That enviably lengthy shoreline that nips out and in of the Adriatic is one among Croatia’s chief beauties. Add to this greater than 1000 islands and you’ve got a unprecedented alternative for a seashore vacation. You’ll discover sweeping stretches of fantastic pebbles, tiny rocky coves and large sandy expanses to go along with grassy riverbanks transformed to household seashores and just about the whole lot in between.
Like browsing, kite-surfing and windsurfing? There’s a seashore for all of these items, to not point out a few of the most throbbing waterside nightclubs within the Mediterranean.
Croatians are adept at turning something close to water into someplace to swim; therefore all these rough-hewn steps and railings reduce into rocks you’ll see in numerous Adriatic coastal villages. However if you’d like sophistication, you’ll discover it in swanky seashore golf equipment and upmarket beachfront inns. Simply don’t overlook to carry some swimming footwear – most Croatian seashores are pebbly or rocky, not sandy.
Zlatni Rat (Golden Cape), Bol
Greatest seashore to your Instagram standing
That sinuous V of fantastic white pebbles topped with pine timber and flanked by turquoise waters is among the most enduring photographs of Croatia’s Adriatic coast. Zlatni Rat (Golden Cape) dangles from Brač’s southern coast, consistently altering its form in tune with the currents and winds. It’s this wind that makes it one among Croatia’s high spots for windsurfing. Simply observe the shaded path previous the inflatable aquapark alongside to Bol subsequent door to get your self kitted out. Or grasp round Zlatni Rat’s endearing mixture of swish cocktail bars and rustic seashore shacks.
Dubovica, Hvar
Greatest seashore for a respite between drinks
Zrće attracts the clubby crowd, however Hvar City, on the island of the identical title, has a long-held popularity as Croatia’s fun-loving get together city. Sundowners by the seashore shortly transition into boozy, dance-on-table evenings in tightly packed bars within the elegant previous city. Daytime is restoration time, and our favourite spot for lazy days is Dubovica, a tiny cove of dazzling white pebbles and iridescent waters 6 miles (10km) east of city. It’s reached by a stony path main down from the freeway, or you possibly can catch a taxi boat from Hvar City.
Sveti Jakov, Dubrovnik
Greatest seashore to flee busy Dubrovnik
You’ll have at the very least a 20-minute stroll from the Outdated City and a hike down – and again up – 160 stone steps, however Sveti Jakov provides you some respiratory house from the busyness of Dubrovnik’s predominant seashore. And also you get elegant views of the walled Outdated City, that are much more spectacular because the solar goes down. Secluded it may be, however you possibly can nonetheless lease sunbeds and umbrellas and seize a chew on the beachside bar.
Stiniva, Vis
Greatest seashore for boaters
The island of Vis is the farthest-flung of the primary Dalmatian islands. It’s a magical place, with solely a few small cities, a sparsely populated inside and a shoreline indented with remoted coves. Essentially the most strikingly stunning of them is Stiniva, surrounded by a near-circle of rocky cliffs, with solely a slim opening to the ocean. It may be reached by a particularly tough observe main down from a distant backroad, nevertheless it’s a lot simpler to get right here by boat.
Yachts moor past the opening and their passengers swim by to the sheltered white-pebble seashore the place a lone cafe serves chilly drinks, snacks and ice lotions to the decided souls who make it right here. Should you left the yacht at dwelling, it’s attainable to catch a taxi boat from the close by village of Rukavac.
Plaža Ušće (Delta Seaside), Neretva Delta
Greatest for kitesurfing and windsurfing
Kitesurfers and windsurfers – you’ve discovered among the finest seashores in Croatia to fly throughout the sands and waves of Plaža Ušće. Delta Seaside, because it’s identified in English, is the huge sandy expanse that hugs the delta of the Neretva River because it empties into the Adriatic. Gaze on the stunning mountains of the Pelješac peninsula in entrance of you as you flop on the sands and order a chilly drink within the easy little seashore bar.
Zrće Seaside, Pag
Greatest seashore for clubbers
Zrće Seaside is giant, simple to entry, amped up and presents little shade. Should you’re below 30 and able to get together, that is completely the place to be. In recent times, Zrće’s beachfront golf equipment have taken up residency on DJ Magazine’s prestigious annual Prime 100 Golf equipment listing. From June to September, the “Ibiza of Croatia” fires up, with festivals, themed get together weekends and visitor slots from famous person DJs. You’ll discover the seashore close to the city of Novalja on the sun-scorched island of Pag, which is joined to the northern Dalmatian mainland by a bridge.
