· 12 min read
Croatia’s Best 20 Beaches: Sandy, Pebbly & Hidden Gems
By Sarah & Ivan Ćosić, Royal Croatian Tours
Looking for the best beaches in Croatia for your upcoming holiday? I’ve put together a list of the top 20 beaches, which include sandy beaches, some popular pebbly beaches, as well as some hidden gems that are a little off the beaten path.
I’ve also included helpful information about each beach, like whether or not it has natural shade, if you can rent sun umbrellas or lounge chairs, and if there are any restaurants or cafes on the beach (or nearby).
Let’s start with the best sandy beaches, as they’re what most people are on the hunt for. Then we’ll move to pebbly & popular, and finally to those wonderfully natural, hidden beaches!
*If you click on the name of any of the beaches listed, it will bring you to a map of where they are located.
The Best Sandy Beaches in Croatia
1. Sakarun, Dugi Otok (Island)
This stunning white sandy beach is located at the top of the island “Dugi Otok” and it’s a must see. You might mistake Sakarun for a beach in the tropics somewhere, as the colors of the sea, mixed with the white sand is a magical combination! Great for kids, as it stays very shallow for quite a while. This is my favorite beach in Croatia and I’ve been many times.
Sandy or pebbly? Sandy
Natural shade? Yes, but not right at the water, a bit further back in the forested area
Umbrellas or lounge chairs to rent? Yes
Food/drink nearby? There are a few cafes and a small restaurant
2. Rajska Plaza, Rab Island
Also known as "Paradise Beach" is a beautiful sandy beach, with very shallow water that goes quite a far way out. It’s not the clearest water, but it’s a perfect beach for kids with all of the sand (and shallowness). There are also many little boats you can rent.
Sandy or pebbly? Sandy
Natural shade? No, not close to the water
Umbrellas or lounge chairs to rent? Yes
Food/drink nearby? There are plenty of bars and restaurants nearby
3. Sunj Beach, Lopud Island
A wonderful little sandy beach, just a short distance from Dubrovnik by ferry. There are many places to eat and drink, so it also makes for a great day trip. There are beautiful views all around and like most sandy beaches, the water stays shallow for a while!
Sandy or pebbly? Sandy
Natural shade? Not much
Umbrellas or lounge chairs to rent? Yes
Food/drink nearby? Yes, several cafe bars / restaurants
4. Vela Przina Beach, Korcula Island
This is a wonderful, sandy beach, that’s quite easy to get to! It’s located in Lumbarda on Korcula Island, and the warm shallow water is perfect for children and families. With places to eat and drink, you can stay for the day and not have to pack a picnic.
Sandy or pebbly? Sandy
Natural shade? Not much
Umbrellas or chairs to rent? Yes
Food/drink nearby? Yes, nice restaurant on the beach
5. Prapratno Beach, Peljesac Peninsula
Fine sand, a picturesque cove, shallow turquoise water - this beach has it all. It’s located on a campsite (so bonus if you’re into camping), but you can still visit the beach even if you’re not camping, of course! There are plenty of facilities nearby, which makes this beach even better, but above all, it’s one of the most beautiful sandy beaches in Croatia.
Sandy or pebbly? Sandy
Natural Shade? Some
Umbrellas or lounge chairs to rent? No
Food/drink nearby? Yes, a place to get drinks, and the actual campsite has a restaurant and market
6. Kraljicina Plaza, Nin
Literally translated as “Queen’s Beach” is a very large sandy beach located in Nin (close to Zadar), so it makes for a quick day trip if you’re staying in the area. There are many water toys to rent, along with food and drinks being sold, and plenty of umbrellas and loungers to rent.
Sandy or pebbly? Sandy
Natural shade? No
Umbrellas or lounge chairs to rent? Yes
Food/drink nearby? Yes, beach bar & restaurant
Pebbly & Popular Beaches in Croatia
These beaches are always a great choice, as there are typically many bars and restaurants either on the beach or not far from it, and since they are more popular, they tend to offer the most amenities.
7. Zlatni Rat, Brac Island (Golden Horn)
This is one of Croatia’s most famous beaches, as the tide forms the beach into a unique shape each day. There is a beautiful walk through the pine trees to get to the beach, and there is perfectly pristine nature & sea all around to enjoy
Sandy or pebbly? Pebbly
Natural shade? Yes, but not right at the water, a bit further back
Umbrellas or lounge chairs to rent? Yes
Food/drink nearby? There are several food and drink stalls on the beach
8. Rucica (and Beritnica), Pag Island
Lovely pebbly beach, easy to get to by car (one of the few)! Pag Island is quite unique in and of itself, so it’s no wonder this beach is special. The sea is so blue, especially with the rocky backdrop of Pag Island, with a view of the mountains on the mainland in the distance, it’s like you’re in a piece of art.
