August the 31st, 2026 – You’ll likely have never heard of it, but Kucel is a sandy oasis less than an hour from the heart of Zagreb, but it seems as if it couldn’t possibly be further away.
There’s a rather unknown touch of the tropics in a completely unexpected place not far from Zagreb, more specifically Lijevi Dubrovčak near Ivanić-Grad. Putni kofer writes that the beach is called Kucel Beach, and it’s worth discovering.
a surprise on the sava’s banks
Kucel Beach is nothing like a small accumulation of sand mixed with gravel. Instead, it’s an expansive stretch of shoreline made of the finest sand, which is quite a surprise compared to the gravel banks most are used to seeing. Almost perfect sand, together with the beautiful nature, are its main assets. The beauty of this beach also lies in its peace. You’re likely to have Kucel Beach entirely to yourself. Navigation will easily take you to this area, and it’s no more than an hour’s drive from Zagreb at most. There is no infrastructure on this beach, meaning that wild and natural is precisely what you’ll get. Nevertheless, various events are sometimes held on the beach. Kucel Beach isn’t an organised bathing area, nor is swimming actually intended on the beach. Because of the currents of the Sava, it’s safe only in the shallows, so it’s recommended only to dip your feet in and paddle. Dogs are also freely allowed on the beach.
an area for walks, bike rides and unwinding
Kucel Beach, if you don’t mind the sand, can indeed be an excellent option for a picnic and a starting point for exploring the rest of the area. In the latter case, it is enough simply to stay in the embrace of the Sava and follow its course. As you follow it you will notice that a number of places there have a left and a right version, depending on which bank of the Sava they are on. Lijevi Dubrovčak, home to the Posavina Corn Maze which we also visited that day, is just one such example. There is also Desni Dubrovčak.
The wider area is made for a relaxed road trip, cycling or walks. The region is peaceful, the fields are expansive, and although the road is quite narrow there is still room for two cars to pass. On one side of the fence there is often the steep bank of the Sava, hidden behind dense bushes and trees; on the other side it drops a few metres towards the fields. You can also “switch” sides of the Sava: you can cross the river by ferry or via the 160-metre-long bridge in Martinska Ves.