Šunj, Lopud
Greatest for a car-free step again in time
Considered one of Croatia’s loveliest sandy seashores is a dreamy day journey from Dubrovnik by boat to this chilled-out island within the Elaphiti archipelago. When you set foot on Lopud, you’ll perceive why Renaissance nobles from Dubrovnik constructed their summer season palaces on this car-free island. Stroll from the primary port by the pine woods to the huge sandy seashore at Šunj, the place you possibly can set your self up for the day on the smooth sands or on a shaded sunbed. There’s a easy restaurant too, and should you can’t face the 25-minute stroll from the harbor, rent one of many golf cart taxis to take you there.
Stračinska, Šolta
Greatest for quiet swimming and snorkeling
Šolta is so near Break up, nevertheless it appears to slide below individuals’s radar within the headlong rush to succeed in Hvar and Brač. However this splendidly laid-back island has a deeply indented shoreline sheltering tiny seashores, together with the pebbly cove at Stračinska Bay. It’s a peaceable spot, lined with aromatic pine timber rocky shores – and that’s about it. No bar, simply glowing blue-green waters excellent for lazy swims and snorkeling.
Cape Kamenjak, Istria
Greatest seashore for nature
The wild Cape Kamenjak peninsula stretches out from the southern tip of Istria, Croatia’s northernmost area. Mediterranean shrubs, aromatic herbs, fruit timber and wildflowers blanket the low hills, whereas throughout its perimeter are rocky cabinets stepping all the way down to the water. There are few seashores per se, however a part of the enchantment is discovering a secluded perch to name your individual.
Sahara Seaside, Rab Island
Greatest seashore for naturists
Naturism has a protracted and venerable historical past in Croatia. Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson famously stripped down on Rab Island in 1936 whereas Edward was nonetheless the British king. There are clothing-optional seashores throughout Croatia, many on rocky headlands abutting widespread seashores. Sahara Seaside on Rab has the benefit of being fairly in its personal proper.
This massive sandy horseshoe is a half-hour hike from Lopar, giving it a level of isolation whereas nonetheless being simply accessible. The most important drawback is that all the bay is extraordinarily shallow. You’ll stroll for what looks like an eternity to cowl even your knees, not to mention anything. On the brilliant facet, the shallow water warms up shortly, and you might simply lie in it for hours.
Punta Rata, Brela
Greatest seashore for enjoyable within the shade
The shoreline round Brela, on the stretch of the Dalmatian mainland often known as the Makarska Riviera, is comprised of a succession of fairly, pebbly seashores backed by pine forests. This 1000-ft (300m) stretch is widespread with native households, the timber offering a welcome respite from the scorching summer season solar.
Baška Voda, Makarska
Greatest for households
It’s arduous to beat the spectacular backdrop of the Biokovo mountains looming over the seashores at Baška Voda on the Makarska Riviera. Begin with the lengthy stretch of pebbles overlaying Blue Flag Nikolina Seaside earlier than heading to the smaller Oseka Seaside additional south, the place there’s a youngsters’s playground. Should you’re within the temper for one thing livelier, keep it up all the way down to Makarska the place Buba Bar on Biloševac Seaside retains the get together going all day and evening.
Lubenice, Cres
Greatest seashore for seclusion and a post-swim exercise
Lubenice is a stony hamlet perched 1240 ft (378m) up a ridge in a distant part of the island of Cres. At its base is a pebbly seashore, accessible by a path from the village. The 45-minute stroll all the way down to the water is a breeze, and when you get there, the often-deserted seashore is a delight. The stroll again to the highest, nevertheless, is relatively much less pleasing.
Čikat Bay, Lošinj
Greatest for lush inexperienced vegetation
You’ll really feel a scrumptious headiness in Lošinj as you drink within the scents of the unbelievable profusion of untamed herbs rising on this island within the Kvarner Gulf. Stroll or cycle alongside the footpaths lining Čikat Bay and also you’ll instantly see why Habsburg emperors got here right here to get wholesome. Take your choose from the entire pebbly seashores, large and small, tucked into this deeply indented bay fringed with pine timber and lined with good inns and properly scruffy seashore bars.
