A guide to finding the best beaches in Croatia. Beaches for pets, kids and naturists. How long is the swimming season and how to check sea temperatures?
- Beaches in Croatia: an introduction
- How long is the swimming season in Croatia?
- How to check the sea temperature?
- I prefer sandy beaches – what does Croatia have to offer?
- FKK beach tourism in Croatia
- Zagreb beaches among the best in Croatia?
- Mljet, the top 5 beaches
- Konavle, the top 5 beaches
- Lastovo, the top 5 beaches
- Peljesac Peninsula, the top 5 beaches
- The best beaches on Korcula
- Makarska beach heaven: the top 5
- Where to find the best beaches in Dubrovnik-Neretva County?
- Split, the top 5 beaches
- Hvar, the top 5 beaches
- Vis, the top 5 beaches
- Brac, the top 5 beaches
- Solta, the top 5 beaches
- Ciovo, the top 5 beaches
- Pasman, the top 5 beaches
- Dugi Otok, the top 5 beaches
- Rab, the top 5 beaches
- Losinj, the top 5 beaches
- Top 10 beaches in Pula, as chosen by locals
- Beaches in Croatia for pets
Beaches in Croatia: an introduction
Why do people come on holiday to Croatia? There are many reasons, of course, but the infinite amazing beaches are top of the list for many.
With almost 2,000 km of coastline and more than 1,000 islands, Croatia is blessed with so many beach options that the hardest holiday decision is often which one to choose.
But it is not only the number of beaches which make Croatia such an attractive sun and sea destination. It is also the cleanliness and – coupled with the pristine Adriatic – Croatia’s beaches are generally of a very high standard of cleanliness.
Whatever you are looking for in your holiday beach, you will find it here. Sandy, rocky, romantic, family, naturist or remote – Croatia has been specialising in beach tourism for generations.
How long is the swimming season in Croatia?
When I lived in Jelsa, there was a lovely old lady in her 80s who came for coffee most mornings. She looked younger than me, despite being 40 years older. She had two secrets, she confided. For as long as she could remember, she swam every day in the sea, and she followed that with a spoon of olive oil each day.
Having lived on Hvar during the winter and the bura, the chances of getting me into the water at that time of year are slim to none. But there are those who do swim, and Hvar even has a traditional New Year’s Day swim each year.
But for more sane people, the generally accepted swimming season in Croatia is from May until October.
How to check the sea temperature?
Sea temperature is more important than air temperature for some people, and the Ministry is on hand to help.
Croatian beaches are assessed every fortnight during the season for a variety of things. These include air and water temperature, sea cleanliness and facilities. So you can easily check what the temperatures are for the corresponding period of your holiday last year.
I prefer sandy beaches – what does Croatia have to offer?
If you are coming to Croatia and expecting white sandy beaches, you will (for the most part at least) be disappointed.
While there are some sandy beaches (the island of Susak is one) in Croatia, these are very much in the minority. Small pebble and rocky beaches rule, and then you see the clarity of the water, you will realise that this is not such a bad thing…
Getting used to beaches which are not sandy may take a while. But having made the switch, I personally would find it hard to go back to sand. Those little grains of sand get EVERYWHERE!
FKK beach tourism in Croatia
Naturism is big business in Croatia. For prudish Brits like myself, this can take some getting used to, but it was actually a Brit who is credited with founding FKK tourism in Croatia.
The year is 1936, and the recently abdicated British King Edward VIII is on the Yugoslav coast with his American live, Mrs Wallace Simpson. After a splendid lunch on Rab, the couple request permission to go skinny-dipping in a nearby bay.
Permission is granted, and a new industry is born. Naturist tourism really took off in the 1960s, mostly with German FKK arrivals. Today there are many FKK beaches and campsites, which remain very popular.
Learn more about what is available to naturists on the Adriatic.
Zagreb beaches among the best in Croatia?
Enough with the introductions about beaches in Croatia! Where are the best ones? Over the years, TCN has put together various articles on the best beaches in Croatia.
For the first time in this article, we ar able to group them in the same place. And there are some surprises. Did you know, for example, that Zagreb beaches are rated among the best in Croatia?
Mljet, the top 5 beaches
Discover the best beaches on Mljet.
Konavle, the top 5 beaches
Explore the best beaches in the Konavle region.
Lastovo, the top 5 beaches
Find the best beaches on Lastovo.
Peljesac Peninsula, the top 5 beaches
Where are the best beaches on the Peljesac Peninsula?
The best beaches on Korcula
The island of Korcula is beach heaven, but where are the very best places?
Makarska beach heaven: the top 5
Makarska beach paradise, but where are the best spots?
Where to find the best beaches in Dubrovnik-Neretva County?
The best beaches in the Dubrovnik region.
Split, the top 5 beaches
Where to sun-worship in the Dalmatian capital?
Hvar, the top 5 beaches
The finest beaches on Croatia’s premier island.
Vis, the top 5 beaches
Mamma Mia, what great beaches on Vis!
Brac, the top 5 beaches
Find the best beaches on the island of Brac.
Solta, the top 5 beaches
Finding the best beaches on Solta.
Ciovo, the top 5 beaches
Where to go for a quality beach on Ciovo?
Pasman, the top 5 beaches
Meet the best beaches on Pasman.
Dugi Otok, the top 5 beaches
One long island and five great beaches.
Rab, the top 5 beaches
Losinj, the top 5 beaches
Great beaches on the island of vitality.
Top 10 beaches in Pula, as chosen by locals
Looking for the best beaches in Pula, as recommended by locals?
Beaches in Croatia for pets
Taking your favourite furry friend on holiday and looking for a place to swim? There are a variety of options for you, and Croatia has a number of beaches for pets. Here is a breakdown of where you can sun-worship with your four-legged friend.
