The Best Beach Holidays in Croatia
According CNN Travel, 27th June, 2018,
It’s easy to forget that some of the best beaches in the world are just a couple of hours from home.
Croatia is blessed with some of the world’s most sensational coastlines – Lovely stretches of pristine beach, backed by forest of pine trees, some only reachable from the sea dramatic coastlines and islands to explore. And beyond the beaches themselves – it’s everything else that should come with a beach holiday. Guaranteed sunshine , boho beach bars , chic wine bars and family friendly favourites…
Boats and busloads of the young and beautiful descend on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast every summer in search of all-day-all-night beach parties ( specifically on the islands of Pag and Hvar ), lovely beaches , however If that’s your idea of hell , you might need to go further afield. Here’s some of our favourite spots.
An hour on the ferry from Dubrovnik will bring you to sandy, secluded Sunj beach on Lopud island. Take some good walking shoes it’s the other side of the island to where the ferry port is , you have to follow the path over the top of the island and down the other side . There is now a little bar there to quench your thirst. For a less strenuous trip head across to Kolocep the ferry trip is only about 15 – 20 minutes from Gruz port and the lovely sandy beach only a few minute’s walk away – lovely car free island with an excellent fish restaurant .
Head up the coast to the Peljesac Peninsula , some lovely wild beaches and small family ones like Trstenik still on this undeveloped stretch or head up towards Orebic and the surfing villages of Perna and Viganj . A short ferry ride from Orebic brings you to the lovely island of Korcula , the most popular sandy beach can be found at Lumbarda but if you want somewhere quieter and less crowded , Bilin Jal is small and pebbly but perfect paddling water and stunning views across to the Peljesac make it worthwhile there is even a ruined castle !
The most famous beach in Croatia is of course on the beautiful island of Brac Zlatni Rat in Brac – an iconic sliver of fine white pebbles curling into the Adriatic Sea. Gets really packed so best visited early morning before the crowds descend or head for the locals beach at the other end of the village past the little church, much calmer & quieter. The island boasts lots of beaches easily reached and some only accessible by boat or foot. One of our favourites is just 4km outside the village of Postira , it’s called Lovrecina , not much in the way of parking spaces so again get there early or walk the coastal path from Postira. The beach is sandy and the water is gently shelving so great for little ones. Pine trees at the back of the beach provide shade in the heat of the day and there is now a little cafe/restaurant.
Also worth a visit is Vis, Croatia’s most distant island, which is just under three hours from Split. Its spectacular Stiniva beach was recently named the best in Europe. Limited ferries to the island keep it unspoilt by tourism still.
Zadar has many beaches, also many islands off shore to explore . Catch the jadrolina ferry out to the island of Dugi Otok, with its National Park and the stunning Sakarun beach , you can wade out up to 100m from shore and still be in the shallows so the water stays warm even at 250m it’s still not that deep ( 3.5m ), it’s a protected area so the car pack is hidden in the forest behind the beach and the fine white pebbles/sand mix make the whole place look like a Caribbean beach. In summer there is a little miniature train that runs from the nearest town of Bozava ( 4km ) and a couple of beach bar/cafes’ provide welcome refreshment.
Just north of Zadar is Nin – with its long strip of sand ( 8000m ) backed by reeds and dunes with healing peloid mud and views across to the Velebit mountains, Queens beach has a variety of beach bars and is the busiest spot but wander a bit further and it gets quieter and more secluded.
Susak Island is reached by ferry from Losinj or Rijeka and is very sandy and shallow so great for kids Spiaza beach is just at the edge of the village while the quieter Bok is further east. The island has no cars no roads so is very tranquil.
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