beauty and connecting with nature. This is one of the loveliest… read more »

  • 12. Nugal beach // Dalmatia

    Nugal beach
    Tengilorg

    If you're looking for a beautiful place to bask in the sun, bronze your skin, and bare all, it's hard to beat Nugal Beach. Croatia's best known nudist beach, Nugal Beach is a place where all things natural are celebrated.

    The beach here is a small stretch of soft white sand bookmarked by sheer rocky cliffs. Far and away Nugal Beach's most notable feature is the waterfall which cascades down the… read more »

  • 13. Sveti Ivan // Cres

    Sveti Ivan
    Miroslav Vajdic

    Sveti Ivan, or St John's Beach (and sometimes Lubenice Beach), lies on the island of Cres. It is one of the string of islands in the Istria Peninsula. Ferries can be caught from the mainland at Brestova, and make the trip more than a dozen times a day in the high season.

    Named as one of the top 40 beaches in the world by German magazine Bild, Sveti Ivan is a… read more »

  • 14. Cvitačka // Dalmatia

    Cvitačka
    Mario Knezović
    Great for:
    • Snorkeling
    • Swimming

    Situated about 2km from Makarska town centre is Cvitačka beach. Cvitacka is everything you would expect from a Croatian beach; crystal clear, blue water and near white sand. Well, it isn't exactly sand, more a mix of sharp pebbles and shingle. Not exactly perfect for walking on, but looks idyllic and is the reason the water is so clear along this coast.

    The beach itself is quite idyllic with the local pine… read more »

  • 15. Murvica // Brac

    Murvica
    © Kelovy
    Great for:
    • Snorkeling
    • Swimming

    Murvica Beach can be found on the island of Brac, and offers white sands and picture postcard views towards the island of Hvar. Largely virgin in set up, the amenities at Murvica Beach are limited to a car park above the sands on a clifftop perch, and a snack bar selling refreshments in the same place, although overnight accommodation of varying forms can be found around three kilometres away.

    To reach… read more »