Croatia is located in Southeast Europe, on the beautiful coast of the Adriatic Sea. Famous for wines, tranquil beaches, delicious food, and its iconic Game of Thrones locations, Croatia has around 1,246 islands stretching across 4,058 kilometres of coastline.

Croatia is blessed with postcard-worthy beaches, and it is one of the most stunning destinations in Europe.

Croatia is a paradise for beach babies like me, and in this article, I will share the 11 best beaches in Croatia. So get your sunscreen ready and explore these beaches:-

1. Guide to the Best Beaches in Croatia

1.1. Sakarun Beach, Dugi Otok

Topping off the list of the best beaches in Croatia is Sakarun Beach. Sakarun Beach, located on Dugi Otok Island, is one of the most beautiful beaches in Croatia. The beach is about 800 meters long. The bathing area is large and shallow and even suitable for young children.

You can reach Sakarun from Zadar by boat. Still, the ferry schedule and availability to Božava, the closest port to Sakarun Beach, may vary, with limited options for weekday day trips. Additionally, the tourist train from Božava to Sakarun may not operate year-round.

The waters along the shore of this beach are clear, shallow, and calm, making it ideal for snorkelling in this area. The beach is surrounded by tall pine trees, making it appealing to vacation families.

The beach looks like heaven with the blue-green transparent water, soft sand, and deep blue sky. You cannot miss this beach if you’re a beach lover.

1.2. Banje Beach – Dubrovnik

Banje Beach is one of the best beaches in Croatia. Head there for a sundowner for cocktails and chill vibes. The beach has a reception, restaurants, and chic and minimalist bars.

Banje’s beautiful coastline connects almost directly to Dubrovnik’s old city walls in the east. The total length of the beach is approximately 100 meters and a width of 30 meters. This popularity is not surprising.

Banje, one of Croatia’s most picturesque pebble beaches, is a must-visit when exploring this beautiful country.

This pebbly beach can get very busy and crowded with tourists and locals. At night, it turns into a fantastic place for a good time. It is a popular “party” place for locals and tourists, and the prices are much higher than on other city beaches.

1.3. Zlatni Rat Beach – Brac Island

Zlatni is a long pebble beach stretching out to the Adriatic Sea. Zlatni Rat has also been named the Best Beach Destination in Europe several times.

This pebble cove has the most transparent crystal water and is perfect for a relaxing beach vacation. It changes shape with the currents and prevailing winds.

Snorkelling at this location is excellent because of its clear water. You can also find cafes and restaurants available within a short distance. Beaches here aren’t that crowded, even in high season.

If you are planning to come to Zlatni Rat Beach, I strongly recommend taking a few extra days to explore the rest of the island of Brac; it is very much worth it!

1.4. Stiniva Beach – Vis Island

If there’s one beach you must visit on Vis Island, it is Stinivia Beach. This beach is found hidden on the beautiful island of Vis.

It was also awarded the title “Best Beach in Europe” in 2016, and it’s not hard to explain why. Stiniva Beach looks exactly like a scene from a Hollywood movie. But it is a bit of a challenge to hike down the beach.

Stiniva Beach has helped Vis gain tremendous popularity in recent years with its unique surrounding cliffs and shallow bay.

There are a plethora of activities to indulge in while visiting this beach. You can experience the adventures of snorkelling and a swim on this beach.

The natural limestone arena that opens to the sea protects you from the world and makes you thankful that you have found your spot on this heavenly beach! You can take boat tours to explore the hidden cove and the beach.

Stiniva is a real treasure! To enjoy its fantastic beauty, arriving early in the morning and not in the middle of the season is better.

1.5. Saplunara Beach – Mljet Island

This beach is located on the southeastern tip of Mljet Island. Saplunara Beach is one of the most beautiful sandy beaches in Croatia.

You’ll enjoy this beach with crystal clear water, which is perfect for swimming. Near the beach, you’ll find a few restaurants and cafes where you can grab something to eat.

The coast is popular among locals and tourists, but often, there are not many people on this beach.

1.6. Paradise Beach – Rab Island

Living up to its name, this beach is an actual corner of paradise.

This beach on Rab Island is part of a lovely natural environment, including clear blue waters, green valleys, and secluded coves. The water at Paradise Beach is relatively shallow and is perfect for children.

It is a great place to enjoy camping and has a few restaurants and beach bars where you can enjoy delicious local dishes.

It’s the perfect place to spend a relaxing time with your family. This beach is also one of the most underrated beaches in Croatia, so don’t miss out on this one!

1.7. Nugal Beach – Makarska Riviera

This secluded beach in Osejava Park can only be reached by a 30-minute walk through the forest or by boat. Nugal Beach is a highlight of the Makarska region.

Be prepared to strip down, though – Nugal is a nudist beach in Croatia. This spectacular beach is engraved into a rocky landscape, making it one of the most beautiful beaches in Croatia.