There is another beach, just a short walk away, called “Beritnica” which is a bit less crowded, and has the same beautiful landscape, water, etc. Both are wonderful beaches!
Sandy or pebbly? Pebbly
Natural shade? No
Umbrellas or lounge chairs to rent? No
Food/drink nearby? There’s a bar that’s sometimes open
9. Punta Rata, Brela
This is one of my favorite beaches, with the crystal clear water, beautiful pine trees that create natural shade, and a wonderful scent mixed with the fresh salty air. It’s also close to Split, so it makes for a quick and easy day trip.
Sandy or pebbly? Pebbly
Natural shade? Yes
Umbrellas or lounge chairs to rent? Yes
Food/drink nearby? A few nice restaurants and cafe bars that are available
10. Stiniva Cove, Vis Island
This used to be a hidden gem, but not really anymore. It certainly deserves a spot on the list of top beaches in Croatia, though! This picturesque little cove that is surrounded by cliffs and rocks, is postcard worthy.
You can either hike down to it from above, or take a boat to it, of course. The gorgeous blue water seems to shine in a whole new way in this spectacular cove.
Sandy or pebbly? Pebbly
Natural shade? Depends on the time of day
Umbrellas or lounge chairs to rent? No
Food/drink nearby? Yes, bar/restaurant
11. Zrce Beach, Pag Island
The only way to describe this beach is a party beach, so don’t go here if you’re looking for a peaceful day in a quiet place, to relax with a book. It’s usually full with a busy, lively, younger crowd (day and night), since there are many festivals that happen here!
Sandy or pebbly? Pebbly
Natural shade? No
Umbrellas or lounge chairs to rent? Yes
Food/drink nearby? Yes, cafe bars, restaurants
12. Divna Beach, Peljesac Peninsula
Divna is another very beautiful beach, which is located on the Peljesac Peninsula, not too far from Trpanj (where the ferry leaves to go to the mainland). The beach is easy to get to by car, and a great place to spend the day. The water is clear, the beach is clean and there is a beautiful landscape backdrop in the distance!
Sandy or pebbly? More rocky
Natural shade? Not much
Umbrellas or lounge chairs to rent? Yes
Food/drink nearby? Yes, a small beach bar
Hidden Gem Beaches in Croatia, Off the Beaten Path
These more “secret” beaches are the harder ones to get to, but that’s what keeps them so special. They aren’t crowded, they haven’t been overrun by tourists, and they are full of natural beauty.
If you have a boat at your disposal, though, they’re much easier to get to! Don’t expect many amenities here, though. These are more of the untouched places that offer only their natural beauty.
13. Lubenice, Cres Island (Sveti Ivan)
An absolutely stunning beach, but it’s not easy to get to. The best way might be to rent a boat, because the hike down to the beach from the top of Lubenice is steep and it takes about an hour. The reward is pristine water and a clean beach that’s not overly crowded.
Sandy or pebbly? Pebbly
Natural shade? No
Umbrellas or lounge chairs to rent? No
Food/drink nearby? No (only in the village above from where you start the hike down to the beach)
14. Dubovica, Hvar Island
This beach is a local gem, but it’s a little bit of a hike to get to (about 10mins of some rocky/uneven terrain). Your hard work will pay off, though, as this is a picturesque, clean beach, super clear water, and it’s not terribly crowded.
Sandy or pebbly? Pebbly
Natural shade? Not very much
Umbrellas or lounge chairs to rent? No
Food/drink nearby? There is a small beach bar and a restaurant
15. Proizd Island (near Korcula Island)
A perfect escape for the day to a small, peaceful, uninhabited island with 4 beaches. The island has a pine forest, with paths that connect the 4 different beaches. The water at every beach is crystal clear, and clean with stunning shades of blue.
This is more of a wild island, and only has one bar and restaurant, so go prepared for the day. There is a ferry boat that goes back and forth, but it doesn’t go very frequently. The other option is taking a water taxi.
Sandy or pebbly? More rocky
Natural shade? Only really through the paths/forest connecting the beaches
Umbrellas or lounge chairs to rent? No
Food/drink nearby? A restaurant and cafe bar
16. Pasjaca, near Dubrovnik
Stunning, secluded, natural beach with crystal clear water, but it’s quite a steep walk down (although worth the effort once you reach the beach). It’s about 25mins from Dubrovnik, and it remains a hidden gem.
It’s a nice peaceful break from the crowds to enjoy pure nature, however, there have been reports of pieces of rocks falling from the cliff onto the beach below, so I’m not sure about safety.
Sandy or pebbly? More rocky
Natural shade? No
Umbrellas or lounge chairs to rent? No
Food/drink nearby? No
17. Nugal Beach, Makarska
This beach is a little less crowded because it’s a bit of a walk to get there (through a some-what shaded path that winds along the coast) from the center of Makarska. Upon arrival, you’ll find a peaceful beach with crystal clear water, as well as some shade from surrounding trees, which is great!
Since this is quite a secluded beach, you’ll have to come prepared, as there aren’t restaurants, bars or beach loungers/umbrellas to rent. I should also note, it’s partially a nudist beach, so keep that in mind when you’re planning.
Sandy or pebbly? Pebbly
Natural shade? Some
Umbrellas or lounge chairs to rent? No
Food/drink nearby? No
18. Veli Zal, Dugi Otok (Island)
This is a real hidden gem, as the whole island is pretty quiet, and most people go to the more famous Sakarun Beach. To get to Veli Zal, you have to drive down a very small, rural road, but there is parking and even a small beach bar. The water here is an unbelievable hue of turquoise and it’s so clear, you can see the bottom for ages.
Sandy or pebbly? Pebbly
Natural shade? Not much
Umbrellas or lounge chairs to rent? No
Food/drink nearby? Yes, a small beach bar/restaurant
19. Mali Bok, Cres Island
This is by far one of my favorite beaches in Croatia. It’s definitely not easy to get to (a lot of walking/hiking on uneven terrain), but it’s gorgeous and secluded, tucked away in a little cove. The water is so clear and the colors & scenery are breathtaking.
Sandy or pebbly? Pebbly
Natural shade? No
Umbrellas or lounge chairs to rent? No
Food/drink nearby? No
20. Sveti Jakov, Dubrovnik
This is one of the best beaches in Dubrovnik. You have to walk down a bunch of stairs to get to the beach, but once you get there, you’ll see it was worth it. The sea is crystal clear, and very clean, and the beach is much less crowded than the more popular Banje Beach, closer to the center. There are also beautiful views of Lokrum, and Dubrovnik’s Old Town.
Sandy or pebbly? Pebbly
Natural shade? No
Umbrellas or lounge chairs to rent? Yes
Food/drink nearby? Yes, a beach restaurant & bar
That wraps up our list of the 20 best beaches in Croatia. My personal favorites are Sakarun and Mali Bok, but all of them are great choices! I hope you’ve found some helpful information and you’re well on your way to planning your holiday. If you need any help, we’re just a quick call / message / email away!
Interested in reading a few more of our latest blog posts?
- Is Croatia Safe? Read Our 20 Useful Safety Tips for Tourists
- Croatian Culture, Etiquette & Social Norms: A Complete Guide!
- 38 Local Tips & Mistakes to Avoid When Traveling to Croatia
- Travel to Croatia With a Toddler or Baby (From Experience!)
- Tipping in Croatia: A Complete Guide With Suggested Amounts!
- Croatia Travel Itinerary for 5, 7 & 10 Days
- How I Learned to Speak Croatian as an Adult (in 7 Steps)
- Driving in Croatia (A Helpful Guide With Practical Tips)
- Zagreb’s Flea Market, Hrelic: A Helpful Guide
- Croatian Money: KN or EURO, Exchanging $, and Daily Costs
- Top 5 Croatian Travel Snacks
- 8 Reasons You Should Never Swim in the Adriatic
- Top 10 Day Trips From Zagreb, Within 1hr Drive
- 5 Reasons Croatian Grannies are Cuter than Kittens
- 9 Reasons You Should NEVER Use a Travel Agent
- Our Insider’s Guide to Wineries & Wine Tasting Near Zagreb
- Direct Flights to Croatia From North America (& Asia) in 2020
- A Guide to Zagreb’s Best Craft Beer: The Top 6 Breweries
Sarah Cosic
Royal Croatian Tours - Specializing in custom made, luxury trips throughout Croatia. We offer exclusive experiences all over the country, and we’re passionate about providing you exceptional service that goes above and beyond for your tailor made vacation!
About the authors
As a Canadian in Croatia, Sarah shares her favourite things to see and do, in hopes of helping others enjoy and explore this beautiful country.
Ivan is always searching for unique places and experiences to offer his guests, and shares some of his findings through the blog.
5 comments from readers
So many beautiful beaches! I really like Stiniva Cove. Thank you for sharing the beauty of Croatia
Thanks for reading, Paul! Yes, Stiniva is really beautiful and unique!
You need to add some beaches in Istria to the list - Kamenjak and San Polo (Bale) are good places to start.
Sara, you have to visit beautiful sand island Susak near Losinj. There is a ferry from Rijeka to Susak.
Please advice on best time and affordable options to visit Croatia from SA please
Comments are closed. Have a question about this topic? Write to us, we're happy to help.