Thick pine forests surround Nugal Beach, boasting brilliant white sands and turquoise blue waters.

The beach is small, but the nearby pine trees offer shade and privacy. There are no restaurants or bars at the beach, so bring your own snacks and drinks to eat and drink during the day.

1.8. Divna Beach – Pelješac Island

A gorgeous natural environment, including clear blue waters, pine trees, and secluded coves, surrounds Southern Croatia’s beach.

The pebbled beach, the pure sea, and the smell of salt at Divna Beach will leave you utterly enchanted.

The beach and the turquoise blue sea are located in Divna Bay (the same as the sea) between mountain slopes covered with thick forests. It is located 10 km from Trpanj, one of the oldest settlements on the Pelješac peninsula.

There is a camp near the beach where you can find a beach bar to look for refreshments during hot summer days, and the pine forests surrounding the beach are perfect for hiding from the summer sun.

1.9. Sunj Beach – Lopud Island

Sunj Beach is one of the few sandy beaches in Croatia. The region has a rich history with plenty of forts, villas, and palaces.

The sea is so shallow that you must walk more than 100 meters to swim, making it perfect for families with small children.

This beach is ideal for families who’d like to spend a day trip outside of the city. But Sunj Beach can get jam-packed in the summer season.

1.10. Dubovica Beach – Hvar Island

While heading to Hvar, you can’t miss this spectacularly stunning Dubovica Beach. This spectacular beach is one of the best stunning white pebble beaches in the middle of an emerald-green lagoon in Croatia.

Located between Hvar Town and Starigrad, this most attractive pebble beach invites you to take a dip and experience the abundant joys of the Adriatic Sea.

Dubovica Beach is one of the top Hvar Beaches. Considering that it’s on the sunniest island in Croatia, there are many water sports on this beach.

Dubovica Beach is perfect for diving enthusiasts who can explore the fascinating underwater world.

1.11. Queen’s Beach – Nin

Queen’s Beach is one of the best and largest sandy beaches around the Zadar-Nin area, stretching over 8,000 meters long. This beach is also known as Kraljicina Beach.

The main “highlight” of this beach is the presence of the most extensive mud spring in Croatia in the vicinity, which allows you to combine swimming in the sea with mud treatment procedures. Adventure lovers can enjoy good windsurfing and then relax by giving themselves a ready-made mud bath from the beach.

The waters around this beach change regularly depending on the wind and weather. It is also a perfect beach for families with children. No pebbles or rock formations are here, so bathing on this beach is safe.

The beach is accessible from the centre of Nin, and only three beach bars provide food and drink on this alluring beach.

2. Do’s And Dont’s Of Traveling To Croatia

While travel in Croatia is pretty much a breeze, here are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that you have a good time:-

2.1. Avoid the Peak Season

If you can, avoid travelling to Croatia during the peak season.

The peak season in Croatia is from June until the end of August each year. The country is thronging with tourists during this time. It gets very crowded and also extremely hot during this season.

If you can’t avoid travelling during the peak season, plan for the crowds. Going out earlier in the morning or late in the evening and buying food and drinks in the supermarket instead of only in bars and restaurants will help you avoid large crowds.

2.2. Do Take a Leap of Faith

For all the adventure junkies, you can go bungee jumping, skydiving, kayaking, zip-lining and whitewater rafting across Croatia. River rafting is also an excellent way to explore hidden parts of Croatia.

2.3. Don’t Miss Out on the Ferries

Most of the people of Croatian islands have their own small boats to travel between islands and the coast as it’s the easiest way to get around. Another common way to island hop in Croatia is by taking public ferries. Many companies offer ferries in Croatia.

2.4. Do Try To Visit At Least One Of Croatia’s National Parks

Croatia has many national parks, so remember when planning a trip to Croatia. Two popular parks are Kamenjak National Park and Krka National Park.

These parks offer gorgeous natural scenery, breathtaking waterfalls, hiking trails, and picturesque views. Croatia has more trees than people, so there is a lot of nature to explore.

2.5. Don’t Skip the Local Cuisine

Croatia also has a lot of delicious local food to offer. This includes the fresh seafood you shouldn’t miss out on. You’ll see a significant influence of Italian food in Croatian delicacies.

There are also excellent meat and salad options in Croatia. Risotto with squid ink is a favourite in any of the coastal towns. You can also find several delicious and affordable wine tastings throughout the Dalmatian region.

3. Wrapping Up

Croatia welcomes all kinds of tourists. Croatia has something for everyone, whether you’re a water sports enthusiast, a foodie searching for exotic cuisine, or a picturesque vacation destination.

The stunning architecture and pristine beaches of Croatian cities offer an unforgettable memory to every visitor. The historical prevalence of the islands itself makes it an attractive place to pause your busy lives and spend the nights under the enchanting Croatian sky.

Last Updated on July 10, 2024 by Sathi Chakraborty